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An intimate afternoon of music

The 12-member, Vancouver-based choir, musica intima, will make their Coast Recital Society debut at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt.

The 12-member, Vancouver-based choir, musica intima, will make their Coast Recital Society debut at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt.

Though musica intima spells its name in lower-case letters, their reputation as one of North America's most exciting vocal ensembles has been expressed in bold capitals by reviewers and audiences alike. Lloyd Dykk, music critic for the Vancouver Sun said, "The flexibility and agility that are a function of their small size is partly what makes them so exciting."

But what makes musica intima unique among choirs is that they rehearse and perform without a conductor. Working as a co-operative, they use rehearsals to exchange ideas freely while exploring their own musical creativity. In performance, they are known for their spontaneity and freshness.

Formed in 1992, musica intima is a distinctly Canadian choir whose members hail from coast to coast. They regularly commission and perform works by Canada's leading composers, and they have performed throughout Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. The singers all have busy careers as teachers, soloists, music directors, composers and arrangers. With four CDs in their discography, the ensemble has collaborated in recording projects with artists as diverse as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, composer Owen Underhill and rock musician Matthew Good. Their first Christmas disc, nativité, was released by CBC Records in November 2002, immediately becoming a best-selling disc across Canada, and was nominated for a 2003 Western Canadian Music Award.

In addition to an annual series of self-produced concerts, musica intima appears regularly with organizations such as Festival Vancouver, Vancouver New Music, Modern Baroque Opera and Pacific Baroque Orchestra. Several guest artists have also performed with musica intima, including British cellist Steven Isserlis, singer/conductor Paul Hillier, actor Christopher Gaze, percussionist Salvador Ferreras, the Celtic-funk band Mad Pudding, the Borealis String Quartet and CBC Radio writer/broadcaster Bill Richardson. musica intima's concerts and recordings are often heard on national and international broadcasts.

For their CRS Sechelt concert, musica intima will perform works by Thomas Tallis and Francis Poulenc. For a preview of their sound and repertoire check out www.musicaintima.com. Tickets can be obtained from Mary Lea Bell at 604-886-8330.