Noel Edison to lead 3rd annual TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium January 22-26, 2013 in Toronto

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is now accepting applicants for the 3rd 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 2013 the five-day Toronto-based symposium will take place from January 22 through 26.

Participating conductors will not only refine their skills in workshops with Noel Edison, but will be given the rare opportunity to conduct the 70-voice Mendelssohn Singers 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 12, 2012.  Details, including the registration form, are available on the TMC Choral Conductors’ Symposium web page.
To conclude the Symposium, the Mendelssohn Singers and the Elora Festival Singers, led by the five participating conductors, will present a Community Concert open to the public.  This Community Concert will take place on Saturday, January 26 from 3:00-4:30 pm at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto (doors will open at 2:30 pm).  In 2012, over 800 people attended this concert while over 150 watched the live webcast.  The TMC opened the concert with Mozart’s Credo – see it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/8Mtk7RRyjwk.

Noel Edison is well established as one of the most versatile and charismatic conductors in the world today. As conductor and artistic director of two world-class Canadian ensembles, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Elora Festival Singers, Edison is widely recognized and appreciated for his skillful, interpretive work with both choir and orchestra.  He is also an experienced workshop leader, guiding other conductors in achieving their own artistic vision.

Formed from the ranks of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the 70-voice Mendelssohn Singers gave its inaugural concert on Good Friday, April 18, 2003 with a performance of J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor that the Toronto Star called "a glorious Good Friday experience" and "a major, memorable affair." Vocal agility and emotional versatility make the Mendelssohn Singers an ideal ensemble for Baroque and contemporary choral repertoire. Since its founding, the Singers has performed in each Toronto Mendelssohn Choir  season, with works by Vivaldi, Bach, Arvo Pärt and Frank Martin, and has made regular guest appearances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and National Ballet Orchestra, among others.

The Elora Festival Singers, a professional chamber choir, was founded in 1980 by Noel Edison. Through a regular concert series, recordings, broadcasts and touring, the Elora Festival Singers has established a reputation as one of the finest chamber choirs in Canada and beyond.

The Choral Conductors’ Symposium is supported by RBC Foundation.