Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, February 27, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

A Morning of Vespers

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you a morning of Vespers, music devoted to the “days last glow”, where the long angle of the sun streams through stained glass windows and lights cathedrals with a special warmth….. and inspires composers to new musical heights.

Many composers have written for the vespers service, otherwise known as evensong, and you will hear the likes of Mozart, Scarlatti and Rachmaninoff in their interpretations of this time of day.

The highlight of the show with be the vespers of the great renaissance visionary Heinrich Biber (no relation to Justin, but pronounced the same) as performed by SMAM, the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal in an incredible performance from the Eglise Saint-Leon de Westmount in Montreal.

Think you can hear light? Check out the Choral Concert blog at: http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Planning a choir trip?

If you are considering taking your choir to a festival or competition, be sure to visit the ACCC web site and follow the link to the Festivals page for an extensive listing of national and international events.

22nd International Chamber Choir Competition of Pécs, Hungary 10-13th June 2011

Application Deadline: March 1, 2011.
E-mail: choircompetition@civilhaz-pecs.hu or nevhaz@t-online.hu
For competition rules, conditions and application form, please visit: www.civilhaz-pecs.hu/korusverseny/english

Le Choeur des jeunes du Québec 2011

Un projet de la Fondation Liette-Turner en collaboration avec l’Alliance des chorales du Québec

Ce projet offre une occasion unique aux jeunes chanteurs québécois de 18 à 25 ans de devenir membre éventuellement du Chœur des jeunes du Québec et du Chœur des jeunes du Canada. Pendant trois fins de semaines, de mars à mai 2011, ils auront l’occasion de :

• travailler avec un chef de chœur exceptionnel;
• suivre des cours de maître avec des musiciens expérimentés;
• répéter des œuvres de haut niveau et les chanter lors d’un concert-bénéfice;
• recevoir un certificat d’accréditation à titre de participant au Chœur des jeunes du Québec 2011.

Une vingtaine de jeunes chanteurs seront choisis par audition pour participer à ce projet. Cette année, les choristes du Chœur des jeunes du Québec 2011 passeront dix jours ensemble sous la direction inspirée du chef renommé, Pierre Barrette.

Announcing Le Choeur des jeunes 2011

A project of the Liette Turner Foundation in collaboration with the Alliance des chorales du Québec

This program provides a unique opportunity for young singers between the ages of 18 and 25 from across Québec to be members in the Chœur des jeunes du Québec and the National Youth Choir of Canada. Over three weekends, from March to May 2011, they will have the opportunity to:

• Work with an exceptional choral conductor
• Take voice lessons and master classes with respected voice teachers
• Rehearse and sing the finest choral repertoire in a gala concert
• Receive a certificate of accreditation as a participant in the Chœur des jeunes 2011

Twenty talented young singers will be selected by audition to take part in this exciting program. The choir members of Chœur des jeunes (CDJ) 2011 will spend ten memorable days together under the leadership of acclaimed conductor Pierre Barrette.

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

Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you Beethoven’s choral masterpiece: the Missa Solemnis. It’s a grand and powerful piece that you just can’t ignore. It’s the one that Beethoven considered his very best, even if he was over 2 years late delivering it. You’ll hear a wonderful performance by the National Arts Centre Orchestra and chorus led by Pinchas Zukerman.

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

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

From MusicFest Vancouver: Ludus Modalis perform "Sacred and Profane Love"

It’s Valentine’s day on Monday so this week on Choral Concert it’s all about love. Peter Togni puts the rose in his lapel, a flutter in his heart and brings you “Ludus Modalis”,  a French choir that focuses on the renaissance and early baroque periods. Their program “Sacred and Profane Love” explores love in all its forms: divine, romantic, brotherly, sisterly…. and a lot more.

“Ludus Modalis” pays particular attention to pronunciation and true intonation,  and the 5 members of the choir that perform in this concert create a beautiful “sonic bloom”.

You will also hear more romantic fare from the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Elora Festival Singers and the Juno nominated Musica Intima.

Are love and music both just a game? Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Reaching to the Choir

The February/March online issue of MORE Magazine features an article on choral singing by Kelly Toughill. Both ACCC's Christina Murray and Dr. Victoria Meredith were interviewed for the article.

Elektra Women's Choir present Reading Session of New Compositions

Elektra Women's Choir is pleased to present a reading session of new works for women's choir by local composers, Chris Sivak, Rita Ueda, Eireann O'Dea, and Norma Luccock. The works were selected from a number of entries to present a variety of textures and musical ideas, and the evening is meant to give composers insights not only into how their own works unfold in the rehearsal process and ultimately sound, but also to see and hear what other people are writing for the same ensemble. It is a warm and friendly evening and the public is invited to attend on Monday, February 21, 7 pm at Ryerson United Church, 2195 W45 Ave, Vancouver. Admission is free.

Chor Leoni Men's Choir Director, Diane Loomer, to receive Honorary Degree From University of British Columbia

This year’s recipients include individuals who have helped shape Vancouver and enhance its presence on the world stage. Environmental activist David Suzuki, along with Diane Loomer, an internationally acclaimed choral conductor, educator and composer, Jack Austin, Canada’s longest-serving senator, and Thomas Wing Fat Fung, founder and CEO of the Fairchild Group, will be recognized along with four other individuals.

"I was thrilled to find out that not only will I be receiving an honorary doctorate from my alma mater", says an excited Diane, "But also that UBC has also been honoured by being named as one of the top 50 universities in the world. Such recognition is both humbling and exhilarating."

Read the official announcement from UBC here.

Chor Leoni Men's Choir is delighted at this honour being bestowed upon our founder and Artistic Director, and offers a huge roar of congratulations!

Université de Sherbrooke: Maîtrise en direction chorale portes ouvertes

C’est avec plaisir que nous vous invitons à assister à notre journée des portes ouvertes, le 12 février 2011 pour le programme de Maîtrise en direction chorale. De 9 h à 14 h 30 au Pavillon Campus de Longueuil de l’Université de Sherbrooke, 150, place Charles-Le Moyne, à Longueuil (Québec) nous y serons pour répondre à vos questions. De plus, vous aurez l’occasion d’assister à une répétition ainsi qu’à une classe de maître en direction chorale de 15 h à 16 h 30 sous la direction du professeur Robert Ingari, responsable du programme.

Auditions – 17 avril 2011

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

Choral Music and the Junos

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you the best of last year’s Choral releases, as judged by the panel that brings you the Juno awards. There are two Canadian choral CD’s that are up for the coveted award, “Into Light” by the fabulous Musica Intima from Vancouver, and Ensemble Caprice with their spicy release “Salsa Baroque”.

All this plus wonderful offerings from “The Sixteen”, and the Toronto based Amadeus choir conducted by Lydia Adams.

Edward Enman Wins Halifax Camerata Singers Composer’s Competition

Edward Enman, a versatile and accomplished musician from Kentville, Nova Scotia, has won the 2010 Halifax Camerata Singers Young Composer’s Competition.

His winning composition, Then Shall I Leap Into Love, uses text from a poem by medieval mystic Mechthild de Magdeburg. The choral work will be premiered by the Halifax Camerata Singers at a concert May 28.

Singsation Saturday: February 12th Choral Workshop

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 sing a variety of works from the choral repertoire. Musical scores are available for singers to borrow during the workshop.  During the 2009-10 season, between 70 and 100 singers from across Toronto joined their voices together at each Singsation event.

Saturday, February 12, 2011: Music of Fauré and Lauridsen with Guest Conductor Kelly Galbraith