Brandon University pro series streaming concert draws on loss and memories

The Brandon University School of Music’s latest pro series streaming concert will feature original compositions by BU alumni Chris Byman and Kenley Kristofferson.

The full program encompasses a beautiful set of works in concert by performance artists from the School of Music, including Catherine Wood on clarinet, Victoria Sparks on marimba, and Leanne Zacharias on ‘cello.

Byman, BU alumnus, has written a work in memory of Cole Ediger, who passed away suddenly last year. Ediger also attended the BU School of Music, and he and Byman were close friends and work colleagues at St. John’s Music in Winnipeg. Ediger also studied with Sparks and Prof. Eric Platz.

“The strong connections that we build between students, alumni, and instructors here are part of what make the BU School of Music a real family. Strong connections also mean each loss is that much more deeply felt,” said Dean of Music Greg Gatien. “Being touched by loss may be part of being human, but our humanity is also on display in how we respond to that loss — including through creative expressions like this. I will be humbled to hear it.”

Also in the concert, Wood and Sparks will be performing Into Dreams, composed by BU Music alumnus Kristofferson. The concert also features BU faculty member Leanne Zacharias in a clarinet/cello duet by Syrian composer and clarinetist Kinen Azmeh. The work is about searching for memories from home and random memories of people from the past.

The concert will be streamed to the BU School of Music’s Facebook page and their YouTube page.

• https://people.brandonu.ca/woodc/
• https://people.brandonu.ca/zachariasl/full-bio/
• https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/music/staff/VictoriaSparks.htm
• https://chrisbyman.com/bio
• https://kenleykristofferson.com/about/