CSO presents Canada Strong

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Land Acknowledgement

by Danielle Power

Concordia University of Edmonton and its partners would like to acknowledge that the Canada Strong program will take place on Indigenous lands and territories Concordia University of Edmonton is situated within Treaty No. 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Edmonton, sometimes referred to as amiskwaciywâskahikan, has always been a significant place for the nêhiyawak (Cree), niitsitapi (Blackfoot), denesųłiné (Dene), nakota isga (Nakota Sioux), nahkawininiwak (Saulteaux), and otipemisiwak (Métis) since time immemorial. We honour and respect the many Indigenous musical traditions, songs, and spirits that have been connected to this place for centuries.

Concordia Symphony Orchestra

Danielle

Lisboa, conductor

Dr. Reginald Wiebe, Master of Ceremonies

Dr. Laurier Fagnan, guest conductor Chorale Saint-Jean

PROGRAM

For Home Kevin Lau

Suite for the Prairies

Andrew Kesler

Kiwetin-acahkos (North Star) Fanfare for the peoples of the North Andrew Balfour

Jaynine McCrae, Inuit Drumming and Singing

“Parlez-moi” “J'appartiens”

Chorale Saint-Jean

Laurier Fagnan, conductor

Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"

IV. Finale: Allegro molto

France Levasseur-Ouimet (arranged by Allan Bevan)

L. van Beethoven

VIOLIN I

THIS AFTERNOON’S PERFORMERS

THE CONCORDIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Danielle Lisboa, Music Director and Conductor

Frank Ho, concertmaster

Raymond Leung

Arwen Bylsma

Vladimir Rufino

VIOLIN II

Svitlana Remniakova

Harold Steinbrenner

Jeremy James

Lydia Yu

VIOLA

Darrell Soetaert

Anna Schultz

CELLO

John Fedor

Ryan Hoffman

Julia Dolman

Sharon Toronchuk

BASS

Peter Eratostene

FLUTE/ PICCOLO

Rock Larochelle

Johanna Reimann

OBOE/ ENGLISH HORN

Stephanie Wong

Courtney Borstad

CLARINET

Amber Campbell

Cindy Richardson

BASSOON

Douglas Ridgway

FRENCH HORN

Martin Grasdal

Alicia Krips

Catherine Labbe

Jasper Whitby

TRUMPET

Angelo Panahon

Daniel Alfaro Sibaja

TROMBONE

Joanna Macdonald

Fenton Corey

Ken Burns

TUBA

Raymond Basaraba

PERCUSSION

Nicholas Jacques

Rodger Weir

Douglas Vick

Setsuko Olsen

CRYSTAL BOWL

Cindy Richardson

HARP

Jane Fagnan

PIANO

Heather Ball

Danielle Lisboa, Conductor

Brazilian-Canadian Danielle Lisboa leads an active career as an orchestral conductor and scholar. She holds a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, NY and a Master's degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Houston, TX, with emphasis in opera conducting. On arriving in Canada in 2008, she became Orchestra Toronto’s first apprentice conductor. She was named assistant conductor two months later and, shortly after, was appointed the orchestra’s music director and conductor

During her tenure, Lisboa became known for her cutting-edge programming and public engagement. Her vision and dynamic leadership took Orchestra Toronto into new paths for outreach and youth initiatives, including the Marta Hidy Concerto Competition and the popular annual children’s concerts. Two years later, she led Bellus Barbari, the Toronto Women’s Symphony Orchestra, in its inaugural Ontario tour

Lisboa currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Concordia University of Edmonton in the areas of conducting and music theory. As music director and conductor of the Concordia Symphony Orchestra, she is shaking up old symphonic traditions, bringing a bold selection of repertoire that meshes together music cultures from the four corners of the world. From the Middle Eastern “Oud”, the Asian “Guzheng”, the South American “cavaquinho”, or the Indian “sitar”- diverse sound environments and music styles are welcomed into the orchestra ranks, opening a fresh concept in music-making.

Danielle Lisboa was a visiting scholar at Southwest University in Chongqing, China, in July 2024, where she led the University Symphony Orchestra in a two-week intensive summer course. This year, she presented a conducting workshop and served as lecturer and orchestra clinician in Angers, France. Notable professional activities in 2025 include her work as conductor-in-residence with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago in April and as guest conductor of the UNIRIO Symphony Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in May. Last August, she led the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra in Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Laurier Fagnan, Guest conductor Chorale Saint-Jean

Laurier Fagnan holds a master's degree in vocal pedagogy from Université Laval and a doctorate in choral conducting (University of Alberta/IRCAM, Paris), as well as a certificate in vocology from the National Center for Voice and Speech in the US. Since 1995, he has conducted the dynamic Chorale Saint-Jean, Western Canada’s largest Francophone choir. His innovative field of research, choral acoustics, has led him to give lectures at several international conferences and to offer vocal technique workshops for hundreds of choirs in Canada, the United States and France. He is Director of the Vocal Acoustics Laboratory at Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta, where he is full professor. He has been a guest lecturer for the European Choral Federation in Bulgaria and for the Acoustical Society of America in Salt Lake City. Mr. Fagnan is a frequent clinician and guest conductor for l’Alliance chorale du Québec, les Choralies internationales de Vaison-la-Romaine in France as well as for l’Académie internationale du Domaine Forget in Quebec. In May 2018, he made his debut as guest conductor at Carnegie Hall and returned there in 2025 to conduct Mozart's Requiem with the New England Symphony and choirs from France, Canada and the United States.

