Video Projects

Elements is set of choral works that abstractly depict the four classical elements and explores the wide range of capabilities of the human voice - from overtone singing, to vocal percussion, to colourful vocal timbres. Elements features no 'text' (at least not in the traditional sense), rather a series of syllables generated through improvisation meant to evoke the sound and energy of each element.

Unsung: If the Earth Could Sing is a major environmentally-inspired choral cycle for SSAA choir, percussion, and cello written by Katerina Gimon and with text by Lauren Peat. Unsung centers around the question “if the earth could sing, what would it tell us?”. The environmental crisis has been called the “biggest threat modern humans have ever faced” (United Nations, 2021) and Unsung aims to shed light on its impacts on Canadian landscapes, using choral music as a form of advocacy and a voice for change.

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​Performed and commissioned by Myriad Ensemble (Artistic Director, Elise Naccarato) Music composed by Katerina Gimon Poetry by Lauren Peat Cello, Kendra Grittani Percussion, Jamie Drake Audio recording, mixing and mastering by James Kent of JK Sound Studios Video production by One New Era Xperiences With thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts for supporting the commissioning and audio recording portion of this project.

"Hands" is a vocalise by American composer Jocelyn Hagen. She intentionally sets this piece with no words to symbolize the universality of the language of music. In a time when Myriad could not sing together, Jocelyn's music reflects the community and connectivity that roots the singers of Myriad. No matter how far apart we are, it is the our weekly rehearsals and love of singing that bring us together (virtually!). Originally commissioned by the International Federation of Choral Music for the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona, Spain (July 2017), in 2020,

Myriad Ensemble and Elektra Women's Choir co-commissioned "Hands" for a Canadian cross country virtual women's choir collaboration.

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"During difficult times, may singing together be our solace, provide joyful moments, and serve as a reminder we are not alone." -Elise Naccarato, Artistic Director Myriad Ensemble

Audio by Myriad singers from their homes

Audio editor - Erica Charles

Video editor - Mike Enns of Made by Frame

Videography - Elise Naccarato

Composer - Jocelyn Hagen

Artwork - Emily Lightstone

"At its core, this work is a celebration of sisterhood as well as an exploration of individuality within a collective. Mirroring the text, written by poet Lauren Peat, and the journey of self-discovery it describes, the music evokes a sense of curiosity, longing, reflection, and continual growth – with folk-like melodies, interweaving lines, and gradual textural transformation." -Katerina Gimon, Composer

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Composer - Katerina Gimon

Poet - Lauren Peat

Artistic Director - Elise Naccarato

Videographers - Sarah Gonyea & Zach Roth of Pocket Change Productions Video Editting - Sarah Gonyea

Audio - Kristen Antunes

Filmed at Burlington Art Gallery, Burlington Ontario, Canada

This recording and video were made possible thanks to the support of the Burlington Community Foundation

Singkap Siaga fuses traditional and modern art forms. Inspired by the almost-extinct Malaysian tradition of shadow puppet theatre and its music (Wayang Kulit Kelantan), composer Tracy Wong uses 95% vocables and 5% text (Singkap Siaga) to replicate traditional instruments used in Wayang Kulit Kelantan shadow puppet theatre practice with just the human voice.

Tracy writes - 'Throughout my research on this tradition, I have been drawn to a scene in a show where the Dewa Panah (two Arrow Gods, one good and one evil) descend from the sky and battle each other. Neither wins. Life goes on in balance.'

Myriad uses light and dance to represent the two Gods and shadow puppetry through video. Special thanks to Tracy and dance choreographer Fairuz Tauhid for educating Myriad about Malaysian vocal and dance styles, as well as sharing the history of Wayang Kulit Kelantan with us.

Music and lyrics by Tracy Wong

Soloist - Haleigh Eady

Dancers - Bronwyn Mallory and Abby Yates

Choreographed by Haleigh Eady

Project Partner Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts - Blackbox Theatre Audio assembled and edited by Kristen Antunes

Filmed and edited by Mike Enns of Made by Frame

Recorded by Myriad Ensemble at Home