Sonic Boom Festival 2021 presented by Vancouver Pro Musica returns, online, for free from March 23 – 28th.
By making the pandemic pivot to online, the Festival is able to present an extraordinary number of talented composers and outstanding musicians. The free festival welcomes a host of new and unique works created by a variety of local BC composers.
“Vancouver Pro Musica is excited to be presenting a special online version of our Sonic Boom Festival this March which combines concerts postponed from last year’s festival plus new concerts and events,” stated General Manager, Fleur Sweetman. “This year’s festival is entirely free and accessible for all through our YouTube Channel. Join us this March to hear fabulous new music by BC composers performed by superb BC musicians!”
The Sonic Boom Festival 2021 line-up features:
March 23: kicking off the festival, a concert of new pieces for piano performed byRachel Kiyo Iwaasa, the Featured Artist from 2020. Hailed as one of Canada’s foremost contemporary music pianists, piano virtuoso Rachel performs the premiere launch of ten new pieces by BC composers. The program includes the following works: Rodney Sharman Wounded, Jennifer Butler Shelter, Peter Krejcar Diaphanous, Chris Albanese Remaining Gestures, Walker Williams Small, MJ Paquette Play(h)ers Passage, Glenn Sutherland Holy Ground, Javier Canseco Scattered Light, Kara Gibbs Intertidal and Jeffrey Ryan Aftershock.
March 24: a concert of new works for the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, (a co-presentation with Early Music Vancouver – will also be available to watch on their YouTube Channel) recorded on Nov. 15, 2020 at the Telus Theatre
March 25 & 26: YouTube is the spot for a premiere of works for mixed ensembles performing an eclectic assortment of works for small ensembles, recently recorded on March 19 & 20, 2021 at Pyatt Hall.
March 27: Jeffrey Ryan will moderate a live-stream master class for participating, featuring performers Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa (piano) and Paolo Bortolussi (flute).
March 27: an additional concert by this year’s Featured ArtistBeth Orson, Assistant Principal Oboe and English Horn of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
March 28: The final YouTube Premiere concert takes place with 2021 Featured Artists, Jeremy Berkman, trombone virtuoso, performs along with Angelique Po, versatile pianist, organist and harpsichordist, in a concert recorded in St. Philip’s Church
Sonic Boom Festival 2021 runs online March 23 – 28, 2021. All concerts are free, debuting each day on the Vancouver Pro Musica YouTube channel.