Music
As
Music Minister, Neil
Weisensel oversees the many facets of Canadian Memorial's musical
life. One of Neil's primary goals is to encourage music-lovers in the community to be a part of the exciting and
varied Music Program. Whether you enjoy singing gospel, rock, medieval chant, or
Mozart, if you play an instrument, or just like to sing as part of
the congregation, there will be some aspect of Canadian Memorial's
rich music program to entice you.
The 25-voice Chancel Choir provides music for Sunday morning
services, special services and other events. Individually, the choir's members
are also active in other performing groups, and range in training from people
who have studied voice and can read music to people who have never studied and
do not read music. The choir is always open to new people who are interested in
singing - contact Neil
Weisensel for details.
The choir performs everything from unaccompanied vocal works
of the Renaissance masters (Palestrina, Tallis, Monteverdi), through music of
the Baroque (Bach, Handel, Purcell, Vivaldi), Classical (Mozart, Haydn,
Beethoven), Romantic (Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner), and 20th century (Rutter,
Willan, Britten), as well as contemporary sacred compositions and
arrangements. For special events, Christmas and Easter services, and festivals,
the choir also presents works with chamber
orchestra.
Remembrance Day Concerts
Remembrance DAY Concerts
These Remembrance Day concerts feature the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra,
Canadian Memorial Choir, Vancouver City Singers, and four stellar soloists. We have a
history of Remembrance Day at Canadian Memorial.
Canadian Memorial is blessed to have a wide array of
high-quality instruments to enrich its Music Program.
Organ:
A 35-rank Casavant pipe organ, with three manuals, has
tremendous power as well as a delicate side. One of the "top ten"
organs in the city, it was built in 1928 by Casavant Freres of Quebec, North
America's premiere organ builder, and renovated in 1960 by Hill, Norman &
Beard of London, England. Be it to support the choir and congregation during
Sunday service, as a concert instrument, or to sweep newlyweds out of the church
on a joyful tide of music, the organ at Canadian Memorial has the
versatility for any concert, memorial, wedding, or service.
Pianos:
Canadian Memorial has 4 pianos - two in the Centre for Peace
and two in the church. The main instrument, a baby grand piano (Kawai) provides
music for Sunday services, weddings, concerts and recitals. Praised by concert
pianists, it has a full, warm tone and fills the church beautifully.
Harpsichord:
The church is also very fortunate to have a single manual
harpsichord, with 2 ranks (8' and 4') and a 4 and one-half octave range. Perfect
for Baroque and pre-Baroque repertoire, either solo, or to accompany the choir
or soloists, the instrument was built in Vancouver in 1980 by Sabathil &
Sons.
Bell Choir:
A 3 and one-half octave bell choir completes the church's
array of musical instruments. These bells have a mellow, sonorous tone, and are
extremely effective in a choral setting. We use them to add variety to our Music
Program.
See Peace in the City for a
dynamic selection of contemporary music.
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