Local choir honours women with International Women’s Day concert

The Da Camera Singers put on a special show at Trinity Lutheran Church for International Women's Day on Sunday.

A local choir honoured the women in their lives with a special International Women’s Day concert at Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday afternoon.

Laura Hawley, artistic director of Da Camera Singers, said she invited choir members to choose music that appreciated women.

“I let them know they’d share their story as part of the concert, what that also means was we could share those stories as part of our rehearsal process, and that really helps us to connect more deeply with the music that we’re singing,” said Hawley.

“By the time we get to the concert, we really feel quite connected to the music, quite emotional about it, and we really have a strong reason for why we’re singing the way we’re singing.”

Singer Michelle Andrews said the piece she performed was inspired by her mother, mother-in-law, and her husband’s eldest sister, who have all died.

Lyrics for the song were based on a poem by Edmonton poet Jannie Edwards.

“Jannie and Laura worked together collaboratively to create this beautiful work that I think celebrates the arc of those women’s lives,” said Andrews. “It starts out gently and builds with this wonderful crescendo towards the end. It was just a beautiful experience to be a part of and such an honouring thing.”

Donations through ticket sales were directed to the Edmonton Institution for Women and non-profit Sing for Life which offers arts programming to those who don’t normally have access.

Da Camera is celebrating its 65th season next year and is Edmonton’s longest-standing chamber choir. Their next concert is on May 3 at St. Andrew’s United Church.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti