In the midst of climate change and ecological disasters around the world, it is important to continue standing up and sharing about what the Earth and humanity is faced with. Even if it seems like not much could be done. One way is to do so through the power of music.
Missa Pro Terra is a modern interpretation of the Mass liturgy, which is a type of service in the Catholic church, created by Paul Aitken, in collaboration with the Cantabile Society of Truro, conducted by Chris Bowman and the Mt. A. Choral Society, conducted by Dr. Kiera Galway. This piece and several others will be performed by the two choirs at First United Church in Truro on November 2 and Mt. A’s Brunton Auditorium on November 29, both at 7 p.m.
Aitken, composer and conductor based in Parrsboro, NS, decided to approach the topic of climate change from a perspective of sacred music. “I felt it strongly as an artist. I could not leave this orb without having said something about it,” he comments on the motivation behind the piece. In the process of looking for musical ideas, Aitken shares, “I kept coming back to Kyrie Eleison, God have Mercy […] with the idea in mind that God have mercy might be the moment where a lot of people realize that something is going on and something really needs to be done” about the climate change.
Bowman also appreciates the importance of using older pieces of music to bring out the topic that is concerning today. There are countless versions of the Mass, and “that canon informs what comes in generations to follow,” Bowman notes. “I feel that [this piece] is taking something that is important for our time and marrying it with hundreds of years of tradition,” he concludes.
For Robert Snihur, second-year music student and a member of the Choral Society, working on an extensive piece of music in choir is “a grand return to singing from the summer break.” After a rehearsal with Aitken and Bowman, Snihur commented on their energy and “passion for what they are doing” when conducting the choir.
In addition, Snihur observed the importance of the variety of media when conveying the message of climate change. “People get oversaturated with information very quickly so finding new and different ways to convey [it], will help it stick more,” they say. Snihur contrasts the formal presentation of climate change information on the news with delivering it through the form of music. “This is what the data says, this is what the scientists are saying, politicians trying to get through bureaucracy […] it is all kind of jargon-y and not really relatable,” they add. Snihur continues that by putting these ideas to music, the information is made much more relatable, as “most people listen to music and have a way to connect with it.”
In addition to the concerts in Sackville and Truro, the Cantabile Society is performing Missa Pro Terra in Carnegie Hall in New York this winter. To get more updates on the performances, check out mta.ca/music and cantabiletruro.org. When the hope seems to be lost, follow the sound of music.
- Arts & Culture
