The Acadia New Music Society, in partnership with the Acadia School of Music presents Shattering the Silence 2010. We are proud to present a series of 7 concerts with outstanding performers drawn from the Maritime region and across the country. Presenting an unprecedented 19 world premieres of original works by Maritime composers including three world premieres (funded through Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage) by Dalhousie music professor Jérôme Blais, Acadia music professor Derek Charke and CBC radio personality and composer Peter Togni. 

We are very pleased to announce Toronto Soprano Zorana Sadiq as our featured guest artist. This year showcases our voice faculty; Christianne Rushton, Paula Rockwell and Claire Mallin, exceptional Acadia student performers, plus many other artists including: Helen Pridmore, Wesley Ferreira, Janice Jackson, Paul Lauzon, Ken Davidson, Rosemary MacPhee, Heather Price, and Acadia alumnus Ben Kinsmen. Composers John Abram, Bob Bauer, Carmen Braden, Scott Macmillan, Sandy Moore, Steven Naylor and Michael Parker have written nine new works for a special, off-campus premiere, sponsored by the Canadian Music Centre, New Music in New Places fund, to be held at the Grand-Pré Historical Site. The festival also features the  Acadia Gamelan directed by Ken Shorley, and of course, Acadia's own Nothin' but Gnarly Ensemble conducted by Mark Hopkins. 

Of special interest, Acadia's Singing Theatre Production Ensemble will present the Canadian Premiere of David Lang's Pulitzer Prize winning work, Little Match Girl Passion, staged for the first time.

Shattering the Silence 2010 in association with the Acadia Performing Arts Series is also presenting the annual Tom Regan Concert, again showcasing Acadia School of Music Faculty, Mezzo-Soprano Christianne Rushton and Soprano Zorana Sadiq, and the NBG Ensemble. 

The Acadia New Music Society is a non-profit organization with a mandate to foster the promotion and presentation of new and experimental types of concert music in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. The 2009-2010 board members are Derek Charke, Mark Hopkins, Pauline Dong, Sally Benevides Hopkins and Jeff Hennessy. Shattering the Silence is a multi day music festival that focuses on contemporary concert music. The aim is to highlight talents of established and emerging composers alongside showcase concerts by faculty, student ensembles and visiting artists. We strive to be as inclusive as possible.

Click here for a listing of Composer and Performer Bios

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the door. Tickets for the Tom Regan Concert on Sat. Jan. 23 can be purchased in advance through the Acadia Box Office 1-800-542-8425 or 542-5500  

Costs for each concert are listed below.

For more information please contact the Co-directors:

Derek Charke derek.charke@acadiau.ca
Mark Hopkins mark.hopkins@acadiau.ca

PDF Downloads:

Program Book 1.5 MB | Poster 2 MB | Press Release

Concert and Masterclass Listings

Note: All concerts subject to change.
Please check this website for the most recent information.

Weather Update – Thu. Jan 21, 8:00 a.m.
no cancellations

Concerts at a glance:

Concert 1: CMC New Music in New Places
WED. JAN. 20 – 7:30 pm Grand-Pré National Historic Site
$ Donation (tickets at the door)
featuring 9 world premieres by Asssociate composers

Concert 2: Student Composers and Ensembles
THU. JAN 21 – 8 pm Denton Hall Auditorium
$15 | students free (tickets at the door)
featuring the vocal ensemble & wind ensemble with Mark Adam

Concert 3: Gala Concert
FRI. JAN. 22 – 8 pm Denton Hall Auditorium
$15 | students free (tickets at the door)
featuring 3 world premieres by Jérôme Blais, Derek Charke and Peter Togni

Concert 4: Original Songs by Paul Lauzon
SAT. JAN. 23 – 1 pm Irving Centre Garden Room
$ Donation (tickets at the door)
with Ken Davidson

Concert 5: William Bolcom song cycle
SAT. JAN. 23 – 2 pm Irving Centre Garden Room
$ Donation (tickets at the door)
with Rosemary MacPhee and Heather Price

