Hong Kong International Youth and Children's Choral Music Camp, July 26—July 31, 2010

The Hong Kong Treble Choirs’ Association is currently organizing the “Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choral Music Camp” which will be held from 26 July to 31 July 2010 in Hong Kong.
This is a 6-day and 5-night music camp and experienced choral masters from Europe and Mainland China are invited to conduct the camp. Choirs from overseas and Hong Kong are invited. It is our great honour to have them among us and share their music passion and exploration with the children and
teachers. Besides workshops, exchange activities and clinics, three concerts will be held at the last three evenings.
For  registration information visit: www.hktreblechoir.com
Registration Deadline: April 30, 2010

3rd International Istanbul Choir Days, November 3—8, 2010

The world's voices are meeting in Istanbul, the European Capital of Culture 2010. For information and details on participation visit: www.istanbulchoirdays.com

4th Mozart Festival Salzburg: October 7-10, 2010

Individual singers and choirs welcome. For more details please visit our website: www.cultours-europe.com

Cantus Salisburgensis Summer Festival – Kaleidoskope of Nations July 8–21, 2010 Salzburg, Austria

This 9th festival for Choirs and Orchestras will take place in Salzburg with hundreds of voices singing selections from Carmina Burana.  All participants will sing the Coronation Mass by W.A. Mozart in Salzburg Cathedral conducted by the Cathedral Music Director Prof. Janos Czifra. We will arrange an individual concert for your choir or orchestra and you'll have plenty of time to meet the other participants in a friendly atmosphere.  For a day by day look at what happens from the musical aspect, see the short film on the Cultours Europe website: www.cultours-europe.com
Registration Deadline: April, 30, 2010

Holy Rosary Cathedral (Vancouver) Presents Thierry Escaich in Recital April 17

Holy Rosary Cathedral presents Thierry Escaich - one of France's leading organists, composers, and improvisers, and winner of the French "Composer of the Year" award - in concert with the 2889 pipes of the Cathedral organ. Escaich considers performance, composition, and improvisation as bound together, and each will be on prominent display during his recital on Friday, April 17 (8 pm). Audience members will see the performance on a giant screen at the front of the church, as well as hear it.

From Renaissance to Broadway – Greenwood Celebrates 30 Years!

Edmonton, AB – Greenwood Singers, under the direction of its founder Robert de Frece, along with Snyder & Associates LLP, Magic 99 and Vue Weekly present From Renaissance to Broadway – Greenwood Celebrates 30 Years! on Friday, April 16, 2010 at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral (10035 103 Street) at 8:00 PM.  This concert brings to a close the choir’s 30th Anniversary Season.

The Winnipeg Singers Present "Singers' Choice; Our Best For You"

The Winnipeg Singers, regarded as Winnipeg's premiere choral ensemble, present a collection of their favorite choral works. Celebrate the coming of spring with such works as Lux Aeterna by Elgar, Ave Marie by Biebel and Sleep by Whitacre. The Winnipeg Singers is a twenty-four voice chamber choir, directed by Yuri Klaz; "Honoured Artist of Russia".  Concert sponsor is the Gail Asper Family Foundation. Sunday April 11 at 3 pm, Westworth United Church, Winnipeg MB.

Chor Leoni Teams up with Elektra Women's Choir for Canadian Voices Concert

Elektra Women's Choir, Morna Edmundson, Artistic Director and Chor Leoni Men's Choir, Diane Loomer, C.M., Artistic Director, sing the musical richness of Canada! From Leonard Cohen to Stephen Smith, Joni Mitchell to Jocelyn Morlock, the richness of Canada's musical voice is unparalleled. Chor Leoni and Elektra Women's Choir join forces to celebrate and explore this musical gold mine in Canadian Voices. The programme includes an astonishing eleven premieres, including new works by Jocelyn Morlock, Stephen Smith, and Mark Sirett, as well as new arrangements by Kate Polsky, Ron Smail, and Ken Cormier. Each choir will present solo sets before combining to premiere Kristopher Fulton's Orpheus, a work co-commissioned by Elektra and Chor Leoni.

