Toronto Composers Collective Spectrum Music brings storytelling and musicians together in a special concert for Canada’s 150th birthday. One of our oldest art forms, storytelling remains an important part of the culture of many Indigenous communities in Turtle Island, the land that encompasses most of North America.

Playwright Yolanda Bonnell has written a collection of five new pieces to be paired with new compositions by the Spectrum composers. Actor Rachel Cantin will perform the pieces alongside an ensemble featuring members of the Métis Fiddler Quartet and DJ/electronic artist Classic Roots.

Violinist Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk adds her compositional voice to the concert, as she performs an excerpt of her work “Memere Colibri”: a piece for solo violin, storytelling, and projections. Classic Roots (aka Joshua DePerry) will perform a solo piece for electronics and Pow Wow dance.

Listen to Spectrum member and performer Olivia Shortt speak about the concert on CJRU Radio here.