History

The vibrant ensemble, Esprit de Choeur, operating as Esprit Singers prides itself on imaginative programming and a repertoire that appeals to, and challenges, its audience. Esprit Singers concerts can be described as unique and fresh, offering experiences to its audiences that are immediately aurally and visually memorable and captivating.

Esprit de Choeur began in the fall of 2011 as a twelve-voice ensemble created for a single event. The singers were voice students of Valdine Anderson, and Valdine’s four daughters – one taking on the role of accompanist. Loving the experience, the group continued to perform and grow to its present organization with over thirty singers, a regular concert season and devoted audience. Many of the current choristers are university music graduates wanting to continue choral singing. Others include medical students, mothers, pharmacists, dentists, interior designers, and teachers that come together to sing; all for the love and satisfaction of creating music together, with precision and beauty. Weekly two-hour rehearsals go by quickly with a palpable feeling of focused and upbeat camaraderie among the members. Esprit Singers is thrilled to have Rachel Dyck as the choir’s official accompanist.

Esprit Singers consistently performs with top calibre musicians including Sarah Svendson, international touring organist, Juno Award-winning pianist Corey Hamm, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra musicians Richard Turner, harp, the late Meredith McCallum, violin, Meredith Johnson, bass and renowned jazz musician, Ron Paley.

Esprit Singers were thrilled to work with Ron Paley whereby he arranged several jazz classics specifically for Esprit Singers. The concert, held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, February 2023, offered a range of works in a new and inspiring performance.

2022 celebrated the commissioning of a three movement piece, Incandescent by composer Neil Weisensel, in memory of G. Barry Anderson. The works premiered on the Barry Anderson organ, Knox United Church, Winnipeg on April 30, 2022 with Sarah Svendson performing.

In 2018, Esprit Singers was delighted to receive an invitation from President of the Icelandic National League of Iceland, Hjalmar W. Hanneson to perform in Iceland. The program focused on representative Canadian and Manitoban works. Four concerts were performed starting with a mini “teaser” concert Harpa, the world renowned concert hall in Reykjavik. This was followed by a concert in the beautiful Skalholt Cathedral and Bustaðakirkja in Reykjavik where we were honoured to perform with their choir. The final concert was performed in Harpa to a sold out crowd, followed by a reception hosted by the Canadian Ambassador, Anne-Tamara Lorre.

We were thrilled to commission work with Dr. David Scott, specifically for this tour. Dr. Scott chose the text of Icelandic poet Magnus Sigurddson. Both were in Iceland for the world premiere. Dr. Scott’s work has been performed throughout Canada and in many countries around the world.

In 2015, Esprit Singers commissioned Vancouver composer Glenn Sutherland to compose two songs premiered by the choir in Vancouver. A world premiere by Winnipeg-born composer, pianist and conductor John Greer, plus other original arrangements of Canadian folksongs are performed.

Esprit de Choeur won the Helga Anderson Trophy for top community choir performance in the Winnipeg Music Festival in 2013. In the same year they placed second nationally at the National Music Festival in Edmonton, Alberta. An invitation to perform at the grand opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2014 followed. In 2015, Esprit de Choeur was selected to sing at Tapestry International Festival in Vancouver, Canada, hosted by Elektra Women’s Choir.

Esprit Singers will continue to perform new works that will soon become favourites.