Halifax Camerata Singers has announced Canadian composer Laura Hawley will be the choir’s first composer-in-residence in its 35th (2021-2022) anniversary year.
“We’re so excited to kick off our 35th anniversary year by working with Laura,” says Camerata’s artistic director Jeff Joudrey. “She is an up-and-coming star in the Canadian choral world, and we’ll premiere a major new work by her in the spring of 2022. We are looking forward to her being able to come to Nova Scotia then, to work with us and other Nova Scotian choirs.”
Camerata will introduce Hawley to Halifax audiences in a yet-to-be-scheduled concert with Mary called it an angel, which she wrote especially for the choir.
Currently the artistic director of the Da Camera Singers and conductor of ChandraTala in Edmonton, Hawley is also the founding artistic director of Hypatia’s Voice Women’s choir of Ottawa.
An internationally-recognized composer with works been commissioned, performed and recorded by many of Canada’s finest ensembles. Her piece Alhamdoulillah became internationally famous in 2014 with the title Welcome to Canada, Syrian Refugees.
Her music is published by Oxford University Press, Silent Dawn Music Publishing, Cypress Choral Music and Rhythmic Trident Music Publishing. In Song, her five-movement work was the main feature of the JUNO Award-winning Canadian Chamber Choir’s new recording, Seasons of Life and Landscape.
Founded by artistic director Jeff Joudrey in 1986, Halifax Camerata Singers includes performers from many parts of Nova Scotia. The choir performs a choral repertoire from many periods and styles, with special attention to Canadian music.
For more information on Halifax Camerata Singers, visit halifaxcamerata.org.