Concert 6: Tom Regan Concert
SAT. JAN. 23 – 7:30 pm Festival Theatre
$26 / $17 Student (Acadia Box Office)
featuring Mezzo-Soprano Christianne Rushton and Soprano Zorana Sadiq

Concert 7: The Little Match Girl by David Lang
SUN. JAN. 24 – 3 pm Denton Hall Auditorium
$15 | students free (tickets at the door)
featuring the Canadian Premiere of this Pulitzer Prize winning work with Acadia's Singing Theatre Production Ensemble

Masterclasses at a glance:

Lecture Presentation by Zorana Sadiq
Thu. Jan 21 – 11:30 am Denton Hall Auditorium $ free

Composer Masterclass with Jérôme Blais
Thu. Jan 21 – 1 pm Denton Hall Faculty Lounge $ free

Vocal Masterclass with Zorana Sadiq
Thu. Jan 21 – 2 pm University Hall $ free

Composer Masterclass with Janice Jackson and Steven Naylor
Fri. Jan 22 – 2:30 pm Denton Hall Room 226 $ free

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20

Concert 1
What: New Music in New Places, sponsored by the Canadian Music Centre
Where: Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada
When: Wed. January 20, 7:30 pm
Cost: Admission by donation

Eight Canadian Music Centre Associate composers, and one Acadia University Alumni composer have written short works for New Brunswick Soprano Helen Pridmore and Clarinetist Wesley Ferreira based on various Acadian texts; both historic and contemporary. This program includes works by John Abram, Bob Bauer, Jérôme Blais, Carmen Braden, Derek Charke, Scott Macmillan, Sandy Moore, Steven Naylor and Michael Parker.

The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world.

The Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada commemorates Grand-Pré area as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755 and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762. They have a visitor centre and a church. 

Two other works opening the program include Acadia student clarinetist Sarah Padovani and composer Evan Englehart.

Introduction –

William Osborne / Rhapsody (1958)
Sarah Padovani, clarinet 

Evan Englehart / -flection (2009)
text by Frank O'Hara
Cameron Johnson - baritone
Evan Englehart - electric guitar

Short Pause –

John Abram / In Autumn (2009)
text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Bob Bauer / The Dykes of Acadie (2009)
text by John Frederic Herbin

Jérôme Blais / Mouvance (2009)
text by Gérald Leblanc

Carmen Braden / In a Grand-Pré Garden (2009)
text by William Bliss Carman

Derek Charke / Blizzard / ...between the shore and the ships... (2009)
text by Roméo Savoie and Colonel John Winslow 

Scott Macmillan / La Victoire (2009)
text by Napoléon Landry

Sandy Moore / Tout Passe (2009)
text by anonymous

Steven Naylor / Aboiteau (2009)
text by anonymous and Steven Naylor

Michael Parker / L’Acadie, op. 63 (2009)
text by anonymous

Order to be announced from stage

Helen Pridmore, soprano
Wesley Ferreira, clarinet

THURSDAY JANUARY 21

Thursday Lecture Presentation 
Recital / Lecture Presentation by Zorana Sadiq 
Thursday, January 21 @ 11:30 am 
Denton Hall
Cost: $ Free

Zorana Sadiq will discuss and perform music by Osvaldo Golijov, Christos Hatzis and others in relationship to the incorporation of world musics into the classical tradition.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Composer Masterclass
Masterclass for composition students with Jérôme Blais
Open to composition students only
Thursday, January 21 @ 1:00 pm
Denton Hall, Faculty Lounge
Cost: $ Free

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Vocal Masterclass
Masterclass for vocal students with Zorana Sadiq
Open for all to watch.
Thursday, January 21 @ 2:00 pm
University Hall
Cost: $ Free

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Concert 2
What: Acadia Student Composers and Ensembles
Where: Denton Auditorium at Acadia University
When: Thurs. Jan. 21, 8 pm
Cost: $15, Acadia Students Free

Central to the mandate of this festival; this concert features world premieres of student compositions, including Kristen Corey, Brianne Byiers, Katherine Glen, Jeff Kingsbury, Carolann DeYoung, Brian Topp, Evan Englehart and Elizabeth Fox. Student performers to include Claire Amiro, the Vocal Ensemble conducted by Claire Mallin, and the Wind Ensemble conducted by Mark Hopkins. Percussionist Mark Adam is our featured soloist on a work by Christos Hatzis.

