Saturday, May 2, 7:30 pm · Duncan Christian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd
All tickets $20 · Available from Consort members, Volume One Bookstore, and at the door.
The Cowichan Consort Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Pippa Williams, will perform Sir Karl Jenkins’s Stabat Mater at the Christian Reformed Church in Duncan. The soloist for this concert is the Cowichan Valley’s own Cari Burdett.
About Stabat Mater
Sir Karl Jenkins is a contemporary Welsh composer popular in both classical and jazz genres, and his versatility is evident in this composition. Stabat Mater is based on a 13th-century Latin hymn reflecting on grief, compassion, and human suffering, set in Latin and English using texts from Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew and Arabic sources. He weaves together classical choral writing with global musical influences, including Middle Eastern rhythms, folk elements, and contemporary harmonies. The result is a work that feels both ancient and strikingly modern.
Meet the Soloist: Cari Burdett
Cari Burdett, an award-winning vocalist and music educator, is the contralto soloist for Stabat Mater. With degrees from McGill University and the Royal Academy of Music in London, Cari has performed internationally and is celebrated for her artistry in opera, improvisation, and community singing. She is the founder of the Lila Music & Nature Centre, and integrates music, deep nature connection, and ReconciliaAction work with local Coast Salish Elders. She is currently preparing for her 2026 release of all-original songs, Don’t Forget, reflecting her passion for music, land, and community.
Additional Programme
Two short pieces featuring the string section of the orchestra round out this concert:
- Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius — a beautiful melody re-imagined throughout the piece using the different registers of the string instruments.
- Romance for Strings and Bassoon by Sir Edward Elgar — highlighting an often-overlooked instrument whose low tones blend beautifully with the strings. Our bassoon soloist, Sandy Wilson, enjoyed a 40-year career as a Registered Nurse while simultaneously playing the bassoon for over 50 years in community orchestras across Canada, and also played in the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday, May 2, 2026 · 7:30 pm
Duncan Christian Reformed Church, 930 Trunk Rd, Duncan
All tickets $20 — from Consort members, Volume One Bookstore, and at the door.