RÉMI ST-JACQUES
Born in a northern suburb of Montreal, Rémi St-Jacques began learning the piano at the age of 10 and composition by the age of 15. After an experience at a summer music camp, he decided to study composition at University of Montreal; with Alan Belkin for composition, François-Hugues Leclair for orchestration, as well as Marie-Hélène Trempe and Daniel Moran for piano performance – obtaining his bachelor’s degree in composition in 2016.
Rémi has won several choral composition prizes; from the Polymnie Ensemble, in the Great Montreal region, Sherbrooke University’s vocal ensemble, and from the Grand Philharmonic Choir chamber singers, in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. He also have been selected as a finalist of the International Antonín Dvořák Composition Competition, which was held in Prague, Czech Repulic.
Originaire de Blainville, le compositeur Rémi St-Jacques a tout d’abord commencé ses études musicales en piano, mais c’est à 15 ans que la composition se révéla à lui. Suite à son passage au Camp Musical du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, il décida d’entreprendre ses études universitaires en composition. Diplômé en 2015 de l’Université de Montréal d’un baccalauréat en musique profil écriture, il eut la chance de travailler la composition avec Alan Belkin, l’orchestration avec François-Hugues Leclair, et le piano avec Marie-Hélène Trempe et Daniel Moran.
En tant que jeune pianiste, entre 2006 et 2007, il remporta plusieurs prix dans sa région, au Concours d’Excellence Desjardins, ainsi qu’au Gala du Festival des Jeunes Musiciens des Laurentides. Dix ans plus tard, en composition, le Premier Prix de Composition au Concours de Composition pour l’Ensemble vocal Polymnie, dans la région du Grand Montréal, l’ensemble vocal de l’Université de Sherbrooke, et plus réscemment, avec le chœur de chambre du Grand Philharmonic Choir, à Kitchener-Waterloo, en Ontario. Il fut également finaliste pour le Concours International de Composition Antonín Dvořák, à Prague, en République Tchèque.
Le voyage d'un oiseau d'été
by Rémi St-Jacques
SA with piano – CP 1796 – duration 3:55
The journey of the summer bird, migration, is a theme that people everywhere can identify with; leaving home to places unknown, taking a risk, seeking a better existence when confronted by difficulties (bad weather?). Birds fly south and people also move on with their lives. Rémi has crafted a lovely marriage of melody and text in sweet-spot registers – with a flowing piano accompaniment.
Papillon
by Rémi St-Jacques
SATB a cappella – CP 1878 – duration 2.35
SATB with piano – CP 1879
SSA with piano – CP 1880
The life of a butterfly is short and beautiful. Our lives are also a short blip on the timeline – but can be beautiful and meaningful. The poet, Alphonse de Lamartine captures this metaphor and Rémi has rendered a convincing realization for choirs with lovely and convincing composition. A man who works with choirs, Rémi has hit the sweet-spot.