As the waters of the Red and the Assiniboine flow earnestly again, the Winnipeg Boys Choir is preparing for its spring concert where the flowing of water mimics the peace they hope to see in the world.
Peace Like a River marks the final concert of the year for the three choirs that make up the Winnipeg Boys Choir family, Brio, Vivo and Continuo. Although the title was first suggested by Continuo conductor Spencer Duncanson based on an arrangement of the well-known hymn, the title also resonated with ideas that the other two conductors – Carolyn Boyes and Albert Bergen – had for their programs as well.
“We started talking about other rep that was inspiring for us and that we wanted to share,” Boyes explains, “and there was a theme of water and flowing and calm, and from that, we drew our title, Peace Like a River.”
A musical reassurance
Although the conductors had the vision for a concert that posits peace in a troubled world, Duncanson has observed that the singers in his charge are aware of the stakes of a performance like this one. “The boys are unique, I think, in that they tend to be very great critical thinkers,” he says, “so I don’t have to do much in the way of explanation.”
“The boys will often have conversations about things that are happening in the world, and being able to address them in music is a way of making all of us come to terms with things.”
Boyes adds that a concert like this one is an important one to demonstrate the power of music to the boys in the choirs. “It helps the boys know that their gift of music and singing can help others, that music and singing can be a responsibility and an important one and one they can bear gladly. It’s a pretty powerful place to be.”
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‘A continuum of promise and hope’
Since the ensembles that make up the Winnipeg Boys Choir family consist of boys ranging from early school age through teenagers, there is a noted difference in the sonic quality of the peace that they hope to convey. “I think what’s different is the audience can see and hear this continuum of promise and hope,” says Boyes.
“I think whether it’s the young, true, clear, pure, pinging, piercing laser voice of the trebles or the beautiful warm tones that the young men are getting with Spencer, they do hit differently but the same.”
Duncanson adds that the continuum approach of the Winnipeg Boys Choir also contributes to the musical and emotional intelligence needed to convey the message of peace. “I’m not saying we have the corner on this, but these kids understand music differently, he explains. “They understand working together and they understand the idea of working towards something toward perfection, understanding we don’t get there but working more and more toward that.”
Peace Like a River will be shared at the Crescent Arts Centre on Wardlaw Avenue in Osborne Village at 3 p.m. on May 3. Tickets and more details are available at the Winnipeg Boys Choir’s website.