TOP WOMEN'S CHOIR, CANADIAN NATIONAL COMPETITION 2013
Country: Canada
Conductor: Christina Murray
Voicing: SSA(A)
Xara Choral Theatre is Canada's leading creator of narrative-based choral theatre performances. In a professional, collaborative environment, the ensemble gives life to sung stories that are a feast for the senses and heart-felt explorations of identity, community, and culture. Xara was formed in 2007 when Artistic Director Christina Murray and a team of four women began a year-long process to create an ensemble that embodied their passion for music making, integrative arts, and feminist, decolonized storytelling.
Since its formation, Xara’s work has gained national and international recognition for innovation in the genre. The ensemble tells stories both true and mythical through a rich tapestry of challenging choral repertoire, movement, lighting, spoken word, and visual elements.
The choir’s creative team and acclaimed collaborators have led the group to appearances at Festival 500, the Atlantic National Event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the Titanic 100 commemoration, and multiple national tours yielding audiences of over 10,000 people per year.
Although the ensemble’s focus is on interdisciplinary live performance, in July 2013, Canada’s national choral competition proclaimed Xara the top women’s choir in the country and, in 2015, the group released a full-length album, Here on These Branche s, which was nominated for an East Coast Music Award and a Nova Scotia Music Award for Classical Recording of the Year.
“Choral singing of the highest calibre, in both technique and artistry. The musical selections are diverse and thrilling, of great difficulty and sung with emotion, purpose and polish… I believe that their performance will impact the hearts and minds of all who witness this powerful work, and continue to bring about awareness and healing that is crucial to all.” Deantha Edmunds (Canada’s first and only Inuk classical singer)
Website: xara.ca/
Facebook: facebook.com/XaraEnsembles