Jacinto Salcedo recounts the creation of Common Ground, a choral work by Laurie Evan Fraser with lyrics by Jacqui Atkin; blending poetry and music to confront division, war, and injustice, ultimately offering a hopeful artistic call for empathy, belonging, and shared humanity through a tapestry of stories and voices.

What did “New Beginnings” mean for Upper Canada Chorister, after the sudden withdrawal of a major new composition? It resulted in four brand new songs created by composers of various ages, musical backgrounds, and life stories.

While participating at the conference PODIUM in Toronto in 2002, Laurie and Jacqui approached Canadian composer Stephen Chatman with the hopes to commission a choral work for our 10th anniversary, only when they match his talent with the words by the poetry of Archibald Lampman, Voices of Earth was created.

Part 2 of the story behind the concert. By Upper Canada Choristers, Temple Sinai Ensemble Choir, the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, Cantor Charles Osborne during Holocaust Education Week 2013.

This is the story behind the concert. By Upper Canada Choristers, Temple Sinai Ensemble Choir, the Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, Cantor Charles Osborne during Holocaust Education Week 2013.

The catalyst for Comfort and Joy, however, was two-part – a response to the raging Covid-19 pandemic and, as importantly, the recent death of Bill Briggs, a beloved and long-time tenor in the choir.