Choralicious No. 7: 50 Rehearsal Techniques Aphorisms

1. Choose your repertoire wisely: it will have a great impact on your ensemble.
2. Begin every rehearsal with a warm-up, regardless of the length of the rehearsal.
3. Make the first warm up exercise engaging and energizing.
4. Insist on ‘engaged’ and ‘committed’ singing from everyone. Choristers can not be passive.
5. 
   
   

Choeuralléchante no 7: 50 Aphorismes de techniques de répétition

1. Choisir son répertoire judicieusement puisque celui-ci aura des répercussions directes sur votre ensemble.
2. Commencer toujours la répétition avec un réchauffement même si la répétition sera courte.
3. Planifier un premier exercice de réchauffement qui sera énergique et engageant.
4. Insister que les choristes chantent en s’investissant totalement.

In Memoriam: Deral Johnson August 17, 1926 - March 24, 2010

It is with sadness that ACCC announces the passing on March 24, 2010, of long time conductor, choral pedagogue and professor at the University of Western Ontario, Deral Johnson.  His life and work touched so many across the choral community in Canada, and the void created by his passing will  be keenly felt by many. (Photo Credit: Claus Andersen and The Don Wright Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario)

Alto Mare String Orchestra & Chorus Present All-Bach Choral Concert

The Alto Mare String Orchestra & Chorus, directed by Hok Kwan, present an All-Bach Choral Concert on April 2, from 7:30 - 8:30 PM.  Program features the Cantata "Christ Lay in Death's Dark Prison", along with other orchestral and solo works by Bach. Soloists are Wai-chung Kwan, mezzo soprano; and David Mitchell, bass-baritone. The concert takes place at First Wesleyan Church, 399 Boars Head Road, Millidgeville, Saint John, NB. Admission is by freewill offering, with proceeds to be directed in part to earthquake relief projects.

Grand Philharmonic Choir Presents Bach: Mass in B minor

The diverse movements of the Mass in B minor, composed at different times in Bach’s life, transcend the inconsistency of its origins, and leave behind a statement on the nature of sacred music as a bequest to the future. The Swiss publisher Hans-Georg Naegeli declared it to be “the greatest musical art-work of all times and of all people.” Performance at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 2, 2010 at Centre In The Square, 101 Queen Street N., Kitchener, ON with the Grand Philharmonic Choir, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and soloists Suzie LeBlanc, soprano; Laura Pudwell, mezzo soprano; Michael Schade, tenor; Russell Braun, baritone; Howard Dyck, conductor.  Tickets, $10-$60, available at Centre In The Square box office 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, www.centre-square.com or www.grandphilchoir.com. 

Vancouver's Chor Leoni Men's Choir is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Conductor

 Deadline for application is midnight, April 16, 2010.

The Choir:
Vancouver's Chor Leoni Men's Choir was formed in 1992 by its current Artistic Director, Diane Loomer, C.M., whose goal was to create an internationally recognized male choir capable of performing music of the highest calibre.  By virtue of its consistently outstanding performances of challenging repertoire, the widespread distribution and sales of its CDs, and its eight first-place wins in CBC's National Choral Competition, the choir's reputation has soared to the point where Chor Leoni now occupies a position of pre-eminence in the male choral world.

 (For further information about Chor Leoni please reference www.chorleoni.org)

The Association of Canadian Choral Communities Is Pleased to Announce the Finalists in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs 2010

The first round of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs was a wonderful success with many worthy ensembles in the mix.  Congratulations to each and every group that submitted an entry -- all showed heartfelt commitment to singing, the pursuit of excellence, and capable leadership.  Despite stiff competition in many categories, the following ensembles have been selected by a national panel of 10 judges as finalists for 2010:

L’Associaton des communautés chorales canadiennes est ravie d’annoncer que les ensembles suivants ont été retenus

