SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival: April 13th—15th at Harbourfront Centre

Thousands of Torontonians will celebrate a cappella music at the debut of SING!  The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, taking place April 13th to 15th at Harbourfront Centre.  Tickets are available now at www.torontovocalartsfestival.com.

Toronto’s first-ever a cappella festival will feature Canadian and international vocal artists from a wide range of genres, including pop and jazz groups, classical and gospel choirs, and world music ensembles. Education will also be a focus of the event, with industry veterans leading vocal workshops for singers of all ages and levels of experience. A total of 43 performances and master classes are scheduled to take place over three days; more than 25 will be free to attend.

“This festival got started in the typical way – a casual conversation over a cup of coffee,” says artistic director Aaron Jensen, an award-winning composer, arranger, performer, and clinician.  “Since then, that seed crystal has bloomed into a hugely ambitious and unique event, the likes of which have never been seen in Toronto.”

Call for Research Papers

The Editorial Committee for the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (ACCC) is now accepting research papers for the fall 2012 issue of Anacrusis, the magazine of the ACCC. For submission guidelines, please visit the ACCC website at http://choralcanada.org/ACCC_en/Guidelines.html. Submissions should be forwarded to the attention of Carolyn Nielsen at academic@choralcanada.org. All papers will undergo a process of blind peer review. Questions relating to the guidelines for submission should be directed to Dean Jobin-Bevans at djobinbe@lakeheadu.ca.
The submission deadline is April 1, 2012.

Appel de communications de recherche

Le comité de rédaction de l'Association des communautés chorales canadiennes (ACCC) accueille des  communications de recherche pour le numéro d'automne 2012 d'Anacrusis, le journal de l'ACCC.  Pour les directives relatives aux soumissions, veuillez consulter le site internet de l'ACCC (http://choralcanada.org/ACCC_fr/Directives_pour_les_soumissions.html). On adressera les soumissions à l'attention de Carolyn Nielsen (academic@choralcanada.org). Toutes les communications seront soumises à un processus d'évaluation par les pairs en aveugle. On adressera toute question relative aux directives au Dean Jobin-Bevans (djobinbe@lakeheadu.ca). 

La date limite pour les soumissions est fixée au 1er avril 2012.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, January 29, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Ottawa Bach Choir in Concert

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you the Ottawa Bach choir in a wonderful concert of baroque masters: Schutz, Buxtehude, Charpentier, Telemann and the great man himself J.S. Bach. The Ottawa Bach Choir are quickly emerging as true force in choral music in our capitol city and this one is not to be missed. They will be joined by the Ottawa baroque orchestra.
You’ll also hear a wonderful rendition of the “Mass in G”, by Francis Poulenc with the venerable members of the choir of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out the great choral music on our video on demand service at cbc.ca:  go to: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/videos/

RBC Provides Key Support for MYVoice Initiative

Chor Leoni is pleased to announce the ongoing support of their Mobilizing Young men’s Voices (MYVoice) initiative by the RBC Foundation through the RBC Emerging Artists Program. Leanne Harry, RBC's Senior Account Manager of Media & Entertainment, presented a cheque for $15,000 to Chor Leoni at the choir’s Rejoice concert on December 19.

This keystone support has allowed MYVoice to expand from two ensembles to three for 2012, with groups rehearsing now in Vancouver, New Westminster, and Langley. The program brings young men together through song and self-expression and is completely cost-free for participants.

MYVoice has exciting performances coming up. They sing February 12 (2pm) in the Great Hall of the Museum of Anthropology as part of the Exhibition Closing Performances of Hiroshima by Ishiuchi Miyako. Three participants from the Canadian Music Centre/Canadian League of Composers Mentorship Program will work with MYVoice and the British Columbia Girls Choir to produce three original compositions inspired by their experience of the exhibition. A documentary about the process will be screened at MOA before a public performance at the exhibition closing.

On April 28 they present Knights & Troubadours. Chor Leoni will be there to open the evening and to sing a couple of combined works at the end, but the spotlight will be firmly upon the young men of MYVoice!

