NEWS RELEASE    April 26th, 2008
VBC announces finalists in New Works for Large Choirs National Competition

Bruce Pullan, CM, Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir, has announced the finalists in the Vancouver Bach Choir’s national competition, NEW WORKS FOR LARGE CHOIRS. The finalists are, Allan Bevan, Leonard Enns, Iman Habibi, Jordan Nobles, Tobin Stokes and Ruth Watson Henderson. The finals, in the form of a concert by the Vancouver Bach Choir, will take place at the Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver on Saturday May 31st at 8pm. The three judges are prominent Canadian choral conductors Leonard Ratzlaff and Robert Cooper and composer Stephen Chatman.

Bruce Pullan was particularly pleased with the response to the competition which called for a work of 5 – 12 minutes in length, either a capella or with piano accompaniment. Thirty three composers from across Canada and at varying stages in their careers sent in submissions. Both these aspects are reflected in the list of finalists.

Allan Bevan who lives in Calgary is a well known Canadian composer with over 40 published works to his credit.

Leonard Enns is a member of the faculty of the University of Waterloo whose works are published by a number of well-known publishing houses.

Iman Habibi is in his final year of undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia and has already had a number of works performed in Vancouver.

Jordan Nobles is based in Vancouver and has had works performed all over North America.

Tobin Stokes is composer in residence with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. He writes for theatre, film and television and is working on his second opera.

Ruth Watson Henderson of Toronto has an international reputation as one of Canada’s leading composers.

Tickets, Adults $20, Students and Seniors $15, at the Kay Meek Centre, 604-913-3634.

For more information contact: Gillian Wilder: 604-921-8012. bachchoir@telus.net.