Saturday, November 28, 2026, 7:30 PM St. Mary’s Anglican Church (11203 68 St NW, Edmonton)
UltraViolet continues their incredible journey as this region’s only chamber ensemble dedicated entirely to commissioning and performing new compositions. Since emerging from the NME Violet Collective ensemble in 2017, UltraViolet has commissioned and performed dozens of new works, recorded a Juno-nominated album, and dedicated time to working with emerging composers. We’re always happy to reconnect with the group, and their program for November 28 is a stunner, with premiere compositions by local composers Andriy Talpash, Heather Hindman, and Raylene Campbell, plus Ear-rings by Pauline Oliveros.
3tet for Three will be opening the evening presenting new music with a new ensemble. Made up of Alex McNaughton (horn), Andreas Wegner (bass), and Ben Whittier (saxophones), this unique setting of low, middle, and high voice in sting, brass, and woodwind will dazzle ears with limitless timbral potential through a mixture of improvised and notated composition.
The Artists
UltraViolet is the only instrumental ensemble in Edmonton whose mandate focuses exclusively on the creation and performance of new classical compositions. The group was formed in 2014 as the in-house ensemble for New Music Edmonton’s annual Now Hear This festival. They have since performed over fifty new pieces, most of them Canadian. Many of these have been works by Edmonton composers, and almost all were given their Edmonton premiere by the ensemble. UltraViolet comprises four local artists who are committed to bringing new music to local audiences: pianist Roger Admiral, percussionist Mark Segger, flutist Chenoa Anderson, and saxophonist Allison Balcetis. Individually, the musicians of UltraViolet have premiered hundreds of solo and chamber works and have been active in commissioning and performing new works. They are forward-thinking, virtuosic, dedicated artists who have decades of combined experience in communicating the diverse and compelling languages of today’s composers. The quartet is named in honour of composer Dr. Violet Archer, who encouraged her students at the University of Alberta to create their own opportunities for their music to be performed. Her impact was broad and deep in Alberta and throughout Canada.
The musicians of UltraViolet believe that faith in emerging composers and extending opportunities for their works to be heard in public is necessary for the continuation and flourishing of the contemporary classical music art form. UltraViolet’s core aesthetic is to hold up a mirror totoday’s society and reflect back an artistic truth. The group is committed to equity and diversity in programming and is a signatory to the Canadian League of Composers Gender Parity Pledge.
Alexander McNaughton is a local Edmonton composer and horn player. This concert will be his first time playing with New Music Edmonton. Alex studied composition at the University of Alberta under the tutelage of Scott Smallwood and Mark Hannesson. He also studied horn with the Principal Horn of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Allene Hackleman. Alex completed his studies in 2021 with a Bachelor of Music with Specialization in Composition.
Andreas Wegner is an acoustic and electric bassist based in Edmonton, Alberta, and a consistent presence in the city’s vibrant music scene. He performs across a wide range of genres, including jazz, musical theatre, rock, and country. In addition to his performance work, Andreas is passionate about music education. He currently serves as the double bass teaching artist with the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA). He’s also active behind the scenes in music production, with experience in recording, mixing, mastering, and live sound. Andreas holds a Bachelor of Music degree from MacEwan University.
Benjamin Whittier completed his Doctor of Music in saxophone performance at the University of Alberta in 2021. Ben currently works at the University of Alberta and Concordia University of Edmonton teaching music theory and saxophone. He also performs and improvises on the saxophone in the community. In addition, he serves as the board president for New Music Edmonton, and on staff with the Edmonton International Jazz Festival.
Accessibility
St. Mary’s Anglican Church – There is ground level access to the sanctuary through an entrance and parking at the back of the building through the alley. There is one gender-neutral washroom on the main floor. The WB #101 bus stops approx 160 m from the venue (stop #1347) and the EB #101 is across the street (stop #1323). There is street parking with limited angle parking in front of the venue.
