The Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir will assist the Arrowhead Chorale in closing its 15th season with a concert steeped in connections.
"Border Crossings: Part II," a cultural and musical exchange that began with the Arrowhead Chorale traveling to Canada last fall, will be completed this weekend when the choirs perform together in Duluth.
But the connections reach back beyond last fall. Stanley Wold, artistic director and conductor of the Arrowhead Chorale, and Yuri Klaz, artistic director and conductor of the Winnipeg Philharmonic, have been working together for more than a decade.
"The connections go back to the Sister Cities exchange in Petrozavodsk," Wold said.
Petrozavodsk, Duluth's sister city in Russia, is where Klaz was born, raised and educated.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was awarded a medal by then Russian President Boris Yeltsin for his cultural work, Wold said of Klaz. After his time in Russia, Klaz assumed the role of conductor for the Winnipeg Philharmonic in 2000.
Though this is the first time in Duluth for many of the choir members, Klaz has been to Duluth many times, guest conducting the Arrowhead on a few occasions.
"I am very lucky to have this kind of friendship and professional relationship with Stan and the Arrowhead Chorale," he said. Klaz is fond of Duluth because it reminds him of Petrozavodsk, which is also set on a lake.
"I am looking forward to the concert and the view," Klaz said.
Klaz is not the only one looking forward to the concert. Marcia VanCamp, interim president of the Arrowhead Chorale Board and alto section leader, recalls the experience in Winnipeg as exciting, neat and gracious.
"Its been very rewarding seeing it (the concert and exchange) come together," VanCamp said.
The Philharmonic's trip is especially important to the choir because it hasn't had the opportunity to travel much. VanCamp said the choir members will be staying in the homes of the Arrowhead Chorale members, and that while they will mostly be rehearsing, there are some social and cultural events planned.
"We are having a formal reception at the Depot, some of the guests will be going on a lake cruise, and there will be a couple of potlucks," VanCamp said.
ADVERTISEMENT
There will be more than 80 singers in the combined choir, about 30 from the Chorale and 50 from the Philharmonic.
The program includes musical selections from Canada, America, England and Russia. In addition to the combined pieces, the choirs will individually perform some signature pieces. The variety in the program is designed to appeal to many, with folk music, sacred and secular pieces.
Mike Elsbernd, the concert organist, said there is always a little creative anxiety when bringing two groups together.
"The repertoire is challenging, but wonderful," he said.
"Border Crossings: Part II" will be Saturday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior Street, and on Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2430 W. Third St. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for students. For more information, call 733-7521.
