PREMIERE CONCERT – “Gardens” – a Sacred Oratorio
Saturday, April 15, 2023 | 7:30pm
Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church
9165 160 Street, Surrey, BC
Trinity Western University Choir is joined by Vancouver Oratorio Society to present David Squires’ “Gardens” – a sacred oratorio. Being a long-time university professor, mentor, worship curator and a composer, Dr. David Squires is Professor of Music in the School of the Arts, Media + Culture at Trinity Western University in Langley BC, Canada. He is deeply influenced by Celtic spirituality and has a special affinity for sacred music, contributing choral anthems and service music for various seasons and special occasions. This nine-movement work for soprano, choir, and chamber orchestra, commissioned by Dr. Joel Tranquilla and Trinity Western University was originally planned to premiere in April 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic.
Including other works by Mozart, Vivaldi, and Tawnie Olson.
Conductor: Dr. Joel Tranquilla
Soloist: Alison Nystrom
Chamber Orchestra
TWU Chamber Choir and Klemata Chorale
Vancouver Oratorio Society
Concert “GARDENS – from Creation to Eternity” 「園中行 – 從創世到永恆」
Sunday, June 4, 2023 | 7:30 pm
Evangelical Chinese Bible Church
5110 Marine Drive, Burnaby, BC
Join us for our spring concert featuring “Gardens”, a contemporary oratorio by Canadian compose, Dr. David Squires. This nine-movement work for soprano, choir and chamber orchestra takes you on a profound spiritual journey that starts from the first garden in the book of Genesis to the ultimate and longed for garden described at the end of the Revelation. Each movement brings together divergent biblical passages illustrating the journey from the life, glory and peace of the created order, through the lament of the exiled wanderers, to the Good Shepherd who is our peace, and His suffering, and to our final promised dwelling place in the Garden of Joy yet to come.
Other sacred choral works, sung in English and Mandarin include:
Franz Josef Haydn – “The Heavens are Telling”
Mark Hayes – “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
Mary McDonald – “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Frank Huang – “Psalms 23” 耶和華是我牧者
Ralph vaughan Williams– “Let All The World in Every Corner Sing”
Guest Conductor: Dr. Joel Tranquilla
Principal Conductor: Kemuel Wong | Associate Conductor: Neville To
Piano: Susan Chan | Organ: Cherridinne Chan
VOS Chorus & Chamber Orchestra | VOS Chamber Singers
Free admission | No tickets required| Donation appreciated
Mask wearing is encouraged.
Enquiries: 604-200-8008 www.vancouveroratorio.org