Choral conductor Michelle Chyzyk has discovered what she considers to be a masterpiece, ‘Shadow and Light, an Alzheimer’s Journey’, and her choir, Konektis will now be joining the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra to perform the Canadian premiere of this major work by American composer Joan Szymko.
It’s a dream come true for the Virden choral conductor. Chyzyk’s voice conveys her excitement. “This is the biggest project we’ve tackled so far. We have the golden opportunity to sing with the Winnipeg Symphony orchestra.”
She says the 16 movement work is very challenging. “The music, as well as the emotion of this music. It’s a very, very powerful work.”
In her patient search Chyzyk came upon this music of deep significance for her. “During the pandemic I was searching for music that had meaning and stumbled upon this major work. I was really intrigued by it so I approached Joan to see if we could perform it with a piano score… .”
However, Shadow and Light is written to be performed with an orchestra so, Chyzyk eagerly phoned the Winnipeg Symphony with her idea for a collaboration. The WSO agreed it was a wonderful idea.
In performance Maestro Naomi Woo is directing the full work with the orchestra and choir.
Chyzyk and her co-director Marla Fontaine have been busy preparing Konektis for a full day of rehearsal in Winnipeg with the symphony.
It’s timely for Chyzyk and will strike a chord with the Westman audience on many levels. “It’s an incredible work and I feel personally connected with it as I’m dealing with my own mother’s Alzheimer’s right now… And most of us have been touched in some way by this horrible disease."
The premiere will be performed on Oct.30 In the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium where you will hear Virden talent performing in the Konektis choir: Michelle Chyzyk, Justine Burke, Darrell Corbel, Todd Plaisier, Dean Munchinsky, Dane Leslie, Evan Terin, Dylan Southam, Janine Waines, Jayenna Draper, Lesley Taggart (Towler), Rachelle Lesy (Russell), Katie Hepp (Whyte), Laura Archambault, and Daelyn Fefchak.
Under Michelle Chyzyk’s direction, Konektis choir was formed in 2016. Their performances have been both unusual and stunningly beautiful. Konektis members range in age from 18 - 50 and recently includes singers from many communities throughout Westman.
Soloists in the work all have a Westman connection. They include Brandon opera singer Naomi Forman, Clint McLachlan, a Konektis member who student taught at Virden Collegiate, and Winnipeg's Hailey Witt who took to the AUD stage as Sophie in the 2018 production of Mamma Mia. These outstanding singers will use their dramatic ability to bring this musical work to life.
MASS CHOIR OF 150 VOICES
But there’s more. The exuberant music of Westman’s best, a 150-voice choir, will fill the auditorium prior to the major work.
For the evening opener Konektis is going to be joined by a mass choir conducted by Fontaine and Chyzyk. They include the Strathclair Theatre Chorus, Brandon University Concert Choir, Prairie Blend Men’s Choir and the Mecca Community Choir.
After the intermission, the choir will perform ‘Shadow and Light: an Alzheimer’s Journey’, a commissioned work by Oregon’s Eugene Concert Choir.
Nationally recognized Oregon composer Joan Szymko researched the project from many angles and gathered personal stories to put together this large and compassionate work. Near the finale of the 70-minute performance you will hear familiar strains of ‘You are my Sunshine’. The work ends with the thought - that love endures.
Szymko characterizes her career saying, “I have set texts by fourth graders and Pulitzer Prize winners, medieval mystics and contemporary poets. I am drawn to texts that invoke divine grace, speak to the universal yearning for good and that nurture a compassionate heart."
Chyzyk said that as well as her deep personal connection with ‘Shadow and Light’, this concert with the WSO is a highwater mark for Virden performers as well as in her own career.
“It just won’t be able to happen again. It’s really special, in my career and for our area.”
Chyzyk says this performance at the end of October is something people should attend “if they have a passion for choral music or if they have a connection to this journey that so many are on with their families. It’s going to be a very unique experience,”
Tickets are on sale now through wmca.ca website.
