King's own award-winning music group set to perform

London is hosting the Junos this weekend, but The Chapel at Windermere on the Mount will be hosting another award-winning group. On March 30, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., King's University College Chamber Choir will be performing a concert entitled “Into the Light.”

“I thought it would be wonderful for the choir to delve into the various meanings of darkness and light in all of its forms. It promises to be an evening of music that is evocative, emotional, and reflective, something that we hope is nourishing for the ears and hearts of our listeners,” says Janet Loo, Campus Minister and Director of King’s University College Chamber Choir.

The major work featured will be Morten Lauridsen’s ethereal masterwork called “Lux Aeterna,” a five-movement work set to various sacred texts referring to illumination at spiritual, artistic, and intellectual levels. The Chamber Choir will be joined by a string quintet on this work and will also perform works by Gabriel Fauré, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Johannes Brahms, and many others.

The idea of a performing choir became a reality in 2010 and has stayed strong with many new people joining over the years. It is comprised of students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members.

“It speaks so highly of the talent and passion of so many in our community. We have had many opportunities not only to perform our concerts, but to collaborate with the vibrant arts community in London. In the past few years, we have been invited to perform as part of Ontario Culture Days, as guest artists for the Jack Richardson Awards, as featured performers for the First-St. Andrew’s United Church recital series, and with Fanshawe Chorus London on a performance of Brahms’ “Requiem,” Loo says.

In 2016, King’s University College Chamber Choir won the Jack Richardson London Music Award in the category of Classical Choir/Choral Group. “We were both humbled and thrilled to be given the honour in 2016 and to have been nominated in 2015, 2016, and in 2018. We love what we do and put a whole lot of passion into our art. This was simply a bonus to be recognized in this special way,” Loo says.

Loo says her pride in the choir comes not only from achievements in terms of moving audiences through music, but of the outreach it has been able to provide though awareness-raising and fundraising for various charities and projects including support of the London Daily Break Food Program, St. Joseph Hospice, and King’s Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, among many others. “So far, we have been able to donate over $35,000 in proceeds,” she reports.

“King’s University College Chamber Choir serves to enrich the cultural life of the King’s community and the greater London community through the beauty created by joining singing voices together. We are proud to be ambassadors of King’s, to represent the best of our community – our joys, our passions, and our care for those in need,” Loo says. “Next year marks the choir’s tenth season and we have some special performances in store. You’ll have to tune in to find out more!”

For more information on the Into the Light concert, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/visitor-info/calendar-of-events/chamber-choir-concert/