Performing and visual arts unite at "Songs at an Exhibition," an innovative collaboration between Sea to Sky Singers and other artists to "bring music to life."
Talented local artists, using a variety of mediums and styles, will create original artwork to represent select pieces performed by the choir during two shows at the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) next Friday and Saturday (May 14 and 15).
Choir director Veronica McPhee picked the music in advance and had artists come and choose which song inspired them.
"They all selected one of the pieces from our concert repertoire and then they had free rein to create what they felt the music reflected, including sculptures, paintings and drawings," she said.
McPhee was inspired by Modest Mussorgsky, a Russian composer who, at the turn of the 20th century, visited a friend's art gallery showing and was inspired to compose pieces of music based on the show.
"He [Mussorgsky] has a composition called 'Pictures of an Exhibition,'" McPhee said. "When you listen to his songs, he wants you to be thinking of those pieces.
"I knew of that piece before and so I guess I'm kind of doing the opposite - I'm getting the artists to create something that the music tells them."
Finished artwork will be displayed in the concert venue, Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG), until the end of May and a slideshow depicting the artwork's creation will accompany each song.
"Songs at an Exhibition" curator Carol Ann Berkley is one of the artists and she is thrilled to be part of such an exciting show.
"It's very exciting because the artists have adopted a song that the choir will be doing," she said. "The songs speak to the artisans, the artisans fall in love with them and use art to express that - it is very unique in that regard."
Berkley said the minute she heard her song, she knew.
"This piece spoke to me," she said. "It's about a man going from community to community playing the violin and making people stop what they're doing to get up and dance.
"It's called "Dance, dance, dance" and it's such a cute and lively song."
In addition to visual artists, the show will also feature dancers, instrumentalists and soloists from the choir.
"With folk, pop, jazz and classical repertoire celebrating the joy and power of music, this unique approach is sure to challenge how we 'look' at music," McPhee said.
Assistant director Aaron Purdie will also direct and Colleen Koop will accompany on the piano.
Participating artists include Berkley, Kay Austen, Samera Gibson, Lise Hamilton, Toby Jaxon, Mike Sherlock and Fran Solar.
Shows will take place May 14 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students/seniors and are available at Billie's Bouquet and the BAG.
For more information, call music director Veronica McPhee at (604) 892 7819 or visit www.seatoskysingers.net.
