Chor Leoni Appoints Marie-Claire Saindon Composer in Residence

Chor Leoni Appoints Marie-Claire Saindon Composer in Residence

The Franco-Ontarian composer will collaborate with the JUNO-nominated choir on several pieces over the course of three seasons

Vancouver, BC – Chor Leoni and Artistic Director Erick Lichte are pleased to announce the appointment of Canadian composer Marie-Claire Saindon to a three-year term as the ensemble’s third Composer in Residence. Based in Montréal, Marie-Claire Saindon was previously a winner of Chor Leoni’s Canadian Choral Composition Competition (C/4) in 2018, and most recently arranged Caribou’s “Sister” for their popular PopCappella concerts.

“Working with Chor Leoni has always felt natural, and I cannot wait to spend more time collaborating with this incredibly enthusiastic and supportive ensemble. My hope is to explore a variety of musical ideas and styles and really delve into how we can make connections through song,” says Saindon. “To the singers of Chor Leoni and their wonderful community and audience, I hope you’ll all enjoy having this French-Canadian fiddler lead you through a multitude of musical human stories over the next three years!”

Saindon will be Chor Leoni’s third Composer in Residence, joining the ranks of Don Macdonald and Zachary Wadsworth. Since its inception, Chor Leoni’s Composer in Residence program has produced 10 new works, including the Juno-nominated “When There is Peace: An Armistice Oratorio” by Zachary Wadsworth, and “High Flight”, a major choral work by Don Macdonald which sets the text of John Gillespie Magee Jr., premiered in Chor Leoni’s 23-24 season. 

“We are delighted to forge a lasting artistic relationship with Marie-Claire Saindon over the next three seasons,” says Artistic Director, Erick Lichte. “Creating and presenting new choral works is important to Chor Leoni, and it has been such a joy to see these extended collaborative periods allow our audience to feel as though they are a part of the process and make personal connections with the new pieces as they are being written.” 

Saindon’s first new work as Chor Leoni’s Composer in Residence will be premiered at the start of their 2024/25 season in November, at their 33rd Annual Remembrance Day concerts. Chor Leoni’s 2024/25 Season will be announced in August 2024. 

The Composer in Residence program is generously supported by the Deux Mille Foundation.

For tickets and more information, visit chorleoni.org.

About Marie-Claire Saindon:
Marie-Claire Saindon is a Franco-Ontarian choral composer with a penchant for vivid imagery and a great affinity for setting text. Her experience while studying music at McGill University and Université de Montréal ranges from accompanying dancers, to scoring films, to fiddling in a team of folk musicians on a historical steam train.

Based in Montreal as composer-in-residence for Chœur Adleisia, she runs creative choral/vocal composition workshops, scores films, and teaches fiddle. Recipient of multiple composition prizes, her choral works are published with Boosey & Hawkes, Hal Leonard, Cypress Choral Music, and her film scores can be found on documentaries hosted by CBC Gem and Radio-Canada.

About Chor Leoni:

Known internationally and loved locally, JUNO-nominated Chor Leoni is recognized as one of the vanguard choirs in North America. Led by Artistic Director Erick Lichte, Vancouver’s Singing Lions have enriched and transformed people’s lives through singing for 32 years. With stylistic grace and an adventurous spirit, Chor Leoni performs in many languages, styles and genres, always aiming to communicate, engage, and entertain. Chor Leoni’s many endeavours have made it one of Canada’s most active and engaging volunteer choirs