ARTISTS AMONG US
/Chor Leoni, the new choir in residence at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church. (David Cooper Photo)
Click photo to enlarge.
CHOR LEONI IS IN THE HOUSE
St. Andrew’s Wesley, That Is!
by Monika Forberger
Moving homes and offices are always challenging times, but when you have more than 60 singers, plus instruments to add to the challenge, readers will understand that Chor Leoni's permanent move to the West End’s St. Andrew's Wesley United Church has been a daunting task. The West End Journal spoke with artistic director Erick Lichte about that move, and becoming part of the West End community.
"This last year was extraordinary, considering how topsy-turvy the whole world has been” said LIchte. “We’re discovering that here, at St. Andrew’s Wesley, is a place we can call home. We have learned what an incredible place the West End is in welcoming people. I and Chor Leoni are so very happy about our new home -- Both in terms of location and how comfortable it is. It’s an inspiring place to bring people -- and the choir for our rehearsals. The acoustics are a dream. We’ve also learned so much about how we can use lighting and some of the other technical aspects now available to us to enhance our performances. I think especially the work we’re doing around the Christmas and the Pop Capella shows. It adds to the whole experience in a way that is unique in Vancouver, about how a choral concert can be done. I’ve been really grateful and very, very happy.
“St. Andrew’s had been home for us for most of our concerts over the years,” Lichte continued, “but solidifying it in this way is great. I will also say that when we were asked by St. Andrew’s to be the choir in residence, we had some long conversations about what that was going to look like. We only wanted to partner with somebody in this way if there were a lot of shared values. We did a benefit concert for Rainbow Refugees for the Church in June. These are some of the ways in which we are trying to build community -- and to benefit our community.
Chor Leoni’s artistic director Erick Lichte.
“I think we are doing it with very shared values and it feels really good to have that kind of partnership. There has been a lot of new stuff to figure out over this past year, but we’ve now got the last of the boxes in our offices put away and we’re ready to sing.
“We are expanding again with auditions for male voices to join Chor Leoni. That will certainly have an impact in the community. This is an open invitation to become part of this amazing choir. Around this time of the year I do a lot of one-on-one sessions, and spend half an hour with each member of the choir. So, if there are men in the West End interested in joining the choir, I have a system in place enables that process. I am not trying to replace anybody, or to grow the choir, but we have an open door policy. I’m happy to hear anybody at any time.”
In the past decade Erick Lichte has grown tremendously as Chor Leoni’s artistic director. He replaced founding artistic director Diane Loomer as the designate artistic director for a few months, and took over that challenge full time just a after Diane died. He has added aspects to the concerts which may have surprised some people, adding solo instruments and introducing new compositions, many by members of the choir.
“We’re going to have 18 world premieres in this upcoming season,” Lichte adds proudly.
“But this is nothing new to Chor Leoni. Over the past 30 years there have been guest soloists and works by renowned composers such as Erik Esenvals – all of these things are part of the DNA of the choir. There is our composer in residence, Don McDonald, who was a member of Chor Leoni back in the day, and whose work we have included in many or our concerts. This aspect of our concerts is not entirely new. I would say that in the past ten years there has been a focus on aspects of the “My Voice Program”, to have young people sing and be part of our community and have a first hand in the process. It’s an absolute dream come true. It’s something that I hope when I am done with my 30 years or whatever time I shall be here, is going to leave a lasting legacy for the city and the province: to have thousands upon thousands of young people come through our doors and have had a chance to sing for the first time.
“The other aspect of our growth is the addition of our once-a-year professional ensemble The Leonids. For this annual presentation we are bringing in the best of the best of male choir performers from across North America, providing yet another enriching musical experience for our audience. It is also enriching for some of our composers, who have written for Chor Leoni and are now writing pieces for these professional ensembles, which is not normally something they get to do. To me, the greatest difference we are seeing is that 30 years ago Chor Leoni saw itself as just a choir, but now we see ourselves more and more as an organization which has a mission and a vision. We also look at what the various components of that mission are, and how we can make an even greater impact. It’s challenging and it’s scary, but ultimately very rewarding.
“This coming season we will have 18 world premieres and some superb soloists, like Katherine Evans on trumpet, who will perform with us for our traditional Memorial Day concerts in November.”
Erick continues his extraordinary work with Chor Leoni, making The Lions an exciting, and very welcome addition to the West End community.
SEASON 2022/23
Chor Leoni’s Concert Season for 2022 2023 begins two concert traditions: the Memorial Day Concerts and Christmas with Chor Leoni. All concerts will be held at St. Andrew’s Wesley, Burrard and Nelson.
“We Sang Our Songs” / November 10 at 7:30 p.m. and November 11 at 2 and 5 p.m. A cherished annual tradition, Chor Leoni will once again create a space for community contemplation, reflection and dreams of peace. Accompanied by Tina Chang on piano and Katherine Evans on trumpet.
“Christmas With Chor Leoni” / December 16 at 8 p.m., December 17 at 2, 5 , and 8 p.m. and December 19 at 5 and 8 p.m. Old favourites, tender carols, and four world premieres will sparkle with more holiday magic amid the stunning lights, sound and space at St. Andrew’s Wesley. With Tina Chang on piano, Vivian Chen on harp, Cameron Wilson on violin, and Keith Sinclair on guitar.
For more information and tickets, visit their website here.
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Kevin Dale McKeown
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