Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, January 1, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

New Releases for a new year

To bring in the new year this Sunday Peter Togni brings you a wonderful collection of new releases from the past 6 months. Everything from the Elmer Iseler Singers with Eleanor MacCain to three incredible CDs that Peter picked up on his recent trip to Latvia – one of the world centers of great choral music.

You will also hear a new release from Analekta records, a feature performance from the inaugural concert in Montreal’s brand new concert hall, the Maison Symphonique de Montreal. You will hear a truly appropriate piece for new year’s day – the great Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s ninth symphony.

And to add some sugar and spice to the line up, you’ll also hear some cuts from the brand new CD from those incredible British boy sopranos: “Libera”.

Masters in Choral Conducting / la maîtrise en direction chorale à l’Université de Sherbrooke

Auditions will be held on April 15th for admission to the Fall semester of 2012. The application deadline is March 15th, 2012 http://www.usherbrooke.ca/admission/.


Les auditions pour l’admission à l’automne 2012 auront lieu le 15 avril 2012 au Campus de Longueuil. La date limite pour poser une demande d’admission est le 15 mars 2012 http://www.usherbrooke.ca/admission/.

World Choir Games 2012 * Cincinnati * July 4 - 14, 2012

INTERKULTUR, founder of the World Choir Games, is based in Pohlheim, Germany and organizes choral competitions and festivals all over the world. Since 1988 over 115 competitions and festivals have been held. The famous World Choir Games, formerly known as "Choir Olympics", are held every two years on different continents. For the first time in the history of the World Choir Games, the competition will be held in a U.S. city (July 4 - 14, 2012), with Procter & Gamble as the Official Presenting Sponsor. Cincinnati can look back on a rich musical heritage and was America’s first city to organize a choral festival! To find out more about the adjudicators and details on the registration deadline, please visit the website: www.interkultur.com

TMC Announces Participating Conductors for the 2012 Choral Conductors’ Symposium

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir has announced the five conductors who will be participating in the TMC’s 2012 Choral Conductors’ Symposium, January 24-28 in Toronto. The TMC’s Choral Conductors Symposium (begun in 2011) is designed to propel emerging conductors to new levels of artistic growth. The Symposium recognizes that, at the head of every successful choral organization, is a skilled conductor who possesses not just a clear vision of the repertoire being performed, but the musical ability and communicative power necessary to bring a group of singers together as a single unit.

The Symposium is led by conductor Noel Edison, and participating conductors have the opportunity to conduct the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Elora Festival Singers.

Conductors wishing to participate submitted an extensive application package, including video footage from concerts or rehearsals. Conductor Noel Edison and TMC Executive Director Cynthia Hawkins recently selected an international roster of five conductors who will participate in the 2012 Symposium.  This year’s conductors are: Ana Alvarez, Elaine Choi, Dominic Gregorio, Jared Oaks and Charles Tyler Turner.

Choirs Wanted for UNISONG Choral Festival

Quebec, Newfoundland & Labrador, Manitoba and PEI Choirs Wanted! These provinces are not currently represented at Unisong 2012 in Ottawa. Please contact Carla Ala-Kantti for more information at 1-800-267-8526 or e-mail calakantti@mkitravel.com

Concerto Della Donna Launches New Album

Concerto Della Donna, under the music direction of Iwan Edwards, proudly announces the launch of their new album, parlez-moi, a collection of works for women voices, both accompanied and a capella, by Canadian composer Allan Bevan.

Concerto Della Donna performs a wide spectrum of traditional, classical, and contemporary repertoire drawn from both secular and liturgical sources, including madrigals, motets, Romantic lieder, spirituals, and avant-garde works. There is a strong emphasis on Canadian compositions and works by female composers. The ensemble's goal is to produce vibrant performances of both serious and light-hearted repertoire, while demonstrating the strength and beauty of young women’s voices through technical precision and emotional depth.

Hard copies and an MP3 version of the album are available through the CDD website at concertodelladonna.ca.

World Youth Choir Canadian Auditions

Calling all young Canadian singers! We'll soon be announcing details for national Canadian auditions for the World Youth Choir! Read about the WYC, and what you'll need to prepare for your audition, here. Stay tuned here, on Twitter, and on the Choral Canada website for Canadian audition details.

Podium 2012 Choral Celebration Chorale Ottawa May 17—20, 2012

The Podium 2012 website is now online and registration is open. View the exciting lineup of sessions, clinicians and performing choirs:  http://www.podium2012.ca/

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, December 11, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Peter Togni’s best picks for Christmas

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you a collection of his favourite CD releases for Christmas, some brand new, and some classics. Any of them will be excellent additions to your Christmas collection, or to put under the tree for someone special in your life.

You’ll hear from Chor Leoni (the singing lions!) from Vancouver, the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists doing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and those boys from London, England “Libera” doing their irresistible takes on Christmas melodies.

And for an added bonus you’ll hear two cuts from a concert presented this past year at Koerner Hall in Toronto, called the “Mystical Worlds of Pärt and Schaffer”. It was a wonderful event with many amateur choirs from across Ontario taking part, all conducted by the great choral master Tonu Kaljuste.

Choral Concert will be moving aside for the next two Sundays, with our annual EBU Sunday of incredible music from Europe taking place on December 18th, and also for a full day of special Christmas programming on Sunday, December 25th.

Choral Concert will be back for New Year's day on Sunday, January 1st.

The Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute JUNE 3 – 16, 2012 Faculty of Music University of Toronto

The Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute is an intensive 14-day residency in baroque period performance for instrumentalists, singers and conductors/directors taught by members of the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir and distinguished guest faculty. The Institute is open to advanced students, pre-professional and professional musicians.

For full information and applications visit tafelmusik.org/tbsi

Application Deadline MARCH 21, 2012

Contact: Emily Wall, TBSI Administrative Coordinator at 416-964-9562 ext. 241
Email: tbsi@tafelmusik.org

See also our website for details of the one-year Advanced Certificate in Performance programme
at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. ACP application deadline: January 23, 2012

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, December 4, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Highlights from the “Let the People Sing” competition

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you some wonderful highlights from one of the world’s biggest amateur choral completions; “Let the People Sing”. It started back 1961 as a BBC competition for British choirs, but in the last 50 years it has expanded to cover all of Europe, including some stunning eastern European entries. You will hear performances from Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Bulgaria – with a stunning entry of traditional Bulgarian women’s voices.

You’ll also hear some advanced Christmas entries from the Monteverdi Choir, Elektra Women’s Chorus and Michael Praetorius’ “Mass for Christmas Morning” with the Gabrielli Consort and Players.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 27, 2011 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 and 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.

The Amadeus Choir Announces the Winners of the 2011 Seasonal Song-Writing Competition

The Amadeus Choir (www.amadeuschoir.com) and its Conductor and Artistic Director, Lydia Adams, are pleased to announce the winners of its 25th annual Seasonal Song-Writing Competition. Entries were received from composers both young and old throughout the GTA, across Canada and around the world, resulting in one of the most diverse collections of winning compositions to date.

