MacMillan will give a keynote address on The Spiritual in Music on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30pm at Conrad Grebel University College as the Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar. MacMillan’s music is profoundly influenced by his Catholic faith, Scottish heritage, social conscience and close connection with Celtic folk music. He blends influences from Far Eastern, Scandinavian, and Eastern European music.
Much of Sir MacMillan’s time will be spent in rehearsals with the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, the Grand Philharmonic Choir, and Choir 21 – a chamber choir of 16 that specializes in contemporary choral music. On Sunday, March 6 at 3:00pm, the groups will present The Music of Sir James MacMillan, conducted by MacMillan himself. The music on the program includes Immortal Bach by Knut Nystedt, The Gallant Weaver by MacMillan, Miserere by MacMillan, and music by Murray Schafer and James Rolfe.
“I have long been a great fan of MacMillan’s music. His choral pieces are some of my favourite works,” remarked Mark Vuorinen, assistant professor of music at Grebel and artistic director and conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Choir. “I am excited for our choristers at Grebel and at the Philharmonic to get to work with him first hand and for our whole community to hear him speak on music and spirituality.”
The Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Lecture was established in 2004 to honour Rodney’s tenure and Lorna’s involvement at Conrad Grebel University College. As dean and then president, Rodney significantly shaped the strong faculty that defined Grebel’s distinctive academic profile for more than three decades. In keeping with Rodney Sawatsky’s own academic interests, the Sawatsky Visiting Scholar is awarded to renowned scholars, practitioners, and performers representing a wide range of academic and creative disciplines who bring their expertise to the Grebel community.
Public Lecture: The Spiritual in Music
March 1, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Featuring Sir James MacMillan
Great Hall, Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Road North, Waterloo
Free Admission. Overflow room available.
Concert: The Music of Sir James MacMillan
Sunday March 6, 2016 3:00 pm
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 49 Queen St. North, Kitchener
Choir 21, University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, Grand Philharmonic Choir
Sir James MacMillan, conductor
Tickets available for purchase at Conrad Grebel University College and online at GrandPhil Ticket Sales
Adults - $30, Under 30 - $14, Children and Youth - $5