Third International Composers’ Competition Budapest, 2012

 “In Memoriam Zoltán Kodály”

To commemorate the 130th anniversary of the composer’s birth, the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music and its Kodály Institute, in conjunction with the International Kodály Society, announces the 3rd International Composers’ Competition. The Competition is under the patronage of Mrs. Sarolta Kodály.

Original, primarily a cappella, compositions are being requested for equal voice children's choir and mixed choir. Submissions must be post marked no later than August 1, 2012. 

Complete regulations and information follow.

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

A program dedicated to Vespers

This week’s Choral Concert is dedicated to the Vespers service, an evening service in the Christian church. The tradition goes back to very early Christian times, at least the year 500.

The idea was to have a service in the day’s last glow, when the angle of the sun was just right to reach inside the church and light up the stained glass windows, leaving the interior literally glowing with magical light. The composers of the time obviously knew this, and took full advantage of its special atmosphere with music for the Vespers service.

This Sunday on Choral Concert we are dedicating our entire program to music for the day’s last glow. That’s because it’s Palm Sunday in the Christian tradition, a service that is about reflection and contemplation.

You’ll hear one of the most famous Vespers compositions of all time, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, music from the Russian Orthodox tradition. It’s full of praise, reverence, meditation and penitence.

You’ll also hear a piece that host Peter Togni calls “one of the most beautiful pieces that Mozart ever came up with.” From his Vespers, the Laudate Dominum.

Don’t forget that CBCMUSIC.CA has lots to offer for classical music lovers, there are 10 classical streams, available 24 / 7. You can also check out the Choral Concert blog plus extensive videos and concerts in all genres.

Choral Concert: The Vespers Edition runs this Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2.

Choralies internationales Edmonton 2012: Bienvenue aux jeunes de 15 à 17 ans!

Les adolescents âgés de 15 à 17 ans sont invités à participer aux Choralies qui se dérouleront du 8 au 15 juillet 2012 à Edmonton (Alberta).

Tous les ateliers sont ouverts à cette jeune clientèle. Pour plus d’information, dirigez-vous sur le site internet des Choralies en suivant ce lien :

http://www.choraliesedmonton2012.ca/nouvelles/nouvelle.php?id=24

N’oubliez pas que les inscriptions sont toujours en cours. Consultez le site internet officiel des Choralies pour toutes les informations: http://www.choraliesedmonton2012.ca

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, March 25, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Elmer Iseler Singers in Concert

This Sunday on Choral Concert we are focusing on Lydia Adams and her work with Canada’s choral treasure, the Elmer Iseler Singers.

Lydia Adams is a composer’s dream. The conductor and artistic director of the Elmer Iseler Singers knows how to listen to what composers have to say, and how to bring that out in the music. Adams took the singers’ helm from Elmer Iseler himself, after his death in 1998.

We’ll be presenting a concert they gave last year in Halifax, and it covers a lot of territory. Adams not only leads the singers in music by Mendelssohn and Schubert, but true to form she also focuses on a Canadian composer with two beautiful pieces by John Estacio.

You’ll also hear more motets - Russian ones this time with the St Petersburg Chamber Choir, and a stunning performance of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with the BBC chorus and orchestra.

Don’t forget that CBCMUSIC.CA has lots to offer for classical music lovers, there are 10 classical streams, available 24 / 7. You can also check out the Choral Concert blog plus extensive videos and concerts in all genres.

Diane Loomer To Be Honoured

Chor Leoni is thrilled to share the news that Diane Loomer, C.M., our beloved Artistic Director, will receive two honours this Spring.

In May she will travel to her alma mater in Minnesota where she will receive an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College. The degree is in honour of her outstanding career and contribution to choral music and the education of students for so many years. Gustavus Adolphus College is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and true to form, Diane will be conducting the Sesquicentennial Gustie Singers at Commencement in May.

She may encounter some difficulty going through the metal detectors at YVR on her way to Minnesota because she will be weighted down with another honour, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the Throne and at the same time honour significant contributions and achievments by Canadians.  The medal will be presented by The Honorable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, at a ceremony in April.

Congratulations, Diane!

