{"id":122757,"date":"2026-03-20T14:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T18:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=122757"},"modified":"2026-03-25T08:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T12:00:02","slug":"interview-composer-andrew-balfour-talks-upcoming-concerts-jubilate-singers-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/03\/20\/interview-composer-andrew-balfour-talks-upcoming-concerts-jubilate-singers-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Composer Andrew Balfour Talks About The Upcoming Concerts With Jubilate Singers &amp; Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_122758\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-122758\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-122758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-03-19T114548.149.jpg\" alt=\"L: The Emissary by artist Mark V. Nadjiwan; R: Composer Andrew Balfour (Images courtesy of the artists)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-03-19T114548.149.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-03-19T114548.149-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-03-19T114548.149-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-03-19T114548.149-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-122758\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">L: The Emissary by artist Mark V. Nadjiwan; R: Composer Andrew Balfour (Images courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Jubilate Singers, University of Guelph Choirs, and Woodsworth College Spirit Singers (University of Toronto) will come together to perform a concert titled Ambe: Choral Reflections from Indigenous Composers. The concert takes place March 28 in Guelph, and March 29 in Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew Balfour will be a special guest. The program will also include music by Indigenous composers <strong>Sherryl Sewepagaham<\/strong>, <strong>Corey Payette<\/strong> (\u201cGimikwenden Ina\u201d from the musical Children of God), <strong>Alex Vollant<\/strong>, <strong>Beverley McKiver<\/strong>, <strong>Kristi Lane Sinclair<\/strong>, and <strong>Tara Williamson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Ambe means, \u201ccome\u201d or \u201clet\u2019s go\u201d in Ojibwe\/Anishinaabemowin. It\u2019s a musical invitation to the conductors, singers, and audience to go on a journey of understanding Indigenous perspectives via music.<\/p>\n<p>The events will incorporate imagery by artist <strong>Mark V. Nadjiwan<\/strong>, including his The Emissary, pictured above. The Turtle is thought of as such, a carrier of knowledge between worlds. It\u2019s an apt metaphor for the spirit of the concert, that of bridging worlds. The Turtle also hears with ears that are hidden to the eye, which links to the notion of listening beyond a superficial understanding.<\/p>\n<p>The concert was inspired by Balfour\u2019s Nagamo project. Balfour was a child of the Sixties Scoop, taken from his Indigenous homeland and raised in the Anglican choral tradition. His music, and the Nagamo project in particular, explore the possibility of \u201cnation to nation respect and musical dialogue between the nations of the so-called New World and Old World,\u201d as he writes.<\/p>\n<p>Ambe is not a recreation of the Nagamo project, but a concert inspired by its message.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sqc-BeYswC4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Andrew Balfour &amp; The Nagamo Project<\/h2>\n<p>Andrew Balfour was born in the Fisher River Cree Nation north of Winnipeg. His adoptive father, of Scottish descent, was a minister at a church in Winnipeg, and his adoptive mother was a violinist. He was interested in music as a child, and sang in the choir as well as playing trumpet and trombone.<\/p>\n<p>Largely self-taught, Balfour founded a vocal ensemble called Dead of Winter in 1996, and began composing music. His works have since been commissioned and performed by prominent ensembles across Canada, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.<\/p>\n<p>Balfour\u2019s Nagamo project takes the choral music of Elizabethan and other European choral composers and reworks the text, changing Latin to Ojibway or Cree both in language and perspective. He does not translate the lyrics directly, but instead infuses the works with Indigenous notions of spirituality.<\/p>\n<p>The Nagamo project was originally developed with Vancouver\u2019s musica intima choir, performed and toured, and <a href=\"https:\/\/redshiftmusicsociety.bandcamp.com\/album\/nagamo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">released on the Redshift Records label in 2022<\/a>. The album was nominated for a 2023 JUNO Award.<\/p>\n<h2>Andrew Balfour: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>Balfour will be present at both concerts to conduct and also sing some of the solo parts.<\/p>\n<p>The Nagamo project includes music by English Renaissance composers William Byrd and Alfonso Ferrabosco the younger, along with Balfour\u2019s arrangements of other works, including pieces by Thomas Tallis, Henry Purcell, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Two pieces, Omaa Biindig and Trapped in Stone, are Balfour\u2019s original works.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was with musica intima,\u201d Balfour says of Nagamo. He had approached the choir after admiring their work. \u201cThey&#8217;re an incredible chamber ensemble,\u201d he adds, noting their support for Canadian composers.<\/p>\n<p>How did he come up with the idea for Nagamo?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was always interested in the story of the four kings in the 18th century,\u201d he begins. In 1710, three kings from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and one Mohican leader travelled to London, England to meet with Queen Anne. They were treated as equals by the British monarch.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was a fascinating idea for me of Indigenous people in England in the 18th century,\u201d Balfour says. \u201cThat\u2019s where the idea came from,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe idea of respect and nation to nation \u2014 of course that didn&#8217;t happen [in the end].\u201d Nonetheless, it led him to think about what history could have been like.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew travelled to England himself with the Winnipeg church choir, and heard the music of the iconic English choral composers in their own homeland. \u201cI loved that music,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanted to go back to that music with an Indigenous perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While he avoided direct translation of the original texts into Ojibway or Cree, there are many parallels.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of the texts did kind of match up,\u201d he explains. He carefully considered the rhythms of the language and the way it would go along with the music.