“In The Beginning, a creation cantata”, recently composed by Brian Mapplebeck of Oliver BC, will be performed at the spring concert by Musaic Vocal Ensemble to be held Saturday May 24 at the Oliver Alliance Church. This choral work, written in traditional style, includes biblical lyrics that reflect joyful celebration of the beginnings in creation. Musaic’s spring season is the perfect time to showcase this new oeuvre. Their choral concert, titled “Mountain, Sea and Sky” will include many other musical tributes to nature.
Mr. Mapplebeck sings tenor as a member of Musaic, conducts Vintage Voices (a men’s choir in the Oliver area), and plays clarinet in the Penticton Concert Band. With two years of formal piano training, four years studying music and art, and learning musical theory through reading, he is interested in things that have sound, rhythm and emotion. When asked why he created “In the beginning” Mapplebeck stated that he had dabbled in composing over the years and that he was moved to try something substantial and a little more challenging. He has several more musical projects in mind.
The concert promises more than one BC composer! The choir will perform Mountain Sea and Sky, a tribute to the natural beauty of the Howe Sound area by Squamish native Joanna Schwarz. Other nature-themed works in the repertoire include: an arrangement of The Seal Lullaby (Whitacre / Kipling), Mozart’s lyrical Laudate Dominum, folk-songs such as Down by the Sally Garden and Un Canadien Errant, an arrangement of R.L. Stevenson’s poem When the Sun Comes after Rain, and two familiar choruses by Wagner: the Bridal Chorus and the Pilgrims’ Chorus. Six other pieces will round out a varied program. Musaic Vocal Ensemble has steadily been developing a reputation as a classical choir of considerable merit.
Many of the pieces in the choir’s spring repertoire are being polished for the choir competition, Kathaumiwx, in Powell River July 1-5 . Choirs are selected to attend this bi-annual international choral festival through an audition process. Participating choirs this year represent Canada. US., New Zealand, Uganda,Russia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic,and Taiwan. More than 1200 people will gather to share music culture and friendship. The festival features artists in residence, renowned soloists,orchestras and a distinguished international jury. This is the first time Musaic Vocal Ensemble has been invited to participate in an event of this calibre and the choir is excited. Proceeds from their spring concerts will help defray the high costs of travel and accommodation at this prestigious choral event.
The Oliver concert will take place in Oliver Alliance Church, Saturday May 24th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $5 for students and are available from Sundance Video, 6278 Main St. Oliver, Imperial Office Pro, 8512 Main St. Osoyoos or at the door.
