“In the heart of the prairies, where the rivers entwine/is a place filled with music and rhythm and rhyme.”
Those are the opening words to a new choral work being debuted on November 16 at Bethel Mennonite Church by six different choirs that are joining together for Winnipeg – One Great Chorus, part of the ongoing City of Song celebrations being presented by the Winnipeg Arts Council.
As it happens, that new choral work is also called “City of Song”. It’s the first-ever choral composition done by local composer and educator Matt Neufeld, who was approached by a friend to write a piece specifically for this concert.
“Winnipeg is a really interesting city to write about,” says Neufeld, who teaches band at Oak Park High School. “Winnipeg is... an idea, and it’s a place. Winnipeg is a place that people love to be. Winnipeg is a place that people come back to.”
Neufeld drew on inspiration from his own life when writing the music and the words for “City of Song”. He recalled his college classmates from outside of Manitoba staying in the area because they found a welcoming community in Winnipeg, and stories from his wife’s corporate workplace about how other branches across Canada would be reticent to hire Winnipeggers because of their desire to return to the city.
The strength of the community shines through Neufeld’s words, which also channel the shared experiences of Winnipeggers such as braving the winter months. “This is our home, it’s the place to belong,” the piece says. “So come and we’ll show you our city of song.”
“Winnipeg is filled with people who sing,” says Neufeld. “We’re known as the singing province. The idea of coming together to sing is really cool.
“We don’t just do things - we do things together with people.”
“City of Song” will be the crown jewel of Winnipeg – One Great Chorus, as all six choirs – the Bison Men’s Chorus, the Winnipeg Nurses Choir, Women of Note, the Due North Singers, the Winnipeg Boys Choir and the Stradbrook Avenue Show Choir – join forces to perform it. The concert, which takes place at 3 p.m. at Bethel Mennonite Church on November 16, also features each of these ensembles performing their own sets of music as well.
For tickets and more information, visit the City of Song website.