Music of Robin John King

Podium 2010 delegates who wish to receive the RCCO publications of Robin John King's music (that didn't make it in time) can request copies from John Hooper (hoop@shaw.ca). Robin John King can be contacted directly regarding unpublished or commissioned music at his updated email address: robin.john.king@gmail.com.

A Message from the Podium 2012 Organizing Committee

The Podium 2012 organizing committee extends its thanks and congratulations to the Podium 2010 organizing committee for the very successful conference held in Saskatoon May 20 to 24. We look forward to welcoming you and all ACCC members in Ottawa for A Capital Experience, May 17 to 20, 2012!

Un message du comité organisateur de Podium 2012

Le comité organisateur de Podium 2012 offre ses remerciements et félicitations au comité organisateur de Podium 2010 pour le grand succès de Podium 2010 tenu à Saskatoon du 20 au 24 mai. Nous avons hâte de vous recevoir ainsi que tous les membres de l’ACCC à Ottawa du 17 au 20 mai 2012 pour Une expérience capitale!

Chorale du Gesù Celebrates 30 Anniversary in Performance with Choeur Beauséjour

Chorale du Gesù, Montreal, directed by Patricia Abbott and accompanied by Anne-Marie Denoncourt, will perform in concert with Choeur Beauséjour directed by Monique Richard with Richard Boulanger, pianist, at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 6 at St. John’s United Church, 75 Alma Street, Moncton. The program will feature Magnificat by Christine Donkin, Five Haitian Folk Songs arranged by Electo Silva and Five Hebrew Love Songs by Eric Whitacre with selections by Stephen Hatfield, Donald Patriquin and Nancy Telfer. Tickets for the Moncton performance are $15 (adults) and $12 (students/seniors) and can be purchased at the door.
Choeur Beauséjour will join Chorale du Gesù to celebrate their 30th anniversary with a  repeat performance on Sunday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. at Pollack Hall, 555 Sherbrooke W., Montreal (Tickets: $22).

Chor Leoni presents Chor Leoni Country June 21 & 28

Vancouver's choir of singing lions like taking risks with their annual summer shows at the Bard on the Beach tent. Past themes have included the Mob, Latin machismo, and inter-galactic travel. This year they are casting their eyes south to Nashville and east to Alberta for inspiration - yes, the lions are going "country 'n western." Think barn dances, cowboy hats, line dances, and that's before we even get to the music! Songs from the catalogues of such stars as Patsy Cline, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, or Johnny Cash could be candidates for the lions' specialized treatment, but the finalized set list is kept a closely guarded secret to heighten the sense of surprise. Expect a very Vancouver take on country, from big buckles to big hair, comedic turns, dazzling dancing, and that trademark "Chor Leoni sound" audiences love.

Choral Concert for Sunday, May 30th, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

From MusicFest in Vancouver, Choral Concert steps outside of the traditional choral world to present Rajaton, a 6 voice Finnish group that performs everything from folk songs, through all forms of contemporary vocal music, to the music of Queen and ABBA. Rajaton mean “boundless” in Finnish, and this group certainly is!

You will also hear traditional Corsican music with the Montreal based group Constantinople and the vocal quartet “Barbara Fortuna”, plus a feature of the latest CD from the Elektra woman’s choir.

Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

National Youth Choir 2012 Conductor Announced

ACCC is pleased to announce that Ivars Taurins, founder and director of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, will be the conductor of the 2012 National Youth Choir. A passionate lecturer and teacher, Ivars Taurins teaches conducting and vocal ensembles at the University of Toronto and is in demand as a guest lecturer, adjudicator and clinician. He was guest lecturer at Podium 2000 and has been a guest teacher at the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec, the University of Western Ontario, and at the University of Alberta. He is also director of the vocal/choral programme at the annual Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute.

ACCC President-Elect Named

Jeff Joudrey was named as President-Elect of the Association of Canadian Choral Communities at the AGM held in Saskatoon on May 2. Joudrey is conductor of the Halifax Camerata Singers, winners of first prize in the Chamber Choir category of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and of the Healey Willan Grand Prize, a $5,000 Canada Council award for best performance and overall musicianship, technique and program.

