Arts organizations join forces to pay tribute to composer Jocelyn Morlock, May 24

Fittingly, free public celebration of life will be filled with music, by Standing Wave, Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, Erika Switzer, and many others

NINE VANCOUVER arts organizations are joining forces to pay tribute to the life and works of composer Jocelyn Morlock in a free public event on May 24, 7 pm at Vancouver Playhouse. Fittingly, it will be an evening filled with live music.

A celebrated Canadian composer, Morlock died suddenly on March 27 at age 53, prompting an outpouring of grief among artists and arts lovers across the country, and the globe.

Remembering Jocelyn Morlock is organized by Canadian Music Centre BC Region, Hard Rubber Orchestra, Little Chamber Music, Music on Main, musica intima, Queer Arts Festival+SUM gallery, Redshift Music, Standing Wave, and Vancouver New Music.

Hosted by Walter Quan, the evening will include guest speakers and performances by musica intima, Jonathan Lo, Standing Wave, Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, Melanie Adams, Erika Switzer, Sarah Jo Kirsch, Mark Takeshi McGregor, Adrian Verdejo, and Driftwood Percussion.

Those were just some of the artists and ensembles that Morlock had associations with over her long and lauded career. Cobalt, a concerto for two violins and orchestra, was her first commission for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, in 2009. Among the other groups that have interpreted her work are Vancouver Cantata Singers; Pacific Baroque Orchestra; Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; the Saskatoon Symphony; the Niagara Symphony; and Vancouver Bach choir. She was known for mentoring young composers, and raising the voices of female, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented communities.

Morlock is survived by her husband John Korsrud, her mother Brenda Morlock, and her brother Jeffrey Morlock.

You can find more information on the celebration of life here.

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