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Belle Voci
Alma redemptoris Mater
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!
Messiah in the Valley!
2021-2022 SEASON
Messiah in the Valley!
Join Belle Voci and the CSO Baroque Ensemble for an intimate presentation of Messiah! CSO Musicians will be playing on baroque instruments!
Thursday December 9, 2021
7:30 PM
Holy Rosary Cathedral
Vancouver
Friday December 10, 2021
7:30 PM
St James Catholic Church
2777 Townline Road, Abbotsford
Saturday December 11, 2021
7:30 PM
St Joseph Catholic Church
Langley
Sunday December 12, 2021
7:30 PM
Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church
9165 160 Street, Surrey
Bach, Jesu meine Freude!
COMING Soon a recording from the Holy Rosary Cathedral.
One of J. S. Bach’s most monumental motets, Jesu meine Freude is a work of incredible musical and theological depth. Throughout the work, Bach draws the listener (originally his congregation members) into an intensely personal focus by weaving together scriptural and chorale texts with incredibly evocative music. There is a theme of transformation that underpins the work through all eleven movements. Many of the individual movements begin in a minor mode and conclude tonally with a major resolution. This “minor to major” transformation is a symbolism for the Christian faith. The progression of texts and music fully expose our human weaknesses and fears, but Bach always resolves them—a symbolic representation of his deep faith in the comfort of a loving God.
This particular motet is also a work of genius compositional construction. The work itself is a palindrome, with each movement being reflected from the middle (movement #6) outward. This form also gives the work a palpable direction— possibly representing the linear direction or journey of one’s faith within human existence, and also metaphorical direction which, for Bach, points upward to God in Heaven, the ultimate source of comfort in this life and the next.
Bach composed each of his six motets in the “old style,” (stile antico) which simply means that there is not an independent orchestra accompanying as there is in his cantatas and major works. The absence of orchestral accompaniment places the responsibility for dramatic characterization and contrast solely in the hands of the voices. This is both challenging and thrilling at once—the possibilities for expressing the rhetorical connection between text and music are limitless and the choir assumes the role of both musician and preacher. For Bach, this was no light mission—he was determined to convince people of the love and comfort found through the presence of God and the Holy Spirit. And thus he dedicated his entire life’s work Soli Deo Gloria, “to the Glory of God alone.
Belle Voci virtual concert
Lay a Garland
Covid-19 isolation project
April, 2020
“…especially in times of adversity, it is important to keep making beautiful music and show our humanity by staying connected”. Paula DeWit- Music Director
Audition for Belle Voci
Celebrated a Capella Singers
Are you interested in singing with us? Admission to the Belle Voci a cappella ensemble is by audition/invitation, and we’re always interested in meeting new singers. who we’re looking for Prospective choristers are invited to contact the Artistic Director at any time during the year for an audition. In addition to filling permanent vacancies, we sometimes need substitutes for singers who are unable to perform certain concerts, or want to augment our roster for certain repertoire.
interested candidates are expected to:
• have an innate sense of musicality
understand polyphonic and medieval singing
accurate and disciplined
• experienced ensemble singer with soloist ability
have a solid understanding of music theory fundamentals;
be a good sight reader;
• have a voice that blends easily in a small ensemble;
• be committed to the rehearsal and concert schedule; and
be an ambassador for the group and be respectful to the director and members.
What we offer:
• next level singing in tight circle.
• singing in cathedral.
• concerts.
Profile of the musician(s) we are after:
This person will have been around a while and will be experienced. They will be semi professional standard and perhaps thinking of a solocareeror had a solo career in singing. Their mind set will be one of a strong work ethic and commitment to the highest levels of musicianship.