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SPRING GUIDE

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Elektra Women's Choir rebrands as Elektra

The new name reflects the ensemble’s commitment to inclusion and embraces gender neutrality

By Gail Johnson

ELEKTRA WOMEN’S CHOIR is now being referred to simply as Elektra. The rebranding, which embraces gender neutrality, reflects the ensemble’s commitment to inclusion and diversity while acknowledging its history of leadership in celebrating music for adult treble voices.

Since its founding in 1987 by co-conductors Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer, Elektra has championed the works of women composers and provided a platform for underrepresented voices in the classical music world. This step explicitly names Elektra as a choir of adult treble voices.

As part of the change, Elektra’s website has been rebranded and relaunched, now being more accessible and user-friendly.

Elektra is also encouraging new adult soprano and alto singers to join them. The ensemble’s first performance of its 2024-25 season is The Light of Hope Returning on November 30 and December 1. Read Stir’s feature on the work, which includes a storybook-like video projection of visual artist Kevork Mourad’s hand-drawn animation, here.

Earlier this year, Elektra announced that Edmundson will be stepping down as artistic director after 38 years with the organization following this season. The search is on for a new leader.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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