Symbiosis

Connecting tradition and newness, composers and performers.

The art form we practice is ever-evolving, and presents opportunities to search in many directions for new ideas and new sounds. At the same time, the Western choral tradition provides a history of 500 or more years of musical practice.

Symbiosis celebrates both tradition and novelty, in a program including centuries-old unaccompanied music for up to eight voices, together with brand new Canadian works receiving world premieres.

We also celebrate the symbiosis of composer and performer by hosting composer Nicholas Ryan Kelly and performing a brand new work inspired by Shannon Bramer’s poetry from Climbing Shadows, co-commissioned by Chronos Vocal Ensemble and the Vancouver Cantata Singers. In 2022, Chronos Vocal Ensemble premiered the composer’s work You Speak Violets, on text from the same poet.