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Keyword: music
CMU faculty, students, alumnus thrilled to participate in Indigenous opera premiere
Thursday, December 21, 2023 @ 2:51 PM
Li Keur: Riel's Heart of the North premiered last month in a rush of vibrant colour, rich story, and lively music and dance. The production, performed by Manitoba Opera, sold out each of its three performances at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg on November 18, 22, and 24.
Li Keur is the first full-scale Indigenous-led opera to be presented on a Canadian mainstage. "I wish to place the beautiful Indigenous languages, cultures, and narratives of the central continent—those that have been relegated to a historical footnote at best, a nuisance or a threat at worst—to their rightful place at the heart of cultural institutions of the region," said Métis poet and scholar Dr. Suzanne Steele.
Continue ReadingFrom napkin sketch to piano concerto: two CMU students' collaborative journey
Monday, November 6, 2023 @ 9:48 AM
What began as a student's rough sketch on a napkin has now grown into a sweeping piano concerto commissioned by the Mennonite Community Orchestra (MCO).
Written by Liam Berry and performed by Georg Neuhofer, "Rains Dance" is a piece that carries great significance for the two Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) students. It's the consolidation of musical congeniality, collaboration, and years of friendship.
Continue ReadingThe Mennonite Community Orchestra to perform a musical tribute to Urkraine
Friday, October 27, 2023 @ 10:00 AM
The Mennonite Community Orchestra in collaboration with the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians will present a musical tribute to Ukraine as part of its fall concert. The concert, titled The Power of Hope, will encourage solidarity with the people of Ukraine and other nations struggling for freedom while carrying hope in their hearts, despite being caught up in war.
Continue ReadingSunday@CMU: July 2023
Sunday, July 2, 2023 @ 12:00 AM
Voices of the CMU Community
This month on Sunday@CMU, we are featuring the voices of CMU students. Listen to hear excerpts of speeches from the 2023 C. Henry Smith Oratorical Peace Contest and performances from this year's 18th annual Verna Mae Janzen music competition finals.
Listen NowNew Indigenous opera is a story of good medicine
Thursday, June 1, 2023 @ 3:08 PM
This fall, Manitoba Opera will be performing the world premiere of Li Keur: Riel's Heart of the North, the first full-scale Indigenous-led opera presented on a Canadian mainstage. It celebrates Métis women, languages, music, and culture, with libretto written by Métis poet and scholar Dr. Suzanne Steele and music composed by Métis fiddler Alex Kusturok and CMU faculty Neil Weisensel.
Continue Reading2023 Spring at CMU
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 10:00 PM
View DetailsPianist wins 2023 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition
Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 3:40 PM
A pianist from Inglis, Manitoba is the winner of the 18th annual Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).
Georg Neuhofer's performance in the finals, held on Thursday, March 23 in CMU's Laudamus Auditorium, earned him first place and the $700 prize that comes with it.
Continue ReadingSpring at CMU 2023: The Early Edition (video)
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 @ 9:00 AM
View Details2023 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition (video, photos)
Friday, March 31, 2023 @ 12:00 AM
View DetailsCMU alum recontextualizes art song through queer, ecological lens
Monday, January 23, 2023 @ 1:18 PM
At first glance, it may not seem like music, climate justice, and queerness would cross career paths. But Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) alum Anna Bigland-Pritchard has built a life that weaves together these strands.
The 30-year-old soprano lives in Victoria, BC, where she divides her time between studying under renowned soprano Nancy Argenta, managing marketing at Vancouver Bach Choirs, directing music ministry at Oak Bay United Church, and teaching through her small business, ABP Music Studio. She also dedicates time to advocating for climate justice and facilitating workshops on eco-mindfulness, which she has done for institutions like KAIROS, University of Toronto, and CMU.
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