La première phase du Concours national pour chœurs amateurs canadiens a été un franc succès, de nombreux ensembles de qualité y ayant pris part. Félicitations à chacun des groupes participants : tous ont fait preuve d’un sincère dévouement au chant et à la quête d’excellence, et tous les chefs ont démontré une grande compétence. La lutte a été serrée dans plusieurs catégories, mais un jury composé de 10 personnes provenant des quatre coins du pays a procédé à la sélection des finalistes de l’édition 2010:

Fredericton Choral Society & Chamber Orchestra Present "Easter" Messiah

The Fredericton Choral Society and Fredericton Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of David Adams, will perform Handel's  Messiah, Parts II and III on Good Friday, April 2, 2010 at 8 pm at Wilmot United Church, Fredericton.

Vancouver Chamber Choir: The Love that Moves the Universe

Jon Washburn will lead the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Pacifica Singers, Trinity Western University Chamber Choir and the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra in the Good Friday concert THE LOVE THAT MOVES THE UNIVERSE at 8pm, April 2 at the Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe Street at Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver. The performance will feature the premiere of R. Murray Schafer’s The Love that Moves the Universe, and two intimate masterpieces by Schubert and Mozart.

XIV International Choral Kathaumixw, Powell River, British Columbia, Canada, July 6 – 10, 2010

Join choirs from around the world in 18 concerts, seminars, common singing, social events and competitions, on the shores of Canada’s magnificent Pacific Coast. Guest artists, orchestra & international jury. Extension concert tours available July 11–18. See www.kathaumixw.org

NSCF & ACCC Present Rajaton A Cappella

This concert on Sunday, March 7, 3:00 p.m., at the Rebecca Cohn in Halifax will feature Rajaton in the forum for which they are known, a cappella, singing everything from classical choral music to spirituals to pop hits. The program will include a diverse range of music from their seven albums of past and present and will showcase their varied backgrounds and skill. From Bach to Beatles, Sacred to Swing and Folk to Freddy Mercury…they do it all!  As the concluding event to the “Sing with Rajaton” Choral Festival, hosted by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, the festival delegates will also have an exciting part to play in the concert!
Tickets to hear  “Rajaton – a cappella” are on sale now at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office. Please call 1-800-874-1669.

Leonard Enns Receives Juno Nomination for Classical Composition of the Year

The DaCapo Chamber Choir is thrilled to announce that our Artistic Director and conductor, Leonard Enns, has received a Juno nomination for Classical Composition of the Year, for Nocturne!

Vancouver Chamber Choir - HOME AGAIN March 19 & 21

Artistic Director Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir are pleased to present their 39th concert season… a world of music! Following a western Canadian tour, the Choir will be HOME AGAIN in concert at 8 p.m. Friday, March 19 and again at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21 at Ryerson United Church (2195 West 45th Avenue at Yew Street, Kerrisdale, Vancouver).

Employment Opportunity: Executive Coordinator, Arts Disciplines Division

Competition: #2304 (Internal / External) Status:  Regular full-time
Salary Scale: $68,078 to $82,130
Closing date:  March 19, 2010

Emploi disponible: Coordonnateur exécutif, Division des disciplines artistiques

Concours no : 2304 (Interne/Externe)  Statut : Régulier à plein temps

Échelle salariale : 68 078 $ à 82 130 $ 

Date de clôture: 19 mars 2010

Choralicious No. 6: Considering the Text in Choral Music

As I am gathering thoughts to share some ideas about text in choral music, so much comes to mind, bouncing from textual meaning, to emotion, to translation; to performance considerations and to rehearsal techniques. How best to convey to the choir the relationship between text and music? Where to start?

Choralléchante No. 6: Le texte dans une oeuvre de chant chorale

Au moment où je songe aux idées que je désire partager avec vous à propos du texte dans une pièce pour choeur, plein d’idées me viennent à l’esprit: le sens du texte, l’émotion qui s’en dégage, la traduction, l’inteprétation et aussi les techniques de répétitions inspirées par l’utilisation du texte. Quels sont les meilleurs moyens de communiquer tout cela au choeur?