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, January 22, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

I Coristi perform “Borealis”

This Sunday on Choral Concert you’ll hear the Edmonton based choir “I Coristi” perform music from the frozen north in a concert they call “Borealis”, a celebration of the northern lights.

“Boreal” gets its name from Boreas, the God of the north wind in Greek mythology, and it refers to the sub-Arctic lands of this world; Iceland, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and of course – Canada!

The composers from these northern lands represent a rich musical tradition, often with an underlying austere beauty that reflects the spirit of the north.

You can listen to the “Borealis” on Concerts on Demand at: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20110212coris

Tallis Scholars Summer School July 7—14, 2012

The UK branch of the Tallis Scholars Summer Schools is dedicated to exploring our great heritage of Renaissance choral music and developing a performance style appropriate to it, as pioneered by the Tallis Scholars. Under the direction of Peter Phillips and members of the Tallis Scholars we work on concert and service repertoire in a variety of small and medium sized groups. The week’s activities culminate in a Gala Concert by summer school participants, directed by Peter Phillips. The course also includes individual vocal tuition with members of the Tallis Scholars, for those that would like it, as well as a programme of talks and sung services in the chapel.

The course this year will be taking place at Uppingham School July 7—14,  2012. Activities are based around the chapel, located minutes from the picturesque and historic town centre. We welcome applicants aged 18 and over with good sightreading skills. The deadline for applications is 27 February 2012.

Please the website for more information

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, January 15, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Vancouver Chamber Choir – the best of Britain

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you one of Canada’s choral treasures, the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

They are known for their smooth, blended sound and a richness that only comes from years and years of practice. They've been around since Jon Washburn pulled them together back in 1971. Since then the group has won numerous honours, toured the world many times, and released over 30 CD’s.

This Sunday you will hear a program called “The English Touch”, where they present the best of British choral music from the past 500 years. This is your chance to hear one of Canada’s best choirs perform the best choral music from that small but very musical island.

You’ll also hear Jean Sibelius at his best, with the Helisinki University Chorus performing his very rousing “Patriotic Songs”

ACCC National Choral Awards

A perfect opportunity to give national recognition to an individual or organization in your community that has made an outstanding contribution to the choral art, whether as a conductor, sponsor, administrator or producer. For a complete list of awards visit National Choral Awards and complete the Nomination Form.

Nomination Deadline: February 15, 2012

Prix nationaux de chant choral

Voici la parfaite occasion de porter à l'attention du pays entier un individu ou une association qui a fait une contribution exceptionnelle à l'art choral, qu'il s'agisse de chef de choeur, de parrain, d'administrateur ou de producteur.  Pour une liste complète des prix, veuillez visiter le portail Prix nationaux de chant choral et remplir le Formulaire de nomination.  

Date limite pour poser une candidature: le 15 février 2012

National Youth Choir Conductor Search 2014

ACCC is now accepting nominations for the conductor of the 2014 National Youth Choir.  For details and Nomination Form see Conductor Search.
Deadline for nominations is March 1, 2012

Appel à candidatures pour le poste de chef du Choeur national des jeunes 2014

L'ACCC accueille à présent les candidatures pour le poste de chef pour le Choeur national de jeunes 2014. Pour de plus amples informations et le formulaire de nomination voir Directives pour la recherche du chef pour le Choeur national des jeunes.

Date limite pour proposer les candidatures: le 1er mars 2012

Vancouver Chamber Choir Auditions Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Vancouver Chamber Choir is holding auditions for professional-level singers on Saturday, January 28, 2012. All voices (SATB) are invited to audition but, before calling, please visit our website to see if you are eligible.

Contact Catherine for an appointment at catherinelaub@hotmail.com

NSCF Young Composers Competition

As part of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir program, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation is announcing it’s second Choral Composition Competition for young Canadian composers.

