Edmonton - Guest Performances
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**These are performances from 2023, this page will be updated in the fall of 2023** VIEW THE 2023 PRINTED PROGRAM HERE Monday, April 17thWinspear Centre Main Stage, 7:00pm & 8:30pmSchool groups will be assigned concert times:
RCA Band Repertoire to be chosen from:
Tuesday, April 18thFrancis Winspear Centre for Music, 7:00pm & 8:30pmSchool groups will be assigned concert times:
Choral Evening Free Play Duo Repertoire TBA Kokopelli Choirs Repertoire to be chosen from:
Festival Mass Choir Repertoire Ukuthula; O Saya (Earthsongs)
Wednesday, April 19thNorthern Jubilee Auditorium, 8:00pmOpen to all school participants University of Alberta Symphonic Winds Repertoire to be chosen from:
MacEwan University Big Band Repertoire to be chosen from:
Performer Bios
RCA BandFormed in 1899, The Royal Canadian Artillery Band is the oldest professional military band in Canada. With a complement of 35 full-time musicians, the band takes pride in its role of providing musical support to Land Forces Western Area and Canadian Forces. As musical ambassadors, The Royal Canadian Artillery Band regularly represents Canada in performing across the country and around the world.
Jens LindemannAs the first classical brass soloist to ever receive the Order of Canada, Jens Lindemann is hailed as one of the most celebrated artists in his instrument’s history and was recently named “International Brass Personality of the Year” (Brass Herald). Jens has played both jazz and classical in every major concert venue in the world: from the Philharmonics of New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Moscow and Tokyo to Carnegie Hall and even the Great Wall of China. His career has ranged from appearing internationally as an orchestral soloist, being featured at the 2010 Olympics for an audience of 2 billion people, national anthems at the Rose Bowl and for the San Francisco Giants on Memorial Day, performing at London’s ‘Last Night of the Proms’, recording with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to playing lead trumpet with the renowned Canadian Brass and a solo Command Performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Jens has also won major awards ranging from Grammy and Juno nominations to winning the prestigious Echo Klassik in Germany and British Bandsman 2011 Solo CD of the year as well as receiving several honorary doctorates. Classically trained at the renowned Juilliard School in New York and McGill University in Montreal, Jens’ proven ability to perform as a diverse artist places him at the front of a new generation of musicians. He has performed as soloist and recording artist with classical stars such as Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Angel Romero, Pinchas Zukerman, Doc Severinsen, Charles Dutoit, Gerard Schwarz, Eiji Oue, Bramwell Tovey, Kent Nagano, Lior Shambadal, Boris Brott and Jukka Pekka Saraste. Having recorded for BMG, EMI, CBC and the BBC, Jens is helping to redefine the idea of the concert artist by transcending stylistic genres and the very stereotype of his instrument by performing with “impeccable attacks, agility and amazing smoothness” (The Clarin, Buenos Aires). A prodigious talent, Jens Lindemann performed as a soloist with orchestras and won accolades at numerous festivals while still in his teens. A prizewinner at numerous jazz and classical competitions including the prestigious ARD in Munich, Jens also placed first, by unanimous juries, at both the Prague and Ellsworth Smith (Florida) International Trumpet Competitions in 1992. Since then, he has performed solos with orchestras including, the London Symphony, Berlin, Philadelphia, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Beijing, Bayersicher Rundfunk, Buenos Aires Chamber, Atlanta, Washington, Seattle, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Montreal, Toronto, National Arts Centre, Vancouver, Warsaw, Mexico City, Costa Rica, Bogota, Welsh Chamber, I Musici de Montreal, St. Louis, and Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center. Heralded internationally as an outstanding artist, critics have stated: “He played with golden timbre and virtuosic flair” (New York Times)“, “a world-class talent” (Los Angeles Times), “it was one of the most memorable recitals in International Trumpet Guild history” (ITG), “performed brilliantly in the North American premiere of Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s Concerto with the Toronto Symphony” (Toronto Star), and “he gave the virtuoso highlight of the evening with the Montreal Symphony”. Based in Los Angeles as Professor with High Distinction at UCLA, Jens is also director of the summer brass program at the Banff Centre in Canada. Jens Lindemann is an international Yamaha artist playing exclusively on 24K gold plated instruments.
