Etobicoke Centennial Choir turns the spotlight on contemporary women composers featuring local Canadian and internationally recognized artists. This vibrant, moving and diverse program explores themes of strength, longing, sorrow, joy and love through musical landscapes of forests and open skies, starlight, green hills and human grace.
At the centre of the program is “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass” by Carol Barnett, with libretto by Marisha Chamberlain (2006). This dynamic work blends the traditional form of the mass with the energy and spirit of bluegrass, featuring an instrumental ensemble of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass.
We are especially proud to showcase local artists, including songwriter Lauren Halász—our Alto Section Lead and lead vocalist of the folk band “Lo & the High Road”. Toronto-based singer, songwriter and ECC member Jade Lotter will be featured as a soloist performing her original composition “November Song”,
The program also includes works by distinguished Canadian composers Eleanor Daley and Ruth Watson Henderson, whose contributions have shaped the country’s choral landscape. We conclude the evening with the spirited “When I Become an Old Woman” by Sherry Blevins—a joyful finale to a richly varied program.