BRANDON, MB — Music has the power to tell stories that transcend borders, cultures and generations. That’s the focus of the Brandon University New Music Festival, returning October 19 and 20 with two evenings of performances that examine migration, displacement, identity and belonging through contemporary music.
Hosted at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, the festival will feature the Brandon University Orchestra, the BU New Music Ensemble, student composers, alumni and acclaimed guest artists from across Canada.
According to School of Music Dean Leanne Zacharias, the annual festival continues to provide audiences with opportunities to experience innovative works while giving students the chance to tackle unique artistic challenges.
A highlight of the festival will be You Are Ready to Bloom, a multimedia composition by composer Rita Ueda with text by writer Heather Capocci. The work explores the experiences of first-generation Japanese immigrant families who settled in Canada during the 1960s. Combining spoken word, piano, orchestra and interactive performance elements, the piece places collaboration at its core, allowing each musician to contribute to the work’s direction and interpretation.
Festival artistic director Megumi Masaki says the concept of shared agency encourages performers and audiences alike to reconsider traditional musical hierarchies and embrace a more community-centered approach to music making.
The festival’s opening night, titled Journeys Across Cultures, will bring together orchestral, chamber and solo performances that reflect on migration, memory and cultural identity. The second evening, New Music, New Connections, will showcase original compositions by BU students, alumni and contemporary composers, including works by BU alumnus Kyle DuVal and guest artist Saina Khaledi.
Beyond the evening concerts, the festival will also offer free daytime educational events. These include a presentation by conductor Janna Sailor on resources and opportunities for musicians, as well as a lecture and performance demonstration by Persian santour performer and composer Saina Khaledi exploring the history and cultural significance of the traditional Persian instrument.
Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $20 at the door, while admission is free for students. Seating is limited.
Source: Brandon University School of Music
