Schola Magdalena – Medieval Chant and Polyphony

Schola Magdalena is dedicated to the performance of medieval music – from Medieval chant and Gregorian chant to Hildegard of Bingen to the polyphonic masterpieces of Dufay – as well as modern music for women’s voices by Canadian composers.

Schola Magdalena’s past engagements have included appearances at Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, concerts at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, a recital at Wilfrid Laurier University Chapel in Waterloo, Ontario, and a recital before Evensong at the Convent of the Sisters of St. John the Divine in Toronto.

In May 2009, Schola Magdalena appeared at St-Viateur Church in Montreal at the invitation of the Gregorian Institute of Canada (GIC). The following summer, the ensemble was invited to present a concert in Chicoutimi as part of the GIC’s annual colloquium. The singers have also appeared at St. James’ Anglican Church, Stratford, to lead a chant workshop followed by a concert. To hear excerpts from the concert, click here for a YouTube video featuring “Ave Regina Coelorum” and a second video featuring “Alma Redemptoris Mater”.

In September 2011 Schola Magdalena launched its second CD and the following month appeared at the Colours of Music Festival in Barrie, Ontario.

Listen to a Sample

Ave Maria, from O Gracious Light:

Ave Virgo Virginum

Praise for Schola Magdalena

E. Anderson - Toronto

Stephanie, thank you for the gift of that ecstatic, contemplative five-part “Alleluia” you composed and performed with your fellow singers on “O gracious light.” It is an exquisite album all told, but that piece especially restoreth my soul. I’ve been puzzling since I first felt called to play it every single morning and every single night, why it shatters and remakes me every time I hear it. … Thank you for writing it, singing it and recording it. It is a very great blessing.

Mary Jane Ballou, Florida

Great sound and some imaginative work with organum set this women’s ensemble apart from many chant recordings. A nice mix of polyphony and Gregorian. Highly recommended to all lovers of chant and medieval polyphony.

via CD Baby

John Terauds - the Toronto Star

“It’s a treat from beginning to end.”

Read John Teraud’s full post on Sound Mind: A Classical Music Blog.