Near North Voices present two epic works

Near North Voices – North Bay’s University-Community Choir – continues its tradition of bringing challenging choral art music to the North Bay and area community, with a concert featuring two epic musical works:Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, performed in an arrangement for two pianos and percussion ensemble.

The choir also announced the Canadian premiere of the Concerto for Marimba, Choir and Percussion by American composer Gene Koshinski.

“In our past seven seasons, Near North Voices has presented a number of Canadian and Northern Ontario premieres,” said Dr. Adam Adler, assistant professor of music education at Nipissing University and founding artistic director of Near North Voices. “Our goal is to stretch the boundaries of what is musically possible for community choirs, while also striving to expand the community’s understanding of choral art.”

For this performance, Near North Voices is pleased to partner with Ian Gibson – head of percussion studies at Cambrian College and Laurentian University, and principal percussionist with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Gibson will be the featured marimba soloist in the Koshinski concerto, and lead percussionist in Carmina Burana.

Near North Voices also welcomes three emerging vocal artists – Soprano, Jennifer Krabbe (North Bay and Toronto), and Tenors Daevyd Pepper (Bracebridge and Toronto) and Ryan Downey (St. John’s, NL and Toronto), as well as the return of Mezzo Soprano Tracy Sanmiya (Sudbury).

The concert will take place on Saturday, January 31, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Andrew’s United Church, 399 Cassells St., North Bay.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for post-secondary students with valid student I.D., available at Gulliver’s Quality Books and Toys on Main St., and at the door.

For further information, please call (705) 474-3450, ext.4432 or go to www.nearnorthvoices.com.