Chœurs du Nouveau Monde Rock Choir - Talent Search December 13, 2010

CNM is looking for talented young vocalists interested in singing in a rock choir, for a touring production in summer 2011. First round of auditions is in Montreal on December 13, 2010. Contact CNM for more details or to schedule an audition. See http://www.choeursdunouveaumonde.ca/en/ or email stresham@gregorycharles.com for more information.

The Majesty of Christmas with Amadeus Choir

On Saturday, December 4, the Amadeus Choir will perform The Majesty of Christmas with the Hannaford Street Silver Band at the Niagara Centre for the Arts (4700 Epworth Circle, Niagara Falls) at 8 p.m.  The Majesty of Christmas continues back in Toronto at the Metropolitan United Church for two more performances – Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14 – both at 8 p.m.

Amadeus Choir and Iseler Singers Present Messiah

On Friday, December 3, the Amadeus Choir will join the Elmer Iseler Singers for the annual show-stopping performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Metropolitan United Church (56 Queen Street East, Toronto) at 8 p.m. 

Brilliant Harmonies, Capilano University Choirs

Welcome in the festive season with the warmth of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor for double choir as well as works by Arvo Pärt and Eric Whitacre. Lighter favourites will include "Sistah Mary" (arr. Rollo Dillworth) and "Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire" (arr. Jerry Rubino. Capilano University Festival Chorus, Cecilia Ensemble Women's Choir, and Capilano University Singers - all 175 members along with conductor Lars Kaario look forward to your attendance! Capilano Performing Arts Theatre; Saturday, December 4 at 8pm, and Sunday December 5 at 3pm

Magnificat! A Festive 40th Anniversary Christmas

Celebrating their milestone concert season, the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Artistic Director Jon Washburn will present MAGNIFICAT! A Festive 40th Anniversary Christmas at 8pm Friday, December 3 at the Orpheum Theatre. Joining the festivities will be Martha Guth (soprano), Pacifica Singers, the Vancouver Chamber Choir Alumni Chorus and the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra.

Greenwood Singers Celebrates The Many Moods of Christmas

In its annual holiday tradition, Greenwood Singers, under the direction of Robert de Frece, along with Snyder & Associates LLP, up! 99.3 and Vue Weekly present The Many Moods of Christmas at First Presbyterian Church (10025 105 Street) on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 8:00 PM.  The choir will be joined by the University of Alberta Faculty of Education Handbell Ringers, pianist Helen Stuart and organist Marnie Giesbrecht.  This concert kicks off the choir’s 31st Season.

Feliz Navidad - Christmas in the Old and New World

Join the Winnipeg Singers for a colourful and festive tribute to the season with Spanish music of Europe and Latin America. With guest artists Richard Turner, harp, and Rodrigo Munoz, guitar. St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, Winnipeg; Sunday December 5th; 3 pm.
Visit  info@winnipegsingers.com.

Edmonton Columbian Choirs Celebrate Christmas

In their annual holiday tradition, the Edmonton Columbian Choirs – Edmonton’s Family of Choirs – will take to the stage of McDougall United Church (10025 101 Street) on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:30 PM to present Celebration of Christmas.  This concert is proudly presented by the Edmonton Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, up! 99.3 and Vue Weekly.  The 2010-2011 season is dedicated to the choirs’ founder, Paul J. Bourret (December 8, 1933 – September 8, 2010).