The winners of the 2011 Amadeus Choir Seasonal Song-Writing Competition are (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Artley, Chris from Auckland, New Zealand for The Ashwell Carol (Adult Amateur)
• Arifin, Felix (19 years old) from Toronto, Ontario for Filius Deo Dormit (Youth - tie)
• Cooper, Susan (co-winner with Brian Holmes) from Massachusetts for The Shortest Day (Adult Professional/Group Solstice)
• Emery, Matthew (20 years old) from London, Ontario for In the Holy Nativity of Our Lord (Youth - tie)
• Fullalove, Robin from Parksville, British Columbia for In Excelsis Gloria (Adult Amateur SATB a cappella)
• Holmes, Brian (co-winner with Susan Cooper) from San Jose, California for The Shortest Day (Adult Professional/Group Solstice)
• Naus, Julia (11 years old) from Toronto, Ontario for The Angels' Song (Child 10-12 years unison 2-part - tie)
• Sloss, Imogen (10 years old) from Toronto, Ontario for The Star Shone Bright (Child 10-12 years unison 2-part - tie)
• Winn, Allison (12 years old) from Toronto, Ontario for Quittez Pasteurs (Child 10-12 years SSA)

The Toronto Children’s Chorus will partner with The Fairmont Royal York Hotel to present Sing Loo!, a four-hour long sing-a-thon concert

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 27, 2011, 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.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 20, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Vancouver Chamber Choir in “Nova: Rising Choral Stars”

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you the Vancouver Chamber Choir in concert. From Ryerson United Church you will hear this national treasure sounding their very best. This concert focuses on rising choral composing stars, like Fredik Sixten, Timothy Corlis and Ivo Antognini.

You will also hear selections from some of the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s finest CD releases, as well as Schubert’s famous Mass No. 3 in B flat performed by none other than the Immortal Bach ensemble and the Leipziger Kammerorchester.

A Winter Choral Symposium January 21, 2012 ~ Guelph, Ontario

A full day choral workshop for conductors, church musicians and choristers featuring Dr. Julia Davids with the Canadian Chamber Choir, presented by Laurier Centre for Music in the Community, Lyrical Lines Education Network, Music Plus Corporation. Registration Deadline: January 15, 2012.

View complete details and registration brochure here.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 13, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Tallis Scholars in Concert

They’ve been called the “rock stars of renaissance vocal music”, and “superstars” of the choral world – The Tallis Scholars have been together since 1973 and under the direction of their founder Peter Philips have reached the pinnacle of international choral performance. Their incredible blend, tuning and clarity brings out a beauty of sound that sets the standard for the rest of the world.

Peter Togni brings us the Tallis Scholars in concert from the Church of Our Saviour in Copenhagen, a concert recorded last fall.

You will also hear a Choral Concert run down of the Winnipeg Singers, the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Concerto Della Donna and Musica Intima, all doing music to Latin texts.

Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition, 2011 Winner Announced

The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition is a contest for new choral works. This biennial competition alternates between pieces for treble voice choirs and for mixed choirs. The 2011 competition asked for an SA or SSA work for children’s choir, which could be either a cappella or accompanied by piano. The eligible composers must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants, residing in Canada; their submissions must be original; they must not have been previously commissioned or published, and must have been composed within the last two years.

The winner of the 2011 competition is Elise Letourneau with Ave Maria, for SA and piano.

VCC 32nd Annual National Conductors' Symposium February 6—11, 2012

Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will present the 32nd annual National Conductors' Symposium February 6—11, 2012 in Vancouver, Canada. The symposium offers selected conductors an opportunity to take part in masterclasses with Canada's premier choral ensemble.

Application Deadline: November 21, 2011

Details and application form available here.

IV European Music Competition, City of Filadelfia, May 5—13, 2012

We wait to celebrate together a moment of music and friendship!

The competition is open to young musicians of any nationality with classes in Opera, Singing, Pianoforte, Strings, Woodwind, Guitar, Accordion, Percussion, Chamber Music. Lower Secondary school instrument classes, Choirs, Jazz Combo, Brass Band, Bands/Windbands.
Visit: WWW.ASSOCIAZIONE-MELODY.COM

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, November 6, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal (SMAM) at the Darling Foundry

The Darling Foundry is a renovated, industrial artspace that has become the center of the contemporary art scene in Montreal. This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings SMAM, Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal into the heart of the resonant acoustics of the foundry to bring you music of Roland De Lassus, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and Thomas Luis de Vicotria. It’s lush, rich, and resonant – a full surround sound experience and a marvelous juxtaposition of the old and the new.
You will also hear the latest CD release on ECM records of the Hilliard ensemble, a beautiful review of the Russian-Isreali composer Boris Yoffe, featuring the Hilliard ensemble and the Rosamunde string quartet.

Arts Day Unites Parliamentarians in Support of the Arts

Artists and arts workers from coast to coast to coast gathered in Ottawa on Tuesday October 25th to discuss the key role arts investment plays in the economic and social health of Canada. With one hundred participants and 120 scheduled meetings, it was the best attended Arts Day yet.

Recognizing the Government’s goal to reduce Canada’s deficit by 2014, members of the Canadian Arts Coalition presented a more modest set of priorities than in previous years. Parliamentarians were asked to maintain investment in the Canada Council for the Arts, integrate arts and culture in the government’s foreign policy initiatives, and to maintain funding levels to key arts, culture and heritage programs delivered by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

La Journée des Arts rassemble les parlementaires qui appuient le milieu artistique

Des artistes et des travailleurs du monde des arts venus de partout au Canada se sont réunis à Ottawa le mardi 25 octobre pour débattre du rôle essentiel que les investissements dans les arts jouent quant à la santé économique et sociale du pays. Avec une centaine de participants et 120 rencontres planifiées, il s’agit de la plus forte participation à une Journée des Arts à ce jour.

Conscients de l’objectif gouvernemental consistant à réduire le déficit du Canada d’ici 2014, les membres de la Coalition canadienne des arts ont mis de l’avant un ensemble de priorités plus modeste que les années précédentes. Il fut demandé aux parlementaires d’insister pour que l’investissement au Conseil des Arts soit maintenu, que les initiatives de politique étrangère intègrent les arts et la culture, et que soit maintenu le niveau de financement fourni par le ministère du Patrimoine canadien aux secteurs clés des arts, de la culture et du patrimoine.

ACCC Student Chapter

The recently formed Student Chapter is the official wing of the Association of Canadian Choral Communities that is designed to promote and foster student activities in choral arts across Canada. Their Incanto Blog which offers interesting articles, interviews, news and an opportunity to share ideas, is well worth a visit.

Employment Opportunity at Department of Music at the University of Regina

The Department of Music at the University of Regina, a flexible, responsive and dynamic team of performers and scholars, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position in Choral Music at the rank of Assistant Professor, commencing July 1, 2012. Application Deadline: January 16, 2012

Details available  on the ACCC web site at Employment Opportunities

IFCM World Summit and 11th China International Choral Festival, July 15–21, 2012

The World Choral Summit is a unique initiative that will bring together thirty choral leaders from throughout the world. The Summit, a joint project under the sponsorship of IFCM, the China Chorus Association, China Entertainment and Arts Group, and China Cultural International Tours Inc, will be held simultaneously with the 11th China International Choral Festival.

