 Camerata Nova, choir
Camerata Nova was founded in Winnipeg in 1996 as a choral ensemble dedicated to the exploration and performance of a cappella Renaissance music. The group has an impressive repertoire of works rescued from obscurity and presented in their original splendour. Camerata Nova also enjoys stretching the boundaries of their repertoire, exploring the use of overtone singing and performing a range of works from medieval songs to contemporary Canadian pieces, including compositions by Andrew Balfour, the group's Artistic Director. Comprised of 10 highly experienced singers, the group offers its own annual concert series in Winnipeg as well as performances on tour and numerous guest appearances.
Andrew Balfour, artistic director
Andrew Balfour is the founder, conceptual creator, arranger and conductor of Camerata Nova. He has a wide variety of choral experience, including performances with St. Luke's Anglican Church Choir, Canzona, University of Manitoba Singers, All Saints' Anglican Church Choir, the CanAm Chorus, the Mennonite Oratorio Choir and the Brandon Chorale. He has received choral conducting instruction from Roy Goodman, Henry Engbrecht and the Hilliard Ensemble. Andrew studied voice under Mel Braun, Doris Mayoh and Donald Hadfield.
Since 1998, Andrew has written more than 16 original compositions, including a Mass, choral motets, a carol in Cree, a Magnificat for choir, organ and brass and a work for solo viola. Of these, 9 have been performed publicly. During the 2003-2004 season, composer Glenn Buhr has agreed to coach Andrew in the composition of a new work for voices and strings. The piece will be workshopped in the spring with Camerata Nova and members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Andrew has been involved extensively in editing and arranging music, particularly choral and brass, for 17 years. Since Camerata Nova's inception in 1996, Andrew has specialized in arrangements of medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque choral music. This involves researching, transcribing, transposing and editing historical scores and adapting instrumental parts for voice. Camerata Nova is proud to possess a unique choral library, of which many pieces are Balfour arrangements.
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