<\/p>\n<h3>Nagamo Lives On<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cIt was a dream gig,\u201d Balfour says of the project. The tour and JUNO nomination were icing on the cake. Since then, the music has continued to gain in recognition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt continues to live, which really shouldn&#8217;t surprise me,\u201d he says. \u201cWe published all these scores, and all these other choirs have picked it up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s pleased that the work has been performed by different choirs across Canada, and sung by younger voices. Jubilate\u2019s co-Music Director <strong>Isabel Bernaus<\/strong> contacted him a few months ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI get to conduct some, I get to sing solos,\u201d he says. \u201cIt&#8217;s a very unique concert, even for Toronto.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He notes the work of other composers, including both men and women, are included in the program.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s going to be a real thrill for me personally.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Balfour points out that his pieces, originally composed for 12 voices, will be sung by some 130 singers for Ambe. He appreciates the significance. \u201cTo hear Indigenous stories and songs sung by non-Indigenous voices.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Early Music<\/h3>\n<p>One of the pieces is his adaptation of Purcell\u2019s Hear My Prayer, O Lord. \u201cIt&#8217;s a masterpiece,\u201d Balfour says. \u201cWhen I approached that, I sound the words \u2018we are, she mourns\u2019 \u2014 Pakaskitawew. I didn&#8217;t have to change the notes. I found a text that works,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s still Purcell, but to me it has a deeper meaning in Cree. That&#8217;s exciting,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m an early music nerd myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Byrd is one of the composers he\u2019s adapted for Nagamo. \u201cIn my mind, he&#8217;s certainly one of the greatest of that period.\u201d Balfour says he\u2019s also attracted to the music of Bach. \u201cHe&#8217;s the master, and certainly one of the greatest of that period. I would love to do a follow up, and I would do more Byrd.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While he\u2019s always been attracted to the music, when he was younger, there were only older recordings to reference. He excited by the renewal of early music that he\u2019s seen during his lifetime, beginning with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/12\/04\/interview-director-peter-phillips-talks-tallis-scholars-toronto-concert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tallis Scholars<\/a> and how they popularized early music for a new generation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that really changed things. It&#8217;s quite thrilling in our lifetime that we&#8217;ve seen that change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When he lived in Toronto, he worked with many of the city\u2019s early music ensembles, including Tafelmusik. He\u2019s now in the process of working with Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet. Working with early music material with a view to adaptation and developing it keeps that centuries old music alive.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMuseum pieces, which I feel like a lot of classical music falls into,\u201d he says. \u201cBut, with early music \u2014 I don\u2019t even like that term; it&#8217;s now music.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Developing Renaissance material with Mohawk perspectives seems to be his unique niche in the music world.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt seems to be the direction I want to take.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One day, he\u2019d like to translate the Vespers, and the Tallis 40 voice motet, setting each part in a different Indigenous language.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThings like that would be a lot of fun,\u201d he says. \u201cI think that choir directors today are really open to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He appreciates the more open environment for classical music, even sacred music, that he sees today. \u201cEven in my career, over the last 25 years, I&#8217;ve seen it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not only with larger or professional choirs. \u201cI find great satisfaction either working with community choirs or youth choirs. It is all to me, a big act of healing. Through choral music, I see a lot of non-Indigenous people&#8217;s true understanding of reconciliation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He says working with choirs puts him in a safe space where he\u2019s respected by directors, singers, artists.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe still have a long way to go for healing. But, it&#8217;s not going to be the politicians that lead the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>The Audience<\/h3>\n<p>The audience reaction to Nagamo has been gratifying.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s always been really amazing.\u201d The tour brought the music to various communities. \u201cIt was well thought out by intima. They included community,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was kind of the whole idea, was not to take a show, but build community. It&#8217;s relationship building. To reach out to local communities and make that connection.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Audiences took in both the music and the message.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was really inspiring.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Minnesota State Mankato Choir performs Andrew Balfour\/Henry Purcell Hear My Prayer, O Lord:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IgKPVoIYAaw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>The Concerts<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m actually singing the wonderful aria by Purcell,\u201d he says, calling the music powerful. As he sings the solo part in English, the choir will sing an ostinato part in Cree.<\/p>\n<p>He emphasizes that Ambe is an evolution, not a re-creation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy feeling of this particular Ambe concert, it&#8217;s not Nagamo, it&#8217;s pieces form Nagamo with all these other wonderful pieces. These are all pieces that deserve to be, just as much as [the others] to be heard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Balfour credits Bernaus and Jubilate co-Music Director <strong>Marta McCarthy<\/strong> with weaving all the music together into a compelling program.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s going to be a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>The Concerts: Details<\/h3>\n<p>The concert will be performed in <strong>Guelph<\/strong> at Harcourt Commons on <strong>March 28<\/strong>, 2026, and in <strong>Toronto<\/strong> at<br \/>\nCalvin Presbyterian Church on <strong>March 29<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find concert details and tickets [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jubilatesingers.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? 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