In 1995, David Wilson founded the Spiritus Chamber Choir. This Calgary-based ensemble quickly grew in popularity and esteem, filling a space in the community for a high-level chamber choir. During Wilson’s six-year tenure, they received an International Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (1999) and reached the semifinals in the CBC National Choral Competition (2000).
In the 30 years since Spiritus was founded, the choir has become recognized nationally and internationally for its excellence. One of the pivotal moments in its history was winning second prize and the Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy for the best performance of a work by the German composer at the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in Cork, Ireland (2014). The choir was also awarded the Healey Willan Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts at the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs in 2013 and 2017.
Artistic Director Andrea Ciona recognizes the immense responsibility of leading such a long-standing community pillar: “I see my job as a steward to make sure that this continues moving forward—that we’re able to continue being on the edge of what’s happening in choral music.” This desire to honour the past and speak to the current moment informs their upcoming season.
“Next season is less about collaboration and more just about celebrating who and what we are,” says Ciona. They are planning a four-concert series to celebrate their 30-year anniversary season.
The first is “like a cabaret night,” showcasing some of their professional singers in small groups. Next is Spiritus’s classic choral Christmas concert, featuring traditional Christmas carols and other works of the season centered around light and the winter solstice. In March, they are planning True North, a concert of all-Canadian compositions including many which they have commissioned in their 30-year history. The highlight of their season comes next May, when they premiere a new piece by Katerina Gimon from whom they have commissioned “a fairly substantive work” with text by Calgary’s current Poet Laureate, Shone Thistle.
Spiritus continues to center its legacy as an elite Canadian choir. “I am excited to create a space and a place for us to showcase local Canadian composers and to be able to give voice to their work,” says Ciona. As they look to the future, they hope to keep their finger on the pulse of choral music and of Canadian culture at large. “(We’re) trying to connect the music of the past with music that is … reflecting what’s happening in Canada today.”
