DESCRIPTION:
Book/CD Launch
« Time for Flowers, Time for Snow »

Written by: Glen Huser
Illustrated by: Philippe Beha
Music & Lyrics: Giannis Georgantelis & Glen Huser
Musical Production: Chroma Musika
Published by: Tradewind Books

A moving yet humorous retelling of the ancient Greek myth of the goddess Demeter, her daughter Persephone and how the seasons came to be, narrated by the legendary British actor, Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, and featuring one of the largest Canadian children's choirs ever assembled.

Montreal, Quebec, September 30, 2013 -- Chroma Musika, in collaboration with Tradewind Books, announced the release of its latest book and CD, Time for Flowers, Time for Snow, a moving yet humorous children's story about the ancient Greek myth of the goddess Demeter, her daughter Persephone and how the seasons came to be. It is available today in bookstores nationwide.
As the music producer, Chroma Musika gathered some serious Canadian and International talent. Written by Canadian children's book author Glen Huser, Time for Flowers, Time for Snow is an engaging story with clever lyrics, beautifully illustrated by internationally acclaimed Quebec artist, Philippe Béha. Included with the book is an operatic version of the story on CD, composed by Athens-based Giannis Georgantelis, narrated by the legendary British comedic actor, Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, and featuring one of the largest Canadian children's choirs ever assembled.
More than 180 children from the Socrates and Demosthenes, Gardenview, Sinclair Laird Elementary and Pierre de Coubertin Elementary Schools successfully auditioned for this choir and spent more than 6 months rehearsing, performing and recording for the CD that accompanies the book.
With this project, Chroma Musika's co-directors and choirmasters, Dimitri Ilias and Maria Diamantis, hope the children of the choir, irrespective of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds, gained a better understanding and appreciation for ancient Greek mythology. They also learned how a professional CD is made — from recording to final mixing, editing and mastering with Concordia Professor and Juno Award Judge, Dr. Mark Corwin. The opportunity to perform alongside professional soloists and the Orchestre Symphonique Pop de Montréal is a unique musical experience not available to many. Even more importantly, the children learned the value and rewards that come from teamwork, cooperation, hard work and discipline.
On Monday, October 7, 2013 at the Centre de congrès Palace, as a reward for their commitment to this project, this massive choir was given the star treatment. They walked the red carpet, performed a selection of songs from their CD and participated in a book signing session at a 2,000 seat by invitation only launch party planned just for them and hosted by: Guy Ouellette, MNA for Chomedey; Jerry Sklavounos, MNA for Laurier Dorion; and Nicolas Pagonis, President of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal.
The musical portion of this project was produced under the auspices of the Governments of Canada, Quebec, the cities of Montreal and Laval and the embassies of Canada and Greece, with the support of Programme Montréal Interculturel (PMI) 2013, Ville De Montréal -- Direction de la diversité sociale, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, the English Montreal School Board, AHEPA Canada, Gardenview Elementary Home and School Association and Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School.
Published by Vancouver based Tradewind Books, the 54-page book is aimed at children 5 and up, and will be available in bookstores and online as of September 30, 2013. For the 4 participating schools on this project, the book and CD is an important fund raising tool.