Ambrose Music Program

Our own Pat Bellveau is part of this group!

Congratulations Baritone Madness on your nomination!

AND THE 2020 YYCMA NOMINEES ARE ...

Congratulations to the 2020 YYC Music Awards Nominees!

For a complete list of nominees click https://yycmusicawards.com/awards/2020/2020-yycma-nominees/.

2020 Nominees Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6mCBllbiLBsUh8FOsJlw0t.

In keeping with social distancing guidelines, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure our community stays safe and healthy, the 2020 YYC Music Awards Gala will be presented in an online, streaming format on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

We would also like to thank all the talented musicians who submitted. The YYCMA's celebrate you, your music and the contribution you make to Calgary's music community.

Although our 5th Annual YYCMA Gala will look different this year, what is important is that, as a community, we gather for one night – albeit in front of our media screens – to celebrate each other, and our amazing accomplishments.

Congratulations to Mark, Ambrose Arts Music Associate Professor, as he takes on another role in the arts in Calgary!

Dr. Mark Bartel has been appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Spiritus Chamber Choir. Founded in Calgary in 1995, Spiritus has been recognized both nationally and internationally for its high-quality performances, musicianship and unique collaborations. The choir is committed to excellence in performance and impact in society. Mark is looking forward to this professional opportunity and new ways to build bridges between Ambrose University and the Calgary arts community.
Spiritus is excited to introduce its new Artistic Director, Dr. Mark Bartel.

The Spiritus Board of Directors is honoured to announce that Dr. Mark Bartel has accepted the position of Artistic Director effective immediately. Dr. Bartel’s impressive bio is set out below and he is to work with the Board and Erin MacLean-Berko, our Executive Director, to plan and deliver our upcoming season. With the current stresses we all now face this appointment is a ray of sunshine and harbinger of the wonderful music making to come! — Dean Allatt, Board President

After a search that began just over a year ago, we are thrilled to have found someone of Mark Bartel's musical experience and skill as our new Artistic Director," comments Katherine Duncan, who chaired the Search Committee. "Following his audition, choir members expressed their appreciation for his energetic, positive and exacting approach; his sense of humor and clear communication style. Mark also brings a commitment to making choral music a relevant, integrated part of community building. We look forward to sharing this new phase with our loyal audience as Spiritus continues its legacy of artistic excellence. — Katherine Duncan, Search Committee Chair

Last of the memories for the term - Songfest 2020

More memories from this term - The Concerto Concert!

This year's winners were: Satai Miller, Melissa MacDonald, Rachel MacDonald and Brenna Bazinet.

Here are some memories of a special event we had in January - Edwin Gnandt's Book Celebration!

As I'm sure you have assumed...we must cancel our final two performaces of the season, "7 Questions" and "Psalms for Spring".

We are so sad for both our students who have worked so hard on these and that an audience will not get to enjoy them.

Take care of each other right now.
Let's be our best selves.

Hey! Just checkin' in with everyone.
These are strange times were in. If you need any support; groceries, coffee and conversation...reach out to Barrett or Val or any of your instructors.

Might we recommend some good reading!

Culture Making by Andy Crouch
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron
Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith & Art by Madeleine L'Engle
Windows of the Soul by Ken Gire
Performing the Sacred by Todd Johnson and Dale Savide

Musicians - watch some of your favourite performers in concert and practice your instrument

Dancers - watch some of your favourite performers and do some yoga

Actors - read plays. How about "Espresso" by Lucia Frangione, "Wit" by Margaret Edson, "The Syringa Tree" by Pamela Gien, or "The Amish Project" by Jessica Dickey

Keep breathing. Keep creating.
We're gonna be okay.

Join us for the 19th Annual Concerto Concert Friday, March 13, 7:30pm at St Stephen's Anglican Church.

Joining the Ambrose Chamber Orchestra are this year's winners:
Brenna Bazinet - mezzo soprano
Satai Miller - piano
Melissa MacDonald - violin
Rachel MacDonald - cello

Tickets are available at ambrose.edu/arts

Also on the move is Dr. Mark Bartel. He will present “War Requiem, the Choral Experience and Peacebuilding” at the Eastern Region American Choral Directors Association Conference in Rochester, NY on Thursday, March 5.