Kristen Corey / The Royal (2008)
Julia Cugini, soprano
Denis Martin, marimba
Jeff Kingsbury, vibraphone
Kristen Corey, harp

Brianne Byiers / Life (2009)
Meeting, Growth, Anger and Forgiveness, Together, and Death.
Hannah Stewart, mezzo-soprano
Cameron Johnson, baritone
Tara Scott, piano 

Katherine Glen / Earth's Answer (2009)
Jeff Kingsbury and Andrew Johnson, marimba

Jeff Kingsbury / speak up (2009)
Katherine Glen, flute
 Jeff Kingsbury, vibraphone

Carolann DeYoung / Blackout (2009)
Kyla Cook, soprano
Hannah Stewart, Kayla Rankine,and Deirdre Kellerman, altos

Brian Topp / 5 Songs for Soprano (2009)
texts by Yvor Winters (1900-1968)
I. Nocturne / II. A Leave-Taking / III. Moonrise / IV. A Fragment / V. The Last Visit
Hannah Stewart, mezzo-soprano
Edward Enman, piano

– Intermission – 

Paul Hindemith / Sontata for Trombone and Piano (1941)
Claire Amiro, euphonium
Tara Scott, piano

Vocal Ensemble
Conducted by Claire Mallin

Elizabeth Fox / Agnus Dei (2009)
Evan Englehart / Prayer to Gaia (2009)
Zoltan Kodaly / Esti Dal

Wind Ensemble 
Conducted by Mark Hopkins

Christos Hatzis / Tongues of Fire (2007)
movement no.4 “To the Ends of the Earth”
Mark Adam, soloist

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 

Composer Masterclass with Soprano Janice Jackson
And composers Steven Naylor and Derek Charke
"Working with voice and technology: three perspectives"
Denton Hall, Room 226
Friday, January 22 @ 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $ Free

Topics to include:

- working with voice in general, what composers need to consider, conventional and extended techniques
- presention of sections of pieces for voice and tape such as Nono, Risset, etc.
- discussion on experiences working with composers, and with live electronics.
- discusses some broad views on working with voice - implications, expectations
- presents sections of three personal acousmatic pieces that each use voice in different ways
- further discussion on voice in acousmatic vs live context

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Concert 3
What: GALA concert
Where: Denton Auditorium at Acadia University
When: Fri. Jan. 22, 8 pm
Cost: $15, Acadia Students Free

This concert is funded in part by Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage

The Gala concert includes 3 world premieres of new works composed by Derek Charke, Jérôme Blais and Peter Togni (all funded by Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage). Jerome Blais’s work was composed for the Acadia Gamelan, directed by Ken Shorley and for mezzo-soprano Paula Rockwell. PeterTogni’s work was also written for the Acadian Gamelan plus 6 singers including; Paula Rockwell, Helen Pridmore, Claire Mallin, Ryan Billington and David Piper. Derek Charke’s work was written for soprano Janice Jackson and electronics.

This concert also features Acadia Alumnus Ben Kingsman playing a work by Hildegard Westerkamp for horn and tape; singers Christianne Rushton and our guest artist Zorana Sadiq are also featured on this program. And, there are performances by several students and the percussion ensemble, directed by Mark Adam.