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir commissions new work from Canadian composer Mark Sirett

Noel Edison and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir have commissioned award-winning Canadian composer Mark Sirett to compose a piece for choir, brass and organ to celebrate the Christmas season. This work, entitled "Nova Nova", will be premiered at the TMC’s Festival of Carols concert on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, featuring the 150-voice Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Festival Brass and organist Michael Bloss.
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto; 7:30 pm

Pax Christi Chorale presents "The Children's Messiah"

Join Conductor Stephanie Martin and members of Pax Christi Chorale and the Gallery Choir of the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene combine for the second annual “The Children’s Messiah” concert, designed especially for the younger crowd. We encourage you to bring children to hear Messiah in all its glory in this casual setting. Pay-what-you-can at the door.  Soloists include soprano Eve-Lyn de la Haye, mezzo-soprano Leigh-Anne Martin, tenor Michael Loewen and baritone Benjamin Covey.
Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Ave, Toronto; Saturday, December 11, 2010 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Pax Christi Chorale presents Christmas Splendour II

Pax Christi Chorale’s friend and much-loved conductor Howard Dyck will join Pax Christi Chorale and the Pax Christi Youth Choir on December 4th and 5th for two performances of parts I and VI of Bach’s magnificent Christmas Oratorio and Bach’s Cantata 140, “Wachet Auf”. Christmas motets by Sirett, Willan, Sweelinck, Rutter and others will complete the program. Soloists include soprano Agnes Zsigovics, mezzo-soprano Iasmina Pataca, tenor Cory Knight and baritone Matthew Zadow. Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd, Toronto; December 4, 2010 - 7:30 pm; December 5, 2010 - 3:00 pm
Tickets: $30 / 25 / 22 / 5 (children under 12) For tickets, call (416) 491-8542

Baroque Christmas with Laudate Singers & Instrumentalists

Celebrate Christmas like they used to in 16th & 17th century Europe, with the glorious sounds of Laudate Singers and early music instrumentalists Paul Luchkow, Jenny Essers and Arthur Neele (violins), Natalie Mackie (violone), Christopher Bagan (organ) and Ray Nurse (theorbo). We visit Germany and France of old with treasures by Praetorius, Schütz, Hammerschmidt, Charpentier and Bouzignac. Enjoy music, visuals, refreshments and good company – Christmas cheer now and then!
St Andrew’s United Church, 1044 St Georges Avenue, North Vancouver, BC; Saturday, December 11, 2010 8:00 pm

Visit: www.laudatesingers.com

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 28, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

H’Sao in concert and much more

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you a whole range of wonderful choirs, everything from the Toronto Consort doing music of Queen Elizabeth the first, to the music of H’Sao (ASH sow), a vocal sextet from Chad now based in Montreal. Their music is influenced by gospel and the unique, lilting rhythms that come from their native country.

You’ll also hear a cut from a live concert of “The Shirley’s”, an all women sextet from Vancouver. We recorded them at the “In House” festival, where all the concerts take place in private homes. We caught up with them in the backyard of  2426 Semlin Drive in Vancouver.

All that plus the Canadian Chamber Choir, the Vocal Concert Dresden, and Accentus – the only choir on earth that is brave enough to pull off a transcription of Vivaldi’s four seasons.

Is music a universal language? Tell us what you think.
Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Chorus Niagara Performs Messiah

A short time ago, shoppers at the Seaway Mall in Welland were thrilled when more than 80 singers from Chorus Niagara burst into a spontaneous performance of  Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah ... in the food court!  The event was captured on video by Alphabet Photography and posted to YouTube.  Close to 300,000 people around the world have watched us in the last five days!

Chorus Niagara will present Handel's complete Messiah on Saturday, December 11, 2010 @ 7:30pm, Mountainview Christian Reformed Church, Grimsby, Ontario and Sunday, December 12, 2010 @ 3:00 pm, Calvary Church, St. Catharines, Ontario.

Pre-concert chats 45 minutes before each concert. For more information, visit Chorus Niagara

SHALLAWAY – Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus, Welcomes new Artistic Director, Kellie Walsh

Celebrating the start of its current season, SHALLAWAY – Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus, is thrilled to welcome its new Artistic Director, Kellie Walsh. On August 30, 2010, Susan Knight, the founder of SHALLAWAY, stepped down as Artistic Director passing the torch on to Kellie. Susan now assumes the role of Artistic Director Emeritus.

