Manitoba has long been well-known for a very active arts community which is oft considered a jewel of Canada. It is acclaimed to have one of the largest arts communities per capita than other provinces, and reputedly over 1,000 choirs! Manitoba artists have always enjoyed strong audience support, and have consistently led the way for high standards, innovative ideas, and great works during times of difficulty and struggle. Artists from all over the world regularly come to Manitoba to hear us, perform with us, and learn from us. In addition, we celebrate our wonderfully diverse and multi-cultural communities, as evidenced by festivals like Folklorama, unique the world over. Sacred and spiritual music has a distinct place in this world of music, heritage, and culture, as indeed, without music, art, drama, and dance, civilization would likely cease to exist as we know it! Winnipeg invariably embodies a fine practice of keeping it's artistic endeavours alive.

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It is in this context and fine traditions that the Manitoba Sacred-Music Choir first came into being in the Fall of 1994, partially to go Christmas carolling and help make hampers for inner-city residents in collaboration with both the Union Gospel Mission and Salvation Army, but also create an opportunity for church choristers wanting a greater musical challenge. The ensemble consists of singers from a wide variety of backgrounds and musical abilities, who come together for an exceptional purpose: performances of choral music that both entertains and transforms others, singer and audience alike. This has always been at the heart of what we do.

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In May 1995, at the invitation of the Dutch and Italian governments, the Choir participated in a fifteen day tour of Europe, performing in 50th Anniversary Commemorations of European liberation by the Allies during WWII. (For more on this amazing tour, including pictures and blog, click here.)

 

The choir has performed in the Winnipeg Symphony’s 400-voice production of Handel’s Messiah (Bramwell Tovey, conducting), Mozart's Requiem (Bramwell Tovey, conducting), as well as their 200-voice production of both Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor “Resurrection” (Andrey Boreyko, conducting), and Haydn's Creation (Bramwell Tovey, conducting). Other highlights include: Mendelssohn's Elijah (Dr. George Wiebe, conducting), and performing with the University of Manitoba School of Music Orchestra Programme, Winnipeg Chamber Ensemble, the Baroque Life Ensemble, and other musical groups. The choir’s own sold-out, completely unabridged, performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and six outstanding local soloists, at St. Alphonsus RC Church in 1996 was critically acclaimed. In 1997, the choir presented the Canadian premiere of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum (for three choirs and strings). Here is a sampling of choral works, great and small, the ensemble has enjoyed performing over the years:

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          George F. Handel's Messiah, HWV 56;

          Arvo Pärt's Te Deum;

          Arvo Pärt's Missa syllabica;

          Claudio Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir;

           Missa Maria Magdalena by Orlando di Lasso;

          Wolfgang A. Mozart’s Vesperæ solennes de confessore, K. 339;

          Wolfgang A. Mozart's Requiem, K. 626; (participation in massed choir with WSO);

           Mass No. 1 in D major by Antonio Salieri;

          William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices; 

          William Byrd’s Mass for Three Voices;

          William Byrd’s Great Service;

          Franz J. Haydn’s Te Deum for Empress Maria Theresa, Hob. XXIIIc:2;

          Franz J. Haydn’s Missa in Augustiis "Lord Nelson Mass”, Hob. XXII/11;

          Franz J. Haydn's Creation, Hob. XXI:2 (participation in massed choir with WSO);

           Missa Hilarious by P.D.Q. Bach;

          Leonard Enns’ Psalm Cyklus;

           Stabat Mater P.77 by Giovanni B. Pergolesi;

          Johann S. Bach’s Kantate “Ein feste Burg ist Unser Gott”, BWV 80; 

          Johann S. Bach’s Kantate “Aus der Tiefen, rufe ich, Herr", BWV 131;

          Johann S. Bach’s Magnificat, BWV 243;

           Elijah Oratorio, Op. 70 by Felix Mendelssohn (participation in massed choir with WSO);

           Sechs Sprüche, Op. 79 by Felix Mendelssohn;

           Drei Psalmen, Op. 78 by Felix Mendelssohn;

          Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, RV 589;

          Antonio Vivaldi’s Magnificat, RV 610;

          Antonio Vivaldi's Beatus Vir, RV 597;

          Antonio Vivaldi's Dixit Dominus, RV 594;

           Songs of Sanctuary by Karl Jenkins;

