Torchbearers
Thursday July 9
7 p.m.
Barachois Historic Church
Jumana Alqdah
Sébastien Frenette
Sébastien Leclerc
Arvin Yamani Doozi Sorkhabi
piano
​
Okike Oguntayo
Leon Wagaarachchi
trompet
​
Gabriel Robichaud
poet
Tickets
Tickets are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. As such, we invite you to purchase your tickets at the following price points, in accordance with your means:
40$ - 25$ - 15$
Program
This concert is presented in collaboration with the Greater Moncton Music Festival
Johann Sebastien Bach (1685-1750)
Invention no. 1 in C major, BWV 934
Béla Bartók (i881-1945)
Mikrokosmos no. 84: Merriment
Eugénie Rocherolle (1936-2025)
Late Train
Gerald Knipfel
La casa
Geore Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
Rejoice Greatly
​
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Sonata in D major, K. 29
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Sonata in F major, KV332
II. Adagio
III. Allegro assai
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Liebestraum no. 3 (Dream of Love)
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Estampes
III. Jardins sous la pluie
Intermission
Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837)
Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major
I. Allegro con spirito
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Armatae face et anguibus, RV 644
Trad., arr. David Marhatt (né | born 1973)
The Blue Bells of Scotland
​
Alexandre Scriabine (1872-1915)
Prelude in B major, op. 16, no. 1
Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)
Suite de danzas criollas, op. 15
-
Adagietto pianissimo
-
Allegro rustico
-
Allegretto cantabile
-
Calmo e poetico
-
Scherzando – Coda: Presto ed energico​
Artists
Jumana Alqdah, piano
Jumana Alqdah, 15, is a pianist from Moncton, New Brunswick. She began studying piano at age five before taking a break from her musical studies for several years. In 2025, she returned to the piano with renewed enthusiasm and now studies under Professor Roger Lord. Through her dedication, musicality, and passion for performance, she quickly distinguished herself in the competitive music scene and earned the Junior Star title at the 2026 Moncton Music Festival.
Arvin Yamani Doozi Sorkhabi, piano
Arvin Yamani Doozi Sorkhabi, 18, began studying piano ten years ago in Iran, shortly before immigrating to Canada. This year, he participated in several music festivals across New Brunswick and was honoured to receive the Star of the Festival at the New Brunswick Competitive Music Festival, as well as Runner-Up Star of the Festival at the Greater Moncton Music Festival Gala. He recently performed at the Provincial Finals and is honoured to represent New Brunswick on the national stage. For Arvin, the piano is an expression of the deepest parts of his soul—a joy he strives to share with every audience.
Gabriel Robichaud, poet
Gabriel Robichaud is a multidisciplinary artist from Moncton who began his professional artistic career in 2007. Holding a degree in dramatic arts from the Université de Moncton, his practice spans performance, writing, and directing. His choice to give a political dimension to his work, alongside public positions he has taken, has led him to address various issues relating to arts, culture, and language, particularly in the media.
Sébastien Frenette, piano
Dieppe-born pianist Sébastien Frenette studies with Richard Boulanger. In 2023, he won first place in the junior category at the NB Provincial Music Festival. The following year, he was named Junior Star at the Greater Moncton Music Festival, in addition to winning first prizes in intermediate piano and composition at the NB Provincial Festival. In 2025, he performed at the Jeunesses Musicales Canada gala in Dieppe, was named Intermediate Star in Moncton, and placed 2nd nationally. In 2026, he was again named Intermediate Star at the Greater Moncton Music Festival, and won first prize in intermediate piano provincially. He will represent New Brunswick at the National Music Festival this year.
Okike Oguntayo, trompet
Okike Oguntayo began her musical journey in 2022 at age nine, joining Sistema Moncton with no prior musical background. Through dedication, she progressed through the Vivaldi and Mozart levels before successfully auditioning for the Moncton Youth Orchestra—a remarkable achievement for any young musician. During her time in the Vivaldi ensemble, she was part of the founding team of the Trumpet Ensemble, a testament to her leadership. Now 13 years old, Okike is proud of how far she has come and looks forward to all that music has in store for her.
Sébastien Leclerc, piano
Sébastien Leclerc holds a Master's degree in Piano Performance from the University of Ottawa, where he studied under pianist David Jalbert. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Université de Moncton. He is presently a collaborative pianist at Mount Allison University and at the Université de Moncton, and can often be heard accompanying at festivals, galas, and collaborative projects throughout the region.
Leon Wagaarchchi, trompet
Leon Wagaarachchi, 13, joined Sistema Moncton in 2021 and chose the trumpet as his instrument, studying with Mathew Ross. He has successfully auditioned for both the Moncton Youth Orchestra and New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. At age 10, he performed the trumpet solo in Danzón No. 2 with the Moncton Youth Orchestra. He has participated in the Greater Moncton Music Festival since 2023, and in 2026, was named Runner-Up Intermediate Star, in addition to placing first in Intermediate Brass at the NB Provincial Music Festival. That same year, he won the MYO concerto competition and performed Hummel's Trumpet Concerto as soloist. He has been selected to perform at the 2026 National Music Festival.