The presentation explores the philosophy and practice of choral musicians engaged in active peacebuilding. The presentation will include an interview with Eastman School of Music Director of Choral Activities, Dr. William Weinert, who will conduct a performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem as part of the conference.

For anyone who is in the Lower Mainland, our very own, Edwin Gnandt, will be adjudicating piano classes for the South Fraser Music Festival March 2 - 6.

He will also be presenting 2 lecture/demonstrations for the South Fraser Valley Registered Piano Teachers on Intermediate Piano Technique and Understanding Chopin Piano Style.

We Dream will feature guest schools: Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School Choir and Heritage Christian Academy Vocal Jazz Ensemble along side the Ambrose University Singers.

The concert will be at Scarboro United Church Saturday, February 29 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are available at ambrose.edu/arts

Our Winter Production Season starts with Jazz at the Ironwood on Tuesday, February 25 at 7:30pm! This year's special guest is Joel Gray - trumpet, from Grant MacEwan University.

To reserve your table call 403-269-5581
For more information about the Production Season go to ambrose.edu/arts

We invite you to Christmas at Ambrose - Lesson and Carols. Tickets are still available online or at the door. It will be a wonderful evening!

Ambrose University Singers and Mark Bartel welcomed Calgary Christian School Choir and their director, Rick VanderWoude today. A great time was had by all involved!

Congratulations to our Concerto Audition Winners! They will be performing with the Ambrose Chamber Orchestra Friday, March 13, 2020 at St Stephen's Anglican Church.

Melissa and Rachel MacDonald - violin and cello
Brenna Bazinet - soprano
Satai Miller - piano

Ambrose University Hosts Singing Competition
Saturday, November 2 at 6 p.m.
Southern Alberta Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Regional NATS Artist Awards
8 competitors from the Intermountain Region (Alberta, Montana and Idaho) will perform. Two of the competitors are Ambrose University alums and two are current Ambrose University students.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit:
https://www.nats.org/nats-artist-awards.html

National Association of Teachers of Singing - NATS Artist Awards (NATSAA) The NATS Artist Awards (NATSAA) competition is designed to assist singers prepared to launch a professional career and, to that end, substantial monetary and performance prizes are offered.

Faculty composer Michalis Andronikou’s "Tango Appassionato" will be performed in Halifax, NS, on October 31, and in Toronto, ON, on November 5, followed by a tour in Colombia. The project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
To learn more about CrossingBorders:
http://maureenbatt.com/crossing-borders-travesia-latinoamericana/
Anna Sutyagina performed this piece in Munich, in 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuUfKtckl8E

Crossing Borders: Travesía Latinoamericana Announcing the fourth Crossing Borders tour Canada and Colombia Fall 2019  Crossing Borders: Travesía Latinoamericana Concerts in Halifax, Toronto, Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Pereira, and more! D…

More random shots from MCA

Some random shots from MCA

Ambrose Music was well represented at MCA this past weekend!

The Ambrose University Singers with new director, Mark Bartel, will be presenting their first concert on October 27 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at ambrose.edu/arts.

The Ambrose Chamber Orchestra is presenting its first concert of the season on November 8. Special guests are Corps Bara Dance Theatre and Rachel Goldenberg - soprano. Tickets are available at ambrose.edu/arts

Listen to a performance of ‘Rain’ by Ambrose Arts composer, Dr. Michalis Andronikou. Performed by the Oberon Guitar Trio,
featuring Ambrose Arts professor of classical guitar, Murray Vischer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4WG1xfIAN4

'Rain' by Michalis Andronikou, performed by the Oberon Guitar Trio “Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.” ― Vladimir Nabokov http://mandronikou.wixsite.com/website http://www.bradmahon....

This looks like a great evening! And our own Stefano Valdo is performing.

You are invited to the HEAR Music Alberta Meeting to hear Dr. Rachel Goldenberg present on Friday, October 11, 2019 @ 1-2 pm. Libin Theatre – Health Sciences Building, Foothills Medical Centre. Topic: “Breathing Matters: Singing and Respiratory Health.”