Songs and Letters of WWI: 1914-2014

Tuesday, November 11th, 2014

2:00PM

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

10037 84 Avenue

Admission by Donation

To acknowledge the centenary of the First World War, baritone Clint Hagel, actor Faye Stollery, and pianist Emily Grieve will present “Songs and Letters of WW1: 1914-2014,” a recital of classical artsong, poetry, and prose from and about the war. The performance will take place Tuesday, November 11 at 2:00 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church (10037 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta).

Works of art create a record of an individual’s experiences, thoughts, and emotions. This concert will share the stories of people who witnessed WW1 first-hand. Alongside works by well-known artists, like Wilfred Owen and George Butterworth, materials from the City of Edmonton archives and the University of Alberta archives will be presented to explore the role of average Edmontonians in the conflict. The concert will conclude with contemporary reflections, including a song-cycle by awardwinning Alberta composer, Jesse Plessis, on texts by trench-poet Herbert Read. Jesse Plessis is active as a pianist, conductor, and composer; he has recently performed at the Casalmaggiore Festival in Italy, the Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland, and at the Banff Centre. He currently directs the Centric Festival in Lethbridge, Alberta. Actor Faye Stollery will present the written texts and serve as MC for the concert. Faye is a performer, director, writer, and certified yoga and meditation instructor; she runs Confidence Building and Stage Presence workshops at the Alberta College Conservatory of Music; and is most recently known for her character, Lucille, in Something Raunchy (Happy Accident Clown Collective) and in Prussian Blue (Fool’s Cold Cabaret). Baritone, Clint Hagel will perform the music for ‘Songs and Letters of WW1,’ he studied Vocal Performance at the University of Saskatchewan, and currently teachers voice at the Alberta College Conservatory of Music; Clint has performed in several Edmonton International Fringe Festivals in partnership with Ron Long as IL DUO. Clint’s community involvement includes directing a Children’s Choir, a Children’s Music Theatre Ensemble, and a Women’s Choir. Emily Grieve carried out the research for this project, and will provide piano accompaniment. She is also on faculty at Alberta College Conservatory of Music, where she studied for many years with pianist David Tutt; she has completed the Opera Nuova Summer Intensive program, and has worked as a vocal accompanist at Alberta College and the University of Alberta.

“Songs and Letters of WW1: 1914-2014” with Faye Stollery, Clint Hagel, and Emily Grieve will take place on Saturday Novemeber 11, 2014 at 2:00pm, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church (10037 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta). Admission is by donation. We will also have a donation box for the Poppy Fund.

Parents please be aware that this concert is rated ‘PG.’ Since serious topics will presented, it is advised that you accompany your children to the performance, and discuss the realities of WW1 with
them.

For more information contact: Emily Grieve, 780-218-6397, ergrieve@gmail.com; Project website: http://worldwaroneconcert.blogspot.ca/.