ACCC Presents National Choral Awards at Podium 2010

Established in 1988 to honour outstanding contributions to Canadian choral music, the awards are presented every two years in recognition of outstanding work during the previous two seasons. Jessie Iseler, widow of the late Elmer Iseler, is shown receiving the award from James Hawn for Outstanding Choral Publication: Elmer Iseler Choral Visionary by Walter Pitman; published by Dundurn Press.

Winners of National Competition for Canadian Choirs Announced

Congratulations to the winners of the Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs.  The awards were presented by Choral Concert host, Peter Togni and Sylvia L’Écuyer, senior producer at Radio-Canada and host of L’Opéra du samedi, at the Podium banquet on May 22 in Saskatoon. The gala event, recorded by CBC Radio-Canada and Espace Musique, was broadcast nationally on May 23 and 24. A complete list of this year's recipients may be seen here.

Laudate Singers' Venetian Mosaic on Choral Canada

CBC Radio 2 will be broadcasting Laudate Singers' May 14th concert Venetian Mosaic on Choral Concert on Sunday June 27, 9-11am. A wonderful program of Gabrieli, Monteverdi and others from the Golden Age of Music in Venice performed by Laudate Singers and guests. See the program at http://laudatesingers.com/documents/ProgramVenetianMosaic.pdf or just tune in to enjoy a visit to St Mark's Cathedral! www.laudatesingers.com

CALL FOR PAPERS: The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VIII

July 10-13, 2011, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
If you are interested in singing…
The place to be in the summer of 2011 is Newfoundland and Labrador. Indulge your musical, creative and scholarly spirit and join us for this exciting event!

Festival 500, in cooperation with Memorial University of Newfoundland, invites proposals for presentations at The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VIII. This highly acclaimed symposium is an integral academic component of Festival 500. Its purpose is to gather international expertise and provide a forum for interdisciplinary discourse and performance, the dissemination of research, and the generation of further knowledge relating to the phenomenon of singing. The Symposium invites submissions relating to all aspects of singing and the voice.

World Choral Festival Blog and Podcast

World Choral Festival Blog: featuring news and links about all things choral. Stay up to date on the latest news and trends in choral music. Inform us of your events so we can share them! http://worldchoralfestival.wordpress.com/ 
World Choral Festival Podcast: Interviews, sounds and music from the choral music world. For all the latest in choral music, find us at the links below. Inform us of your events so we can share them! English: http://www.mondialchoral.org/multimedia/audio/  You can also find us on Facebook as: Mondial Choral Loto-Quebec or on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MondialChoral

Voices Chamber Choir Presents Spring Delights

Enjoy a Spring evening of great music making, performed by an award winning chamber choir withguest artists Dorothy Yu, piano and Agnes Ng, oboe. The program will feature Ludwig van Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and Randall Thompson’s Frostiana as well as music by Haydn, Czerny, Mozart, Tan Dun and Canadian Folk Songs. Join Voices, Ron Ka Ming Cheung, Artistic Director/Conductor and John Stephenson, accompanist on Saturday, June 5, 2010, 8:00 p.m. at Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 151 Glenlake Avenue, Toronto (Keele Subway Station, 1 Traffic Light North of Bloor Street West, east of Keele Street). Tickets available at the door: $20, $15 students/seniors. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call 416-519-0528. VistVoices at:  www.voiceschoir.com

Phoenix Chamber Choir: BRITAIN EXPOSED!

Join the Phoenix Chamber Choir on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 8pm, and experience British music in all its glory, including works by Bennett, Dove, Jackson, Stanford and Tallis, a touch of Liverpool's Fab Four, a soupçon of Gilbert and Sullivan, and a quick, rousing romp through that quintessential of British musical traditions know as THE PROMS. Rule Britannia indeed! Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 W. 33rd Ave. @ Granville St., Vancouver. Visit the web site: www.phoenixchamberchoir.bc.ca

Bravado! Show Choir: Reel Music ... from the screen big and small

Bravado! Show Choir presents Reel Music ... from the screen big and small. Featuring songs from famous motion pictures and television – The Wizard of Oz, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Life is Beautiful, Hockey Night In Canada, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Mama Mia, Glee and more! Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12, Georgian College Theatre at 8pm Tickets: $20 each or 4 for $70 (group rates available). Visit the web site: www.bravadosings.com

CHORAL CONCERT completes count down to the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs

Host Peter Togni presents the best choral music from across Canada and around the world on SUNDAY, May 16th, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2. This week Peter will finish up his count down to the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs with a wonderful performance by the Calgary based Spiritus Chamber Choir doing Henry Purcell’s “Hear my Prayer Oh Lord”.  The Association of Canadian Choral Communities will announce the winners next Saturday May 22nd and the finalists in all 12 categories will be broadcast next Sunday on Choral Concert – that’s Sunday, May 23rd.