           The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins;

          Vittoria R. Aleotti’s Missa Seraphica;

           Ode at a Solemn Music "Blest pair of sirens" by Charles H.H. Parry;

           Psalm 122 "I Was Glad" by Charles H.H. Parry;

          Thomas Tallis' Nine Psalm tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter;

          Jesus Christ Superstar (Concert Version) by Andrew L. Webber & Tim Rice;

          Te Deum, H146 by Antoine Charpentier;

           Requiem by Eleanor Daley;

          Sid Robinivitch's Talmud Suite;

           zwei Motetten, Op. 74 by Johannes Brahms;

          Hans Leo Hassler's Missa Secunda;

          Hans Leo Hassler's Missa super Dixit Maria;

          Symphony No. 2 in C Minor “Resurrection” by Gustav Mahler (participation in massed choir with WSO);

           Godspell (Concert Version) by Stephen Schwartz;

           Stabat Mater by Grzegorz G. Gorczycki;

           Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Concert Version) by Andrew L. Webber & Tim Rice;

          John Rutter's Te Deum;

          John Rutter's Gloria;

          John Rutter's Magnificat;

          John Rutter's Requiem;

           Te Deum & Benedictus, Op. 34 by Edward Elgar;

 

The MS-MC, and since 2003, ReSound!, has always believed it is important for artists to be involved in fundraisers and charitable activities. The choir has collaborated over the years with The Canadian Bible Society, The Salvation Army, The Children’s Research Foundation, Variety Club Manitoba, The Festival of Trees and Lights, several Q94.FM fundraisers, West Broadway Community Organization, fundraisers for Immaculate Conception Church and Grotto of Cooks Creek, the Manitoba Legislative Open House, Lt. Governor’s Annual New Year’s Day Levée, the Winnipeg Music Festival, as well as benefit concerts for Bosnian children refugees, Burundi and Rwandan refugee families, through the Haven Group. One year the choir raised funds for World Vision Canada to provide sheep and goats to a village in El Salvador. For over 24 years the ensemble has been engaging their talents for the betterment of our communities, both near and far.

 

After an inaugural concert, and tour of Western Europe, the choir started an annual two-concert series at St. Alphonsus R.C. Church (in East Kildonan), and then expanded to a three-concert yearly subscription series at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church (Osborne) in 2003. The ensemble changed its name at this time to ReSound!, better reflecting its joie de vivre, and renewed mandate to uplift and rejuvenate audiences with performances of choral excellence.

 

In 1999, the choir recorded a live CD of their Fifth Anniversary Gala Concert, with Olaf Pyttlik and DACAPO Productions, Winnipeg.

 

Since 2005, ReSound! has had the privilege of participating in the Festival of Carols concert each December at the Church of The Immaculate Conception & Grotto, in Cooks Creek, MB. The mood is joyous and warm, raises funds for local Christmas charities, and the hospitality is unrivalled! Additionally, every two years since 2006, we have participated in their Renaissance Festival. What fun it is! It was reported in 2016 that over 3,000 people attended on that Saturday in July. When ReSound! participated again in 2018, it had now become a two-day event! The organizers even had the privilege of hosting the International Jousting Finals (yes, it's a thing)! A wonderful time of merriment, living the mediæval life, singing both sacred music and madrigals – in period clothing – an honour to participate! The ensemble is proud to have made life-long friends there.

 

With varied sacred repertoire, interesting programming and themes, many accomplished local guest artists, singers, and musicians, the ensemble leaves enthusiastic audiences clamouring for more. (View past musical adventures here.)

 

Originally a registered non-profit, the ensemble changed its modus operandi in 2010, now operating with greater autonomy and artistic freedom for its singers, and collaborations with other artists. ReSound! is a mixed-adult choral ensemble specializing in sacred and spiritual music of different genres and styles. (Experience the ensemble’s sights and sounds here.)

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"From the start we have been committed to inspire and encourage audiences through exceptional choral performances of a high calibre. It is our belief that beautiful music is greatly cathartic, both to perform and to hear. Something we need today more than ever!" – Artistic Director/Founder Julian Vanderput.

 

“Music can change the world, because it can change people.” – Bono, of U2.

 

And twenty-seven years later, this mission keenly carries on, in part thanks to you, our audience! “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” – The great conductor, the late Leonard Bernstein.