eklektikos is a classical chamber music ensemble specializing in the performance of music by contemporary Canadian composers. Based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, its core members include Dale Sorensen (trombone and artistic director), Morgan Saulnier (flute), Karem Simon (clarinet), and Richard Covey (piano).
History The contemporary classical chamber music ensemble eklektikos was founded in 2002 by Prince Edward Island trombonist Dale Sorensen, the group's current artistic director. That same year the ensemble recorded the score for Picking Lucy's Brain, a film written and directed by Jason Rogerson, with original music composed by Barrie Sorensen. The group was also featured at the 2002 Canadian Acoustical Association's national conference, which was held in Charlottetown.
As part of its commitment to the performance of Canadian music, eklektikos has been invited several times to participate in the Canadian Music Centre's New Music in New Places project. Funded by SOCAN and the Government of Canada through their Canada Music Fund, this program was created to disseminate the music of Canadian composers to a wider public by presenting performances in non-traditional venues. Some of eklektikos' performances were held at the Charlottetown Mall (April 2005), the Charlottetown Farmers Market (2008), the Charlottetown Toyota car dealership (November 2009), and the Charlottetown Airport (March 2011).
Several new compositions have been created through grants that eklektikos has received from the Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts. One of these projects resulted in the creation of new works by eight Prince Edward Island composers, all of which were premiered by eklektikos in March 2005. Another project, in July 2007, facilitated the creation of new works by four young Atlantic Canadian composers who were mentored by Jim O'Leary during a 4-day workshop which culminated in a public performance of all the new works.
eklektikos regularly performs on the recital series at the UPEI Music Department, where all of the ensemble members serve on faculty.
Premieres eklektikos has given the world premiere performances of the following 23 compositions, most of which were written by Canadian composers, including 16 works by Prince Edward Island composers. W.L. Altman: Inside C (flute, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, vibraphone, piano) - 2002 Jennifer Barrett-Drew: Two Trees in Eden (flute, trombone, cello, guitar, piano) - 2005 Jean Chatillon: Le son du verre (alto saxophone, trombone) - 2007 Monica Clorey: Five Waltzes (or The Epicurean Anthem) (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano) - 2007 James Grant Code: Scherzo Eclectique (trumpet, trombone, piano) - 2002 Richard Covey: Discord (flute) - 2005 Richard Covey: Improvvisando (trombone, piano) - 2010 Richard Covey: Sounds on the Waves (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano) - 2007 Richard Covey: Te Deum (flute, clarinet, piano) - 2010 Jim Dickson: Blues for Henry (alto saxophone, trombone, banjo, snare drum) - 2009 Jim Dickson: Odd One Out (flute, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion) - 2005 Matt Doran: Quartet (flute, marimba, trombone, piano) - 2006 Anthony Genge: Shadows and Glass (trombone, piano) - 2004 Matthew Lane: The Weaving Together (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano, CD) - 2007 Jane Naylor: To Another Time (flute, trombone) - 2005 Jim O'Leary: Two Landscapes (soprano, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano) - 2007 Jim O'Leary: Fläskfilé (soprano, clarinet, trumpet, trombone) - 2007 Gerry Rutten: PEI Suite (flute, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion) - 2005 Karri Shea: Enniskillen (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone) - 2007 Dale Sorensen: Eine Kleine Naught Musik (flute, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, marimba, piano) - 2005 Bert Tersteeg: Bachanalis (flute, trumpet, trombone, vibraphone, piano) - 2005 Bert Tersteeg: Western Skies (from 4 Canadian Scenes) (flute, trumpet, trombone, piano) - 2006 Seth von Handorf: Cartoon Circus Spy (flute, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, vibraphone, piano) - 2005
References
External links eklektikos official website