Windsor Classic Chorale is looking for an Artistic Director for a minimum commitment of 2 years

A mixed voice SATB choir of 28-30 members, the Windsor Classic Chorale performs three concerts each season, including an annual collaboration with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. The WCC also performs with regional and international guest artists on a regular basis. For details on this position and how to apply, see:
http://choralcanada.org/ACCC_en/Employment.html or contact Melinda Munro at MelindaMunro@sympatico.ca, and visit the WCC website at www.windsorclassicchorale.org. Deadline for Applications: May 31, 2010

Primadonna Choralis Goes West

Don't miss Primadonna Choralis performed by Canada’s queen of choral comedy, Mary Lou Fallis and her handsome sidekick, Peter Tiefenbach, Friday, May 21 - 10:30 am, Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon (Adam Ballroom)
Backed up by a local chorus of thousands (or at least 30), Mary Lou will present the history of Western choral music from the caveman to the present.  Commissioned and performed extensively in Ontario, Podium 2010 is pleased to bring Primadonna Choralis to Western audiences. Tickets are available at the door - $25 per person, no discounts available.

Cantatrice Ensemble Girls’ Choir Spring Concert, Bedford, NS

On Sunday, May 16 at 3 p.m. the Cantatrice Ensemble Girls’ Choir will present their Annual Spring Concert at Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Highway. Tickets are $10.00 for adults with no charge for children under twelve. Tickets will be available at the door. The Cantatrice Ensemble is directed by Karen Newhook-MacDonald and is accompanied by Pamela Burton. The concert will also feature performances by two guest choirs, The Dartmouth All-City Youth Choir and the St. Margaret's Bay Area Boys' Honour Choir.  The Cantatrice Ensemble is an auditioned choir of girls in Grades 7-12 from Bedford, Sackville, Fall River, Tantallon and surrounding communities. For further information, please contact the director at 865-7677.

Podium 2010 Bright Lights

Don't miss the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the brightest lights in the choral constellation!

Mark Sirett has been confirmed to present at Podium 2010!  Mark will be leading the SATB Workshops on Friday and Sunday mornings as well as presenting two sessions focusing on children and youth.   Keep Them Singing investigates strategies to build a successful teen tenor/bass ensemble and includes discussion on vocal methods, repertoire and recruiting of adolescent male singers.  Musical Imagery with Children on Saturday afternoon will discuss how to stimulate the young singer's musical imagination by using imagery.


Not registered yet?  There's still time!  Register now

Already registered? Check for any last minute schedule changes here

National Youth Choir Tours Alberta & Saskatchewan

What do Marysburg, Regina, Lethbridge, Rosebud, Yorkton, Moose Jaw & Saskatoon have in common?

They're all hosting the National Youth Choir of Canada on the 2010 Spring Tour!  Don't miss hearing these 40 talented and enthusiastic young singers from across Canada as they stop at a location near you!

Check out the NYC's Tour Schedule

Tallis Scholars Summer School USA Extended Deadline for Applications to May 20th

The Tallis Scholars Summer School USA has extended the deadline for applications to May 20th. Our 6th US course will be held July 24th-July 31st, 2010 on the campus of Seattle University. Tenors and basses are strongly encouraged to apply.  A few remaining spots are available for treble voices as well.

We are pleased to welcome back Peter Phillips, Jan Coxwell, Deborah Roberts and David Woodcock as Tallis Scholar tutors for the course.  For more information: Tallis Scholars Summer School USA

Toronto Children’s Chorus and Beyond the Pale team up for special concert “Around the World in 80 Minutes”

The Toronto Children’s Chorus is pleased to present Around the World in 80 Minutes, Friday, June 5, 2010, 7:30 pm, Koerner Hall, The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto.
Tickets are $44.50-$34.50, 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.ca.  Around the World in 80 Minutes is an extraordinary musical journey circumnavigating the globe with music from Canada, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. The Chorus will première a newly commissioned work for treble choir and Klezmer band written by Klezmer guru, Martin van de Ven of Beyond the Pale. The concert will also feature the Toronto Children’s Chorus Alumni Choir and special guests Beyond the Pale.