Free PlayUsing nothing but their voices and innovative live-looping techniques, genre-bending FreePlay takes you from the concert halls of Europe, to the jazz clubs of Manhattan, to the temples of India, and back to their native Toronto, Canada… all without leaving your seat. From Bach to Bird to the Beatles, Dylan and Suba effortlessly cross musical boundaries, continually combining and recombining sounds to create a concert of endless variety, with the intimate delivery of two people. Imagine Simon and Garfunkel crossed with a Bach 2-part invention… or an acrobatic jazz melody combined with ancient Indian beats… or an 8-part vocal arrangement created by two singers… and you’ll get a glimpse of what FreePlay has to offer. Dylan and Suba first met in Toronto in 1993, singing in a jazz choir at York University called “Wibijazz’n'”: soon after, they started directing the choir together. At their year-end concert, Dylan and Suba performed an a cappella “director’s duet”, and FreePlay was born. What started as a typical voice-and-piano jazz duo began to evolve: more instruments were added, and more musical styles explored, to create a duo unique in its musical depth and variety. In 2007, FreePlay created the uniquely innovative, all-a cappella live looping performance style that has earned them international recognition. FreePlay’s diverse concert program has taken them across Canada and around the world, with performances at major music festivals spanning six continents. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2009, and their most recent album, Go Back Forward, was released in 2018. Partners offstage as well as onstage, Dylan and Suba delight in exploring music together, bringing this joy to audiences worldwide. Visit FreePlay at http://www.freeplayduo.com Kokopelli ChoirsKokopelli Choirs is a community choir family based in Edmonton, Alberta. We offer musical growth and performance opportunities through seven choirs for singers aged 5 to adult and early childhood music experiences for preschoolers. Known for innovative performances, wide-ranging repertoire, and musical excellence, Kokopelli Choirs believes in the power of music to create diverse, inclusive, and strong communities. Kokopelli has received several honours, including the YMCA Peace Medal, the Edmonton Salute to Excellence, and the Syncrude award for Innovative Artistic Direction. Kokopelli's ensembles have placed first in competitions both provincially and nationally. However, our focus remains not on winning awards, but on reaching singers and audience members through our performances. Founded in 1996 by artistic director Scott Leithead, Kokopelli continues to grow and evolve, but our core values are unchanged:
Scott Leithead, Conductor
Scott Leithead is the founder and Artistic Director of Canada's Kokopelli Choir Association and TIME Association from Edmonton, Alberta. He has been invited to conduct provincial, national and state honour choirs on twenty-six occasions and he has presented workshops in North America and beyond. Notable appearances include: conducting the Alberta Youth Choir for Choir Alberta’s 40th Anniversary; conducting the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir on six occasions; conducting the 2016 ACDA NW Regional Youth Choir in Seattle. He has adjudicated both the ACCC National Competition for Amateur Canadian Choirs, the Kathaumixw International Choir Festival (2014 and 2016) and Finland’s Tampere Choir Festival in 2017. Under his direction, Kokopelli was a winner of both the 2015 CBC National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and the 2015 and 2016 Canadian National Music Competition. Kokopelli was thrilled to be invited by the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM) to perform at the prestigious World Choral Expo in Lisbon Portugal last summer. His vocal ensemble ‘Nuf Sed toured Japan and presented at several national festivals in 2019. Kokopelli was recently featured on the “Amazing Race Canada”. Scott has a passion for music from southern Africa and he has been invited to work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia on numerous occasions. In 2008/09, Scott was on sabbatical in Namibia where he worked with the Mascato Youth Choir and many other choirs in southern Africa. Scott’s passion for innovative and unique choral music experiences has shaped the direction of the Kokopelli Choir Association. This season Scott will guest conduct the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra with the River East Transcona School Division Mass Choir in October and the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir in Calgary in May. He will conduct the Adult Choir for the Coralua Trondheim International Choir Festival in Norway in July. In addition to adjudicating numerous festivals nationally, he will present workshops with choirs in 7 provinces over the course of the year.
