1. Monteverdi’s Vespers

Saturday October 30th, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.

St Basils Roman Catholic Church

50 Palace Street, Brantford

Soloists: Sopranos - Michelle de Boer and Ariel Harwood-Jones; Tenors: Christopher Fischer and Robert Kinar

Celebrate with us the 400th anniversary of the composition of this timeless masterpiece. The Vespers mark the transition from the Renaissance into the Baroque period. Thus, this grand work plays a major role in the history of music.

2. Handel’s Messiah - Singalong

Sunday December 19th, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.

Heritage United Church,

360 Colborne Street, Brantford

Guest soloist : Soprano - Heather Plewes,

GRC soloists: Countertenor – Richard Cunningham, Tenor – Christopher Edwards, and Bass – John van Maanen.

This Christmas Classic is one which every person who loves to sing should attend. Even if you prefer to listen and not take part, it is always great fun. We have a special guest coming to conduct the Hallelujah Chorus. Don’t you want to find out who that will be?

3. Brahms Requiem: Ein Deutsches Requiem

Sunday March 27, 2011, 3:00 p.m.

St Pius Roman Catholic Church,

9 Waverly Street, Brantford

Soloists: Soprano - Leslie Bouza, and Baritone - Jordan Stumpf
 

Brahms wanted to compose a Requiem-like work that was aimed more at calming the minds of the people left here on earth. Thus, his German Requiem doesn’t speak to the fires of hell, but rather “How lovely are your dwellings fair, O Lord of Hosts.”

4. Songs for Springtime - including the Missa Gaia

Two opportunities, in 2 communities

a. Saturday June 4th, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

St James United Church,

203 John Street, Simcoe

OR

b. Sunday June 5th, 2011, 3:00 p.m.

St Pius Roman Catholic Church,

9 Waverley Street, Brantford

Canadian composer Paul Halley has been to Brantford to perform with the Grand River Chorus. His setting of Seven Songs for Springtime and his Missa Gaia, co-written with Paul Winter, will form the centerpiece of this collage of music of all styles. We shall celebrate the arrival of spring with music which will lift your spirits.

Ticket Information

Concert Tickets:

Adults $25.,
Seniors/PS Students $20
Children and High School
Students with ID $5
 

Available:
In Brantford: The Bookworm, 331 Brant Avenue
In Paris: Green Heron Books, 47 Grand River Street North
In Simcoe: FLORIAN CLINIC, 25 Colborne St. S. Simcoe, Ontario
For information or tickets call 519-759-7885

Concerts for the 2009 - 2010 Season

Concert 1 - Sunday November 1st, 2009 - 3:00 p.m.

Alexandra Presbyterian Church, Brantford

An American Adventure

This will be an afternoon of beautiful and exciting music, including Randall Thompson’s Frostiana, Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms  and Choruses from “The Lark”, and a selection of pieces by Samuel Barber.
 

Solo and Guest Artists include:

Organ:  Ann-Marie MacDairmid

Percussion:  John Brownell

Harp:  Lori Gemmell                               
Countertenor:  Daniel Cabena  

Concert 2 – Sunday December 6th, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.

Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts

Handel’s MESSIAH

Conducted by Philip Sarabura

This is a must for music lovers, as The Grand River Chorus and the Brantford Symphony Orchestra join together to present this classic work of the Christmas season. Let’s fill the Sanderson Centre and make this production, conducted by Philip  Sarabura of the BSO, an evening to remember.

Solo and Guest Artists include:

Soprano:  Eve Rachel McLeod

Countertenor:  Richard Cunningham

Tenor:  Joseph Schnurr

Baritone: Jason Nedecky                               

Concert 2A - Friday December 18th, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.

Heritage United Church

Singalong MESSIAH

An extra concert, not part of our subscription season, is this ever popular evening of great music, when everyone gets a chance to join in and experience the joy of singing this masterwork. There will be added fun activities to raise funds for our March tour to Europe.

Assistant Conductor, Cara Blackwood, will share in the conducting duties.

Solo and Guest Artists include:

Soprano:  Kasia Kucemba

Countertenor:  Richard Cunningham

Tenor:  Christopher Edwards

Bass:   John R. Van Maanen    

THIS CONCERT IS NOT A PART OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION SERIES

Concert 3 - Sunday March 7th, 2010 - 3:00 p.m.