Rimini International Choral Workshop: August 26—September 1, 2012

The Flemish Masters: their contribution to the music in Venice; with Peter Phillips, Andrea Angelini and Ghislaine Morgan.
The participant choir will sing in the beautiful Abbazia del Monte in Cesena on Friday, August 31.
More information: Rimini Choral Workshop
Or contact:  info@musicaficta.org

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, March 18, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Camerata Nova in Concert, Priesner’s Lacrimosa, Monteverdi’s Venetian Vespers, 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 incredibly passionate Lacrimosa by the Polish composer, Zbigniew Preisner.

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 an amazing performance by the 17th century innovator Claudio Monteverdi. You’ll hear his Venetian Vespers in a recent recording by the Tavener Consort and Players.

Don’t forget that CBCMUSIC.CA has lots to offer for classical music lovers with 10 classical streams, available 24 / 7. You can also check out the Choral Concert blog plus extensive videos and concerts in all genres.

Choral Director Position Available Beginning September, 2012

Amaryllis, founded in 1996, is a well-respected amateur women’s choir, drawing dedicated and talented members from communities in the area around Vankleek Hill, Onatario, is seeking a new director. For details and application information, visit Employment Opportunities. Application Deadline: April 11, 2012.

Choir Arts Management Programme at Polyfollia

Polyfollia 2012: 5th World Showcase and Marketplace for Choral Singing

2nd Choral Arts Management Programme - CAMP
(International Study Tour for Choral Managers)

Discover from inside how we work and how we deal with this amazing challenge: building the unique international showcase and festival of choral art in the world.
You already work in the choral field and you intend to develop an event?
You want to discover and practice new ways and new tools to improve?
Come, share and learn with colleagues from all over the world, develop your own international network and take part to this unique event in the world.

Apply for CAMP: the Choral Art Management Programme of Polyfollia and ECA-EC!

Download the application form here and read all the practical information on our website.

Application Deadline: Application has to be sent before March 31st 2012
If you meet any difficulty please contact Hélène: helene.leroy@polyfollia.org

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

The Ensemble Caprice in Concert

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you Ensemble Caprice and the great Canadian soprano Shannon Mercer. You’ll hear a bold program that contrasts the sacred music of J.S. Bach with the contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Based in Montreal, the Ensemble Caprice is renowned for its innovative interpretations of baroque music. Under the direction of Matthias Maute and Sophie Larivière, the group is always inspiring and innovative. In this program they take the Bach Magnificat at such a reckless pace that you are sure they will go off the rails -- but they pull it off! It’s an exhilarating performance.

Check out the Choral Concert blog on CBCMusic this weekend and see your top ten motets revealed! Peter Togni will be playing 3 of them this Sunday, and many more in the weeks to come.

Call for Nominations for ACCC Board Positions

This is a reminder that the deadline to submit nominations for ACCC Board positions is March 15, 2012.  Please consider nominating someone from the Canadian choral community who you think may be suitable for any of the positions below.

Please send your nomination to Debra Cairns  (dcairns@ualberta.ca), Past-President ACCC, Chair Nominations Committee. Nominees should be a member in good standing of ACCC.

ACCC Board Positions to be filled:

• President Elect
• Vice-President Advocacy
• Vice-President Professional Development

For further information, please visit our website:  http://choralcanada.org/ACCC_en/Board_Vacancies.html

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, March 4, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The Vancouver Chamber Choir in Concert

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you one of finest chamber choirs in Canada, the Vancouver Chamber Choir conducted by its founder, Jon Washburn. This choral institution has been around for 40 years, toured the globe, and been across our own country many, many times. You will hear them in a concert from Ryerson United Church in Vancouver. It’s their home church and they performed this concert right after a tour of western Canada. Not to be missed.

Want to hear your favourite motet performed on Choral Concert? Check out the Choral Concert blog
(http://music.cbc.ca/#/Choral-Concert) on CBCMusic and weigh in with your top pick. The motet is one of those forms that composers love, because it doesn’t impose many restrictions on their musical inspiration. That could be why there are so many beautiful ones out there.

Peter Togni will be playing a few of his favourite motets this Sunday and starting March 11, we’ll be playing selections from your top ten picks as well.