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CTV Atlantic
Published Tuesday, January 17, 2017 5:51PM AST
Last Updated Tuesday, January 17, 2017 6:11PM AST
An Oscar-winning composer is teaming up with New Brunswick’s Youth Orchestra to create a special tribute for Canada’s 150th birthday.
Canadian composer Howard Shore has collected Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes for his work as a composer on some of Hollywood’s biggest hits like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ ‘Silence of The Lambs,’ and the ‘Lord of The Rings Trilogy.’
Now, Shore is collaborating with the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra.
“We spent about three weeks writing him an email, then we sent it off, and one day, my cellphone rang, and a voice said 'hello, Mr. McLeod, it's Howard Shore calling,'” says Ken McLeod, New Brunswick Youth Orchestra president.
They are working on a new piece for a soloist, chorus, and orchestra, which will premiere this summer.
“We're very excited about it. Happy birthday Canada,” says Shore.
The news has been under wraps for months, but excitement is building for the young musicians, many of whom are very familiar with Shore's work.
“I'm a very big fan of Lord of The Rings, and when I heard Howard Shore was going to compose a piece for us, I was very, very, very excited. I can't wait to see what he comes up with,” says Jocelyn Blanchette, percussionist.
“It's going to be incredible,” says Luc Bouvier, trumpet player. “I can't wait to see the music for the first time.”
The 12 minute song will be completed by May, which gives the young orchestra two months to master it before their premier performance in Moncton on July 2.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Cami Kepke