Once Upon a Time
Presented by MSC's "Sehnsucht" & Pro Coro Canada
Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ 3:00pm – Trinity St. Paul’s United Church
Conductors: Kai Leung and Emily Parker
Accompanists: Nicholas Wanstall and Erik Kreem
Lighting Design: Glenn Davidson
If you are unable to attend the show, or would like to support the choir financially, tickets can be purchased as a donation. These tickets will be given to local music students who might otherwise not be able to afford to attend the concert. Instead of your email, please put “[email protected]” as the email address on the ticket, and please write “Donation from [yourname]” in the name box. Thank you so much for supporting our choir and helping to make this concert accessible to everyone.
** Content Warning – This concert features several pieces that explore themes of mental health, including references to self-harm and suicide. These works are included on the program to create a space for understanding and reflection on complex and sensitive topics. It is meaningful to honour these important conversations through music.
At the intersection of technical brilliance and powerful emotional artistry sits Pro Coro Canada, Edmonton’s premier professional chamber choir. Composed of 24 of Alberta’s most formidable vocal artists, the ensemble is dedicated to redefining the modern choral experience. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic and Managing Director Michael Zaugg since 2012, the choir has cemented its reputation as one of the most adventurous and innovative in Canada. This standard of excellence was recently crowned with a 2026 JUNO Award win for Benedict Sheehan’s *Ukrainian War Requiem*, recorded alongside the Axios Men’s Ensemble.Pro Coro Canada isn’t just about performing; it’s about pushing the art form forward. The choir boasts a prestigious Artist-in-Residence program featuring luminaries like Paul Mealor, Ugis Praulins, Alberto Grau, with Canadian Iranian composer Saman Shahi starting in 2026, and has served for several years as faculty at the Banff Centre’s Choral Art program. Deeply invested in the musical ecosystem, Pro Coro actively shapes the future of the choral arts through its Emerging Artist Program—mentoring the next generation of vocalists, composers, and conductors—and through vibrant community partnerships across local, provincial, and national levels.
This commitment to innovation is built on a 40-year legacy of global collaboration. Founded in 1981 by Michel Marc Gervais, Pro Coro Canada’s vocal DNA has been shaped by a legendary roster of international directors, including Anders Eby, Søren Hansen, Agnes Grossmann, and Richard Sparks. Over the decades, the ensemble has also been refined by choral titans such as Eric Ericson, Maria Guinand, Frieder Bernius, Tönu Kaljuste, Diane Loomer, and Lone Larsen, ensuring a foundation of world-class artistry that continues to thrive today.
Sehnsucht is MSC’s advanced summer chamber choir, bringing together 24 highly skilled young adult singers for a fast-paced and deeply rewarding musical experience. Sehnsucht offers a space for passionate performers to tackle challenging repertoire and create emotionally powerful performances. This ensemble performs independently and in collaboration with other major musical organizations. In 2024, Sehnsucht hosted the Phillipine Madrigal Singers. In 2025, Sehnsucht hosted both Junges Vokalensemble Hannover and the Male Ensemble Philippines for collaborative concert showcases.