Five choirs, each from a different continent, as well as many choirs from throughout the world, will join with their Chinese counterparts to participate in the Summit and Festival. The focus of the Summit will be on ideas, concerns, and ways to enhance communication and cooperation within the global community, as well as the exploration of choral traditions . . . especially those of China.

Appropriately, the theme will be Voices in Harmony. The host city of Beijing offers an ideal setting for choral leaders and choirs to experience the hospitality and rich cultural tradition of the Peoples Republic of China. The Summit and Festival will be events not to be missed!

For more information: http://en.cicfbj.cn/

Fondation commémorative Sir Ernest MacMillan – Bourse 2012 pour la direction chorale

La Fondation commémorative Sir Ernest MacMillan a le plaisir d’annoncer que la bourse 2012 de 12 000 $ sera décernée pour la direction chorale. La Fondation a choisi la direction chorale en reconnaissance de la carrière de chef d’orchestre de Sir Ernest MacMillan, plus particulièrement ses nombreuses années à titre de chef du Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (1942-1957)  et de l’orchestre de l’Orchestre symphonique de Toronto (1931-1956).

La bourse de la Fondation commémorative Sir Ernest MacMillan vise à soutenir de façon significative le développement de la carrière d’un jeune musicien canadien. Un concours national permettra de choisir le récipiendaire de la bourse. Depuis 1985, la fondation a octroyé 25 bourses.

De plus amples renseignements sont disponibles sur le site internet de la Fondation commémorative Sir Ernest MacMillan à l’adresse: www.macmillanfoundation.com

La date limite pour la réception des demandes et des lettres de recommandation est le 31 janvier 2012

Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation - Award for 2012 in Choral Conducting

The Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce its Award for 2012, in Choral Conducting, valued at $12,000.  This is in recognition of Sir Ernest MacMillan’s celebrated career as a conductor, in particular his many years with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (1942-1957) and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (1931-56).

The Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Award is intended to provide significant career development opportunities for a young Canadian musician.  The recipient is chosen through a national competitive process; 25 awards have been given since 1985.

More information on the Award is provided at the web site of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation: www.macmillanfoundation.com

Applications and letters of recommendation must be received by January 31, 2012.

Choral Concert October 30, 2011 special pre-emption for Canada in Concert on CBC Radio 2

Choral Concert for Sunday, October 30th will be pre-empted for a special eight-hour broadcast marking 75 years of public broadcasting in Canada, but there will be lots of great singing to listen to!

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9:30 to 5:30 in Newfoundland and Labrador) Canada in Concert, with host Bill Richardson, celebrates CBC's remarkable legacy of sharing Canada's greatest classical musicians with listeners from coast to coast.

This musical marathon, the result of an intense collaboration between CBC Radio 2 and Radio Canada's Espace musique, offers an eight-hour festival of live performance recorded in eight Canadian centers.

The programming features internationally renowned Canadian ensembles and soloists. We have singers galore - from Quebec City, Bernard Labadie leads Les Violons du Roy in a concert featuring the outstanding soprano Karina Gauvin; from Toronto, it's the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra with some of the countries biggest vocal stars including soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and tenor Ben Heppner; from Halifax, soprano Suzie Leblanc joins the Tempest Baroque Ensemble for a program recalling the poetry of Elizabeth Bishop, and from Vancouver, some of the country's best choral ensembles celebrate CBC's 75th with an engaging program focusing on the work of Canadian composers.

We'll mark the opening of the new Maison symphonique in Montreal with a smashing performance of Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 with Kent Nagano leading the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. From Ottawa, we have an intimate recital with two Canadian classical superstars - violinist James Ehnes and the brilliant 16 year-old pianist Jan Lisiecki. From Winnipeg, it's highlights of the 2011 Winnipeg New Music Festival.

CBC has nurtured the careers of hundreds of artists across the complete musical spectrum. On October 30th, Canada's biggest classical stars come together to say "many happy returns."

Terry Hurrell Honored

Terry Hurrell, founding Artistic Director of Nova Voce, Nova Scotia’s Provincial Men’s Choir, has been awarded an Honorary Life Membership and made Artistic Director Emeritus of that choir.  Terry retired from directing Nova Voce in December, 2010.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, October 23, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Music of Nico Muhly and the Anglican Choral Tradition
 
This Sunday Peter Togni explores the Anglican choral tradition from convention through to innovation.
 
The conventional side will be the best of the best: The Vancouver Chamber Choir doing Handel, the Cambridge Singers doing Thomas Tallis and the Tallis Scholars doing even more Tallis. It will be a feast for the ears!
On the innovative side you will hear the music of Nico Muhly, a young American composer steeped in the British choral tradition through his Episcopalian upbringing – and who has gone on to put a distinctive contemporary stamp on the traditional British sound. You will hear a collection of his most beautiful works performed by the amazing Los Angeles Master Chorale conducted by Grant Gershon.

2nd annual TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium January 24-28, 2012 Toronto

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is now accepting applicants for the 2nd annual TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium.  The TMC created this national symposium in 2011 as part of its Emerging Conductors Program to bring together emerging choral conductors with acclaimed conductor Noel Edison and two internationally recognized choirs. During the symposium participating conductors work intensively with Noel Edison and the choirs to expand their own choral conducting skills.  In 2012 the five-day Toronto-based symposium will take place from January 24 through 28, 2012.

Participating conductors will not only refine their skills in workshops with Noel Edison, but will be given the rare opportunity to conduct the 150-voice Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the chamber-sized Elora Festival Singers.  Working with these two ensembles of experienced and skilled singers will present the conductors with the opportunity to experiment with their own conducting styles and musical interpretation. 

Five conductors will be accepted into the program.  There will also be opportunities for others to participate as observers.  The deadline for conductors to submit their application to participate is November 11, 2011.  Details, including the registration form, are available on the TMC Choral Conductors Symposium web page.

Singsation Saturday October 15th: Sing Renaissance Music

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC) presents Singsation Saturdays, choral workshops where anyone who loves to sing is invited to join with noted local conductors, TMC choristers and other singers to learn about and sing some of the great choral masterpieces. Musical scores are available for singers to borrow during the workshop.  During the 2010-11 season, between 70 and 120 singers from across Toronto joined their voices together at each Singsation event.

Saturday, October 15, 2011: Music of the Renaissance with Peter Mahon, Artistic Director of Tallis Choir

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, October 16, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

From the Soundshift Festival in St. John’s: Zari in concert

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you the trio of Georgian singers known as Zari. The republic of Georgia is a mountainous country on the crossroads of Asia and Europe, and the music reflects their deep history. It’s mysterious, unusual, and because of some of the modern sounding harmonies that use, can also sound strangely familiar.

You will also hear a selection of CD’s that has a sonic relationship to these very special Georgian sounds, music by Monteverdi, Stravinsky, and the renaissance composer Vincenzo Ugolini.

Want a feast for the eyes as well as the ears?  Check out the new videos of the Indonesian Cordana Youth Choir  from Festival 500 in St John’s on the Choral Concert blog at: http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Choralies internationales Edmonton 2012 Registration Now Open

From July 8 to 15, 2012, in Edmonton, Alberta, enjoy
A thousand voices, one chorus!

Toi, moi, tout un monde a hymn of praise to song and the international French community!

