The opening event of the UPEI Contemporary Music Festival features pianist Megaria Halim in Archipelagic Voices, in which she explores the sound worlds of contemporary composers from Southeast Asia, drawing on folk traditions, mythology, and distinctive sonic landscapes. Through a range of modern works, the program highlights how these composers reimagine cultural memory, timbre, and gesture within contemporary musical language.

A celebration of adventurous, compelling music of a variety of genres composed or created within the last few decades, in addition to Megaria Halim, the festival will feature UPEI Music faculty and guest artists, including: Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen, experimental jazz trio Forgalhorn, and internationally renowned French contemporary music ensemble Proxima Centauri. Performances will introduce multiple world premieres, including a commissioned work for saxophones composed by ECMA and Juno-nominated composer Amy Brandon, a PEI native. Brandon will also give a public talk on her work; masterclasses, workshops, and talks will also be offered by Cris Derksen and members of Proxima Centauri.

Additional Festival Events:

Saturday, March 7

• 2:00-4:00 pm - Composer Amy Brandon discusses the use of timbre, or “tone colour,” in her works. Timbre is connected to the physical properties of sound - the harmonic series - and composers can manipulate timbre in many interesting ways: through extended or special techniques on the instrument, orchestration, electronics, and microtonality.
• 7:30 pm - UPEI Music Faculty present Bleakness and Beauty, showcasing the stunning works of Amy Brandon alongside works by Canadian composers Jocelyn Morlock, Jordan Nobles, and Harry Somers, as well as Vietnamese-American composer Viet Cuong.
• 9:00 pm - Experimental jazz trio Forgalhorn presents a creative collaboration focused on atmospheric effects, live loops, and heavy improvisation. Their soundscapes blend beautiful melodies and deep grooves with unidentifiable sounds and a healthy bit of strangeness. (Venue: Performing Arts Centre Theatre).

Wednesday, March 11

• 11:30-2:30 pm - Masterclasses with Proxima Centauri (saxophone, piano, percussion, composition/electronics).

Thursday, March 12

• 1:00–2:30 pm - Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Derksen presents and demonstrates their practice of using electronic pedals with a classical instrument. Cris will additionally discuss their compositional practice as an artist working across genres and disciplines. (Venue: Performing Arts Centre Theatre).
• 7:30 pm - NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: Proxima Centauri presents Mouvements, a multi-dimensional sound experience that creates a space for dialogue between the sonic textures created by electronics and the live sounds of the instrumentalists. The integrated, spatial co-existence of these two sound worlds suspends the listener at the center of the musical discourse.
• 9:00 pm - Reception.

Friday, March 13

• 12:40 pm - UPEI students present an afternoon recital featuring works composed after 1950.

Ticket Prices:

• All-event pass: $60 adults, $50 seniors, and $30 students
• Individual concert tickets: $30 adults, $25 seniors, and $10 students
• Saturday, March 7, 2-concert pass (Faculty + Forgalhorn): $40 adults and seniors, $15 students
• UPEI students: FREE
• Workshops, masterclasses, talks, and student recital: FREE

Advance online tickets, all-event passes, and Saturday night pass can be purchased at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door.