Vancouver Chamber Choir Announces Auditions for Pacifica Singers

The Pacifica Singers, a select ensemble of 16 -18 voices led by award-winning conductor John William Trotter, Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, will be holding auditions for new members to join the ensemble mid-season.  The ensemble was established in 2009 to provide a performance venue for experienced and motivated choral singers whose goal is to make music at a very high level.  The Singers will perform in four concerts with the Vancouver Chamber Choir during the 2010-2011 season, in addition to one independent production on February 20, 2011. Repertoire will include masterpieces by Vivaldi, Fauré, Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and others.

Auditions will be held Tuesday evenings in November. Regular weekly rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings, with additional dress rehearsals as required.

For more information on Pacifica Singers: http://www.vancouverchamberchoir.com/pacifica_singers.htm

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 21, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Halifax Camerata Singers in Concert

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you the Halifax Camerata Singers, one of Canada’s most successful amateur choirs. They are hot off the heels from winning the prestigious Healey Willan prize as part of the 2010 national competition for amateur choirs, and they are sounding better than ever. Peter Togni will bring you a concert from this past summer at the Indian River Festival in PEI.

Peter will also feature cuts from the latest release from the hottest composer in choral music in the world today, in fact he is the most performed contemporary classical composer of any genre on the planet: Eric Whitacre. You will hear cuts from his latest release called “Light and Gold”, an incredibly well put together project featuring Eric Whitacre conducting his own hand picked choir.

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

Toronto Children's Chorus Presents Free Community Concert at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel

The Toronto Children’s Chorus, in partnership with The Fairmont Royal York hotel, presents Sing Loo!, a free, four-hour long concert, in the festively decorated grand lobby of the hotel, 100 Front St W, on Sunday, November 28, 2010, 12 – 4 p.m. Sing Loo! is a pledge-driven sing-a-thon that raises money for the Chorus and is open to the community. The name, Sing Loo!, originates from the Toronto Children’s Chorus tradition in which someone sings the word “loo!” on a sustained pitch and other voices quickly join in unison so that the attention of the crowd is instantly captured.

ORIANA Women’s Choir Presents; DANCING DAY, A Christmas Celebration

A Wonderful way to start the season with many settings of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day!
Special Guests LPCI Women's Choir.
Grace Church-on-the-Hill 300 Lonsdale Rd. Toronto, Saturday November 27th, 2010 8 pm
Visit the web site: www.orianachoir.com

Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra

The beauty of Benjamin Britten’s timeless classic, A Ceremony of Carols, forms the centrepiece of Elektra’s traditional introduction to the holiday season. Let Elektra set your holiday mood, with a concert of ravishingly beautiful music full of expectation and hope – and as always, there will be treats for the kids!
Under the direction of Morna Edmundson, Artistic Director with special guests: Krutzen/McGhee Duo (Heidi Krutzen, harp & Lorna McGhee, flute), Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus (Marisa Gaetanne, director) and Stephen Smith, piano & organ

Saturday, November 27, 2010, 2 pm, Queens Avenue United Church, 529 Queens Ave (at 6th St), New Westminster and Saturday, November 27, 2010, 7:30 pm, Ryerson United Church, 2195 W45 Ave, Vancouver.

“Interplay: Workshops For Canadian Choral Composers”

Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will deliver the award winning Interplay: Interactive Workshops for Canadian Choral Composers March 4, 2011 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and March 30, 2011 in Vancouver, BC.

Application deadline: Friday, January 21, 2011

Visit www.vancouverchamberchoir.com/interplay to download an application form, email info@vancouverchamberchoir.com or call 604-738-6822.