Soon Alberta’s capital will be at the heart of a thousand voices, with choral singers from all over the world taking part in a fabulous event, the French choral singing festival Choralies internationales Edmonton 2012. The founding partners of the event, the Chorale Saint-Jean, the Alliance des chorales du Québec and University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean, are immensely proud to invite you to this extremely rare gathering, when Edmonton will be decked out in all its finery to welcome participants!

Choralies internationales Edmonton 2012 Les inscriptions débutent maintenant!

Du 8 au 15 juillet 2012, à Edmonton en Alberta, nous serons

Un millier de voix, un seul chœur!

Toi, moi, tout un monde pour faire résonner le chant et la francophonie internationale!

Oui, la capitale albertaine sera la mire d’un millier de choralistes du monde entier pour participer à cet événement grandiose, le festival de chant choral francophone Choralies internationales Edmonton 2012. C’est avec une immense fierté que les partenaires fondateurs de l’événement, la Chorale Saint-Jean, l’Alliance des chorales du Québec et le Campus Saint-Jean de l’Université de l’Alberta, convient tous les choralistes et le grand public à ce rassemblement rarissime où Edmonton se parera de ses plus beaux atours pour vous souhaiter la bienvenue!

Pax Christi Chorale - General Manager Part-time Position

Pax Christi Chorale, Toronto, is seeking an experienced Arts Administrator to fill the position of General Manager.

Pax Christi Chorale is a 90-voice auditioned choir dedicated to performing the great works of choral literature, with a view to achieving musical excellence and sustaining a supportive choral community.

Deadine for applications is October 19, 2011. Read the complete job description on the ACCC Employment Opportunities page.

Chor Leoni Releases New CD: Yuletide Fires II

Vancouver’s renowned Chor Leoni Men’s Choir and Diane Loomer, C.M., Artistic Director, are pleased to announce the release of their latest CD, Yuletide Fires II. This eagerly anticipated follow-up disc to the award-winning Yuletide Fires seeks to answer the question of what Christmastime means in a culture where beliefs and customs are intermingling and becoming less defined.

Yuletide Fires II features serene Latin chant expressing the wonder of the Virgin and child, familiar words and melodies that connect us the Christmas of our childhood, and songs that explore new ways to celebrate the joys of Christmas as well as the hopes and possibilities of a new year. Chor Leoni is thrilled to welcome the renowned Canadian operatic superstar, Judith Forst as soloist on Adolphe Adam’s beloved "Cantique de Noël".

The disc is distributed in Canada through SRI and is available directly through the choir’s website at http://www.chorleoni.org/recordings/yuletide-fires-ii

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, October 9, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

For Thanksgiving: The Ottawa Bach Choir in Concert

This Sunday Peter Togni marks the Thanksgiving weekend with a beautiful concert from the Ottawa Bach Choir they called “Baroque and Beyond”. You will hear music by Antonio Caldara, Alessandro Scarlatti, and the great renaissance master Claudio Monteverdi.

You will also hear a collection of discs featuring music that gives thanks, from Bach’s “Now thank we all our God” to the music of Micheal Torke giving thanks to the moment with his “Boast not of tomorrow for you know not what any day may bring forth”.   The program ends with a performance of the 15th century master of counterpoint Johannes Ockeghem, his “Deo Gratias” or “Thanks be to God”.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, October 2, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Beethoven’s glorious 9th Symphony with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and Orchestra

This Sunday Peter Togni starts off Choral Concert with the final movement of Beethoven’s final symphony, the Symphony No. 9 in D minor. It’s one of the best known works of the western classical repertoire, and has even been adapted and used as the European Anthem. It stands alone by any standard of measurement as one of the greatest works of the canon of western classical music.

The symphony was the first example of a major composer using voices in a symphony. The words are sung during the final movement by four vocal soloists and a chorus singing the famous “Ode to Joy”.

This performance by the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and Orchestra is sparse, lean and powerful - not to be missed! You will also hear the choir perform works by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Arvo Part.

Dr. Barbara Clark Receives 2011 Presidents' Leadership Award from Choirs Ontario

The 2011 Presidents’ Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Clark at the Toronto concert of the Ontario Youth Choir, August 28, 2011, for her extraordinary and multi-faceted contributions, over an illustrious career, to the art of choral music.

Established in 2001 to commemorate Choirs Ontario’s 30th anniversary, the Presidents’ Leadership Award recognizes individuals who, through their support or engagement in choral music-making, have made an exceptional contribution to the promotion and advancement of choral music in their communities. Choirs Ontario is proud to present this year’s award to Dr. Barbara Clark, C.M., in recognition of her long and distinguished career in promoting and supporting choral music in Canada and beyond.

Announcing the Diane Loomer Commissioning Fund

Imagine Chor Leoni walking on stage to premiere a new work written specifically for the Choir. Imagine you wrote that music and were about to hear it for the first time. Magic.

Not all of us are composers, but all of us can help make the music happen. Knowing Diane Loomer is one of Canada's strongest advocates for choral music, it made sense for Chor Leoni to establish the Diane Loomer Commissioning Fund at the Vancouver Foundation. This Fund will, forever, generate and support the creation of major choral commissions.

There is a ‘time limited’ matching opportunity we hope will convince you NOW is the time to contribute. Canadian Heritage is offering up to 100% match for every dollar we raise by November 15th.
Click here to make your secure fully tax-deductible contribution today!

Remember – after November 15th, the match opportunity is gone. Please contribute to a song-filled future for choral music – the future of Chor Leoni – today.

NewWorks Choral Composition Competition 2012

The award-winning DaCapo Chamber Choir is pleased to announce its 3rd annual, national choral composition competition, NewWorks. The purpose of the NewWorks competition is to foster new and engaging choral works by Canadian composers. The winning entry will receive a $1,500 cash award plus travel expenses to Kitchener to attend the premiere of his/her composition by the DaCapo Chamber Choir, under director Leonard Enns, in the choir’s 2012/2013 season. Young composers (aged 25 and younger) are also encouraged to submit compositions for consideration in our Young Composers Reading Sessions. Full details on DaCapo’s web site: www.dacapochamberchoir.ca/newworks
Entry Dealine: February 13, 2012

The ISME World Conference on Music Education Thessaloniki, Greece July 15-21, 2012

Although still not widely recognized in Canada, the International Society for Music Education (ISME) World Conferences are widely recognized for their research into and promotion of music education and its benefits at all performance levels to all members of society.

The 2012 ISME conference theme “Music Paedeia” means to serve humankind in a way that will elevate it to higher levels of self awareness through music. This philosophy will be examined through an interdisciplinary approach covering all aspects of music education including: Pedagogy, Sociology, Musicology, Theory, Medicine, Teaching Practices, Psychology, Ethno-Musicology, Philosophy, and School Administration.

The value of experiencing one of the World Conferences is immense. There are numerous learning opportunities through interaction and idea sharing with a wide range of conductors, teachers, music educators and performance groups from around the world. Extensive programming includes a rich blend of concerts, presentations, workshops, a trade show and opportunities to participate in multiple general assemblies.

