Mount Royal Kantorei performing Ritual by Jake Runestad in the Bella Concert Hall, Calgary.

Commissioned by Mount Royal Kantorei for the inaugural Kantorei Choral Festival in 2023, Ritual is a rhythmically-driving sonic narrative that uses a created language for colorful timbral effects. The title alludes to societal rituals that persist for the sake of tradition, but necessitate deeper reflection and reconsideration.