MEDIA RELEASE
September 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

(Halifax, NS)
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND MUSIC

This year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Halifax’s The Aeolian Singers (www.aeoliansingers.ca) are taking to the road with composer Diane Benjamin’s moving breast cancer oratorio, Where I Live. The 30-minute work, which is accompanied by eight musicians, is based on writings by women who have experienced breast cancer firsthand. Performances are taking place in Fredericton, Saint John, Stanhope (PEI) and Moncton, over two weekends this October.

The performance schedule is as follows: Saturday, October 17 7:00 p.m. at Brunswick Street Baptist Church (161 York Street, Fredericton); Sunday, October 18 2:00 p.m. at Saint John Arts Centre (20 Hazen Avenue, Saint John); Saturday, October 24 7:00 p.m. at Gingerwood, 67 Stanhope Lane, PE and Sunday, October 25 3:00 p.m. at Riverview Arts Centre (400 Whitepine Road, Riverview). All tickets are $20 each, and each performance is followed by a reception. Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.cbcf.org/atlantic, or please contact Lena at 1-866-273-2223 (lstewart@cbcf.org). As space is limited in some of the venues, patrons are urged to book tickets early.

The Aeolians gave the Canadian premiere of Where I Live in 2007, and recorded the work over the past year for a CD which they will launch later this fall. Their efforts caught the attention of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic Region’s office, who, along with presenting sponsor CIBC, are partnering with the choir in presenting the performances. “We hope people will enjoy the glorious music and readings that make up this inspirational performance, and take away with them the belief that together we will create a future without breast cancer.” said Nancy Margeson, CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Atlantic Region.

Said the Aeolians Artistic Director, Jacqueline Chambers, “Diane’s piece paints a portrait of a women’s journey with breast cancer. As a women’s choir, we have experienced how this beautiful music touches people – as the opening piece says, “somebody’s mother, somebody’s sister…somebody could be me. We are thrilled that CBCF Atlantic’s involvement is allowing us to expand the audience for Where I Live.”

Joining the Aeolians are some of Atlantic Canada’s finest musicians – in Fredericton and Saint John, members of the Saint John String Quartet will be joined by Halifax based players Gillian Smith (violin), Pam Mason (double bass), Marsha Coffey (percussion) and the Aeolian’s accompanist, Hannah Parks (piano). For Moncton and Charlottetown (Stanhope), alternate string players are Symphony Nova Scotia members Karen Langille (violin), Susan Sayle (viola), Hilary Brown (cello) as well as the others.

Jacqueline Chambers conducts the Aeolian Singers, who were recently part of the Stand up! Speak Out! Oxfam Canada fundraising concert in celebration of Muriel Duckworth’s 100th birthday. The Aeolians are currently in their 34th season of music making, and are champions of new music for women’s voices. Rounding out the program for the concerts will be other music for women’s chorus, including life-affirming songs by some well-known Canadian and international artists.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Aeolian (PRONOUNCE AY-OLE-EE-AN) Singers are touring New Brunswick and PEI with four performances of Diane Benjamin’s moving breast cancer oratorio, Where I Live. This work for women’s choir, soloists, string quartet and other musicians is being presented during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The performance schedule is as follows: Saturday, October 17 7:00 p.m. at Brunswick Street Baptist Church (161 York Street, Fredericton); Sunday, October 18 2:00 p.m. at Saint John Arts Centre (20 Hazen Avenue, Saint John); Saturday, October 24 7:00 p.m. at Gingerwood, Stanhope, PE and Sunday, October 25 3:00 p.m. at Riverview Arts Centre (400 Whitepine Road, Moncton). All tickets are $20 each, and each performance is followed by a reception. Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.cbcf.org/atlantic, or please contact Lena at 1-866-273-2223 (lstewart@cbcf.org). As space is limited in some of the venues, patrons are urged to book tickets early.

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For more information, please contact Peggy Walt, pwalt@eastlink.ca (902) 422-5403.