University of Alberta Symphonic Wind EnsembleThe Symphonic Wind Ensemble is a group of 50 of the university's most talented wind and percussion musicians, directed by Dr. Angela Schroeder. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs the most serious and challenging wind band music available. With essentially one player to a part, the repertoire is largely music that was originally conceived for the wind band. Recognized in national festivals and internationally, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs four concerts a year and several performances away from the campus and for special events. The ensemble has performed with notable soloists including Dr. Brian Bowman (euphonium), Jeff Nelson (horn), Jens Lindemann (trumpet), Dr. Matthew Coley (percussion), Jeff Campbell (clarinet), Lidia Khaner (oboe), Dr. Allison Balcetis (saxophone), and the Quatour International de Saxophones (saxophone quartet). The ensemble has hosted two Pulitzer Prize winning composers on campus - Michael Colgrass and John Corigliano - and performed the Canadian premiere performance of Corigliano's Circus Maximus: Symphony No. 3 for large Wind Ensemble, under the supervision of the composer. In 2010, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performed at the regional conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Reno, NV. Most recently the ensemble were invited performers at the Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival in Chicago, IL, and had the distinction of performing at Orchestra Hall - home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - in March 2016. They have participated in numerous composition consortiums, including works by Jonathan Newman and Libby Larsen, and continue to program Canadian premiere performances annually. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble participates in the annual Department of Music Concerto Competition, offering students the opportunity to perform a solo concerto with the ensemble. In addition, the ensemble hosts the University of Alberta High School Honour Band each spring, inviting students from across the province to come to campus to work and perform with members of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble as well as our applied instrumental faculty. Alumni of SWE have gone on to positions with major orchestras, military bands - even the world-famous Canadian Brass!
Angela Schroeder, ConductorA native of Alberta, Dr. Angela Schroeder is currently Associate Professor of Music in the Department of Music at the University of Alberta. She teaches courses in conducting and wind band education, and works with Graduate students in instrumental conducting. She previously taught conducting at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Dr. Schroeder completed undergraduate degrees in Music and Education at the University of Calgary, majoring in Secondary Music Education, with performance studies in piano and trumpet. She also completed the Diploma of Fine Arts in Wind Band Conducting under the supervision of Glenn Price. Angela entered the Master’s program in Wind Conducting at Northwestern University in 2002. In 2007, she completed the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting at the University of North Texas, under the supervision of Eugene Corporon. Angela Schroeder is well known in the Alberta music education community through her teaching and conducting and her involvement as an executive director of the Alberta Band Association.
MacEwan University Big BandFor the past 50 years, our department has been producing highly skilled musicians. Graduates complete rigorous and extensive training, with a depth and breadth of curriculum that prepares them for a career in music. We are one of the few music programs in North America that combines studies in jazz and popular music. Our students participate in a combination of classroom work, rehearsals, individual study and performances to develop their talents and prepare them for a career in the music industry. After their first year, students pursuing their degree select from four majors: composition, general, performance, and recording/production. After the successful completion of the first two years, students can exit the program with a diploma. Come and experience the energy and the sound! The prestigious MacEwan University Big Band fuses swing, Latin, funk and jazz styles with the colourful and breathtaking sounds of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and rhythm section into an exciting programme of dynamic music. This powerful ensemble is sure to appeal to everyone!
Ray Baril, DirectorRaymond Baril is Assistant Professor of Music and Section Head for Winds and Brass in the Department of Music at Grant MacEwan University, and, for the past 30 years, he has been the Director of the MacEwan University Jazz Ensemble. He is in his 18th season as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Edmonton Winds and recently has taken on the role as director of the River City Big Band. Raymond is currently working on his Doctorate in Saxophone Performance at the University of Alberta. Throughout his career, Raymond has received many awards including the Tommy Banks Award, presented by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the David Peterkin Memorial Award, presented by Phi Beta Mu. He has also received the Elkhorn Award for Director of the Year by the Alberta Band Association, the Best Teaching Practices Award from the Alberta Teachers’ Association, a District Service Award from Edmonton Public Schools, and an Excellence in Teaching Award from Alberta Learning.
PJ PerryPJ Perry has shared the stage with countless jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Shaw, Michel LeGrand, Pepper Adams, Kenny Wheeler, Tom Harrell, Rob McConnell, Slide Hampton, Herb Spanier, Bobby Shew, Fraser McPherson, Tommy Banks, Joe LaBarbera, Clarence “Big” Miller, Red Rodney and many more talented artists, too numerous to list here. Recently, he was a featured soloist on the hit 2010 Broadway production of Come Fly Away, highlighting the songs of Frank Sinatra and the choreography of Twyla Tharpe. In 2007 PJ was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta. In autumn of 1999 Justin Time Records released a JUNO-nominated recording of PJ and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. PJ Perry has become recognized by critics, colleagues and listeners as being one of North America’s premier saxophonists. Winner of a 1993 JUNO Award for Best Jazz Recording for his album My Ideal, PJ has received Jazz Report magazine’s Critic’s Choice Award for Best Alto Sax for a record-breaking seven years; from 1993 to 1999. In 2016 PJ Perry was awarded the Order of Canada by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. |
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