Dr. Fagnan is a recipient of the Richard S. Eaton Award as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to Canadian choral singing. In 2020, he was elected President of Choral Canada, the national association of Canadian choirs and conductors, and in 2023 was appointed Editor-in-Chief of its national journal, Anacrusis. At the request of Cypress Music in Vancouver, he created La série enchantée, a collection of new French-language compositions and arrangements for choirs written by Canadian composers One thing is certain, Mr Fagnan is interested in all facets of the human voice and in all that can be achieved collectively through the wonderful art of choral singing.

Chorale Saint-Jean

La Chorale Saint-Jean du Campus Saint-Jean à Edmonton joue un rôle de première importance dans le développement du patrimoine du chant choral francophone au Canada, et ce depuis 1937. Dirigée depuis 1995 par Laurier Fagnan, l’ensemble a gagné une réputation nationale pour son magnifique son et ses interprétations empreintes de passion et de musicalité. Sachant que le chant choral doit se renouveler pour demeurer pertinent à une culture, l’ensemble a commandé plus de trente œuvres originales auprès de compositeurs canadiens et compte huit albums

Au cours des dernières années, la Chorale Saint-Jean a reçu plusieurs prix marquant sa contribution à sa communauté, incluant le « Prix de distinction » du Temple de la renommée de la ville d’Edmonton pour marquer son 75e anniversaire et sa contribution exceptionnelle à la vie culturelle et artistique de la capitale. En 2008, le documentaire Le chœur d’une culture produit par l’Office national du film, soulignait le rôle de la chorale dans le rayonnement de la communauté francophone hors Québec

Ses maintes tournées partout au Canada et en France lui ont permis de faire rayonner l’importance et la beauté du chant choral d’expression française loin et large.

Chorale Saint-Jean of Campus Saint-Jean in Edmonton has played a leading role in developing the legacy of francophone choral singing in Canada since 1937 Led by Laurier Fagnan since 1995, the ensemble has gained a national reputation for its magnificent sound and passionate musical interpretations Recognizing that choral singing must consistently renew itself to remain relevant to a culture, the ensemble has commissioned over thirty original pieces from Canadian composers and has released eight albums.

Chorale Saint-Jean has received numerous awards for contributions to its community, as well as the "Award of Distinction" from the City of Edmonton Hall of Fame to mark its 75th anniversary and its outstanding contributions to the city's cultural and artistic life The 2008 documentary Le chœur d’une culture (“Together in Harmony”), produced by the National Film Board, highlights the choir's role in promoting the Francophone community outside of Quebec. The choir’s numerous tours throughout Canada and France have enabled it to spread the importance and beauty of French choral singing far and wide.

Reginald Wiebe, Associate Professor of English

Reginald Wiebe is an associate professor in the Department of Literature and Language, where he teaches Canadian Literature and Comics.

Parlez-moi

Texts and Translations

Je cherche un peu partout dans l’espoir de trouver

Quelqu’un qui connaît bien la mer et son haleine salée

Qui pourrait bien me dire pourquoi j’ai dans la peau

Le bruit des vagues sur la plage, le chant liquide et pur de l’eau

Parlez-moi de la mer, racontez-moi son histoire

Dites-moi, parlez-moi

Pour que je sois marin, pour que je sois marin

Parlez-moi de la mer

Dites-moi, parlez-moi

J’ai parlé de la plaine aux vieux de mon pays

Ils n’ont pas su beaucoup m’aider, ils ne m’ont pas compris

Ils m’ont parlé du temps qui se perd dans l’oubli

De l’ennui, de la solitude

Mais de la terre ils n’ont rien dit

Parlez-moi de la plaine, racontez-moi son histoire

Dites-moi, parlez-moi

Pour que je vois plus loin, pour que je vois plus loin

Parlez-moi de la plaine

Dites-moi, parlez-moi

J’ai parlé à ma mère, elle qui connaît si bien Tous les grands héros légendaires dont on ne dit plus rien

