Welcome.

“You never know what you’re going to get…” Camerata Nova is a vocal group without fear, performing medieval, Renaissance, Aboriginal and contemporary music. Often singing a cappella, the group also enjoys accompaniment from didgeridoos, crystal bowls, strings, all kinds of percussion, and/or early instruments.

Camerata Nova is led by a trio of extraordinary individuals: Artistic Director and Resident Composer Andrew Balfour, Early Music Curator and Conductor Ross Brownlee, and Co-Curator and Conductor Mel Braun. Now in their 15th year, they continue to push the envelope, offering authentic early music performances, premieres of Manitoba compositions and an eclectic array in between.

The only choir invited to the National Arts Centre’s 2011 Prairie Scene in Ottawa, Camerata Nova performed to a sold-out crowd and was recorded live by CBC for Concerts on Demand. Recently, the Spring for Music Festival at Carnegie Hall invited programs for consideration for the 2014 festival. Program 7 (submitted by Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra), includes Camerata Nova Artistic Director, Andrew Balfour's, new orchestral arrangement of Wa Wa Tey Wak to be performed by Camerata Nova. Over 20,000 online votes were cast and out of 34 programs, this program topped the list by receiving the highest number of votes. Chosen programs will be announced in February, 2012.

Camerata Nova has issued three CDs: Camerata Nova, Mystica and Nova Noel, and a DVD: Wa Wa Tey Wak (Northern Lights). Wa Wa Tey Wak DVDs have been selected for inclusion in the educational kits of The Manitoba Museum’s new Northern Outreach Project, a unique initiative exploring local narratives and Cree world view.

MADE IN MANITOBA: CAMERATA NOVA 2011/12
Some of the freshest, most electrifying music ever…

November’s Sir Christemas celebrates the rich tradition of music sung in the great English cathedrals plus the premiere of three new Manitoba versions of What Child is This?. Our March concert, Chant!, features pairings of pure chant from around the world with more modern works, including three premieres by Manitoba composers. For its season closer in May, Camerata Nova partners with Virtuosi Concerts and the WSO to present From the Middle Ages to Manitoba, an exciting program of early chamber music, plus two compositions by Manitobans Ken Nichols and Andrew Balfour.

Camerata Nova continues to participate in eyeGO to the Arts, an innovative program designed to encourage high school students (grades 9 to 12) to attend live arts performances for $5 per concert. New outreach initiatives include the establishment of the Camerata Nova bursary at the Winnipeg Music Festival, and a series of educational podcasts on our concerts. Check our website for more details: www.cameratanova.com  Or visit our WordPress site: www.cameratanova.wordpress.com