Christopher Deane / Vespertine Formations (2003)
Acadia Percussion Ensemble, Directed by Mark Adam
Anthony Savidge, Nathan Petitpas, Jeff Kingsbury and Andrew Johnson

Paul Hindemith / Sonata (1939)
Joel Rudolph, trumpet
Jennifer King, piano

Alberto Ginastera / Sonata No.1, Op.22 (1952)
iii. Adagio molto appassionato
Maachelle Farley, piano

Hildegard Westerkamp / Fantasie (1979)
Ben Kinsman, horn (Acadia Alumni) and Tape

Jeffrey Ryan / Found Frozen (1997)
Zorana Sadiq, soprano
Jennifer King, piano

– Intermission –

Derek Charke / Oikos–Ecos (2009)
funding provided by NS Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Janice Jackson, soprano 
Derek Charke, computer

Jérôme Blais / Blanches, surtout (2009)
funding provided by NS Tourism, Culture and Heritage
 Paula Rockwell, mezzo-soprano
Acadia Gamelan directed by Ken Shorley

Anon. Sundanese / GENDEREWO
Acadia Gamelan directed by Ken Shorley

Peter Togni / Lux Aeterna (2009)
funding provided by NS Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Paula Rockwell and Andrea Jeffrey, sopranos
Claire Mallin and Helen Pridmore, altos
Ryan Billington, tenor
David Piper, bass
Acadia Gamelan directed by Ken Shorley:

Evan Englehart, gongs
Jeff Hennessy, bonang
Denis Martin, peking
Lauren Park, cempres
Nathan Petitpas, jengglong
Anthony Savidge, gambang
Ken Shorley (director), kendang

The ACADIA GAMELAN ENSEMBLE performs on the instruments of Gamelan Puspa Galih (Mindful Flower), a Sundanese gamelan degung forged by Pak Tentrem (Solo, Java) in 2008.

SATURDAY JANUARY 23

Concert 4
Paul Lauzon, voice and guitar with Ken Davidson, guitar
Saturday, January 23 @ 1:00 pm
Irving Centre Garden Room
Cost: $ Donation

Program to include original works by Paul Lauzon: Program is approximately 1 hour

Slip Away
Matryushka
La Galerie Apres-Midi
Every Night
The Book of Life
My Anchor My Island
Start Again
He Was My Friend
Christine 
and more!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Concert 5
What: William Bolcom’s song cycle “I Will Breathe A Mountain.”
Where: Irving Centre Garden Room, Acadia University
When: Sat. Jan. 23, 2 pm
Cost: Donation 

Mezzo-soprano Rosemary MacPhee and pianist Heather Price present American composer William Bolcom’s song cycle “I Will Breathe A Mountain.” This work was commissioned by the Carnegie Corporation for Marilyn Horne in 1991. Dr. Wanda Campbell who teaches creative writing at Acadia University will give introductory remarks on the eleven poets whose texts generated Bolcom’s composition. Selections and program will be announced from stage. Program is approximately 30 minutes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Concert 6
What: Tom Regan
Where: Festival Theatre, Acadia University
When: Sat. Jan. 23, 7:30 pm
Cost: $26 / $17 Student

Our annual showcase of the musical talent at Acadia teams up with the 4th Acadia New Music Festival—designed to give voice to the music of living composers, while celebrating the creation and performance of concert music by students at Acadia University, regional maritime composers and nationally-renowned composers. 

Two highlights of this concert include our guest artist Zorana Sadiq singing Luciano Berio’s “Folk Songs” and Acadia School of Music faculty member Christianne Rushton singing John Harbison’s “Mirabai songs”; both singers will be accompanied by the newly minted, “Nothin’ but Gnarly Ensemble”, conducted by Mark Hopkins. NBG is comprised of Acadia faculty and top musicians in Nova Scotia, including Derek Charke, flute / Eileen Walsh, clarinet / Robert Uchida, violin / Susan Sayle, viola / Norman Adams, cello /Max Casper, Bass / Karen Rokos, harp / Mark Adam, percussion / Tim Borton, percussion and Eugene Cormier, guitar

Faculty soloists include John Hansen, Ronald Tomarelli, and Paula Rockwell. 

Acadia Students include Denis Martin, Kayla Rankine and Hayley van Kroonenburg, plus Acadia Alumni Edward Enman.

