Onion River Chorus presents “True North: A Love Letter to Canada.” on Friday May 9 and Saturday May 10 at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. Both concerts will be at 7:30 pm. The 60-voice Onion River Chorus will be directed by Richard Riley, with pianist Lynnette Combs accompanying.

The program contrasts Canadian folk music in English composed and arranged by Larry Nickel (b. 1952), with original and arranged music in the Cree and Ojibway languages by Andrew Balfour (b. 1967). Nickel and Balfour are lifelong Canadians, both prominently featured in the exceptionally vibrant choral scene in Canada.

Much of the program will alternate music between Nickel and Balfour. The opening piece by Balfour, “Ambe,” (“Come in, two legged beings”) was most recently performed at Carnegie Hall on March 16. The second piece on the program, by Nickel, is the light-hearted romp called “All the Little Rivers of Canada” about 17 different Canadian rivers! Twelve more short pieces, some including sounds of Canadian wildlife, will also be performed.

Also featured will be two recently-composed pieces performed by Canadian-American violist
Elizabeth Reid, “a passionate, even fierce champion of Canadian contemporary music,” who lives in
Northfield, VT.

Onion River Chorus is happy to offer special admission pricing for this concert. Suggested admission is $25 or “pay what you can” at the door. Advance tickets are available at sevendaystickets.com for $25 only. As always, 18 and under are free.

For more information, see www.onionriverchorus.org, call 802.476.2541 or contact Rob Griffin at griffinsuter@hotmail.com