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MADELAINE KEENLYSIDE TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
When the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra takes the stage in Moncton this weekend, they’ll be joined by “one of the greatest voices in the opera world,” Measha Brueggergosman.
The Fredericton-born soprano will perform a program of spiritual music, including traditional songs like“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,”“Go Down Moses” and “Amazing Grace,” that celebrate her heritage as an African-Canadian, a Baptist and a musician. Many were featured on Brueggergosman’s four-part television documentary series Songs of Freedom, which aired in February on VisionTV.
“Measha is a big deal,” says NBYO violinist Marie-Pier Arsenau, 15.“She’s played with a lot of great orchestras. It’s an honour.”
NBYO musical director and conductor Antonio Delgado agrees, calling Brueggergosman “world class.”
“It is so warm and so wonderful,”Delgado says of the music featured in the program.“It’s like a big celebration, so much joy. ... We’re talking about one of the greatest voices in the opera world.”
Brueggergosman has long been a fan of the Sistema musical outreach program and expressed an interested in performing with the orchestra, says Don Matheson, chief operating officer of the NBYO.
“Her performance will be the centrepiece of our concert,” Matheson said. “This collaboration will be the first time these arrangements of her songs will be performed.”
“We want to do our best,” says Marie-Pier, a three-year veteran of the orchestra. “With Tony as our conductor, he’s so good at helping us find the style that we need.”
“I really like all of (her songs),” says bassoonist Riley Hawkins, 13, who is in his second year with the NBYO.“They send a powerful message ... that we’re all equal in the world.
“I love the other more classical music, but I always find it fun when we get to jump out of that classical groove and get to the more pop stuff. It’s really fun (because) the tempo is upbeat. It’s physically hard to do with a bassoon, but I’d love to just dance.”
Accompanying a vo calist also present fresh challenges, Hawkins said.
“(Rehearsing all the pieces is) sort of fast-paced,” Hawkins said. “The orchestra gets the music, and we have X amount of time to learn it, but it really depends on what the vocalist wants.”
The orchestra, which rehearses once a month, bringing together young musicians from all across the province, has had just over two months to prepare for this concert, Hawkins said.
“That’s really generous for most performers,” he said. “Over the summer, performing with David Myles, we had a week to get the pieces ready. We really hope she’ll enjoy singing with us.”
The show will feature a few other selections – including John Williams’ “Star Wars Suite” as an encore – but the focus is on Brueggergosman’s work.
“I’m excited I get to meet her this week,” Delgado said. “The kids love the music and the arrangements, and they’ve been learning a new way of playing music.”
Brueggergosman’s performances have ranged from the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics to solo recitals at Carnegie Hall. She’s also served as a judge on Canada’s Got Talent and MuchMusic’s Video on Trial.
SHOW FACTS
• WHAT: New Brunswick Youth Orchestra with soprano Measha Brueggergosman
• WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 7 p.m.
• WHERE: Moncton Celebration Centre
• TICKETS: $28.50 regular admission, $20 for students. To order, call 1-877-700-3130.