This concert is funded in part by Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage, the Performing Arts Series at Acadia University and the School of Music at Acadia University.

Aram Khachaturian / Toccata (1932)
Hayley van Kroonenburg, piano

Harry Somers / Evocations (1966)
Kayla  Rankine, Soprano
TBA, piano

Keiko Abe / Prism (1986)
Denis Martin, percussion

Rodion Shchedrin / Two Polyphonic Pieces – ii. Basso Ostinato (1961)
Edward Enman, piano 

Ned Rorem / Alleluia (1983)
Paula Rockwell, Mezzo-Soprano
Tara Scott, piano

Alexander Scriabin / Sonata no. 4 (1903)
John Hansen, piano

– Intermission –

John Harbison / Mirabai Songs (1982)
Christianne Rushton, Mezzo-Soprano
Nothin’ but Gnarly Ensemble

I. It's True, I Went to the Market
II. All I Was Doing Was Breathing
III. Why Mira Can't Go Back to Her Old House
IV. Where Do You Go?
V. The Clouds
VI. Don't Go, Don't Go

Luciano Berio / Folk Songs (1964)
Zorana Sadiq, Soprano
Nothin’ but Gnarly Ensemble

1. Black is the colour (USA)
2. I wonder as I wander (USA)
3. Loosin yelav (Armenia)
4. Rosssignolet du bois (France)
5. A la femminisca (Sicily)
6. La donna ideale (Italy)
7. Ballo (Italy)
8. Motettu de Tristura (Sardinia)
9. Malorous qu'o uno fenno (Auvergne - France)
10. Lo fiolaire (Auvergne - France)
11. Azerbaijan love song (Azerbaijan)

Nothin’ but Gnarly Ensemble
Conducted by Mark Hopkins

Derek Charke, flute
Eileen Walsh, clarinet
Karen Rokos, harp
Eugene Cormier, guitar
Mark Adam, percussion
Tim Borton, percussion
Robert Uchida, violin
Susan Sayle, viola
Norman Adams, cello
Max Casper, Bass

SUNDAY JANUARY 24

Concert 7
What: Acadia's Singing Theatre Production Ensemble presents David Lang’s “The Little Match Girl Passion”
Where: Denton Auditorium at Acadia University
When: Sun. Jan. 24, 3pm
Cost: $15 | Students Free

Learn more about this work at Carnegie Hall Commissions (link opens in new page)

This is the official presentation of the Canadian premiere of David Lang’s 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning work “The Little Match Girl Passion”. Written as a Carnegie Hall commission, this work tells this well known story as a kind of parable, drawing a religious and moral equivalency between the suffering of the poor girl and the suffering of Jesus.

1. Come, Daughter
2. It Was Terribly Cold
3. Dearest Heart
4. In An Old Apron
5. Penance And Remorse
6. Lights Were Shining
7. Patience, Patience!
8. Ah! Perhaps
9. Have Mercy, My God
10. She Lighted Another Match
11. From The Sixth Hour
12. She Again Rubbed A Match
13. When It Is Time For Me To Go
14. In The Dawn Of Morning
15. We Sit And Cry

Acadia's Singing Theatre Production Ensemble, directed by Paula Rockwell

Sopranos: 
Rosanna Harris, Emma Faulkner, Julia Cugini, Darcy Welch, Kyla Cook, Kate Corrigan, Kayla Rankine
 
Altos: 
Alex Reed, Brianne Byiers, Amanda Magnanelli, Kate Morin, Tessa Short, Haley Watson
 
Tenors: 
Hannah Stewart (mezzo), Omar Kamani
 
Bass: 
Cameron Johnson, Josh David

The Acadia New Music Society and Shattering the Silence festival gratefully acknowledges support from:

NEWS

Listen to our 2009 GALA Concert at CBC Concerts on Demand.

View some images of Shattering the Silence 2009.

PAST EVENTS

Shattering the Silence 2009

Shattering the Silence 2008

Shattering the Silence 2007