Day 2 Schedule

Pre-Concert Chat with Janna Sailor and Anton Lindenblatt — 1:30 pm

As part of an ongoing initiative to promote the works of Violet Archer, Canadian Music Centre (CMC) Prairie Region Director Janna Sailor sits down with CMC Prairie Library Assistant Anton Lindenblatt to discuss the Violet Archer Digital Engraving Project.

In Violet Light: Celebration Concert of Violet Archer — 2:00 PM

Camryn Dewar, soprano / Sandra Joy Friesen, piano

This concert celebrates the luminous legacy of Violet Archer (1913-2000), whose music reflects a vibrant blend of intellect, lyricism, and national identity. Archer’s musical palette is deeply evocative, and this program brings to life her extraordinary concepts of tonality, phrasing, counterpoint, structure, and texture that shaped and solidified their mastery.

The Colours of Violet invites listeners to trace the pathways of Archer’s creative journey and her lifelong advocacy for new music. Featuring renowned Canadian artists Camryn Dewar (soprano) and Sandra Joy Friesen (piano), experience how her works continue to resonate through solo piano pieces elegantly complemented with songs for mezzo soprano.

Program:

ARCHER
Theme and Variations on “là-haut sur ces montagnes” (1952)

ARCHER
Moon Songs (1976)

ARCHER
Fantasy for pianoforte (1947)

ARCHER
Green Rain (1971)

Intermission

ARCHER
Six Preludes (1947)
Allegretto – Scherzando
Andantino tranquillo
Lento – come elegia
Broad – in declamatory style
Slowly – in sad meditation
Allegro appassionato

ARCHER
Sonata for Piano (1972)
Jubilante e ritmico
Larghetto commodo
Allegretto grazioso

COULTHARD
Six Irish Poems for Maureen (1961, rev. 1964)
The White Rose
Innocence

Program and order subject to change.

About Camryn Dewar

Fulbright scholar and multi-instrumentalist Camryn Dewar is a champion of vocal versatility and accomplished Métis musician, known for her dynamic range across musical genres including contemporary classical, opera, musical theatre, and jazz. Hailed as an “incredible performer and instrument” (Jeffrey Gall), Camryn is passionate about presenting works of living and Indigenous composers, and is committed to using her artistry as a catalyst to uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. After successfully completing a highly-acclaimed tour of her lecture recital on Indigenous female representation in Canadian opera in New Jersey, she is now touring this innovative and unique lecture recital series across Canada.

Recent operatic engagements include: Blind Injustice at Jazz at Lincoln Centre, The Grapes of Wrath at Carnegie Hall with Tony Award winning music director Ted Sperling, Indians on Vacation at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Hansel and Gretel at Montclair State University, Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North at Manitoba Opera, and Living Music at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Camryn has received numerous awards and fellowships, earning her Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Manitoba, and her Master of Music (Performance) at Montclair State University with Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Barbara Dever.

About Dr. Sandra Joy Friesen

In the early stage of her performing career, Sandra Joy Friesen became intrigued by music that took her beyond the familiar conventions of structure and style, music that required alternative approaches to interpretation and practice, and heightened sensitivity towards musical expressions. As she welcome opportunities that fulfill the creative process, Sandra Joy played a broad range of repertoire from traditional to contemporary, to interpretation of pictorial scores and interdisciplinary collaboration.

In 2009, Sandra Joy’s studies in improvisation and free-interpretation with pianist Douglas Finch (London, England) became a turning point in her musical artistry and this practice continues to feed her inspiration and motivation as a musical artist. Sandra Joy havs promoted the music of Canadian composers since the early 90s and was invited by the Association for Canadian Studies in Mexico and in Brazil to represent the University of Alberta and Canadian composers in solo piano recitals.

Generous awards from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Edmonton Arts Council allowed Sandra Joy to complete the recording Sound Reflections, Volume 1: Off the Shelf; a project of audio plus video recordings that provide interpretive context and address various challenges in contemporary music. Among her musical passions, the elegantly refined and picturesque style of the French masters features regularly in her solo piano programs. Sandra Joy has always felt a special sensitivity for art song and choir collaborations, performing this vast repertoire throughout her career and, currently, she enjoys being the pianist for the Cantaré Children’s Choir.