We’ve all seen their terrified, haunted expressions staring at us from television screens, newspapers, and the internet. They are children and young people caught amidst the cataclysm of war. Whether the image originates in Darfur, Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, in whatever language they ask the same question: Why? The inspiration for Chor Leoni’s upcoming Remembrance Day concerts, Stolen Voices, came from Artistic Director, Diane Loomer’s readings of children’s and youths’ war diaries from WWI to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Selections from these will be interspersed with powerful new music, including commissioned works by Vancouver composers, Jocelyn Morlock, Marcus Goddard, Larry Nickel, and Ken Cormier. Morlock has chosen the gripping Biblical story of David mourning for Absalom as her text, Goddard uses poetry by a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay, Nickel has chosen two Mennonite hymns, and Cormier’s source is music by pop singer/songwriter, Sting.

Chor Leoni has established several traditions for its Remembrance Day concerts. The concert, which opens with For the Fallen, is performed without applause, allowing the music and readings to weave a reverent space where audience members are free to grieve friends no longer here, reflect on comforting memories, and ultimately find solace. Another tradition - sadly lengthening each year - is the reading of the names of the Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan, followed by the Last Post. Rupert Lang’s beloved Kontakion, with its cathartic congregational sung refrain, ends the performance.

Chor Leoni is pleased to welcome members of PROMYS (PROgram for Mentoring Young Singers), the choir’s mentoring program for high school-aged young men. These men have attended rehearsals with the choir, studied and worked on the music with the support of their school music teachers, and will perform selected works with Chor Leoni as part of Stolen Voices.

Click here to purchase individual tickets from Ticketmaster.