Luminous Voices, Calgary’s JUNO-nominated choir, returns to the stage with The Far West, a compelling program featuring works by contemporary composers Jesse Plessis, Sonny-Ray Day Rider, and Zachary Wadsworth. This performance, set for Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. in the Bella Concert Hall, promises a moving exploration of sound, text, and emotion.
Joining Luminous Voices for this special concert are celebrated tenor Lawrence Wiliford and the Luminous String Ensemble. Known for his expressive artistry, Wiliford’s voice will bring additional depth to this powerful program, which showcases some of the finest choral compositions in recent years.
At the heart of the concert is The Far West by Zachary Wadsworth, a piece originally premiered by Luminous Voices in 2014 with Wiliford under the direction of Artistic Director Tim Shantz. Inspired by the poetry of Tim Dlugos, a celebrated poet who died of AIDS at the age of 40, Wadsworth’s work takes audiences on an emotional journey, moving from “disease and darkness to reconciliation and light.” Though the conclusion is not traditionally happy, it is undeniably hopeful, leaving listeners with a profound sense of reflection and resolve. The piece earned Choral Canada’s National Choral Award for Outstanding Choral Composition in 2016.
Adding to the program are new works by Southern Alberta composers Jesse Plessis and Sonny-Ray Day Rider, further cementing Luminous Voices’ commitment to championing contemporary choral music and fostering Canadian composers. These fresh compositions promise to bring innovative textures and perspectives to the ensemble’s already dynamic repertoire.
Beyond the excitement of this concert, Luminous Voices has another reason to celebrate: the choir’s fifth album, Ispiciwin, has been nominated for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) at the 2025 JUNO Awards. This nomination is a testament to the choir’s artistic excellence and dedication to creating evocative, world-class choral music.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience The Far West— a performance that blends the power of poetry, the richness of the human voice, and the depth of contemporary choral composition.
More info & tickets