Choir offers musical tribute to Earth
Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
This weekend, a concert. Next week - the world.
Northern Trails Vocal Connection, Uxbridge’s newest choir, isn’t taking over the world, per se, but after this weekend’s spring concert, some members of the group are taking off to Norway to add to their repertoire of music and knowledge.
Northern Trails Vocal Connection, or NTVC, formed in September 2023, under the leadership of Jennifer Neveu-Campsall. This weekend’s concert, entitled “Shimmers of Earth,” according to Neveu-Campsall, will “celebrate the beauty of our Earth.
“The theme of the concert was chosen because of two pieces that I love, written by Nicholas Ryan Kelly, a composer in B.C. One is ‘A World that Shimmers’ and the other is “The Colour of Earth,’” explains Neveu-Campsall. The concert also features a unique version of “Blackbird”, some popular earth-themed tunes, and pieces by Ola Gjeilo, a favourite composer of the choir. It is this affinity for Gjeilo’s music, in fact, that is drawing 11 members of the choir, plus other local musicians who want to participate, to Norway next week.
Gjeilo, who lives in the United States but orignally hails from Norway, is hosting a destination choir festival and tour in Oslo, Norway, beginning June 3. Several choirs, including NTVC members, are travelling from around the world to take part in workshops that will focus on and perform Gjeilo’s music, including “Sunrise Mass” and the European premiere of his new work, “Alleluia.”
“We only have rough versions of this piece!” says Neveu-Campsall. “It’s a world debut, and it’s exciting!”
The week culminates in a gala performance of the 250-voice mass choir at the Oslo Concert House, accompanied by a 23-piece professional string orchestra and Gjeilo on the piano. Leading the event is award-winning conductor Dr. Irene Messoloras.
“We’re hopefully going to bring our learning home,” says Neveu-Campsall. “It’s such a chance to work under top notch conductor and put what we learn into practice. I think it’s interesting that they’re a team (Gjeilo and Messolras are married) and they know how they want (Gjeilo’s) music to sound. To work with the composer so directly is a level of learning that is above all else.”
Debbie Edgell, a member of NTVC, is going on the Norway trip, speaks highly of both the choir and its conductor.
“We could not do this without (Jen) presenting these challenges and encouraging us on this journey. I personally find so many areas to draw inspiration from in this whole group. It’s a privilege to a part of it.
Neveu-Campsall is well known in musical circles in Uxbridge and beyond for having a long-standing musical studio in Uxbridge, as well as conducting a children’s choir and Bella Nove, an all-female choir.
Tickets for this weekend’s concert can be purchased at northerntrailsvocalconnection.ca Tickets for the 3 p.m. Sunday show are almost sold out, but Saturday evening’s 7:30 p.m. concert still has availability, says Neveu-Campsall. St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Uxbridge. $40 for adults, Students $15, under 12 are free.