Lift Your Voices: The Amadeus Choir Presents 2011-12 Concert Season

The internationally-recognized Toronto-based Amadeus Choir (www.amadeuschoir.com), celebrating its 37th anniversary season in 2011-12, is pleased to announce their 2011–2012 subscription concert series. Highlights of the season will include Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace along with the Hannaford Street Silver Band on November 12; Glorious Sounds of the Season featuring the winners of the Seasonal Song Writing Competition on December 17; an exciting collaboration with the Elmer Iseler Singers to present Rodion Shchedrin’s moving music drama, The Sealed Angel, on February 3, 2012 and a celebration of Dr. Roberta Bondar’s 20th anniversary of flight in space with Music of the Spheres: A Fusion of Music, Art and Science on April 21.

Subscription orders for the entire concert series are being accepted until November 11 with subscribers receiving substantial savings over single ticket purchasers. Subscriptions are priced at $120 for adults, $99 for seniors and $40 for students (including HST) and are available through the Amadeus Choir office at 416-446-0188.

Vancouver Chamber Choir Voted Top Vocal Ensemble

The Vancouver Chamber Choir has been voted Best Local Classical Vocal Ensemble in the Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver reader's ballot.

Congratulations!

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, September 25, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Musica Intima in Concert

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you one of Canada’s finest chamber choirs, Musica Intima. Based in Vancouver, this unconducted choir has gained an international reputation for its tight blend and extraordinary ensemble singing. Choral Concert recorded them at the Music and Beyond festival in Ottawa this past summer. Among many other works, you will hear a world premiere performance of a new concert work by the celebrated Canadian film composer Howard Shore – yes, the guy who won all of those awards for the music to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

You will also hear Mozart’s mass in C major, in a classic performance with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and the Vienna Philharmonic all conducted by Karl Munchinger.

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni The best choral music from across Canada and around the world SUNDAY, Sept 18th, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

The Elmer Iseler Singers in Concert

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you one of Canada’s great choral groups, the Elmer Iseler Singers. This choir is based in Toronto, but Choral Concert caught up with them this past April at first Baptist Church in Halifax at the peak of their Eastern Canadian tour. This is the Iselers at their best!

You will hear Lydia Adams lead them in works by Mendelssohn, Schubert and John Estacio, plus some gorgeous arrangements of traditional Nova Scotian songs.

Want a feast for the eyes as well as the ears? Check out the Indonesian Cordana Youth Choir on the Choral Concert blog at: http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Les Choralies 2012

Avec un millier de voix à Edmonton, l’été prochain sera à l’image d’un grand chant commun!

 

C’est avec une immense fierté que les partenaires fondateurs des Choralies 2012, la Chorale Saint-Jean d’Edmonton en Alberta, une chorale francophone, l’Alliance des chorales du Québec et le Campus Saint-Jean de l’Université de l’Alberta, la faculté francophone de l’université, vous convient à un rassemblement rarissime où Edmonton se parera de ses plus beaux atours pour souhaiter la bienvenue!

Les Choralies, c’est un festival-rencontre où des choralistes ainsi que des chœurs entiers s’unissent pendant huit jours pour participer à des ateliers et se perfectionner dans leur art sous la direction de nombreux chefs de chœurs provenant des quatre coins du monde. C’est aussi plus d’une dizaine de concerts offerts au grand public. Habituellement tenu exclusivement en France à tous les trois ans, l’événement ne se produit que rarement hors de l’Hexagone, et encore moins en Amérique du Nord. Le dernier passage des Choralies à Edmonton remonte à 1973.

Auditions for Vancouver Chamber Choir Saturday, September 24

All professional-level singers (SATB) are invited to audition for the Vancouver Chamber Choir on Saturday, September 24.

Before calling, please visit our website to see if you are eligible

Contact Catherine for an appointment at catherinelaub@hotmail.com

Edmonton Columbian Choirs Announce 45th. Season

The Edmonton Columbian Choirs, under the direction of Artistic Director Heather Bedford-Clooney, is pleased to announce its 2011-2012 Season which is proudly sponsored by the Edmonton Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, CKUA Radio and Vue Weekly.

Greenwoof Singers Announces 32nd. Season

Greenwood Singers, under the direction of its founder and music director Robert de Frece, announces its 2011-2012 Season.  This is the choir’s 32nd Season and once again, it will have the choir performing Choral Music from Renaissance to Broadway both in the a cappella style and by teaming up with various Edmonton artists.

An Invitation to One Earth Choir February 21, 2012

One Earth Choir is a Project of Musical sharing, representing the possibility to speak the same language on the whole Earth. At 11:00 Greenwich mean time, people from seven continents, including choirs, schools, theatres, orchestras, associations, companies and institutions , will sing together the same music simultaneously, conducted by the same conductor, in one global video transmission. The score will be available for download at the end of September 2011. We invite you to learn more about the project and to join the choir at www.inin2012.net


More than 22,100 voices from 41 countries are already part of One Earth Choir. Take a look at the Map, and see people from all over the world, from Armenia to Australia, from Finland to Peru, who have already joined the project.

The One Earth Choir Project is in affiliate Partnership with two of the largest international organizations dedicated to choir music, the International Federation for Choral Music and the Interkultur - Organizer of the World Choir Games.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, September 11, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

This Sunday on CBC Radio 2, in collaboration with the National Arts Centre (NAC), you will hear a live to air broadcast of The 9/11 Concert of Hope and Remembrance , featuring the NAC Orchestra and the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys.

The hour-long concert is a gesture marking the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania. The broadcast will begin at 8:40 am (9:40 in the Maritimes, 10:10 in NFLD) and the first notes of music will begin at 8:46 a.m. to coincide with the time the first plane crashed into New York’s World Trade Center. The live to air event will be hosted by Peter Togni.

This broadcast will be followed by a special one hour edition of Choral Concert, heard in central and western Canada, that features the Studio Musique Ancienne de Montreal in a concert called “Tavener and Taverner”. It’s a collection of moving and soulful performances of works by the contemporary British composer John Tavener, and his distant cousin - the Renaisance master John Taverner. The two composers are separated by 400 years but connected by many musical similarities.

Vancouver Chamber Choir 2011—2012 Season

Welcome to a world of beauty...
 

Ten times a year Artistic Director Jon Washburn and the master musicians of the Vancouver Chamber Choir create this world of beauty and meaning for their audiences. It is the whole range of vocal expression - from the majesty of choir and orchestra to the multi-hued palette of unaccompanied voices - from the masterpieces of the greatest composers to the excitement of the latest premiere - from song to motet to oratorio and even opera.

The exciting 2011—2012  choral season will include festive holiday favourites Handel's Messiah, A Dylan Thomas Christmas and so much more. You can find further repertoire details at www.vancouverchamberchoir.com.
 
The best way to become a part of this music's magic is to subscribe to the season. Subscriptions are available by calling 604-738-6822. Choral fans save up to 35% off single ticket prices by subscribing to three or more concerts - from a choice of 10 wonderful performances.  Single tickets are available online at Ticketmaster or by calling 1-855-985-ARTS (2787).

DaCapo Chamber Choir 2011-2012 Season: Home

DaCapo's 2011-2012 season centres around the various aspects of "Home" and will feature the 2011 NewWorks winner, The Echo by Waterloo's very own Patrick Murray, premieres of a number of new Canadian works, Persian-Canadian vocal soloist Amir Haghighi, cellist Ben Bolt-Martin, and much more.

