In 2022 choral director, Elizabeth Berndt, chanced upon the music video of “Snewíyalh tl'a Staḵw” (“Teachings of the Water”) when researching music for Shelton’s Women of Note. The music was the fruit of a three-year collaboration with a Canadian women’s choir and local First Nations, conceived by co-curator and ethnomusicologist Dr. Jeanette Gallant. The collaboration was inspired by the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, a guideline with considerations and approaches to begin to repair the wrongs done to the First Nation People.
Ms. Berndt always liked the songs music director Morna Edmundson commissioned for her choir, and sure enough, this was an intriguing five-movement a cappella work in the Squamish language, which was commissioned, recorded and released by Elektra women’s choir. To learn more about this fascinating story, visit Youtube: Listener's Guide - Snewíyalh tl’a Staḵw (Teachings of the Water). According to Women of Note director Elizabeth Berndt, “I am always considering what would be new and interesting to people in our community; songs that allow audiences to experience something more than just entertaining. This music is perfect. Water teachings explored in this work include the ideas of nature, birth, ceremony, song and identity.” To read more.... |
Learn more about...
British Columbia's First Nations Cultures
Pacific Northwest Coast Salish
Dr. Jeanette Gallant
T. Patrick Carrabré
Morna Edmundson, Elektra Women’s Choir
Elektra
British Columbia's First Nations Cultures
Pacific Northwest Coast Salish
Dr. Jeanette Gallant
T. Patrick Carrabré
Morna Edmundson, Elektra Women’s Choir
Elektra
Women of Note Mission Statement
Women of Note is a community chorus organized and operated exclusively for public music education and dedicated to performance, community service, and leadership in the arts. Our mission is to teach and perform choral works to interested persons of all ages, to participate in community service activities, and to develop and maintain public interest in vocal arts in the Western Washington region.
Sometimes I think the choosing of a year’s repertoire is the best part of the whole season, but when I get to the first rehearsal, I realize it’s the people of Women of Note who are the best of everything, and they bring joy to each rehearsal and beauty to every song. |
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