Upcoming Performance Shows Potential of Dominion-Chalmers for Carleton
By Corey Price
An ambitious upcoming performance by Carleton University’s Choir and Chamber Singers underscores the potential of Dominion-Chalmers United Church as a university-owned arts venue.
Carleton is now finalizing arrangements to take possession of the landmark Centretown church as a satellite space, and the scheduled April 7 performance by the Choir and Chamber Singers will showcase how the space can be used.
The group will perform the Ottawa premiere of Requiem for Peace, written by Canadian composer Dr. Larry Nickel.
“It’s probably the most exciting work I’ve ever worked on with a choir,” said Laurie Hamilton, director of Carleton’s choir.
The composition explores themes of pacifism, multicultural unity, forgiveness and reconciliation.
It consists of poetry written in 13 different languages across 16 movements, all presented in a single 75-minute performance.
Initially, Hamilton said she feared the work was too emotionally and musically demanding, but ultimately felt the choir was up to the task.
“It’s got such a wide range of emotions, that’s one of the big reasons I was so drawn to it. And musically, it’s just a challenge — it’s doable, but it’s certainly a challenge,” she said.
Jessica Wilson, a third-year alto with the choir, agreed that Requiem for Peace presents unique challenges.
She spoke to the technical difficulty of transition between languages, tempo changes, and complex harmonies, adding the emotional weight was equally daunting.
“I think the biggest challenge is that it’s a very moving piece,” Wilson said.
“The poems are all really intense and emotional, so you have to find that balance of being emotionally invested enough to perform but not so invested you get upset and can’t do your job as a musician.”
The Cooper Street church is locally famous for its superior acoustics.
“For any kind of performer — both spoken word and music — basically no matter where you sit in the building, you can hear somebody on the chancel,” said David Hayman, chair of the Dominion-Chalmers church council.
Built between 1912 and 1914, the church was designed by William M. Hutchison, an architect renowned for crafting acoustically excellent spaces.
“It’s a very special place to sing,” said Hamilton. “You go in there and you feel that you want to bring your best in a beautiful environment.”
In recent decades, Dominion-Chalmers has become a hot-spot for concerts and music festivals thanks to its high-quality acoustics.
The building has served secular and religious double-duty for years, though Hayman said the church’s sacred elements are never covered or removed for performances.
Recognizing the church’s distinct qualities, Carleton began formal negotiations to purchase the building last year.
“We’ve been using it for secular events for the last 20 to 25 years,” said Hayman. “In effect, it can continue to be used for that purpose under different ownership.”
Even though negotiations over the property are ongoing, Carleton performers are already excited about the potential of the space to accommodate unique, complex performances like Requiem for Peace — and potentially much more.
Hamilton said she thinks the upcoming performance will set the tone for how Carleton could use the space moving forward. As she puts it: “Diverse people working on challenging things together and exploring different music and different cultures.”
There are also plans for the space to be upgraded to feature amenities such as a recording studio.
“I think that it’s a nice change of pace for students, as well,” said Wilson. “To have this amazing venue that they can feel so good in, and that can kind of be part of their Carleton home.”