The Elektric Wire: eNews from Elektra Women's Choir

Dear friends of Elektra,

Happy Valentine's day! This issue of the Elektric Wire includes news of our upcoming Reading Session of New Compositions (you're invited and it's free!), more details about our next concert, Spring: O Primavera, and an invitation to save the date for our glittering Simply Elektra fundraising evening. Read on!

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Reading Session of New Compositions

Think of all of the wonderful new music that Elektra has introduced to the choral world - at last count the number was over sixty - and they range from avant-garde through to works that feel so familiar that you can't believe they were just written recently.

That's the kind of excitement that runs through our Reading Session of New Compositions - we're never sure if what we're sight reading might turn out to be the next David MacIntyre Ave Maria! While most choirs don't want to sight read music in front of an audience, that's what helps make this evening so interesting. You'll not only hear four new and varied works for women's choir, but also hear and see how Elektra and Morna work together to learn a new work quickly and do the best performance of it that they can achieve in 3o minutes.

You'll hear from each composer, perhaps hear some quickly-made variations if something isn't quite sounding the way the composer had in mind, and hear thoughtful feedback from Morna and the singers.

This evening offers a glimpse into the composition process and we'd love to have you join us in the audience.

Reading Session of New Compositions

Monday, February 21, 2011 · 7 pm - 9:30 pm

Ryerson United Church, 2195 W45 Ave, Vancouver

FREE ADMISSION!

Spring: O Primavera

Elektra & Pacific Baroque Orchestra

It may only be February 14, but there are crocuses about to open outside of Ryerson United Church, and by next month the cherry trees will have burst into bloom! Even today's rain feels more like "warm Spring" than "Winter chill."

Let Elektra and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra warm you with a musical evocation in that most romantic of cities: Venice! Spring: O Primavera focuses on music by Vivaldi, Porpora, and Legrenzi, who wrote for the famous Venetian ospedali schools for illegitimate girls. These young women were virtuosic singers and instrumentalists, and people travelled from all over Europe to hear them.

At Spring: O Primavera, you'll hear orchestral works by Antonio Vivaldi (including the beautiful Primavera from The Four Seasons), and Jean-Baptiste Lully. Elektra joins the orchestra for Nicola Porpora's Magnificat and closes the concert with Vivaldi's familiar and gorgeous Gloria. We're very proud that the soloists chosen for this concert are members of Elektra.

Elektra and the PBO - it's a match made in heaven. Come join us for an exciting and beautiful exploration of glorious music!

*Please note the Sunday performance starts at 2:30pm, (not 3 pm as previously advertised.)*

Spring: O Primavera

A co-presentation of Pacific Baroque Orchestra and Elektra Women's Choir

Saturday, March 26, 2011 · 8 pm

Ryerson United Church, 2195 W45 Ave, Vancouver

Sunday, March 27, 2011 · 2:30 pm

West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Ave, West Vancouver

Adults $30 · Seniors $25 · Students $12

Brown Paper Tickets 1.800.838.3006 www.brownpapertickets.ca

Mark You Calendars Now for Simply Elektra: June 5

a fundraising evening with Morna and the choir

Not sure what to get your sweetheart for Valentine's Day? We've got the perfect suggestion. Imagine this:

an elegant dining room in a downtown private club
a beautifully prepared meal
sparkling dinner conversation
urbane and funny hosts
carefully chosen musical entertainment

Why yes, we've just described Simply Elektra! This is and opportunity for you and your beloved to spend a lovely evening out, and all in support of Elektra Women's Choir.

Save the date - June 5 - or better yet, call the Elektra office and order your tickets today!

Connections

Whether by mail, email, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube, we love hearing from you!

Did you know that your comments are always welcome, and that we have several ways for you to reach us? If you read something that you enjoy on the Elektra blog, feel free to leave a comment.

Elektra's Facebook Page is a going concern, full of comments, posts, photos, and general newsy bits, perfect for checking out while enjoying your morning coffee. Feel free to join in the conversation.

We're on YouTube as well.

If comments in 140 characters are more your style, follow Elektra on Twitter. We're @ElektraYVR and we'd love to connect.

If you feel moved to write a review of a concert, we'd love to see it! Email it to us and we may post it to our website. Of course, you can also send us a card or a note through the mail. Our address is Elektra Women's Choir, 949 W49th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1.

Whichever way you choose to interact with us, we'd love to hear from you!

Elektra couldn't exist without the generous support of people like you; people who believe that choral music is important enough to support. Please consider making a donation to Elektra. Every donation helps and no amount is too small.

Elektra Women's Choir
"To inspire and lead in the choral art form through excellence in performance and the creation, exploration and celebration of women's repertoire."

Elektra gratefully acknowledges the support of 2010 Legacies Now, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver, Canada Council for the Arts, Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, and BordenLadnerGervais. Elektra also thanks its many generous individual donors and volunteers - their support makes us sing.