Presented by the Vancouver Iranian Choir Society
On April 19, 2025, the Vancouver Iranian Choir Society proudly presented a sold-out concert at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver, marking one of its most ambitious productions to date. This multicultural and intergenerational performance brought together over 80 performers, including vocalists, instrumentalists, and guest soloists, highlighting a powerful blend of Persian poetry, contemporary orchestration, and traditional Middle Eastern and Western elements.

The concert featured newly composed works by Sepehr Hojjaty and Amir Eslami, including “The Goblet (Peymaneh),” “Shah-e-Man,” “Deldar,” and “Hoobaliyar”—compositions that explored themes of humanity, identity, and rebirth. These works were supported by generous funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, SOCAN Foundation, Metro Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, and North Vancouver Recreation & Culture.

A true highlight of the evening was the first Canadian live performance of iconic Iranian film scores by master composer Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh, including selections from Dash Akol, Qeysar, and Reza Motori. These legendary pieces were reimagined for orchestra and choir, offering an emotional and nostalgic tribute that deeply resonated with the audience.

The concert also showcased the brilliant santoor soloist Saina Khaledi, whose expressive playing added depth and authenticity to the Iranian classical repertoire.

Led by conductor Leslie Dala, with Mark Ferris serving as concertmaster, the evening featured the Vancouver Iranian Choir, Nonavazan Ensemble, and a professional string orchestra, joined by guest soloist Milad Bagheri—a Kurdish Iranian-Canadian tenor known for his powerful voice and emotional range.

This event represented a true cultural exchange, promoting diversity, freedom of artistic expression, and collaboration among newcomers, women artists, and emerging composers. With original music, storytelling, and an enthusiastic audience, the April 19th concert stands as a testament to the power of music to unite communities and elevate underrepresented voices on a professional stage.