River Tales: One Day, Forever

09/15/2023

Looking forward to hearing Saeideh Rajabzadeh and Olivia Adams perform some excerpts from River Tails: One Day, Forever in this program.

07/27/2022

We wish to acknowledge support for our concert from the City of Ottawa from the Creation and Production Fund for Professional Artists. We received notification of our successful grant after the event, but it is much appreciated to offset our costs. Thank you!

07/27/2022

We wish to heartily thank the following people for helping us to present our premiere of River Tales: One Day, Forever on June 26, 2022:

Helen Pridmore, for providing artistic advice and feedback during the composition process through the Canadian New Music Network's ConneXions mentorship programme.

Denis Redmond, Technical Director, for assisting us with creative and technical matters, gratis.

Julian Redmond, Graphic Designer, for sensitively rendering the nature of River Tales: One Day, Forever.

Jacynthe Bigras, Concert Host, for enthusiastically joining us for our event.

Lindsey Herle, Violinist, for her beautiful solo to open the concert.

Nadine Tremblay, Manager, Food and Conference Services, and Saint Paul University, for gracefully allowing us to perform in The Chapel.

The family of Monty Brigham, for kindly allowing us to play selections from Mr. Brigham's wonderful CD recording, Natural Sounds of Ontario: Birds, Frogs and Mammals, in our pre-show soundtrack.

Finally, thank you to our audience for witnessing and supporting the release of our song cycle into the world.

06/26/2022

If you're coming to today's performance of River Tales: One Day, Forever - 249 Main is at the south end of Saint Paul University. The sign is partly obscured by leaves. Saint Paul University has multiple entrances. Come upstairs at 249 Main to the chapel.

06/25/2022

Introducing our creators and performers - Jacynthe Bigras, Host.

Jacynthe is a vocalist and singer as well as a longtime part of the Ottawa independant diy music scene. Growing up in Vanier, she would often walk along the rivers, listening to community radio, while developing eclectic music tastes: from punk and metal to jazz, classical, reggae and world music.

06/25/2022

Introducing our creators and performers - Lindsey Herle, Violinist. Lindsey will open our concert with a selection by J. S. Bach.

Lindsey Herle received her Master of Music degree from the University of Ottawa, and her Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria, as well as a Performance Certificate from Mount Royal Conservatory. Over the course of her studies she worked with teachers Yehonatan Berick, William van der Sloot, and Sharon Stanis, in addition to playing in masterclasses for James Ehnes, Ian Swensen, and Gerardo Ribeiro. She was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2012 and 2013, as well as a member of the National Academy Orchestra in 2018, and she also attended Orford Music Academy and Meadowmount School of Music. In 2013 Lindsey was selected along with several other NYOC alumni to participate in the Canada-India National Youth Orchestra. She has played with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and is currently a member of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Lindsey most recently participated in the NACO Mentorship Program with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.

06/25/2022

Introducing our creators and performers - Dr. Andrea Kovaga, Mezzo Soprano.

Canadian lyric mezzo soprano, Dr. Andrea Kovago is a sought-after performer throughout the United States and Canada. She has performed steadily in the areas of opera, oratorio, chamber music and numerous solo and collaborative recitals. Dr. Kovago completed her Doctoral degree in Musical Arts with an emphasis in vocal performance and voice pedagogy at the University of Minnesota. She has performed many operatic roles throughout her career and various supporting roles in productions within the United States and Canada. Equally at home in opera venues and recitals, Dr. Kovago has often been a featured soloist with many distinguished organizations which include the Oratorio Society of Minnesota, Bach Society of Minnesota, Exultate Chamber Choir and Orchestra, Minnetonka Choral Society, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and Kensington Sinfonia in Calgary as well as L’Ensemble Con Brio de Montréal.

Besides performing, Dr. Kovago is an official examiner with the College of Examiners - Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, adjudicator for NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and is a member of many professional affiliations which include RCM, Conservatory Canada, MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), College Music Society, Opera America, National Opera Association and VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association). Dr. Kovago’s teaching experience spans 30 years and includes private teaching for both piano and voice students, along with work at Dalhousie University Department of Music and Arts in Halifax, Nova Scotia, The University of Minnesota, Anoka Ramsey Community College in Minnesota, University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge Music Conservatory.

06/25/2022

Introducing our creators and performers - Beverley McKiver, Composer, Pianist, composer of the art song cycle "River Tales: One Day, Forever" setting of the poem by Wendy Duschenes.

Beverley McKiver is an Ottawa-based composer, pianist and teacher, originally from northwestern Ontario. Beverley is a member of Lac Seul First Nation in Treaty Three.

A lifelong pianist, Beverley began composing later in life following a lengthy career in information technology. She explores themes of connection to the land, identity and recovery of Indigenous knowledge through her compositions for singers, instrumental ensembles and solo piano.

Her works include “Boozhoo Manoomin” for instrumental ensemble; “Odaabaanag”, a choral song cycle; “Canadian Floral Emblems” suite for solo piano; and “Timelines”, a collaboration with composer Debra Grass for two pianos.

06/25/2022

Introducing our creators and performers - Wendy Duschenes, Poet, author of "River Tales: One Day, Forever".

Wendy Duschenes grew up in Westfield, New Brunswick. With her family, and in every season, she spent a great deal of time in, on and around the Saint John River. In her adult life, she has lived by the Rideau River in downtown Ottawa. Wendy studied music at the University of Western Ontario and completed a Master’s in English Literature at the University of Ottawa, writing her thesis about 10th Century verbs. Her professional life has been in the writing and editing fields.

05/04/2022

Please join us for the premiere of River Tales: One Day, Forever, an art song cycle by poet Wendy Duschenes and composer Beverley McKiver on Sunday, June 26 at 3:00 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.) in The Chapel, 249 Main Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C5.

Performed by:
Dr. Andrea Kovago, mezzo soprano
Beverley McKiver, piano
Wendy Duschenes, poet

Graphic design by Julian Redmond (https://julianredmond.ca/)

Register for free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/river-tales-one-day-forever-tickets-322685379657

Please join us for the premiere of River Tales: One Day, Forever, an art song cycle by poet Wendy Duschenes and composer Beverley McKiver.