The Guelph Chamber Choir is offering an African inspired concert at the River Run Centre on Nov. 5 at 7:30pm.
The first half of the concert features multi-instrumentalist artist and expressive arts therapist, Gary Diggins.
Diggins plays a range of acoustic and percussive instruments from Africa. Combining ancient sounds with modern sounds, his music paints a canvas of imaginative soundscapes.
His work with communities affected by genocide in Africa has transformed them through music.
Diggins musical collaborations have taken him to India, Israel, Europe, and throughout North America.
He has collaborated with artistic organizations ranging from Cirque du Soleil to Canadian composer R. Murray Schaffer.
The first half of the concert features Musical Postcards of Africa which will present soundscapes of instruments and voices brought together in both planned and improvised music making that both soothes and energizes the soul, organizers state.
Joining in this presentation will be the following Guelph-based groups and artists: Ondine Chorus (Sue Smith, Shannon Kingsbury, Tannis Slimmon, Tricia Brubacher, David Beattie); Funga Drummers (Kathleen Dubelaar, Jason Jurchuk); spoken word artist Kevin Sutton; Jan Le Clair on accordion; Adam Bowman on drums and Catherine Kormendy, dance soloist.
Waleed Abdulhamid of Toronto will add bass, percussion and vocals.
In the second half David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, an exciting fusion of traditional African and European music, will be performed by the Guelph Chamber Choir conducted by Gerald Neufeld.
Fanshawe recorded music on his journey through the African continent; music that moves from the Islamic call to worship in Egypt to plaintive chants in the rain in Uganda to driving rhythms in Kenya.
He wedded that music to the words and music of the Christian mass in an astonishing combination of African music with music in the Western tradition.
There will be a Podium Talk on the mainstage of the River Run Centre at 6:30pm titled An introduction to Sonic Postcards. Gary Diggins will play and explore exotic instruments from Africa.
Single tickets are available for $35 each or four for $120. We encourage young adults to attend with
Tickets are $10 tickets for students and those 30 and under and only $5 for youth with eyeGO.
Tickets are available from choir or board members, through the River Run Centre by calling 519-763-3000 or online at riverrun.ca.