• Imagining Home: exploring the possibility of a home for both soul and body; November 12th & 13th - featuring cellist Ben Bolt-Martin and the premiere of the 2011 NewWorks winner, The Echo
  
• Creating Home: living together in vigorous, positive and affirming relationship to one another; February 25th & 26th - featuring Colour of Freedom by Iman Habibi, with Iranian-born vocal soloist, Amir Haghighi
  
• Celebrating Home: honouring nature and our environment; May 5th & 6th - featuring the works of Canadian composers, including R. Murray Schafer and Stephen Chatman, and guest pianist Catherine Robertson  

Click here to download a season subscription order form. The deadline to receive our special subscription pricing is September 9th...don't miss out!

Schola Magdalena Releases Second CD

Schola Magdalena is pleased to announce the release of a second CD, Virgo Splendens. The group will celebrate the launch with a recital and reception on Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 pm at the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Avenue, Toronto.

Recorded in the glorious acoustic of the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, “Virgo Splendens” is a beautiful collection of medieval music for women’s voices, featuring chant by Hildegard of Bingen, polyphony by Guillaume Dufay, John Dunstable, and others, as well as Gregorian chant. Many of the works come from the rich array of music dedicated to the Virgin Mary, including plainchant Marian anthems and an intricate polyphonic setting of the Magnificat.

The CD Launch Party will include a reception and a performance of selections from the recording, and is free to attend. CDs ($20) will be available for purchase at the event.

Visit:  www.scholamagdalena.ca

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, September 4, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

This Sunday Peter Togni wraps up the summer in St. John’s Newfoundland, with the second concert in a special two-part series celebrating the spirit of Festival 500, one of Canada’s most treasured choral festivals.

Singing in Newfoundland and Labrador has been a way of celebrating, mourning, and telling their community's stories for over 500 years. That community spirit is still at the heart of  Festival 500, as St John’s now reaches out beyond its shores to bring in choirs from across Canada and around the world, to celebrate the power of song.

Tune in this week to hear what Festival 500 is doing with small vocal ensembles. It’s in the tight, exposed harmonies of vocal quartets, quintets and sextets where choristers get to hone their craft. You’ve got to be good to make it work – and on Sunday you’ll hear three groups that can really pull it off: “Vocado” from Sweden, “Extra” from St FX University in Antigonish, NS and “Afterglow” from St. John’s.

Position Opening: Music Director of Victoria Choral Society

Now entering its 77th season of choral excellence, the Victoria Choral Society is an auditioned 120-member SATB symphonic chorus which presents at least three major concerts yearly, collaborating frequently with the Victoria Symphony. They are now seeking an enthusiastic, skilled choral director with artistic vision and a broad knowledge of choral repertoire to lead the choir beginning in September, 2012.

See the complete job posting here. 

Informations générales – Choralies internationales 2012 Du 8 au 15 juillet 2012 - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Merci pour votre intérêt au festival des Choralies internationales 2012 qui auront lieu du 8 au 15 juillet 2012. Le projet avance bien et nous serons ravis de vous recevoir chez nous!

Quoique nos Choralies ne seront pas de la même envergure que celles de Vaison-la-Romaine (nous n’avons malheureusement pas d’amphithéâtre romain de 5000 places!), nous aurons une belle panoplie d’ateliers avec du répertoire et des sujets à plaire à tous les goûts et niveaux. Nous avons aussi une des plus belles salles de concert sur le continent, soit le nouveau Winspear Centre for Music. Jusqu'à présent, tous les chefs contactés ont répondu qu'ils seraient ravis de participer!

Voici une liste de ce qui est au programme à ce jour :

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, August 28, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Festival 500 - Sharing the Voices

This Sunday Peter Togni wraps up the summer in St. John’s Newfoundland, with a special 2 part series celebrating the spirit of Festival 500, one of Canada’s most treasured choral festivals.

Singing in Newfoundland and Labrador has been a way of celebrating, mourning, and telling their community's stories for over 500 years. That community spirit is still at the heart of  Festival 500, as St John’s now reaches out beyond its shores to bring in choirs from across Canada and around the world, to celebrate the power of song

This Sunday we’ll hear a the highlights of this year's Festival 500 recorded at the Arts and Culture Centre and Gower Street United Church in St. John's.

You will also hear a full performance of the “Missa in Honorem BVM” (Mass in honour of Mary) by the great Franz Joseph Haydn in a wonderful performance with the Trinity Choir and the Rebel Baroque Orchestra.

Want a feast for the eyes as well as the ears? Check out the Indonesian Cordana Youth Choir from Festival 500  on the Choral Concert blog at: http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Edmonton Columbian Choirs Announce Auditions for 2011/2012 Season

The Edmonton Columbian Choirs (Edmonton’s family of choirs), under the direction of Artistic Director Heather Bedford-Clooney, is pleased to announce auditions for its 45th Season.  Auditions will take place on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic High School (10830 109 Street) starting at 6:30PM.

The Atlantic Voices Choral Composition Contest 2011

REMINDER:  The deadline of October 31st, 2011 is fast approaching!  Don't miss out, get your contest entries in early!

Atlantic Voices: The Newfoundland and Labrador Choir of Ottawa is a mixed-voice (SATB) community choir that sings music from and about Atlantic Canada.  This is our second Choral Composition Contest, and the choir is looking for quality choral music with an East Coast flavour.  We are offering two prizes, a 1st prize of $500 and a 2nd prize of $200, for original choral works by Canadian composers.  The winning works will be programmed on Atlantic Voices’ spring 2012 concert.  This competition is open to all residents of Canada, of all backgrounds and all ages.  Note: the winning entrant need not have a particular connection to the Atlantic region.

25th Annual Amadeus Choir Seasonal Song Writing Competition

Established in 1987 by Conductor and Artistic Director, Dr. Lydia Adams, the competition is open to composers of all ages and levels of experience. In honour of the 25th anniversary, composers are invited to submit songs in celebration of the Winter Solstice in addition to those relating to the traditional Christmas and Chanukah themes.

 “As always, the competition’s goals are to inspire new compositions, to motivate composers to develop their craft and to augment the existing choral seasonal repertoire,” said Lydia Adams, Conductor and Artistic Director, the Amadeus Choir.  “We are proud to be able to provide such a unique platform for composers to share their works with the world.”

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, August 21, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Winnipeg Soloists Choir perform “Song of the Forest”

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you a concert from Winnipeg with the Winnipeg Soloists Choir and the Manitoba chamber orchestra conducted by Elroy Friesen. You’ll hear them in a world premiere by Sid Robinovitch, the “Cantus Borealis: Song of the Forest”. It’s a piece that combines choir, string orchestra, narration and an electronic soundscape to evoke the spirit of Canada’s boreal forest.

You’ll also hear our first picks of the latest CD releases by Canada’s amateur choirs. We have been gathering up recent releases and are happy to celebrate this country’s high level of amateur choral singing by bringing you the best of what we have found. This week you will hear recent releases by the Edmonton Swiss Men’s Choir and the Calgary Renaissance singers and players.

All that plus an incredible performance of the entire Mass in E minor by Anton Bruckner with the Corydon Singers and the English chamber orchestra.

