Onion River Chorus performs Friday, Saturday in Montpelier

May 8, 2025  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Onion River Chorus presents two performances of its spring concert, “True North: A Love Letter to Canada,” this Friday-Saturday, May 9-10, at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. 

Both concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. 

The 60-voice chorus will be directed by Richard Riley, accompanied by pianist Lynnette Combs. The program contrasts Canadian folk music in English, composed and arranged by Larry Nickel, with original and arranged music in the Cree and Ojibway languages by Andrew Balfour. Lifelong Canadians, Nickel and Balfour are prominent figures in the vibrant choral scene in Canada.

Much of the program will alternate music between Nickel and Balfour. The opening piece by Balfour, “Ambe,” (“Come in, two-legged beings”) was most recently performed at Carnegie Hall on March 16. The second tune on the program is by Nickel, a light-hearted romp called “All the Little Rivers of Canada,” about 17 different Canadian rivers. 

A dozen more short pieces, some including sounds of Canadian wildlife, round out the program. 

Also featured will be two recently-composed pieces performed by Canadian-American violist Elizabeth Reid, “a passionate, even fierce champion of Canadian contemporary music,” who lives in Northfield.

Onion River Chorus is offering special admission pricing for this concert with a suggested ticket price of $25 or “pay what you can” at the door. Advance tickets are available at sevendaystickets.com for $25 only. As always, 18 and under are free. 

Check out www.onionriverchorus.org for more information.