Artscene RED presents spring concert on April 29 By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE · WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009 27 New Oakville choir continues to go strong The new choir in town is holding its spring concert at the end of April. RED, an ensemble of 12 local singers between the ages of 25 and 30 that formed in fall 2008, is performing a program featuring Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, as well as lighter fare. The group has grown musically and is already gathering a following, according to founder Katie Kirkup-Ortolan. "I can't tell you how wonderful it (the first season) has been," she said. "The first concert has been a great success, not only artistically, but I was very pleased to see the kind of audience the singers are bringing in, which is a young audience. I turned around and looked out there and saw young faces and thought this is the right thing to do." The first RED concert, held in December, featured a program of shorter works. KirkupFILE PHOTO Ortolan said she wanted to challenge the group by programming the substantial SEEING RED: RED choir members (front l to r) Vilija Hakala, Jennifer Cervini, Bronwen Fitzsimons, Holly Freeman, (back l to r) Andrew Beauchamp, Jason Mowatt, conductor Katie Kirkup-Ortolan, Geoffrey Fogden and Michael Bond are busy rehearsing for their spring concert. Duruflé's Requiem. "This is a standard piece of choral reper"University keeps me really busy during group, with a silent auction featuring a variety toire, but a most wonderful and sublime work warmer seasons. Among the featured composers are Berthold Carrière, John David, most of my free time, but the RED ensemble of items during the intermission. The choir is and something that is great for these young Edward Elgar and Mark Sirett. is something I look forward to and do for still welcoming donations for the auction. For people to become familiar with," she said. "It was a matter that balanced out the myself every week," said choir member information, e-mail info@redvocalensembDuruflé was a French composer who lived from 1902-1986. He was best known as a pro- Duruflé," said Kirkup-Ortolan. "It (the second Katherine Holshausen. "In my fast-paced life, le.ca. The concert will appeal to a wide range of lific organist. He wrote the large-scale half of program) is all secular. I'm looking forward to summer with this music. It will be music-lovers, the artistic director said. Requiem in 1947, which was popular from its "Anyone who likes to hear beautiful music, debut. The work is based on Gregorian chant either piano or a cappella. It is going to be gorgeous." anyone who likes to support young people, themes. A special feature of the April 29 event is a and young people who are interested in hearThe virtuosic organ part will be tackled by 7:15 p.m. conductor chat with Kirkuping what choral singing can be will want to the group's regular accompanist, Andrei Ortolan. come out to our concert," she said. Streliaev. The University of Toronto PhD can"A conductor chat is really a chance for The future looks bright for the ensemble, didate in organ performance is more than people to meet the director, find out a little with three concerts already in the works for ready for the challenge, Kirkup-Ortolan said. the 2009-10 season. "We have a wonderful organist," she said. more about the ensemble, but more importantly, it allows them to learn about the music Between the enthusiasm of the singers and "He makes an incredible difference. This work that is being programmed," she said. the support from the local and Maple Grove is an incredible piece for organ written by an The first season of the choir has been an United Church communities, it would appear organist. It is very virtuosic." enjoyable one, according to several of its that RED is here to stay. A highlight of the Requiem will be featured members. "A lot of people are so pleased to have great soloist Kathleen Promane. The Burlington "Being a part of this choir has offered me music come from such a young group," mezzo-soprano is a graduate of the University Kirkup-Ortolan said. of Toronto's opera school and is the next big the opportunity to sing again, with a group of younger singers who all share the same enjoyRED performs Wednesday, April 29 at 8 Mezzo-soprano Kathleen Promane thing in the opera world, according to Kirkupment of music as I do," said singer Holly p.m. at Maple Grove United Church, 346 Ortolan. "I don't know how you can translate into Freeman. "We all come together on Tuesday our RED rehearsals force me to slow down Maple Grove Dr. Tickets cost $20 for adults words the sound of her voice," she said. "It is nights, taking time from busy lives, to relax, and appreciate classical music the way it was and $10 for seniors and children under 12. Tickets are available at L'Atelier Grigorian, compelling and lyrical. She's in the prime of sing and be part of something special. The meant to enjoyed. Furthermore, our conducmusic is both amazing and challenging." tor, Katie Kirkup-Ortolan, inspires us to con- 210 Lakeshore Rd. E. and Bookers, 172 her career with so much to offer. It's wonderAlthough many of the singers are balanc- stantly improve and challenge ourselves every Lakeshore Rd. E. Tickets and information are ful to listen to." ing jobs and post-secondary studies with week. I love it!' also available online at www.redvocalensemThe second half of the program will feature rehearsals, they say it is more than worth it. The April 29 concert is a fundraiser for the ble.ca. shorter works celebrating the onset of the