musica intima

09/13/2026

Matsush*ta is a well known composer not only in Japan but worldwide. Our Artistic Manager Risa grew up hearing his compositions in Japan. And Risa had first experienced singing when she came to Vancouver.

From Ko Matsush*ta website...

A prolific composer and arranger, Matsush*ta’s works are performed around the world. His compositions vary widely, ranging from works based on traditional Japanese music, Masses, motets, to etudes for choirs.

He is currently the CEO of the International Choral Organization of Tokyo, the General Producer and the Artistic Director of the Japan Vocal Music Festival and the Tokyo International Choir Competition, a member of the Founding Directors of the Asian Choral Association, an honorary member of Associazione Nazionale Direttori di Coro Italiani, a member of the Interkurtur World Choir Council, a board member of the Tokyo Choral Association. Furthermore, he is a member of Japan Composers & Arrangers Association, a Distinguished Patron of the International Kodály Society, and a member of the Japanese Kodály Society.

09/07/2026

We are extremely delighted to welcome Ko Matsush*ta for a week long residency with musica intima.

Ko Matsush*ta is one of Japan’s leading composers and conductors, whose music has found a home in choirs around the world.

Born in Tokyo and trained in both Japan and Hungary, Matsush*ta brings together Japanese musical traditions, rich vocal colours, and a deep understanding of what makes choral music so powerful: many voices becoming one.

During his residency, we will not only work with him as a composer but also as a conductor, an educator and a collaborator.

More details on this cycle is coming up next! But please visit musicaintima.org for more details.

08/26/2026

We love meeting composers and singing new works! Deadline for Novum is tonight, August 26 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time

musica intima is a 12-voice vocal ensemble with a 34-year history of championing new Canadian music. Over that time, we have commissioned more than 30 new works and have supported hundreds of contemporary works by Canadian composers through premieres, workshops, mentorship, and artistic collaboratio...

08/24/2026

Composers! Only two days left to apply for Novum! This year, the opportunity is open to Canadian composers at any career phase.
https://www.musicaintima.org/novum

ALL NOVUM 2026 APPLICANTS RECEIVE
• one complimentary ticket to musica intima’s World of Ko Matsush*ta concert at 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 24, Vancouver Unitarians
• one complimentary ticket to musica intima’s NOVUM MUSICA gala concert at 7:30 pm, November 7, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vancouver

SELECTED COMPOSERS RECEIVE
• Initial READING SESSION / WORKSHOP with the musica intima singers
• SCORE PREPARATION SESSION with Artistic Manager Risa Takahashi
• COMPOSITION CONSULT SESSION with Dr. Ramona Luengen
• October 22, 10:00 am-4:00 pm: Canadian Music Centre BC 30-minute MASTERCLASS with Ko Matsush*ta and musica intima
• CONCERT PERFORMANCE November 7, 7:30pm: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vancouver NOVUM gala performance on Canada's Music Creator Day
• VIDEO of the performed work for non-commercial use
• E-PUBLISHING OPTION with Musica Printima, musica intima’s publishing imprint

musica intima is a 12-voice vocal ensemble with a 34-year history of championing new Canadian music. Over that time, we have commissioned more than 30 new works and have supported hundreds of contemporary works by Canadian composers through premieres, workshops, mentorship, and artistic collaboratio...

08/24/2026

Composers! Only two days left to apply for Novum! This year, the opportunity is open to Canadian composers at any career phase.

musica intima is a 12-voice vocal ensemble with a 34-year history of championing new Canadian music. Over that time, we have commissioned more than 30 new works and have supported hundreds of contemporary works by Canadian composers through premieres, workshops, mentorship, and artistic collaboratio...

08/19/2026

Just one week to go until the deadline for Novum, a professional development + reading session + workshop + masterclass + concert + recording + publishing opportunity. Now open to Canadian composers at any career stage. Please click below for more info!

musica intima is a 12-voice vocal ensemble with a 34-year history of championing new Canadian music. Over that time, we have commissioned more than 30 new works and have supported hundreds of contemporary works by Canadian composers through premieres, workshops, mentorship, and artistic collaboratio...

08/17/2026

Thank you for all your support during the season of 25/26.
With the new team, we have navigated through all because of you!

And mâmowintowin -a gathering- was a huge success.

Thank you andrew balfour for your magnificent work "Missa Tekakwitha". The depth on this piece is something you can not explain. We are so excited to start a new journey with you and this piece.

Thank you Sherryl Sewepagaham for sharing your pieces that reaches deeply in our hearts. And what an honour to sing your pieces together with you. We can not wait to hear the final product!

And I, Risa Takahashi, the Artistic Manager would personally like to say a huge thank you to all the singers who trusted us and kept growing with us this season. To the board members who spend so much time and energy so we can continue what we love doing. And last but not least to Rita Ueda, our General Manager, thank you for really being the driver of this ship so we can sail in all sort of conditions.

We have an exciting 26/27 coming up, so stay tuned for more posts on what you will get to hear!!

08/15/2026

What an honour. We found an immense joy in performing tonight with andrew balfour and Sherryl Sewepagaham

The space, the people, the music, the air...they were all there ✨️

If you want to experience this feeling with us, we have one more show.

Vancouver Unitarians, Aug 15th 7:30pm.

08/13/2026

These two reunited at our rehearsal last night!

We are so delighted to have them and so grateful for their knowledge ✨️

If you want to check out their compositions full of stories, come hear us tomorrow in West Vancouver or Saturday in Vancouver!

08/11/2026

A great interview by Andrew Balfour on his music and upcoming concert with musica intima, featuring Missa Tekakwitha, a co-commission with the wonderful Société de musique contemporaine du Québec. Thank you to host Janna Sailor and everyone at Canadian Music Centre Prairie / Canadian Music Centre.

NEW MUSING MONDAY!

In anticipation of music intima's "mâmowintowin: a gathering" on August 14th & 15th, Cree composer and conductor Andrew Balfour chats with host Janna Sailor about artistic direction, identity, and his love of transforming early music with Indigenous language.

Listen through the link in our bio or on Apple Podcasts today!