Saint Basil’s Roman Catholic Church, Brantford

Taking Canada to Europe

The Grand River Chorus prepares for its first tour by performing music of four great composers, mixed together with a program highlighting great music by Canadian composers.  We travel to Halle to sing Handel, Leipzig to sing Bach, Esterhazy Palace to sing Haydn and Vienna to sing Mozart.  We will also perform some wonderful Canadian music which will float in the great acoustic spaces of these European centres of culture…and you will hear it first, here in Brantford!

The Grand River Chorus has commissioned three pieces for this concert and tour.  Don’t miss the world premieres at our Brantford concert!
 

Solo and Guest Artists include:

Accompanist:  Ann-Marie MacDairmid

Concert 4 – Sunday May 30th, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.

Alexandra Presbyterian Church, Brantford

Mass of the Children and other music of John Rutter

John Rutter is a much loved composer, whose beautiful tunes and lush harmonies have inspired millions of people to enjoy choral music.  The Grand River Chorus will perform his brilliant mass setting for small orchestral ensemble, children’s choir and adult choir, and will also entertain with some of Rutter’s lighter works.

Solo and Guest Artists include:

Organ:  Ann-Marie MacDairmid

Harpist:  Julia Seager

Soprano:  Sandra Tucker

Baritone:  Jordan Stumpf

Brantford Children’s Chorus

Norfolk Noteables Children’s Choir   

Concert 1

The French Romantic: Requiems by Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Duruflé

3 PM, Sunday November 2, 2008

St Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 9 Waverley Street, Brantford

Twentieth century France had many great composers.  Two of the best known are Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Duruflé.  Fauré’s universally loved masterpiece certainly influenced the manner in which Duruflé set the themes from Gregorian Chant.  Come and witness the fire and passion which is the French Romantic.

Soloists

Marion Samuel-Stevens – soprano

Kevin Bradshaw - baritone

Click Here to see the poster for this concert

Concert 2

Handel’s Messiah

3 PM, Sunday December 14, 2008

Wesley United Church, 69 Superior Street, Brantford

Four great soloists and a fabulous choir with the best baroque orchestral players there are.  Add that to Handel’s timeless masterpiece and you have this most special Christmas entertainment. What a great way to give meaning to the season.
 

Soloists

Teresa Van Der Hoeven – soprano

Vicki St. Pierre – contralto

Christopher Fischer – tenor

Trevor Bowes – bass

Concert 3

Handel’s Saul

3 PM, Sunday April 5, 2009

St Basil’s Roman Catholic Church, 50 Palace Street, Brantford

This concert will be the gala for our tenth anniversary season.  Our talented array of wonderful soloists from across the country along with the Grand River Chorus and Orchestra tell the story of the fall of King Saul and the rise of King David.  Starting with the slaying of Goliath and ending with David becoming King of Israel, this powerful work will hold you spellbound.

Soloists

Stephanie Kramer – soprano

Devon Wastle – soprano

Richard Whittall – countertenor

Steven Bélanger – tenor

Christopher Edwards – tenor

Andrew Tees – bass/baritone

Jordan Stumpf - baritone

Concert 4

Seafaring Songs: Sacred, Secular, Serious & Silly

Two venues: your choice:
7:30 PM, Friday June 12, 2009, LaSalette Church, village of LaSalette, Norfolk OR

3 PM, Sunday June 14, 2009, Wesley United Church, 69 Superior Street, Brantford

Come and be entertained by the Chorus in a more relaxed and festive mood as we sing and shanty our way around the Seven Seas.

Note: A Tenth Anniversary Celebration event will follow the final concert on June 14th

Concert 1

Christmas with the Grand River Chorus

8 PM, Saturday December 1, 2007
Wesley United Church, 69 Superior Street, Brantford
We are launching our first CD, A Grand Christmas, at this concert.

Our first CD will feature the works of composers living near the banks of the Grand River, with arrangements of familiar carols and fresh new works presented to entertain you at Christmas.  This concert will launch that CD and will feature many of the pieces to be found on the disk plus a few old faithful carols for the launch to the Christmas season.

Concert 2

Come & Sing Handel’s MESSIAH

7:30 PM, Saturday December 22, 2007
Grace Anglican Church, 15 Albion Street, Brantford

This concert is a rare treat.  Come to listen or come to sing.  We have some special soloists to listen to and a special surprise for the Hallelujah chorus.  Come with your own score, or purchase one at the door, but be sure not to miss this treat in the few days before the big day.
 