Achill Presents The Messiah

Achill Choral Society is excited to bring Handel's Messiah to our communities again, featuring some of our favourite soloists and musicians: Stephanie Kramer (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (alto), Mark DuBois (tenor) Daniel Lichti (bass-baritone), with orchestral accompaniment by The Valen Ensemble. Performances will take place at Holy Family RC Church, 60 Allan Drive, Bolton, Ontario on November 27th, 7:30 pm; St. Timothy's RC Church, 42 Dawson Rd., Orangeville on December 4th, 8:00 pm and St. James RC Church, 2118 Adjala-NewTecumseth Townline, Colgan on December 5th, 7:30 pm.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Association of Canadian Choral Communities will be holding an annual general meeting by teleconference on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 7:00 PM EST.  The membership may vote electronically on the motions of the meeting between Wednesday, November 24 and Saturday, November 27.  The agenda is below.  Minutes of the last meeting, motions proposed for this meeting, reports of the President and Treasurer, and financial statements will be circulated with the link for electronic voting on Tuesday, November 23.  Members may also request to attend the teleconference by contacting Christina Murray at accc@choralcanada.org or (902) 442-7054 by Monday, November 22, 2010.

Avis d'assemblée générale annuelle

L’Association des communautés chorales canadiennes tiendra son assemblée générale annuelle par téléconférence le samedi 27 novembre 2010 à 19 h 00 HNE. Les membres peuvent voter en ligne sur les motions de l’assemblée entre le mercredi 24 novembre et le samedi 27 novembre. L’ordre du jour est présenté ci-dessous. Le procès-verbal de la dernière assemblée, les motions proposées en vue de cette assemblée, les rapports du président et du trésorier et les états financiers seront affichés, de même qu’un lien permettant de voter en ligne le mardi 23 novembre. Les membres qui désirent participer à la téléconférence doivent contacter Christina Murray à accc@choralcanada.org ou au (902) 442-7054, d’ici le lundi 22 novembre 2010.

31st Annual National Conductors’ Symposium, February 7-12, 2011

Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will present the 31st annual National Conductors’ Symposium February 7-12, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada.  The symposium offers selected conductors an opportunity to take part in masterclasses with Canada’s premier choral ensemble.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 22, 2010

Application forms: Visit www.vancouverchamberchoir.com/outreach to download a brochure.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 14, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

From Australia: “The Idea of North”

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you “The Idea of North”, a vocal quartet from Australia that combine extraordinary tuning, incredible ensemble into a bright, eclectic a cappella sound. They are kind of a cross between the jazz sensibility of the New York based vocal group Manhattan Transfer, and the creative music sensibilities of the Finish sextet Rajaton.

You’ll also hear some wonderful contributions from Montreal’s Ensemble Caprice, the UBC singers, and the Elora Festival Singers.

Want to know more about their name? Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Setmana Cantant Tarragona 2011, Catalonia, Spain: July 16–24, 2011

The Singing Week, under the musical direction of Josep Prats and within the framework of the festivals of the Catalan Federation of Choral Associations (FCEC) and the European Federation Europa Cantat, will include many workshops. 

For information and to register please find an application form at www.setmanacantant.org.

International Choral Festival "San Juan Coral", August 11–16, 2011: San Juan, Argentina

The Universidad Católica de Cuyo's Choir organizes the International Choral Festival "San Juan Coral", which takes place every two years. It is a non-competitive choral festival, for 8 -10 selected mixed, female, male and chamber choirs (16 voices or more). Activities include concerts, lectures and workshops for choirs, singers and/or conductors.

Detailed information and application forms are available on our website
www.sanjuancoral.com.ar (with English version)

Final application date is March 15, 2011

Cork International Choral Festival: April 27–May 1, 2011

If  your choir would like to come to Cork, Ireland, to enjoy the Festival, sing, mingle  and soak up the festival atmosphere without the competitive angle, you  can also participate as a Non-competitive Choir.
Participating  non-competitively gives choirs the opportunity to perform in  various locations across the city, while having the chance to meet with other choirs, partake in a seminar  or workshop, see some of Ireland's breathtaking countryside and  attend the festival's excellent range of world class concerts and performances. Visit http://www.corkchoral.ie/ for details.  Deadline for receipt of  applications is November 30, 2010.

