Joy In The City Guelph Society and Guelph Black Heritage Society present gospel music workshop

GUELPH – Joy In The City Guelph Society has partnered with the Guelph Black Heritage Society on a workshop series called Music Speaks.

The last workshop of the year will take place on Nov. 22 from 10am to 12pm at Heritage Hall (83 Essex St.) and feature celebrated composer, music educator and musician Aaron Manswell.

“Manswell is a dynamic composer, producer, and conductor whose work transcends boundaries, weaving together classical, R&B, hip-hop and gospel into richly textured sonic narratives,” officials say.

Born and raised in Toronto, his compositions have been celebrated for emotional depth and contemporary resonance, earning performances and recordings by prestigious ensembles such as the San Francisco Symphony, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and Choral Arts Initiative.

In 2023 Manswell was featured in the Canadian Opera Company’s Showcase Series, presenting Off-Spring Live, a concert highlighting his genre-fluid compositions.

“His creative leadership extends to his appointment as Composer-in-Residence of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for the 2024/2025 season,” officials continue.

Manswell recently co-wrote the song Do You See Them, which he said “is more than a song; it’s a plea. It asks you to pause, to look around, and to truly see the people who are hurting.

“My heart is especially with the victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the other Caribbean countries, who are facing unimaginable loss.”

He also composes for film and holds degrees from Oakwood University, the University of Memphis, and is a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition candidate at the University of Toronto. He is assistant professor of music, industry and technology at the University of Guelph.

Workshop participants can expect a unique opportunity to learn from Manwell about his creative process, his fusion of gospel, R&B and classical music and how he uses technology in his compositional work.

There will be hands-on exercises, vocal techniques, choir or vocal rehearsal tips and a question and answer session.

Singers, music educators, gospel enthusiasts, and community members of all skill levels are encouraged to attend.

Admissions is $10 and event registration is at joyinthecityguelph.ca/ews-events/.

For more information visit joyinthecityguelph.ca