Songs for a Better Future

Description:

As part of the exhibition Vector Association at Western Front, Matei Bejenaru presented the third chapter of his performance series Songs for a Better Future (2010–11). Staged in four cities across the world, the project invited composers to develop new choral works that combined experimental vocals with the rhythm and lyrics of socialist worker songs.

In Vancouver, Bejenaru worked with DB Boyko on a piece that included elements specific to traditional Chinese music to explore themes of memory, labour, and the future. The seventeen-minute composition was performed in the Grand Luxe Hall by VOICE OVER mind Choir members Ross Birdwise, Diana Stewart-Imbert, Janice Valdez, Yvonne Adalian, Donna Lytle, Shirley Sung René Doruyter, Grace Chan, Lisa Butel, Soressa Gardner, Sylvia Kwong, and Vicki Gibson.

Video documentation is available upon request.