2024 Sonic Boom Festival of New Composition

This year's Sonic Boom Festival of New Composition features world premieres of new works written by some of BC's finest composers. This years' festival is powerful, innovative, and expansive with over 20 composers premiering their works with guidance from Composer-in-Residence, Rita Ueda. "Our long-running Sonic Boom Festival of New Composition offers audiences a sampling of the newest creative ideas in contemporary classical music now being explored by our diverse and ever-creative composer community in BC", stated Glenn Sutherland, Vancouver Pro Musica Past President. "As well, it showcases the artistry and professionalism of our talented local performers as they bring these new works to life."

This year's Festival starts with Mixed Ensembles Concert on Friday, March 15 - 7:30pm at Pyatt Hall. This concert is comprised of diverse and creative musical ideas from five composers who have written pieces for mixed small ensembles of brass, piano, and strings, performed by some of Vancouver's best musicians. Solo violin tribute performances for acclaimed composers Jocelyn Morlock and Kaija Saariaho will also be featured.

The Featured Artist Concert on Saturday, March 16 - 7:30pm at Pyatt Hall will have nine new works premiered by Featured Artist and acclaimed violist, Dr. Sarah Kwok. An active freelancer, Dr. Kwok performs with the Vancouver Symphony, the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, the Vancouver Island Symphony and the Okanagan Symphony. She is a founding member of the Elysian Trio and has appeared with several new music ensembles. Sarah specializes in extended technique and is an in demand player of new music.

The festival closes with the Ensemble-in-Residence Concert on Sunday, March 17 - 7:30pm at the ANNEX. Ensemble-in-Residence Saxophilia Saxophone Quartet, comprised of Julian Nolan (soprano saxophone), Kris Covlin (alto saxophone), David Branter (tenor saxophone) and Colin MacDonald (baritone saxophone), will be performing nine new pieces in an exciting evening of lively and eclectic saxophone quartet music. The huge euphonic sonority of an all saxophone quartet is an experience not to be missed. Two new pieces will also be performed by the Vancouver Erhu Quartet to start the concert.

Vancouver Pro Musica is proud to continue with its mission to nurture new music and provide a vehicle for talented composers to present premieres of new work. We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Schedule:

Fri. March 15 @ Pyatt Hall - VSO School of Music. 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Festival Mixed Ensembles Concert

Sat. March 16 @ Pyatt Hall - VSO School of Music. 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Featured Artist Concert - Sarak Kwok, viola

Sun. March 17 @ ANNEX. 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Ensemble-in-Residence Concert - Saxophilia Saxophone Quartet