SPECIAL GUEST FEATURE: ambient ch0ir, presented by hundredmillionthousand

Event Description

What happens when you send a message you’d never say out loud — and a choir sings it back to you?

Experimental composer Noel Fanaeian (hundredmillionthousand) joins Pro Coro Canada and conductor Michael Zaugg to collide choral sound, live electronics, and audio-visuals, where the audience becomes part of the score.

The centrepiece is the world premiere of a new work for chamber choir and electronics, composed by Fanaeian and orchestrated by three‑time Grammy–nominated composer Benedict Sheehan. Its title will be revealed when audiences arrive.

Throughout the performance, audience members can text anonymous messages directly to the choir. These are captured in real time, sung by the ensemble, processed through live electronics, and projected as visuals — creating a piece no one has ever heard before.

The evening opens with an improvisation by Allison Balcetis (saxophone) and Afarin Nazarijou (qanun), pairing new music with the ancient Middle Eastern zither.
A reception featuring homemade saffron ice cream and lumpia follows the performance--a nod to Fanaeian's Persian and Filipino heritage.
Seating is Limited.
Supported by Edmonton Arts Council and Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
Produced by hundredmillionthousand
Box office hosted by Pro Coro Canada.

Event Details & Accessibility
This performance includes loud electronic sound and intermittent flashing visuals.
Friday, April 24Doors 7pm, Music 7:30-9:30pm
St. Basil’s Cultural Centre (behind the church)
10819 71 Ave NW
Free parking, wheelchair accessible, bus routes: 9, 654, 723.

About the Artist

From Helsinki City Museum to Berlin basements, Edmonton-born composer Noel Fanaeian (hundredmillionthousand) takes human essence and passes it through a machine. A student of Laurel Halo, his sound has been placed between Ólafur Arnalds, Jon Hopkins, and Lapalux, and the Toronto Star called his album Attention Span “one of the most compelling and brazenly accomplished releases of 2022.”

This performance marks his long‑awaited return to the Edmonton stage — his first full‑length performance in five years.




Ableton Workshop: Voice, Electronics, and Intention
Two days after the performance, Fanaeian leads a hands‑on workshop for students and emerging composers, exploring his Ableton workflow, integrating voices with electronics in acoustic space, and developing ideas with artistic intention and restraint.

Sunday, April 26, 2:00–4:00 PM
St. Basil’s Cultural Centre — Pioneer Room (same building as performance)10819 71 Ave NW
$10 at the door

Poster design by Abigail Fullwood