The roots music group will play a program they’ve been touring with lately, but with the added twist of premiering the arrangements they have worked out with Pro Coro’s associate conductor, Trent Worthington.

"It takes a while because [the McDades] are on tour all the time," says Worthington. "Between e-mails we were able to get a lot done and then we were actually able to get together a couple times. We began a long time ago by trying to figure out simply what we were going to do. We don’t play with a lot of Celtic-folk-jazz bands."

The program features an Ian Tyson song, French Canadian ballads, plenty of fiddle, and music inspired by the Far East. Considering all the new styles of choral music that Pro Coro has been known to perform over the years, the collaboration makes a lot of sense.

"The notion of writing new music for performance, the concept of arranging music for the concert hall has a real attraction," says Worthington. "Performing any music for the first time is very exciting."

And the choir has performed a lot of premieres in its 25 years, making new music a mandate. "Pro Coro has always entertained the idea of performing and commissioning new music–whether commissioned by us or by arts councils. There are a lot of great choral composers in Canada and even locally."

A concert of contemporary music from Sweden later this year also highlights the concept of bringing music that may not be familiar to local audiences onto our stages.

In addition to the obvious excitement of new works, Worthington has cherished the educational aspect of being a part of Pro Coro throughout the years.

"Pro Coro has had some of the greatest choral conductors come here to conduct us in all sorts of styles of choral music, and I don’t think you can match that experience or gain that experience any other way.

"I think endurance is something to be proud of," Worthington continues. "We’re not the oldest ensemble in Edmonton by any means, but Pro Coro has tried to establish a professional working choir and the financial pressures that are there are heavier than when you have choirs of volunteers involved."

Everyone’s involvement in choral music gets Worthington excited but he hopes that the future holds a larger audience for choral music of all kinds, not just Pro Coro’s programs.

"There sure seems to be something unique in Edmonton. When we look at the population of Edmonton, there are a lot of choirs. Which tells me that there are a lot of people that just love singing."

Ticket prices, and more information concerning this weekend’s program and Pro Coro Canada can be found on their website at www.procoro.ab.ca.