Comprised of 35-40 talented singers aged 16 to 25 auditioned from around the province, the NSYC youth are provided a challenging opportunity to work, develop and perform choral music together under the leadership of talented local educators and accomplished Canadian conductors. The 2012 guest conductor of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir will be Elroy Friesen.

The composition competition applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 30. The winner will receive a monetary prize of $1000.00 as well as two premiere performances of the work by the NSYC, conducted by Elroy Friesen, on September 29 and 30th, 2012.

Visit NSCF Young Composers Competition for details. Submission deadline : March 30, 2012

Interplay: Interactive 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 9, 2012 in Wolfville, NS and April 11, 2012 in Vancouver, BC.

During this program, composers are allotted individual rehearsal time (usually 30-45 minutes) with the professional chorus and conductor. This time may be used to test a completed work and/or try out new concepts. Choir, conductor and composer dialogue about musical and technical features, strengths, flaws, textures, colours, notations and many other aspects of successful choral writing. Each workshop is closely tailored to the needs and interests of the individual composer.

A cross-section of composers, ranging from full professionals to university composition students and representing varied musical styles from avant garde, concert and church music to school and educational repertoire are chosen to participate in the Interplay workshops.

Composers are also welcome to attend the workshops as observers.

There is no charge to composers for this workshop, thanks to the generous support of the SOCAN Foundation.  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 20, 2012
The application form is available here.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, January 8, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Huelgas Ensemble in Concert

This Sunday Peter Togni brings you one of the world’s truly great choral ensembles, the Huelgas ensemble conducted by Paul van Nevel. Not only do they have total mastery over pitch, style and rhythm – but they also have a unique sound that is very rich in the mid range, producing a gloriously deep tone. This is the kind of "total immersion" music you could listen to forever.

Based in Switzerland, this group started off as specialists in contemporary music and over the years have become more and more focused on Renaissance and Medieval music. They take their name from a Gregorian Chant manuscript based in Burgos, Spain called the “Codex Las Huelgas”.  

In this concert from Lunenburg, Germany you will hear music by Renaissance and Medieval masters Agricola, Rossi, Clemens non Pappa, Orlando de Lasso and with a jump ahead into the 1700’s, you will also hear the great baroque master J.S.Bach.

World Youth Choir 2012 Canadian National Auditions – Call for Applications

Calling Young Canadian singers!

If you’re between the ages of 17 and 26 and an enthusiastic, experienced choral singer, the Association of Canadian Choral Communities invites you to audition for a chance to represent Canada in the World Youth Choir 2012! To be eligible to audition for the World Youth Choir, you must be between the ages of 17 and 26 as of July 1, 2012. Candidates must submit an application package and audition recording to the ACCC on or before February 1, 2012. The full details, audition requirements and application forms can be downloaded from the ACCC website.

Choeur Mondial des Jeunes 2012 Auditions nationales canadiennes -- Appel de candidatures

Appel aux jeunes choristes!

Si vous êtes un choriste passionné et expérimenté de 17 à 26 ans, l'Association des communautés chorales canadiennes vous invite à passer une audition en vue de représenter le Canada comme membre du Choeur mondial des jeunes 2012! Tout candidat aux auditions pour le Choeur mondial des jeunes aura de 17 à 26 ans le 1er juillet 2012. Les candidats sont invités à soumettre leur dossier de demande et l'enregistrement de leur audition à l'ACCC le 1er février 2012 au plus tard.   De plus amples renseignements ainsi que les conditions d'audition et les formulaires de demande peuvent être téléchargés depuis le site internet de l'ACCC.

Le Chant des Oyseaux Choral Workshops in France

We wish you a Happy New Year and hope we can share choral music in our upcoming summer workshops. Feel free to talk about them with your best friends !

http://le.chant.des.oyseaux.monsite-orange.fr

Le Chant des Oyseaux Stages de chant choral

Nous vous présentons nos meilleurs voeux pour 2012 et espérons que le programme de nos stages de chant choral vous donnera envie d'y participer ou d'en parler à vos meilleurs amis chanteurs.

http://le.chant.des.oyseaux.monsite-orange.fr