VOICES OF THE DIASPORA…HAITIAN VOICES
Welcome Note

Welcome to Voices of the Diaspora…Haitian Voices. In 2010, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale commissioned a young Haitian American composer to write two significant song cycles – Ayiti (Haiti) and Diplomasi (Diplomacy), each having three movements. With those two world premieres and several other of his compositions, the Chorale introduced Sydney Guillaume and his father, the Haitian poet Gabriel T. Guillaume to Toronto and Montréal during Black History Month 2011.

As The Nathaniel Dett Chorale continues its 25th Anniversary Season and a Pan-African retrospective of repertoire drawn from our 25-year history, it is a real pleasure to re-visit Sydney’s music which so deftly and poignantly represents the history, culture, spirituality, and passion of his native country. Sydney’s compositions not only tell the story of Haiti and its peoples, but they also serve to draw attention to the struggles, hopes and dreams of people of African Descent around the world. In 2024, the final year of the UN designated International Decade of People of African Descent, this repertoire seems important to present anew. In the words of Sydney’s father Gabriel speaking about ‘Mama Afrika’ which opens our program:

 ‘L’Afrique, apparemment terre originaire de la vie et de l’humanité, devient de plus en plus terre de souffrance et de misère. De ce grand Continent, l’Occident ne reçoit que bruits de guerre et de tribulations, de famine, de génocide et de désolation. On discute, on en parle dans les grandes assemblées, mais les enfants d’Afrique continuent leur calvaire. Ils crient leur désespoir et leur envie de vivre a tous ceux qui, ici ou ailleurs, ont des oreilles pour entendre et un cœur pour comprendre.” – Gabriel T. Guillaume

 “Africa, apparently the original land of life and humanity, becomes more and more the land of suffering and misery. Of this vast continent, the West receives nothing but sounds of war and of tribulations, of famine, of genocide and of desolation. We discuss and speak of it in large assemblies, but the children of Africa continue their ordeal. They cry their desperation and strong will to live to all those, here and abroad, who have ears to hear and a heart to understand.” – Gabriel T. Guillaume

I trust that you will be informed, moved, and inspired as you participate with us in this evening’s performance. In the spirit of diplomacy, honour, and respect I welcome you to

Voices of the Diaspora…Haitian Voices.

D. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor
Artistic Director

VOICES OF THE DIASPORA…HAITIAN VOICES

Saturday, February 17, 2024, 8:00 PM
Grace Church on-the-Hill, Toronto, ON

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
D. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, Artistic Director
Dakota Scott-Digout, Collaborative Pianist

Programme

All selections composed by Sydney Guillaume (b. 1982)
All text written by Gabriel T. Guillaume
except ‘Twa Tanbou’ by Louis M. Celestin

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Mama Afrika
Galilei Njembo, tenor
Jurij Konje & Akufuna Sifuba, drummers
Anmwe
Ineza Mugisha, soprano

Dominus Vobiscum
Matheus Coelho, baritone
Ego Sum

 Alleluia Amen
Zyion Stephens, soprano

 Intermission

Ayiti
Dérrell Woods, baritone
Jurij Konje & Akufuna Sifuba, drummers
1. Lesklavaj (Slavery)
2. Delivrans (Deliverance)
3. Peseverans (Perseverance) 

Twa Tanbou

Diplomasi
1. Oné – Respe
2. Koute – Tande
3. Men Ale – Men Vini

Fèt Chanpèt
Jurij Konje & Akufuna Sifuba, drummers
Andrew Gunpath, percussion

Meet Sydney Guillaume

Nearly all of Sydney Guillaume’s choral compositions have been commissioned works. He has written for renowned choirs such as the Grammy-award nominated Seraphic Fire, the Westminster Chorus, the University of Miami Frost Chorale, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir, the Saint Louis Chamber Singers, and the Miami Children’s Chorus. Many of his choral works, most with original poetry by his father Gabriel T. Guillaume, have fostered an awareness of the beautiful Haitian culture of his native country.

Nearly all of Sydney Guillaume’s choral compositions have been commissioned works. He has written for renowned choirs such as the Grammy-award nominated Seraphic Fire, the Westminster Chorus, the University of Miami Frost Chorale, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir, the Saint Louis Chamber Singers, and the Miami Children’s Chorus. Many of his choral works, most with original poetry by his father Gabriel T. Guillaume, have fostered an awareness of the beautiful Haitian culture of his native country.

Praised by the Miami Herald for their “impressive maturity and striking melodic distinction”, Sydney Guillaume’s compositions are known to be intricate, challenging and yet highly spirited. They promote human values, are full of heart and passion, and continually enthral choirs everywhere they have been performed around the world. They have been featured at numerous conferences and international festivals such as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the World Choir Games and Ireland’s Cork International Choral Festival. Sydney also writes film music – and has written original film and documentary scores for the Los Angeles based company Loyola Productions.

Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sydney Guillaume is currently residing in Portland, Oregon working as a full-time composer, conductor and frequently doing workshops on his music with university and high school choirs throughout North America. Since 2013, Sydney has been the conductor of Imbroglio Sextet, a group of musicians from Haiti, Spain, Bolivia and the United States; the group met in Haiti at the École de Musique St. Trinité summer camp, where they all volunteer as music teachers. In 2017, Sydney was honoured by the top music school in Haiti for his “great contribution in the expansion and the promotion of the music and culture of Haiti around the world.”

Sydney’s recent activities as conductor include the 2022 Georgia All-State Senior Treble Choir, the 2019 Florida All-State Middle School Treble Chorus, the 34th annual Idaho State University Choral Invitational Festival, the 2018 Maine All-State High School Mixed Chorus, an all-Guillaume concert at the Lincoln Center in NYC, and concerts with the Imbroglio Sextet at Carnegie Hall and at the 2018 ISME World Conference in Azerbaijan.

