Arcady (musical ensemble)
Arcady is a MusicAL ensemble based in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Founded and directed by composer Ronald Beckett, the ensemble is committed to the recording and performance of Beckett’s music, having performed three operas and produced three CDs of the composer’s works.
Arcady is based on the principle of mentorship and combines young artists and people in the early stages of their careers with established professional instrumentalists and singers. The ensemble has also established a reputation for its energetic and imaginative performances of early music and is the regular chorus for Boris Brott’s National Academy Orchestra of Canada..
Notable Performances
Arcady performs approximately 25-30 concerts per year and its programming ranges from small recitals to full scale choral and orchestral concerts. Some of its regular performances include:
- Handel's Messiah – Arcady’s unique approach featuring a chorus of soloists and period style performance
- Welcome Yule! - A family oriented Christmas concert with string quartet, trumpet, 2 flutes, piano, keyboard, lute, SSA chorus and/or SATB choir including youth singers
- Ruth - Ronald Beckett’s first music drama. A family oriented concert featuring strings, piano, soloists and chorus
- A Beckett Miscellany (A Baroque Miscellany) - A concert centred around the CD - works arranged for recorder, violin, cello, and keyboard.
- I Am... - Ronald Beckett’s third liturgical drama featuring 8 vignettes from the life of Christ. String orchestra, piano, soloists and chorus
- A recital of the solo voice works of Ronald Beckett accompanied by the composer.
CD Recordings
Arcady has recorded five CDs. All have received extensive radio play on classical stations in North America and Europe.
- A Baroque Messiah (1999) – Arcady’s recording of G. F. Handel’s Messiah
- Welcome Yule! (2001) – A family-oriented CD of old and re-imagined Christmas classics written by Ronald Beckett
- A Beckett Miscellany (2002) – A CD featuring the instrumental music of Ronald Beckett
- Ruth (2007) – Ronald Beckett’s music drama: A tale of faith, loyalty, family and women's strength adapted from the Old Testament story of Ruth.
- Peace on Earth (2000) – A CD of popular Christmas music produced for Ruby Productions
Youth of Ruth
A separate Arcady youth training chorus was created during the summer of 2009. Ranging in age from 7-15, the Youth of Ruth typically take part in 2-3 major Arcady concerts per year, including a Christmas concert and a Spring fundraiser gala concert. There is no regular rehearsal schedule. Rather, rehearsals are scheduled in the weeks leading up to a concert. There is no cost and training is provided completely free-of-charge through a mentorship program that combines Arcady's professional musicians with those in the youth group.