Festival set to showcase Manitoba talents

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Brandon University (BU) is set to host a two-day exploration of contemporary music and innovative artistry with the return of the BU New Music Festival.

Scheduled to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, the festival will feature two concerts at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, beginning each evening at 7:30 p.m, according to a BU press release issued Friday.

The festival, a collaboration between BU’s School of Music and the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba, promises a groundbreaking showcase of electro-acoustic and multimedia works.

The release added that Tuesday’s concert will highlight the works of Manitoba composers Gordon Fitzell and Örjan Sandred, brought to life by celebrated performers Allen Harrington (saxophone), Laura Loewen (piano), Victoria Sparks (percussion), and Megumi Masaki (piano).

Fitzell told the Sun he is enthusiastic about the festival, highlighting the collaborative opportunities it provides.

“My music students from Winnipeg are also participating in the event, which builds on past collaborations with Masaki, including performances at both the Winnipeg and Brandon New Music Festivals,” he said.

Fitzell described the experience of working with his students on experimental music as particularly rewarding, as many of them are exploring unconventional sound production techniques for the first time.

“Often, students grow up playing traditional music, and then their horizons broaden as they learn the many avenues available to performers of experimental music,” he said. “Being part of that growing process is exciting.”

Fitzell, known for his transformative blending of live electronics with acoustic instruments, pushes the boundaries of sound and visuals, while Sandred incorporates artificial intelligence and real-time visuals to create immersive musical experiences. Notably, Masaki will premiere Sandred’s “Footprints,” an innovative work for piano, live electronics, and AI.

“This concert showcases the innovative works of two of Manitoba’s most forward-thinking composers, redefining the intersection of sound, technology, and art,” said Masaki, who is both a professor of music at BU and the director of the New Music Festival. “Don’t miss this thrilling exploration of the intersection between technology, music, and multimedia artistry!”

On Wednesday, the BU New Music Ensemble will join forces with the U of M’s Experimental Improvisation Ensemble (XIE) for a second concert. This dynamic evening will combine contemporary compositions with the spontaneity of experimental improvisation, offering audiences an exciting and unpredictable sonic experience. The performances will also feature a variety of ensembles from BU’s School of Music, showcasing an eclectic range of musical styles.

Masaki has assembled a superb collection of artists and compositions in concert with friends at the Desautels Faculty of Music, illustrating how visionary and spellbinding music can be in the province, BU Dean of Music Greg Gatien said.

“This two-day event is sure to inspire curiosity and creativity in all of us,” Gatien said.

In addition to the concerts, the festival will include educational collaborations, such as a presentation by Sandred and Fitzell during BU composition classes, and a masterclass for BU piano students led by Loewen.

Tickets for each concert are available at the door for $20. Brandon University and Conservatory of Music students can attend free of charge. Attendees are advised to arrive early, as seating in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is limited.

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