Concert 3

The Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn

7:30 PM, Sunday April 13, 2008
Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, Brantford

Haydn’s effort to emulate the great oratorio writing of Handel is a shining telling of the birth of our world from the angels’ point of view.  Three fabulous soloists who work regularly with Opera Atelier and the Canadian Opera Company join us as the angels who narrate the story. This concert is a special joint venture of the Grand River Chorus and the Brantford Symphony.
 

Soloists

Eve Rachel McLeod – soprano

Robert Kinar – tenor

Jason Nedecky – baritone

Concert 4

Double Choir Splendour
8 p.m. Friday June 6, 2008 - Our Lady of LaSalette Church (Norfolk)
3 PM, Sunday June 8, 2008 - St Basil’s Church, Palace Street, Brantford

Double Choir Splendour requires double concert splendour.  We will perform this concert twice to celebrate the end of a fabulous season.  This concert of a cappella pieces will make full use of two glorious acoustics.  Whether you choose to hear us in Norfolk County or in Brantford, this concert will enfold you in the splendour of great waves of sound.
 

Concert 1

Sunday, October 15th, 2006 – 3:00 p.m.
St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church – 50 Palace Street, Brantford

ALL-NIGHT VIGIL OF SERGEI RACHMANINOFF

Slavonic church music has a great tradition of  "a cappella" splendor. The All-Night-Vigil of Sergei Rachmaninoff is the epitome of that style. Come out and hear it in the high-vaulted wonder of St. Basils church.

Featured soloists:
Carol Anne Feldstein – contralto
Gerry King – tenor
Jordan Stumpf - bass

Concert 2

Saturday, December 23rd, 2006 – 8:00 p.m.
Wesley United Church – Superior Street

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Messiah is the highlight of the Christmas season for many concert goers. As usual, we will have one or two of Handel’s authorized wrinkles to help your enjoyment of this great work.

Featured soloists:
Devon Wastle – soprano
Daniel Cabena – alto
Shawn Oakes – tenor
Trevor Bowes – bass

Concert 3

Sunday, February 11th, 2007 – 3:00 p.m.
Sydenham United Church – Sydenham and Dundas St.

LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING

Love and music! What two things go together any better? Enjoy this programme of lighter, lustier music.

Concert 4

Sunday May 6th, 2007 – 3:00 p.m.
Alexandra Presbyterian Church – Colborne Street

GREAT MASSES

One thing common to most composers is that they have composed a setting of the Mass for worship. Other than that, England’s William Byrd, Estonia’s Arvo Part and Charles Gounod of France are as different as can be. Come and compare the interesting settings wrought by different nationalities and different times.
 

Featured soloists:
Amanda Kind – soprano
Paul Jeffrey – tenor
Dane Wendell – bass

Concert 1

Sunday, October 30th, 2005 - 3:00 p.m.
St. Andrew’s United Church - Darling Street.

A Carnival of Animals

A selection of light-hearted entertaining songs about animals.

To view the poster in pdf format click here.

Concert 2

Friday, December 2nd, 2005 - 8:00 p.m.
Grace Anglican Church - Albion Street

Handel’s Messiah

Join in the pleasure of singing the greatest music of the Christmas Season.

To view the poster in pdf format click here.

Featured Soloists:

• Soprano - Deanna Sarkar
• Countertenor - Richard Cunningham
• Tenor - Chris Edwards
• Bass / Baritone - Kevin Bradshaw
• Trumpet - Rob Perrault

Concert 3

Sunday April 2nd, 2006 - 3:00 p.m.
St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church - Palace Street

The Passion According to St. John

Come and hear the story of Christ’s passion and Bach’s introspective sense of what that meant for us. Featuring the Grand River Baroque Orchestra and six superb soloists. This concert is one not to miss.

Featured Soloists:

• Soprano - Teresa Van der Hoeven
• Countertenor - Peter Mahon
• Tenor - Robert Kinar
• Bass - Normand Richard
• Chistus - Rob Perrault
• Evangelist - Marcel de Hetre

Concert 4

Sunday, June 4th, 2006 - 3:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church - West Street

The Magic of Mozart

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of his birth. We mark the anniversary of a musician whose music is a celebration of life

Our first season with Richard Cunningham, Artistic Director.

Concert 1

November 14, 2004 - In Remembrance

Concert 2

December 19, 2004 – Handel’s Messiah

Concert 3

March 6, 2005 – Reach for the Brass Rings

Concert 4

May 15, 2005 – Victoriana and Edwardiana