Elle m’a parlé d’espoir, de la mort, de la vie, de l’amour, du don, du chagrin

Mais de la terre elle n’a rien dit

Enseignez-moi la terre, apprenez-moi la mer

Expliquez-moi la plaine, pour que je la comprenne

Donnez-moi les mots qu’il me faut

Parlez-moi de la terre, racontez-moi son histoire

Dites-moi, parlez-moi

Pour que je sois gardien, pour que je sois gardien

Parlez-moi de la terre

Dites-moi, parlez-moi

Parlez-moi -English Translation

I search everywhere in the hope of finding

Someone who knows the salty breath of the sea,

Someone who can tell me why the sound of the waves

On the shore and the pure and liquid song of the sea

Flow through my very being

Speak to me of the sea, tell me its story

So that I may become a sailor

Speak to me of the sea

I spoke of the prairies to the elders of my country but they could not help me, they did not understand me

They spoke of the time that is lost in forgetfulness, of loneliness, of solitude, but of the land they said nothing

Speak to me of the prairies. Tell me their story

So that I may be able to see beyond the horizon

Speak to me of the prairies

I spoke to my mother, she who knows so well all the great legendary heroes of which we no longer speak

She spoke to me of hope, of death, of life, of love, of giving and of grief.

But of the earth she did not speak

Teach me the earth and the sea and the prairies

So that I may understand them.

Give me the words that I need

Speak to me of the earth

Tell me its story so that I may become its guardian.

Speak to me of the earth

Texts and Translations

J'appartiens

Couplet 1.

Vous les milliers de gens qui ont traversé les mers, ont laissé derrière eux leurs hiers. Vous les milliers de gens et vous les grands peuples d'ici, trop souvent sont passés à l'oubli.

Je vous appartiens

Je vous appartiens.

Refrain:

J'appartiens à tous les mots d'ici tous ceux qu'on chante, tous ceux qu'on dit

J'appartiens à tant d'années d'histoire, à tant de rêves à tant d'espoirs I belong to joy and loss and pain, to mornings filled with rain, I belong, I belong.

Couplet 2

Vous les milliers de gens de Nouvelle France et d'Acadie, vos racines ont fleuri dans les prairies. Vous les milliers de gens qui ont tous fait de leur mieux pour bâtir un pays généreux.

Je vous appartiens Je vous appartiens.

Refrain

J'appartiens à toutes ces rivières, aux grandes plaines, à nos hivers.

J'appartiens aux luttes de mon pays à ses victoires, à ses défis

I belong

Verse I

You, the thousands of people who have crossed the seas, who have left behind you all of your yesterdays, You, the thousands of people and you the great First Nations that have too often been forgotten, I belong to you I belong to you.

Refrain I belong to our many words, the ones we sing and the ones we speak. I belong to so many years of history, to so many dreams and hopes I belong to joy and loss and pain, to mornings filled with rain, I belong, I belong.

Verse 2

You, the thousands of people who have traveled from New France and Acadia, your roots have flowered in the prairies. You, the thousands of people who have done their best to build a generous nation, I belong to you I belong to you.

Refrain I belong to all of our rivers, to the great plains and to our winters. I belong to the struggles of my nation, to its victories and its challenges

Texts and Translations

I belong

to those who teach and learn to those who live to serve I belong

J'appartiens Bridge

When I must say where I belong I search for words both soft and strong Je vous le dis, je suis d'ici.

Vous êtes ma force vous êtes ma vie.

Vous êtes mon pays

Refrain

J'appartiens à tous les mots d'ici, tous ceux qu'on chante qu'on dit

J'appartiens à tant d'années d'histoire à tant de rêves à tant d'espoirs I belong to joy and loss and pain to mornings filled with rain. I belong

J'appartiens, oui j'appartiens I belong

I belong to those who teach and learn to those who live to serve I belong

J'appartiens Bridge

When I must say where I belong, I search for words both soft and strong And so I say, this is my home. You are my strength and my life, You are my homeland

Refrain I belong to our many words, the ones we sing and the ones we speak I belong to so many years of history to so many dreams and hopes. I belong to joy, to loss and pain to mornings filled with rain I belong, I belong J'appartiens, j'appartiens. I belong

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS

“Mahler Symphony No. 4”

Saturday, December 06, 2025 | 7:00 p m

All Saints’ Cathedral

“Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto: A Chinese Love Story”

Sunday, March 08, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.

Tegler Student Centre

Zhou Ji, guest conductor (Chongqing, China)

Guest ensemble: Edmonton Chinese Philharmonica Association Jason Wong, conductor

“For All Mankind: A German Requiem”

Saturday, May 02, 2026 | 7:00 p m

McDougall United Church

Guest ensembles: Chorus Inspira and Cosmopolitan Chorus

The CSO Chamber Nucleus presents

THE IBERIA TOUR

(Portugal & Spain)

Jun 16 - 27, 2026

Destinations: Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Porto, Braga, Santiago, Oviedo, Bilbao, San Sebastián

The CSO Nucleus will present chamber music concerts in Madrid - Salamanca - Braga - Oviedo

Joint ensemble performances in Braga and Oviedo cso@concordia ab ca

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS!