Arts & Culture

One of Winnipeg’s most prominent arts funding bodies has named a new top executive.  

Rachel Barton Pine, born October 11, 1974, in Chicago, is a violinist who defies musical boundaries, seamlessly blending classical mastery with a deep passion for heavy metal. Her journey with the violin began at age three, leading to a debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at just ten years old. But beyond the concert halls, Pine has carved a niche that connects the worlds of Bach and Black Sabbath. 

Hanna Havrylets (1958–2022) was a distinguished Ukrainian composer and educator, celebrated for her significant contributions to contemporary classical music. Born on April 11, 1958, in Vydyniv, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ukraine, she began her musical journey under the guidance of Vasyl Kufliuk, a teacher renowned for his innovative methods in developing musical hearing.

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas' brain tumor has returned, and the 80-year-old intends to lead his final performance in April.

It’s an evening of live art creation and musical collaboration that invites the whole community to explore the myths in our lives and how we are impacted by them. 

Theatre Projects Manitoba shares The Myths that Shape Us on February 24 at The Forks as an initial engagement with the idea of mythology that builds into their upcoming production Prophecy, which will take the stage at the Rachel Browne Theatre next month. 

Winnipeg Studio Theatre has announced a new chapter with the appointment of a new artistic leadership duo. 

The company announced last week that Kara Joseph will assume the title of artistic director and producer while Vinnie Alberto will be taking on the roles of managing director and artistic associate. In a post on their Instagram page, the company cited the duo’s “wealth of creativity, passion, and dynamic leadership”. 

The Manitoba Band Association (MBA) has announced a powerful new initiative, Manitoba Wave of Light, a province-wide musical collaboration in support of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. This heartfelt fundraiser will unite musicians of all ages and skill levels to highlight the healing power of music while raising funds for cancer care and research. 

Music therapy, an evidence-based clinical practice, employs music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. In oncology, music therapy has emerged as a complementary intervention to alleviate various symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. 

February is Black History Month, a time to honour the trailblazers who have shaped history, and in the world of classical music, few figures stand as tall as Florence Price. As the first Black woman to have her symphony performed by a major American orchestra, Price broke barriers and redefined expectations. Her compositions, infused with African American spirituals, folk rhythms, and European classical traditions, continue to captivate audiences today. Among her most remarkable works, Symphony No. 1, Symphony No. 3, Violin Concerto No.

In a significant development for the renowned British vocal ensemble VOCES8, soprano Andrea Haines has announced her decision to step down after an illustrious 17-year tenure. As one of the longest-serving members, second only to founder Barney Smith, Andrea has been integral to the group's success and evolution.

Reflecting on her journey, Andrea shared: