Performances

Events:

November 11, 2022, Remembrance Day Concert, Singer Alex Whorms, Hamilton Public Library. https://fb.watch/iaok0vL7bC/

November 7, 2021, Remembrance Day Service, Knox United Church, Sackville, NS (“Forevermore”)

April 2021, Service in remembrance of lives lost in Nova Scotia, Knox United Church. Sackville, NS (“Forevermore”)

November 2019, Remembrance Day Ceremony, Carleton Memorial United Church, Prince of Wales Dr., Ottawa, ON

November 11, 2019 - Remembering - Joanna Butler and John Lindsay-Botten - Royal Artillary Park Officers’ Mess, Halifax NS, 6 pm to 8 pm. Free tickets available at www.momondays.com/halifax/

November 10, 2019 - Remembrance Day Service - Joanna Butler with Knox United Choir and John Lindsay-Botten - Knox United Church, Sackville, NS

November 8, 2019 - Remembrance Day Ceremony - Joanna Butler with teachers - Oxford Junior High School, Halifax, NS

February 10 2019 - House Concert Performance - Joanna Butler - Halifax NS

November 30 2018 - Portia White Concert - Joanna Butler and John Lindsay-Botten with Dalhousie Chorale and Sackville Concert Band - Faith Tabernacle Church - Halifax, NS

November 11, 2018 - Remembrance Day Service - Joanna Butler with Knox United Choir - Knox United Church, Sackville, NS

November 09 2018 - We Will Remember Concert - Joanna Butler with Knox United Choir/Sackville Concert Band - Knox United Church, Sackville, NS

If you would like to have the song performed in English or French, please message me on the Contact page and I will try to arrange a performance. Thank you, Joanna

Testimonials

November 2023. We used it as the background to a slide presentation celebrating current and past community members in the armed forces. It set a positive and respectful tone to the event. Thank you! Josh Cherrett, Teacher, Oxford School

We had 40+ people come to the Noon Hour Concert on Friday, November 11, 2022 when I showed the video you had made (with Alex Whorms in it). Everyone reacted very positively to it and enjoyed it. What I like about it is it talks about a serious subject but in a positive way so people don’t get depressed from it. I also found it amazing that you were able to have everyone in the chorus singing and they were all in time, etc. I also appreciated the French in it. Thank you for making this video and making it accessible to all of us! Kate Morrison Pronouns: she, her, hers. Librarian Assistant, Hamilton Public Library

"Under November Skies/Sous le ciel de novembre, is one of the most beautiful Remembrance Day songs I have heard. It is at once emotional, soothing and uplifting, and moved me to tears. The congregation at Knox United Church loved the performance of the song, and asked for it again the following year. I would highly recommend that choirs or soloists perform the song for their Remembrance Day service or ceremonies. The song says all that needs to be said”. Sandra Cox, Retired Church Minister, Knox United Church, Sackville, NS.

“Under November Skies” is an emotional and fitting tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives, and so much else, for Canada since the birth of our nation in 1867 and specifically in times of war and conflict. Joanna Butler’s words are meaningful, touching and remind us that we must all be thankful and humbled “as the bugler plays the Last Post.” Jim Forde, Conductor, Sackville Concert Band, Nova Scotia.

This performance of Under November Skies “was a meaningful addition to our ceremony, as the song is both evocative and poignant, and it very respectfully deals with its subject matter. Everyone in attendance was able to appreciate the song, even our youngest students and our English Language Learners, who may not have fully understood the rest of the ceremony or the significance of Remembrance Day, but who could still understand the message and sentiment of the song. While members of our staff felt privileged to perform with Joanna and John, the choral arrangement would also lend itself very well to school choirs or soloists, as well as band programs.

I would unequivocally encourage any school to include "Under November Skies” when planning their Remembrance Day ceremony. I would recommend that you take a look at the project website www.HeroesNeverDie.ca to see the song performed in both languages, to read the English and French lyrics, and to check out the sheet music that is available for choir and concert band. Please don't hesitate to contact me at alexandria.holmberg@hrce.ca if you have any questions about our experience.” Alexandria Holmberg, Oxford School, Halifax, NS

Singer-songwriter Joanna Butler has crafted a moving tribute to veterans past and present with Under November Skies. It is especially important for young people to understand and appreciate the sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom. As a high school teacher, I have shown the video to students in the past and we will make it part of our school-wide ceremony this November 11th. I applaud Joanna and Joëlle Désy for creating the bilingual and French versions of the song. Rodney St-Pierre, Woodlawn High School teacher

Beautiful tribute. Stewart McKie Music

Quite moving Joanna - well done - this is a song and video that will stand the test of time. Joe Wiseman

Gorgeous! What a beautiful song. Robin Frederick

Joanna sings with resonance and reverence, and is very thoughtful songwriter. I really love this song. Such an honour to be part of the Canadian Virtual Harmony choir on this project, which featured singers from all across Canada. What a meaningful project Joanna. Scott Anthony Andrews

A beautiful song sung in french and english by a pan Canadian choir! What could be more beautiful and appropriate as a tribute to our soldiers sacrifices. Very moving. Elizabeth McDonnell

I love this! Dirk Dillinger

Wow! Paul Gallagher Express

This is a beautiful song sung beautifully and so appropriate for the 100th Centenary of the end of WWI! We love it! The song portrays the horrible reality of war in broken relationships (e.g., "a name we never new," "a goodbye unspoken") but it also pictures how the living remember and carry the life-flame forward. “Tom caries the wreath … memory of friends” so that “heroes never die”. Above all in the November sky the author recalls the sight of the maple Leaf - the symbol that binds us all together. The videography is also well coordinated with the elements of the song. Some time to remember is what those heroes want and what better time than under a November sky! Paul McDonnell