LIBRETTO (WITH TRANSLATIONS)

Mama Afrika (Creole – English Translation)

Anmwe (Creole to English – Poetic Translation)

Dominus Vobiscum (Creole – English Translation)

Ego Sum (French – English Translation)

Alleluia Amen (French – English Translation)

INTERMISSION

Ayiti (Creole to English – Poetic Translation)

1. LESKLAVAJ – SLAVERY

2. DELIVRANS – LIBERTY

3. PÈSEVERANS – PERSEVERANCE

Twa Tanbou (Creole – English Translation)

Diplomasi (Creole to English – Poetic Translation)

Fèt Chanpèt (Creole – English Translation)

THE NATHANIEL DETT CHORALE

Brainerd Blyden-Taylor

D. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor is the Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Canada’s first professional chamber choir dedicated to the creation, preservation, and performance of Afrocentric choral music of all genres. Mr. Blyden Taylor has worked extensively as an educator at the university, public school, and community levels; and was awarded the degree Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from York University, Toronto for his service to education. He is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer, both nationally and internationally. Mr. Blyden-Taylor is also an active and dedicated church musician.

Dakota Scott-Digout

Originally from Nova Scotia, Toronto-based pianist Dakota Scott-Digout has been heard in recital across North America as both a collaborator and soloist, gaining praise particularly for his performances of chamber music and art song. Dakota serves on the artistic team of the Toronto Children’s Chorus, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto, and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale; and has enjoyed collaborations with the Elmer Iseler Singers and That Choir. Recent projects have included an ongoing collaboration with Echo Chamber Toronto in their production A World Transformed, which intertwines art song and chamber music with dance. Additionally, Dakota was a featured artist alongside soprano Tracy Cantin and tenor Marcel d’Entremont during Debut Atlantic’s 2022/2023 concert season. Dakota is highly sought after in Toronto as a collaborative pianist, clinician, and serves as a pianist for voice performance classes at the University of Toronto.

Dakota holds degrees in piano performance from Université de Montréal and Mount Allison University. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto where he was named the 2020 winner of the Gwendolyn Koldofsky Prize in Accompanying, awarded to the top collaborative pianist at the Faculty of Music. He has further refined his skills at the Orford Music Academy, Barachois Summer Music Festival, Musique sur Mer with pianist Susan Manoff, and was an Art of Song Fellow as part of the Toronto Summer Music Festival in the summer of 2021. His principal teachers have included Stephen Runge, Jimmy Brière, and Steven Philcox. Particularly passionate about French vocal repertoire, Dakota’s research interests are centred around early twentieth century performance practice and the mélodies of Gabriel Fauré.

Jurij Konje

Jurij Konje came to music naturally at an early age. He has written for a wide array of instruments. His focus on percussion has guided his development throughout his career. As a performer Jurij has graced many a stage – classical, world, and popular alike. As soloist his focus is reputable and clear. Across the genres his sounds are a testament to precision that resonates. For Jurij, rhythm is a force within that sets the standard for inspiration and a legend for the map of music that is drawn by his statements in a new direction.

Jurij’s performance credits range in style from orchestral to alternative. They include the Brandenberg Ensemble, University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble, Flaming Dono Drum and Dance Ensemble, Autorickshaw, and By Divine Right. His music has been performed by The Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Janus 21, and percussion ensembles such as Humdrum, Attaca, and Tabu. Jurij has recorded CDs with many other artists, and to date has three of his own, entitled Flux, Walkabout, and Ambush.

This music is an exciting addition to his repertoire and combines an interesting mix of acoustic and electronic sounds. His voice can be heard as steady and subtle which, in combination with his music, makes for a compelling listen. Jurij has amassed an arsenal of instruments from across the globe, which are captured in these recordings Jurij’s visual art is an extension of his musical voice; with colour, he is painting to a prism that speaks volumes. Every one of his recordings features his artwork on the cover and explores the balance of the virtual within the literal.

Gideon Akafuna Sifuba

Gideon Akufuna Sifuba is an African drummer and percussionist, born in Zambia and later immigrating to Canada. He is also a gifted composer and vocalist, and an alumnus of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale.

Akufuna graduated with honours from York University, Toronto, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts specialising in vocal music, also earning a Bachelor of Education specialising in instrumental music. He is currently working on a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

Akufuna has worked as a music teacher in many locations, such as W. C. Miller Collegiate in Altona, Manitoba; Muheim Elementary in Smithers, British Columbia; and Netsilik School in Taloyoak, Nunavut. Akufuna has also held the position of Education Director at Urban Circle Training Center, working with Indigenous youth. He has worked for Shamattawa Education Authority in Northern Manitoba as Vice Principal and is currently the Vice Principal at Poplar River First Nations School.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale

The multi-faceted vocalists of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale perform all styles and genres of music as appropriate to the traditions of Africa and its Diasporas. The Chorale’s mission is to build bridges of understanding, appreciation, and acceptance between communities of people through the medium of Afrocentric choral music.

Founder D. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor named The Nathaniel Dett Chorale after internationally renowned African Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943) to draw attention to Dett’s legacy, to the breadth of Afrocentric choral music, and to be a professional choral ensemble where persons of African heritage can be well represented. Currently in its 25th Season, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is also Artist in Residence at The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at York University.

Despite our best efforts to avoid errors and omissions, mistakes can occur. If your name is listed incorrectly, misspelled or missed inadvertently, we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We would appreciate being notified of any errors. Please send an e-mail to info@nathanieldettchorale.org