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

New Setting of "In Flanders Fields" Available

Belgian composer Eddy Avonds has chosen to commerate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War (1914—1918) with a new setting of the well known poem, "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian John McCrae. A poet, doctor, author and artist, McCrae was a surgeon at the front during the Battle of Ypres and was burried in the Commonwealth War Graves only a few kilometres from the coast of Boulogne.

As a token of respect for all countries that lost fellow countrymen "In Flanders Fields", Eddy Avonds has written a new setting of the poem for 4-part choir (SATB) and is making complimentary PDF copies of the composition available to anyone interested.

To receive the PDF for use with your choir, please contact Carolyn Nielsen: carolyn.alto@gmail.com.

Mozartfestival October 13—16, 2011

Come sing Mozart's Great Mass in c-minor, KV 427, with choristers from Germany, Austria, France, Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Danmark and Switzerland under the direction of the Cathedral Music Director, Prof. Janos Czifra. The concert will be organized as charity for the “red cross Austria society”.
For information visit: www.cultours.at.

International Music Prizes for Excellence in Performance and Composition 2011

Call for Submissions

The National Academy of Music, a public educational charity of the State of Colorado, is pleased to announce a call for submissions for this year’s ‘International Music Prizes for Excellence in Performance and Composition’. The competition is organized by the Secretariat of the International Music Prizes™ in Greece. For information on submissions visit these sites:
International Music Prize™ for Excellence in Performance 2011
International Music Prize™ for Excellence in Composition 2011

Singsation Saturdays 2011-12 Season

Choral Workshops for all, an outreach program of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC) presents Singsation Saturdays, a series of choral workshops where anyone who loves to sing is invited to join with noted guest conductors, other singers and TMC choristers to sing selections from some of the great choral masterpieces and gain insight into these notable works. Music scores are available for participants to borrow at each workshop.

During the successful 2010-11 season, between 70 and 120 singers participated in each workshop. Singers came from all parts of Toronto and many sing in church or community choirs as well. These events are enjoyable and educational, and help build the Toronto choral community.

TMC is offering five Singsation Saturdays during the 2011-2012 season.  Singsation Saturdays take place at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Cameron Hall, 1585 Yonge St. from 10:30 am to 1 pm. The fee per workshop is $10 which includes refreshments. Participants can register at the workshops, or in advance by completing the Singsation order form.  For more information call TMC at 416-598-0422 or visit online at www.tmchoir.org.

Pax Christi Chorale Celebrates 25 Years

Photo by Betsy Moss

Pax Christi Chorale launches its 25th anniversary season this October with rarely-heard masterpieces for choir and orchestra, joined by the youth choir and exceptional vocal soloists.

Pax Christi Chorale was first led by Dr. Robert Loewen, later by Lee Bartel and then John Ford.  In 1996, the baton was handed over to Stephanie Martin, who has been the Artistic Director of the choir ever since. Pax Christi Chorale was founded by Dr. Loewen, current President Emily Burgetz and Ron Sawatsky, inspired by the success of a choir assembled for the Toronto celebration of the 1986 Bicentennial of Mennonites in Canada.  Some of the original 35 singers are still in the choir today.

From Ms. Martin’s first season as Artistic Director, she raised the bar and challenged the choir with its first performances with orchestra, which included Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. The choir has steadily added to its oratorio repertoire, enriching Toronto choral music lovers with memorable performances and gaining a reputation as one of Canada’s finest oratorio choirs.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, August 14, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with the Cologne Radio Choir

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni will bring you the great Mass in C Minor by Mozart. It’s a large scale work that he never finished, but it has since been beautifully reconstructed. Peter Togni says the transcendent opening points to the fragility of life and in some ways, to Mozart’s own destiny. You’ll hear it in an incredible performance by the Cologne Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra.

You’ll also hear the Elmer Iseler Singers doing the music of JS Bach, the Belle Canto Women’s choir doing the music of Brahms.

Alliance des chorales du Québec Present the Jean-Pierre Guindon Prize

On July 23rd two representatives of the Alliance des chorales du Québec, Mr. Paul Belzile, president, and Mr. Charles Martin, treasurer, presented Madame Jocelyne Beaulieu with the Jean-Pierre Guindon prize.  Madame Beaulieu was overwhelmed to receive such a distinguished award which honours choir directors of more than twenty-five years experience and which stresses the unconditional support these choir directors give to their choirs and to their regions.  This was the first time that a choir director from the Abitibi region has been so honoured.

Alliance des chorales du Québec : remise du prix Jean-Pierre Guindon

Le 23 juillet dernier, madame Jocelyne Beaulieu s’est vue décerner le prix Jean-Pierre Guindon par deux représentants de l’Alliance des chorales du Québec, monsieur Paul Belzile son président et Charles Martin son trésorier. C’est avec beaucoup d’émotions que madame Beaulieu a accepté cette reconnaissance qui récompense les chefs ayant plus de vingt-cinq  années d'expérience en direction chorale  et qui souligne le soutien inconditionnel de ses  lauréats envers leurs chorales et leurs régions. C’était la première fois qu’une personne de la région de l’Abitibi recevait cet honneur!

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, August 7, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with ensemble Caprice.

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni will bring you the Juno Award winning performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with Montreal’s ensemble Caprice. Give it a listen and find out why Peter says this is one of the most beautiful openings of any piece of music.

You’ll also hear the King’s Singers, some Eric Whitacre, music that sounds like opera but isn’t by Verdi, and the wonderful Hamilton Children’s Chorus led by Zamfira Politz.

30th International Choral Festival of Preveza - 18th International Competition of Sacred Music

Applications are now being accepted for the 30th International Choral Festival of Preveza - 18th International Competition of Sacred Music, which will take place in the town of Preveza on 5 - 8 July 2012.

For more information about the previous festivals, the jury committee, the town of Preveza and the Choral Society Armonia please visit our website www.choralpreveza.gr

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, July 31, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

“Seventeen  Voyces” perform a “Journey of Ireland”

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni will bring you music from Ireland with the group ”Seventeen Voyces”, led by Kevin Reeves. Seventeen Voyces is dedicated to finding musical gems that are off the beaten track, and they do it with a wonderful suppleness and clarity of sound.

You’ll also hear the choral magic of Edmonton’s “Kokopelli”,  and the beautiful Mass in F by the 17 year old Franz Schubert – a bright, lovely and sunny work perfect for a Sunday in summer.

Florilège Vocal de Tours 2012

International choral music competition & International competition for children choirs and youth choirs

We are pleased to inform you that the rules and registration form of the next Florilège Vocal are available and downloadable from our website.

Florilège Vocal de Tours 2012

Concours international de chant choral & Concours international de choeurs d'enfants et de choeurs de jeunes

Nous avons le plaisir de vous informer que les règlements et bulletins d'inscription du prochain Florilège Vocal sont disponibles et téléchargeables sur notre site Internet.

The Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Announces Award in Choral Conducting

The Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce its Award for 2012, in Choral Conducting, in the amount of $12,000.  In conjunction with the Association of Canadian Choral Communities, Choirs Ontario and the Elmer Iseler Singers, the final round of the award process will take place at Canada’s National Choral Conference, PODIUM, in Ottawa on May 19, 2012.  Three finalists, selected through a competitive process that is national in scope, will work with the Elmer Iseler Singers in front of a jury and live audience.  Candidates should be at an advanced stage of their musical education, typically at the graduate level. Details of the award process will be announced in the Fall of 2011. Further information on the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation can be found at: www.macmillanfoundation.com

La Fondation commémorative Sir Ernest MacMillan est fière d'annoncer que sa bourse sur la direction de chorale

La Fondation commémorative Sir Ernest MacMillan est fière d'annoncer que sa bourse 2012 d'un montant de 12 000 $ portera sur la direction de chorale. En collaboration avec l'Association des communautés chorales canadiennes, Choirs Ontario,  et les Elmer Iseler Singers la ronde finale pour l'octroi de la bourse se tiendra à Ottawa le 19 mai 2012 au PODIUM. Les trois finalistes, choisis à la suite d'une sélection nationale, se produiront alors avec les Elmer Iseler Singers devant un public et devant jury. Les candidats doivent être rendus à une étape avancée dans leurs études musicales, de préférence au niveau des études supérieures. Les détails concernant le processus de demande pour la bourse seront annoncés à l'automne de 2011. Pour en savoir plus sur la Fondation Sir Ernest MacMillan, vous pouvez consulter: www.macmillanfoundation.com

The Singing Revolution - TV Airdates Now Scheduled

Public Broadcasting Stations around the U.S. have begun to announce their schedules, and starting July 26th through September airdates have been scheduled.

Check the list of stations for dates/times in your area on the TSR website; you can search by station or city:  http://www.singingrevolution.com/cgi-local/screenings.cgi 

Many stations do not finalize their schedules until a few weeks before broadcast, so if your local station is not listed yet, check back in a week. The list will be updated each Monday with all broadcast information. 

After September, there will also be repeat broadcasts and these will be posted as well.

So please check the site to see when The Singing Revolution is playing in your area and share it with your friends.

Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Toronto, Requires Choir Director

Our parish, a vibrant mix of many ethnic groups, deeply appreciates the place of musicians and choirs in helping us to enter ever more deeply into the liturgy of the Church. We are looking for one who can embrace congregation and choir, encouraging a deepening of faith through the beauty of music in this leadership role.
See details at Employment Opportunities.

Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Call for Nominations

GET INVOLVED. NOMINATE!

How did Bryan Adams, Robert Lepage, Karen Kain, Yvon Deschamps and Buffy Sainte-Marie become laureates of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award?

They were nominated by people like you—members of the arts community and arts fans across Canada, who wanted to see their performing arts heroes recognized for their passion, creativity and inspiration.

You can play a role in Canada’s most prestigious performing arts awards! Your nomination could determine who receives a Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2012, the 20th Anniversary of the Awards.

The process is simple and you can do it online. A letter of recommendation and a short biography of the nominee are all that are required for your favourite Canadian performing artist to be in the running.

Nominations for the 2012 Awards are being accepted until September 23, 2011. For complete details, visit www.ggpaa.ca/en/nomination.html.

Foundation des prix du gouverneur général pour les arts du spectacle Appel de candidatures

PARTICIPEZ. SOUMETTEZ UNE CANDIDATURE!

Comment Bryan Adams, Robert Lepage, Karen Kain, Yvon Deschamps et Buffy Sainte-Marie sont-ils devenus lauréats des Prix du Gouverneur général pour les arts du spectacle?

Leur candidature a été soumise par des gens comme vous, des membres de la communauté artistique et des passionnés d’art de partout au Canada qui souhaitaient voir leurs héros culturels récompensés pour leur passion, leur créativité et leur inspiration.

Les PGGAS représentent la plus haute distinction accordée dans le domaine des arts du spectacle au Canada. En proposant un candidat, vous jouez un rôle déterminant; celui-ci pourrait remporter un PGGAS en 2012, année qui marque le 20e anniversaire des prix.

Le processus est simple et peut même se faire en ligne. Vous n’avez qu’à envoyer une lettre de recommandation et une courte biographie et votre artiste préféré sera en lice.

Nous acceptons les mises en candidature jusqu’au 23 septembre 2011. Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, consultez le site www.ggpaa.ca/fr/nomination.html.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, July 24, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Camerata Nova in Concert, H’Sao in concert, and 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 Camerata Nova, an innovative choir based in Winnipeg from a concert they did at the Rideau Chapel in Ottawa.

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

Croatian Choral Directors Association International Choral Institute Call for Papers

The second International Artistic and Scientific Symposium on Choral Art, Singing and Voice, ARS CHORALIS 2012, will be held in Zagreb, Croatia, 12th - 14th April 2012. We invite you to participate in the Symposium as a lecturer or a delegate. Lectures and workshops can be held in Croatian or English (no translation).

If you want to present a lecture or a workshop, please send a completed application form and an abstract of the lecture or workshop (up to 300 words) by electronic mail (MS Word). You can download the application form from our website: www.choralcroatia.com

Application deadline is the 15th of December 2011. Participation fee is 100 Euros.

CROATIAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION    Vrbik 11    10000 Zagreb    Croatia Mob. +385-98-275961    Phone +385-1-6198469    Fax +385-1-6198468    info@choralcroatia.com

Concert Gowns Available for Sale

The Ottawa Choral Society has a number of concert gowns in good condition now available for sale. The easy to care for gowns (wash in cold water, hang to dry) are perfect for travelling. Specific inventory available on request. For details please contact Pat MacDonald: plmacott@sympatico.ca

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, July 17, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Swingle Singers in Concert

This week on Choral Concert you hear the Swingle Singers. Yes, the same choir that sang all of that swinging Bach back in the 60's... they are still around but they don't just do Bach. Their vocal agility, close to the microphone technique, and their beautiful intonation allow them to do a full range of music. You will hear them doing everything from Manuel de Falla to Sting.

You’ll also hear a wonderful CD featuring the Elmer Iseler Singers doing the music of Poulenc.

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

Loss of a Brilliant Composer Malcolm Forsyth (1936 ‐ 2011)

Stellar Canadian composer Malcolm Forsyth passed away on July 5 at the age of 74. Widely known for the high quality of his original works for orchestra and his pieces for brass ensemble, Dr. Forsyth recently had the world premiere of his large‐scale orchestra‐choral work Ballad for Canada performed by the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Pinchas Zukerman, conductor), which includes his daughter, Amanda Forsyth, principal cellist in the ensemble; the work was co‐commissioned by NACO and the Edmonton Symphony orchestra who will also perform the work November 11‐12, 2011 at the Winspear Centre with the Richard Eaton Singers.

Conducting Position Available Immediately at St. Michael's Choir School

ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL was founded in 1937 to provide sacred choral music for St. Michael’s Cathedral and to train young men for leadership roles in parishes across the city of Toronto. The legacy of leadership continues to guide and shape all of our activities.

ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL operates under a unique collaboration between the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Archdiocese of Toronto. The school’s complete curriculum of academic studies for boys in grades 3 to 12, meets the highest standards of the school board and Ontario Ministry of Education.  Our distinctive learning environment features a supportive community, individual attention, and a focus on leadership and service.

POSITION: Conductor, Junior Choir
Part-TIME, 22 hours per week, 10 month renewable contract

Details on the position and how to apply are available on the ACCC web site: Employment Opportunities