Victoria Sparks - Research and Creative Work
This portfolio documents selected examples of my creative research in collaborative artistic practice, community-engaged performance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of sustainable creative ecosystems. The materials illustrate research outputs, knowledge mobilization, and student participation referenced in my SSHRC and academic applications.
Meaningful Creative Works
Waking the Lion - Alexina Louie
I had the honour of premiering Alexina Louie's concerto for percussion with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in 2022.
Circles of Ice - Eckhardt Kopetzki
This program featured two works in a side by side format with two of my promising students. Elishia Ratel is featured here on vibraphone in this duet. This project was organized by Virtuosi Concerts in Winnipeg as a professional development opportunity during the pandemic.
Two and Single Body - Casey Cangelosi
This is the second example from the side by side program. This video features Wyatt King with me on a multi-percussion duet. This program is an example of my commitment to creating professional opportunities for my students and developing meaningful creative experiences for them.
Viðarneistí - duo with Cathy Wood
Tvísöngur - Fjola Evans
This is the first commission by the duo, a work celebrating the shared heritage of the composer and the performers, and exploring the experiences of families immigrating to Canada.
Three Winter Songs - Sid Robinovitch
Adapted for clarinet and marimba by the duo, these three songs celebrate the best that the Prairie Winters have to offer with a Night Walk, a Carol and a Sleigh Ride!
Triolet - trio with Kristie Ibrahim and Gina Ryan
The Flower Episode - Jessie Marino
This performance at TSB III at Acadia University in Wolfville, NS for the Canadian Percussion Network demonstrates the unique types of performances done by this trio.
Interwoven Sensibilities - Gina Ryan
This work was developed specifically for our trio, showcasing our commitment to creating new work and unique uses of instruments and focuses on our collaborative style of performing.
ReSound
Tales from the North
This program was designed for a community and school audience and featured music that tells stories. The Great Flood by Karen Sunabacka, A New Year's Tale by Gordon Fitzell and a musical adaptation of The Hockey Sweater by Abigail Richardson. All three works are by Canadian composers. This program was performed both in French and English (this video is the english version).
Stones Throw - Jocelyn Morlock
This sextet by Jocelyn Morlock was performed by the Winnipeg Chamber Winds Collective as part of the ReSound Series. This work celebrates and examines "women's work" through a complex approach to minimalism.
Threads - Paul Lansky and Improvised Responses
The collaboration between the UM Percussion Ensemble, the eXpirimental Improv Ensemble and two digital artists, Abtahi Hassan and Julia Langer. Threads was used as a foundation, with digital accompanying art created by Julia. After each movement, the XIE group and Abtahi performed audio and visual improvised responses.
Order & Disorder (Paint and Play)
This video shows a collaboration between the University of Manitoba Percussion Ensemble and students and faculty from the UM School of Art. The work created is generated by visual responses for short percussion works by Jessica Flannigan, and then the percussion students improvised a work based on the graphic score and the visual artists continued developing the work in a cycle of responsive performances.