Chor Leoni Announces Successor to Founder Diane Loomer, C.M.

Erick Lichte appointed Artistic Director effective September 2013   
Diane Loomer,  C.M., concurrently assumes Conductor Emerita position
 
Vancouver’s renowned pride of singing lions, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, is pleased to announce the appointment of Erick Lichte as Artistic Director effective September 2013, at which point founder and current Artistic Director, Diane Loomer, C.M., will step into her new active role as the choir’s Conductor Emerita.   
   
Diane expressed every confidence in the transition, saying, “During my 20 years as Founder and Artistic Director of Chor Leoni I have worked with most of the elite male choir conductors in North America. I cannot overstate my sense of pride and delight that Erick, one of the most respected of these conductors, has agreed to succeed me as our new Artistic Director. He has the knowledge, experience, education, and most of all, the spirit, to carry on our legacy.”

As a founding member, singer and Artistic Director of the male vocal ensemble Cantus, Lichte created and sustained one of only two full-time vocal ensembles in the United States. His work with Cantus garnered the 2009 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the highest honor for the professional choral organization Chorus America. He has also been awarded major grants from Chamber Music America and the National Endowment for the Arts.   
    
As Chor Leoni’s Associate Conductor, Lichte accompanied the choir to Europe this past July, where they won twelve major awards at the 51st. Seghizzi Concorso Internationale Di Canto Corale in Gorizia Italy. This experience offered an invaluable opportunity for the choir and Erick to work together intensively and successfully.

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni Sunday, September 30, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

Choral Concert goes to the Opera

This week on Choral Concert Peter Togni takes us to the opera! Some of the most beautiful music every written for choirs come from operas or are inspired by opera and we are going to devote our entire program to these glorious musical moments.

You’ll hear the tender “Humming Chorus” from  Puccini’s Madam Butterfly, “Va Pensiero” from Verdi’s Nabucco, opera inspired masses from Schubert and Berlioz and much more.

It’s all meant to stir your heart and rouse your passion - as only the greatest operatic moments can.

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.

Auditions: Boy Treble Voices for Britten's Saint Nicolas

Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir are excited to announce a performance of Britten's Saint Nicolas cantata, with tenor Ben Heppner singing the title role. It will be performed at 8pm Friday, December 7 at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver.

Maestro Washburn will be holding auditions on Sunday, October 14 from 2-4pm for four boy treble roles:

Young Nicolas: able to sustain a high E
3 young boys (often referred to as the "three pickled boys"): range A to high F-sharp

Please note: only unchanged boys' voices will be considered.

Candidates are asked to prepare one song of their choice. An accompanist will be provided.
 
To schedule an audition or for more information,  contact Steven Bélanger:  sbelanger@vancouverchamberchoir.com  (604) 738-6822 ext 22

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni Sunday, September 23, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

The National Youth Choir with Ivars Taurins

Every night, just before walking on stage, Ivars Taurins gathered the National Youth Choir together and offered them this sage advice: “cool head, warm heart.”

Wise words from one of Canada’s best musical directors, giving these emerging musicians the essence of what it takes to make great music – a clear, calm mind and a deeply passionate soul.

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni will bring you the National Youth Choir in two concerts they performed this past May, one in Ottawa and the other in La Prairie, Quebec.

The National Youth Choir gathers up the most talented young vocalists from across Canada every two years and gives them a once in a lifetime opportunity - the chance to rehearse intensely and then tour with one of Canada’s best choral conductors.

You will hear them rise to the challenge of performing music that would require even the most hardened  professionals to work up a serious sweat, and you will hear them do it with grace and style. Music by Poulenc, Saint-Seans, Brahms, Tavener and Christos Hatzis.

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.

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Celebrates Culture Days September 30

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s mission is to provide Canadian audiences with the experience of the classical choral masterworks of the world. We’ve found a new way to do that. On September 30 at 4 pm EDT (that’s 1 pm PDT and 5:30 pm NDT) the TMC will webcast their January 2012 Choral Conductors’ Symposium concert. During the webcast Canadians can also join a conversation about the concert on twitter with TMC Associate Conductor Matthew Otto. Canadians can watch the concert on the TMC’s website at www.tmchoir.org and tweet their comments to @TMChoir. The TMC is very excited to be included amongst nearly 7,000 free activities that are already registered to take place in some 800 communities across Canada for the third annual Culture Days. We’re especially proud to be going national with our Culture Days event to share the experience of great choral music with people from every corner of Canada.

Anyone with internet access can go online and enjoy a choral concert by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Elora Festival Singers, performing great choral works spanning the Renaissance to the 21st century. The TMC is webcasting its January 2012 Choral Conductors’ Symposium concert. This Symposium brought together five emerging conductors for a week-long intensive workshop with TMC Conductor and Artistic Director Noel Edison. It concluded with a free concert in Yorkminster Park Baptist Church where the five participants conducted the full Toronto Mendelssohn Choir in movements from major works by Mozart, Haydn and Handel, and the Elora Festival Singers in chamber works by Byrd, Britten, Rutter and more.

During the webcast TMC Associate Conductor Matthew Otto will be answering questions on twitter.  Matthew Otto was a participant in the first TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium and in June 2011 was appointed as TMC Associate Conductor.

The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium IX Call for Papers and Presentations

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni Sunday, September 16, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

Music from the Sistine Chapel – with the Elora Festival Singers

The Sistine Chapel is one of the world’s centers of great music. Composers like Palestrina, Allegri, Victoria and Josquin des Prez created some of the most beautiful music of all time for the Sistine Chapel.

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni will bring us music from the Sistine Chapel performed by one of Canada’s finest choirs, the Elora Festival Singers conducted by Noel Edison. Performed in the beautiful Church of our Lady in Guelph, the resonant sounds wrap you up in a tapestry of glorious interweaving polyphonic musical lines.

You will also hear a brand new release from Vancouver’s Musica Intima, the 20th anniversary celebration.

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.

Vancouver Chamber Choir Auditions September 22

The Vancouver Chamber Choir is holding auditions for professional-level singers. All voices (SATB) are invited.

The Vancouver Chamber Choir is a fully professional choir of 20 experienced, well-trained singers. The key activities of the Choir include a subscription series that is unique in Vancouver, extensive touring in Canada and abroad, broadcasting live concerts on the CBC, recording, commissioning and premiering new choral compositions, and presenting four to five educational programs throughout each season. The Choir demands a major commitment of time and needs to be the singers' top priority.

The Vancouver Chamber Choir usually rehearses on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. A list of substitute singers is maintained; these people may also be used to augment the Choir if a larger group is needed.

An audition lasts approximately one half hour and singers will be required to sing three or four pieces in different styles and languages; there will also be an interview with Jon Washburn. A formal résumé is required.

Singers are expected to provide their own accompanist for the audition. 

Contact Catherine for an appointment at catherinelaub@hotmail.com

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni Sunday, September 9, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

New season, new releases

This week on Choral Concert Peter Togni will travel around the world to bring us the best new choral releases for the fall.

You’ll hear brand new music from Canadian groups like Les Voix Baroque, Concerto Della Donna and the Elora Festival singers. You’ll also hear some beautiful international releases including a mass reflecting on the New Zealand earthquake of 2011 by Antoine Brumel performed by the Tudor consort.

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.

Ottawa Choral Society's Open House Wednesday, September 12

Join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 12, at Blessed Sacrement Church in the Gleeb (corner of Percy and Fourth) for a rehearsal open to the community. Christmas Oratorio scores will be provided (or bring your own). Open to all voices and abilities.

If you like what you hear at the rehearsal you can book your audition immediately following the open house.

Please contact choirmanager@ottawachoralsociety.com with any questions.

DINNER AT THE GARDEN with special guest Eric Whitacre

You're invited to Dinner at the Garden on Friday, October 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Visitor Centre, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver. Join special guest, Eric Whitacre who will conduct the Vancouver Chamber Choir in a sneak preview of the Saturday night concert.

Tickets are $175 ($100 tax receipt) with proceeds in support of the Vancouver Chamber Choir" youth outreach and educational programs.

To reserve your seat. please call 604-738-6822 or email vgoosen@vancouverchamberchoir.com by October 12, 2012.

Pacifica Singers Auditions

The PACIFICA SINGERS will hold auditions for new members on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, September 16, 2012

The Pacifica Singers are a select ensemble of 20-28 voices led by award-winning conductor Kevin Zakresky. The ensemble is now anticipating its fourth season, and exists as part of the Vancouver Chamber Choir organization. The ensemble performs with Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir on three or four concert programmes each season and also presents two independent concerts with Kevin Zakresky.

The Pacifica Singers provide an ideal performance venue for experienced and motivated choral singers whose goal is to make music at a very high level. By providing direct exposure to the world of professional music making, it is an experience of great value for singers intending to make a career in music.

Current members live throughout the lower mainland, with many serving as conductors, music educators, and/or professional singers in their communities. Most rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings, with occasional weekend rehearsals and additional dress rehearsals as required.

For more information on Pacifica Singers click here.

For more information on Kevin Zakresky click here.

For more information or to schedule auditions contact Kevin Zakresky at kevinzakresky@me.com