Choral Workshop with Andrew Balfour
Ambe, Qilak, Four Directions, and lspiciwin

Join a Choral Workshop with Juno-Nominated Cree Composer Andrew Balfour

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Christ Church Cathedral will host a special choral workshop led by Juno-nominated Cree composer Andrew Balfour. Participants will explore four of Andrew’s powerful compositions: Ambe, Qilak, Four Directions, and Ispiciwin.

Photo: Matt Duboff/Courtesy Dead of Winter

All are welcome—whether you wish to sing or simply observe.

In the afternoon, all attendees are invited to a commemorative ceremony marking ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This meaningful event will feature live performances of the workshop pieces.

Workshop is free but pre-registration is required.

Please register here.  Participants will have the option to purchase printed scores to keep, as well as lunch if staying for the ceremony.

Event Schedule – Christ Church Cathedral

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM:  Open Rehearsal with Andrew McAnerney, Cathedral Associate Music Director
An opportunity to preview and begin learning the music in preparation for the main workshop.

Saturday, June 14, 2025
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Welcome, Registration, and Coffee

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Workshop Rehearsal with Andrew Balfour

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM:Break

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Conversation with Andrew Balfour
A chance to hear from the composer about his work, influences, and the meaning behind the music.  (Hard copies of the scores to keep available for $14)

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Final Rehearsal and Informal Performance

11:45 AM: Lunch Available ($15 with advance registration required for catering)

Please register here. 

Please pay for hard copies of the scores to keep $14, and/or sandwich buffet lunch with Andrew Balfour after the workshop $15 by sending an e-transfer to info@ottawacathedral.ca with your full name and choices. 

Thank you for registering for the workshop.

Resources:

Ambe;  https://cypresschoral.com/composers/andrew-balfour/ambe/

Qilak: https://cypresschoral.com/composers/andrew-balfour/qilak/

Four Directions:  https://youtu.be/ABNLyrI9qOg?si=QPdL4IYtpYQEVf4a

Ispiciwin - Audio file:  https://youtu.be/9M-pSTm9Sog?si=O35MPksqqoGru0hL

10-Year Anniversary Ceremony
Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Saturday, June 14th, 2025

1:00PM: Calling out the Calls:  A Sacred Concert

Bishop Shane Parker will be part of this reflective event in which the Calls to Action will be lifted up alongside Andrew Balfour’s music.

“Andrew will direct the music at that service, and the choir will be made up of people who attended the workshop [if they choose to participate] and members of our own choir.”

Photo:  Church of the Ascension 

Choral Eucharist
National Indigenous Day of Prayer

Sunday, June 15, 2025

10:30am: The final part of the weekend will be a worship service at the Cathedral on Sunday, June 15, 2025, National Indigenous Day of Prayer.  Andrew Balfour will lead the music, including William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices as well as Balfour’s Ispicwin and another version of Ambe, with the Cathedral choirs.

Photo:  The Very Reverend Beth Bretzlaff, Dean of Ottawa, Rector of Christ Church Cathedral