History of Pro Coro Canada
2009-2010 represents twenty-nine years since the inception of Pro Coro Canada. We have had a fine history of working with prestigious and acclaimed artists, including Nancy Argenta, Mark DuBois, Paul Esswood, Allan Fast, Paul Grindlay, Monica Groop, Ben Heppner, Edith Mathis, Lois Marshall, Kevin McMillan, Ian Partridge, Mark Pedrotti, Catherine Robbin, Henriette Schellenberg, Simon Carrington and Jean Stillwell, to name only a few.
In addition, Pro Coro
Canada has the great fortune to have, in its own membership, some of the
finest singers in Alberta, many of whom have gone on to distinguish themselves
as soloists, such as Nathan Berg, Wendy Humphries, Frances Jellard, Michael
Meraw, Linda Perillo and John Tessier.
Pro Coro Canada also enjoys joining with choirs
from around the world, and has performed with Calgary Boys’ Choir,
Elmer Iseler Singers (Toronto), Richard Eaton Singers (Edmonton), Schola
Cantorum Choirs (Edmonton), Stockholm Chamber Choir, Studio de musique ancienne
de Montréal, Swedish Radio Choir, Tafelmusik Chamber Choir (Toronto),
University of Alberta Madrigal Singers, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and Winnipeg
Singers.
Pro Coro Canada
has had the opportunity to perform large choral works with fine instrumental
ensembles: Alberta Baroque Ensemble, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Hammerhead
Consort (Edmonton), Musica Antiqua Köln (Germany), Netherlands Chamber
Orchestra, Orchestre de Lyon (France), Pacific Baroque Orchestra (Vancouver),
Paco Peña (Spain), Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, and The Whole Noyse
(San Francisco).
Community Involvement
- Pro Coro Canada was instrumental in helping to establish the Schola Cantorum Choral Program at Alberta College Conservatory of Music, Edmonton
- Edmonton Cultural Events: First Night Festival; Jazz City Festival; TriBach Festival; A Festival of Light – Conservatory Christmas at Winspear; Edmonton Composers’ Concert Society’s New Music Festival; U of A’s New Music Festival; rESOund Festival; Mayor’s Luncheon for Business & the Arts; Winspearation ’97; Arts District Open House
- Charity Benefit Concerts: Christmas Seal Campaign; Christmas Bureau; NOVA Conference - Victim’s Tribute; Rotary International’s Centennial Gala Concert
- Civic Ceremonies: Choral Vespers - Pope John Paul; Royal Luncheon - Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl & Countess of Wessex; Nationally televised Memorial Ceremony for the Fallen Soldiers serving in Afghanistan
- Major Sporting Events: Grey Cup Game; World Triathlon Championships - Provincial Reception; World Track & Field Championships - Festival of the Worlds
- Radio & Television Broadcasts: Represented Canada in a pan-European radio broadcast; appeared in specials produced by CBC TV and ACCESS TV; over 45 regional and national broadcasts on CBC Radio Two (including a live CBC Radio and TV broadcast of Easter Sunrise Celebration