Musica Sacra 2011 International Composers Competition, Poland

Canadian composers encouraged to participate.
Please find rules of our competition here: www.competition.waw.pl

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 7, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Paying tribute to remembrance and contemplation

In anticipation of Remembrance Day coming up next week, Peter Togni and Choral Concert bring you a collection of incredible performances dedicated to remembrance and contemplation.

From Preisner’s incredible “Lacrimosa” from his “Requiem for my friend”,  through Loreena McKennitt singing with the St Petersburg Chamber Choir, to Christos Hatzis’ “Everlasting Light” with Lydia Adams leading the Elmer Iseler Singers, the program will take you through a heart stopping collection of some of the world’s most powerful and soaring songs of remembrance.

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

Vancouver Chamber Choir 31st Annual National Conductors’ Symposium Deadline

Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will present the 31st annual National Conductors’ Symposium February 7-12, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada.  The symposium offers selected conductors an opportunity to take part in masterclasses with Canada’s premier choral ensemble.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 22, 2010

Application forms: Visit www.vancouverchamberchoir.com/outreach to download a brochure.

Cantabile Chorale of York Region Present Requiem by Karl Jenkins

Thornhill United Church, Elgin St. at Dudley
Sunday, November 14, 2010 3:00 PM

A modern setting of the Latin Requiem Mass interwoven with Japanese Haiku about the cycle of life and death. Performed with a guest instrumental ensemble; Robert Richardson, Conducting.

Web site: Cantabile.ca

DaCapo Chamber Choir: Vanishing Point

Vanishing Point ~ music for choir, organ, and saxophone
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church (corner of Duke & Water, Kitchener)
Saturday November 13th, 8pm and Sunday November 14th, 3pm

Organist Lottie Enns-Braun and saxophonist Allen Harrington (both from Manitoba) will be performing Leonard Enns' Vanishing Point, winding a thematic thread through deeply moving choral music of arrival and departure.  The program will also include In Paradisum by Timothy Corlis, Thou Mastering Me God by Jonathan Harvey and Seek Him that Maketh the Seven Stars by Jonathan Dove.

Tickets and more information at www.dacapochamberchoir.ca

Call for Proposals Podium 2012 * May 17-20, 2012 * Ottawa, ON

The Podium 2012 organizing committee invites you to submit your proposal for a session at ACCC’s next national choral music conference presented jointly with Choirs Ontario.
Send submissions before January 15, 2011 to: Podium 2012, c/o Choirs Ontario, A-1422 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON M4G 3A7

Appel de propositions Podium 2012 * 17 - 20 mai 2012 * Ottawa, ON

Le comité organisateur de Podium 2012 vous invite à soumettre une proposition d’atelier pour le prochain congrès natinal de chant choral qui sera présenté par l’ACCC et Choirs Ontario. Envoyez vos propositions avant le 15 janvier 2011 à : Podium 2012, a/s Choirs Ontario, A-1422 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4G 3A7

Chor Leoni Presents Noble Peace

The longing for peace has galvanized some of the greatest writers of our times - and the best of those writers have been the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. Readings from the works of Jimmy Carter, Mother Teresa, Dag Hammarskjöld, and others will be interspersed with carefully chosen musical selections in Chor Leoni's Noble Peace, the choir's 18th annual Remembrance Day concerts.

The concert features the premiere of a newly co-commissioned work by Bob Chilcott, an arrangement by Ken Cormier of Elgar's Nimrod, and works by Nysted, Schubert, Schumann, Gretchaninoff, Mendelssohn, Lang, and more. Solemn and hopeful, Noble Peace explores our common desire for peace while honoring peacekeepers, soldiers, and those lost to war.

Chor Leoni will present the concert in West Vancouver and Vancouver on November 11, Surrey on November 12, and Victoria on November 14. For full details visit www.chorleoni.org, and to purchase tickets visit www.brownpapertickets.ca.