I still remember the goosebumps that ran up my arms the first time I heard Belle Canto perform at the Winspear Centre. There’s something almost magical about the way their voices blend together, creating harmonies that seem to hover in the air long after the final note fades.
That same magic has now captured international attention. Our city’s beloved all-female choir, Belle Canto, has just returned to Edmonton with an impressive achievement – first place in the Chamber Choir category at the prestigious International Choral Competition in Vienna, Austria.
“We’re still in a bit of shock, to be honest,” says Heather Bedford, Belle Canto’s artistic director since 2018, when I caught up with her yesterday afternoon. “To be recognized on an international stage like this – it validates all those Monday night rehearsals when we’re tired but still pushing for excellence.”
The competition, which featured 32 choirs from 19 countries, is considered one of the most rigorous choral contests in the world. Belle Canto’s winning performance included works by Canadian composer Eleanor Daley and a challenging piece by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.
What makes this victory even more remarkable is the choir’s unique composition. Unlike many professional ensembles, Belle Canto’s 24 members come from diverse backgrounds – teachers, nurses, accountants, and students who share a passion for choral music.
“We’re not full-time musicians,” explains soprano Caitlin McPherson, who works as a pediatric nurse at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. “We’re regular Edmontonians who happen to love singing together. That’s what makes this win so special.”
The path to Vienna wasn’t without challenges. The choir launched an extensive fundraising campaign last year, hosting benefit concerts and seeking community sponsorships to cover travel expenses. Local businesses including Transcend Coffee and the Italian Centre Shop stepped up with support.
“Edmonton showed up for us in a big way,” Bedford notes. “This victory belongs to the whole community.”
Founded in 1996, Belle Canto has become a fixture in Edmonton’s cultural landscape. The choir is known for championing works by female composers and commissioning new pieces that reflect Alberta’s diverse heritage.
Their recent repertoire included a piece that incorporated Indigenous throat singing, developed in collaboration with Cree elder Elsie Paul. The choir also premiered “Northern Lights,” a composition inspired by Edmonton’s winter skies, at the Northern Lights Music Festival last February.
Dr. Timothy Anderson, music professor at the University of Alberta, wasn’t surprised by the choir’s international success. “Belle Canto has been building toward this moment for years,” he told me. “They’ve developed a distinctive sound that honors classical traditions while embracing contemporary approaches. That combination clearly resonated with the judges.”
The choir’s victory has generated excitement throughout Edmonton’s arts community. The Edmonton Arts Council is planning a public celebration concert at City Hall in September to honor their achievement.
“This puts Edmonton on the map in the global choral community,” says Sable Chan, executive director of the Edmonton Arts Council. “It reminds us that artistic excellence thrives here, even during challenging economic times.”
For many choir members, the competition was as much about cultural exchange as it was about winning. The women participated in workshops with Austrian choral directors and performed joint concerts with choirs from South Korea and Sweden.
“Some of my favorite moments happened after the formal events,” recalls alto singer Jasmine Cheung. “We’d gather with singers from other countries, and despite language barriers, we’d teach each other songs from our homelands. Music truly is a universal language.”
Belle Canto’s win comes at a meaningful time for Edmonton’s arts scene, which continues to rebuild following pandemic disruptions. Many cultural organizations are still working to regain audience numbers and funding support.
“This kind of international recognition reminds us why investing in local arts matters,” Bedford emphasizes. “The cultural identity of our city is strengthened when our artists shine on global stages.”
The choir is already looking ahead to their next season, which will feature a commissioned work celebrating Edmonton’s river valley. They’re also planning educational outreach to bring choral music to schools throughout the city.
For now, though, the choir members are savoring their well-earned success.
“Vienna was incredible, but there’s something special about bringing this recognition home to Edmonton,” Bedford says. “This is where we sing, where we live, where our community has supported us every step of the way.”
Belle Canto will perform excerpts from their award-winning program at a homecoming concert this Saturday at McDougall United Church. If you’ve never experienced their music before, I can only say – prepare for goosebumps.
