Laurier Faculty of Music celebrates diversity and innovation in 2023-24 concert season

Aug. 29, 2023
For Immediate Release

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University will present a thrilling 2023-2024 concert season, including performances by Canadian music icon Steven Page, remarkable student musicians, and a workshop for local students by guest artist Shadrach Kabango, better known as renowned hip-hop musician Shad.

A listing of season events — which also include Music at Noon concerts, student ensembles, choir performances and student recitals — is available through the Faculty of Music’s Eventbrite page.

A season highlight is the performance by Page (DMus ’22), a founding member of Barenaked Ladies. Page will perform an intimate afternoon of live music on Oct. 29, joined by Laurier’s quartet-in-residence, the Penderecki String Quartet, and clarinetist James Campbell (LLD ’12). The musicians will share their talents in support of the university’s Making Space for Music fundraising campaign.

Kabango (BBA ’05) will join the Faculty of Music as a guest artist from Sept. 25 to 29. He will share his insights and skills with Laurier students during workshops including “Making a Living as a Musician in Canada,” “The Art of Vulnerability,” “Hip Hop in Canada,” and “Music Poetry/Lyrics Workshop.” The workshops are open to the Laurier community. University and local high school students are invited to showcase their talents during a “Hip Hop Showcase” on Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m., where Kabango will serve as host. To participate, email choosemusic@wlu.ca.

In November, Opéra Queens will host “Drama Queens,” a performance that features epic and dramatic operatic tales from history, myth and legend. The show will reinvent classic works and present new commissions by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC+ artists and allies. The event will conclude with a panel discussion and audience Q&A with artistic director and Laurier alum Mike Fan (BMus ’19).

The Faculty of Music is also excited to announce new roles for some of its faculty members this season:

• Kevin Day: Jazz Orchestra director
• LaToya A. Webb: Wind Orchestra director
• Jerzy Kaplanek: Chamber Orchestra director
• Amanda Kind: Vox Experimental director
• Kathryn Ladano: Improvisation and Convergence Concerts Ensemble director

For the first time, the faculty is also opening its Laurier Concert Choir to the public. Singers from the community can apply to join this talented group, led by Carolyn Neumann VanderBurgh.

For more information about the 2023-24 concert season and additional events, visit the Faculty of Music events calendar. Tickets to events can be reserved or purchased online. All audience members must hold a ticket for each event attended.