Romance: Schumann, Brahms, & Fauré An Afternoon Salon With Elektra Women's Choir and Guests Sunday, June 6, 2010 ~ 3 pm

We are planning a unique concert to close the season. Romance: Schumann, Brahms, & Fauré, is a glittering exploration of the music of the Romantic Era, presented in the format of an afternoon salon, complete with a roster of talented guest artists whose solo performances will enrich an already abundant program. Morna has opened a treasure chest of repertoire that includes harp, French horn, and piano accompaniment to showcase Elektra's lustrous sound.

Simply Elektra: A Fundraising Dinner for Elektra Sunday, June 6, 2010 ~ 6 pm

Directly following our Sunday afternoon performance of Romance, Elektra is inviting you and yours to join us at Vancouver's Terminal City Club. It's an opportunity to celebrate the close of a banner season for the choir, raise a glass (or two!), discuss your favourite music from the afternoon's concert and celebrate the many accomplishments of Elektra this year.

Dark Star Requiem: A World Premiere production from Tapestry new opera works & Luminato featuring the Gryphon Trio & the Elmer Iseler Singers

Tapestry new opera works announces their second partnership with Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, to present the world premiere of Dark Star Requiem, a dramatic oratorio from poet Jill Battson and composer Andrew Staniland, during the opening weekend of the 2010 Festival. Dark Star Requiem explores the 25-year history of the AIDS pandemic with astonishing power and hope. Shining a light on those affected by the fear, confusion and devastation that AIDS has wrought, this world premiere features four outstanding soloists and two percussionists alongside two of Canada’s premiere ensembles: the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Gryphon Trio.

SMV Vocal Jazz Camp, Winnipeg, Manitoba, July 19-23, 2010

For directors, high school students, college students and professional singers, this hands-on 5-day camp focuses on: Practical Jazz Theory, Solo Jazz Singing, Vocal Jazz Ensemble Singing and Improvisation. Seminars will cover other topics related to jazz singing and conducting opportunities with one-on-one feedback available for directors. SMV Vocal Jazz Camps are in their sixth year throughout the US and Canada. SMV Vocal Jazz Camp is only open to the first 50 registrants. For more information contact: Cynthia Wahl,  ellagirl17@yahoo.ca or Jeremy Fox, Jeremy@JeremyFox.net. For more information visit http://www.VocalJazzCamp.com

Dance Rhythms Inspire Halifax Camerata Singers Concerts May 15-16

Dance rhythms will have you tapping your toes in the Halifax Camerata Singers’ upcoming choral concert Songs & Dances: Music in Motion on Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church, on Brunswick Street, Halifax and again on Sunday, May 16th, 4:00 p.m. at Sharon United Church in Tatamagouche. The Halifax performance is a fundraiser for the "Give St. Patrick's a Hand" campaign in support of the St. Patrick’s Church Restoration Society.

NewWorks Choral Composition Competition Winner Announced

The DaCapo Chamber Choir, and director Leonard Enns, are pleased to announce the winner of this year's NewWorks choral composition competition, Don Macdonald (Nelson, BC) for Tabula Rasa.

As the first NewWorks choral composition competition winner, Don will receive $1,500 plus travel expenses to Kitchener, to attend the premiere of his composition.  Tabula Rasa will be premiered at DaCapo's March 2011 concert, at which time the choir will host a gala reception for winner Don Macdonald.

Centre for Opera Studies in Italy 2011 Chorus Auditions: Mozart Don Giovanni; Donizetti L’Elisir D’Amore; Rossini Petite Messe Solonelle

Since 2007, the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy has offered elite training to emerging opera professionals. Starting with the 2011 summer training session in Sulmona, Italy, they will be auditioning for 20 to 24 chorus positions. Both professional and amateur singers are welcome.

Chorus members will travel to Sulmona for 5 weeks, where they will work daily with esteemed chorus directors. Our 2011 faculty will include Ken Fleet of the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Music and the London Pro Musica, and Roberto Gabbiani, chorus master for Ricardo Muti at La Scala.