Listen online to the CBC Christmas Sing-In

The 33rd annual CBC Christmas Sing-In, presented as part of World Choral Day 2012, is now available for listening online at CBC Music. The Sing-In features music by Honegger, Joubert, Villette, Howells, Duruflé, Warlock, Godfrey Ridout, Mark Sirett, Jonathan Dove, Fredrik Sixten, Derek Holman, Paul Halley, Julian Wachner and others, performed by the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, with director of music Jonathan Oldengarm at the organ, the Sing-In Brass led by trombonist Guy Bernard, and the audience of more than 1,200 all under the direction of conductor Jordan de Souza.
Link: music.cbc.ca/play/concert/CBC-Christmas-Sing-In-from-Montreal-2012-2012-12-09

CBC/McGill Youth Choir Gala: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Free podcast from CBC Music: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! read by Jonathan Goldstein and featuring the 200 young voices of the 10th annual CBC/McGill Youth Choir Gala and guest conductor Erica Phare, and a jazz trio led by Josh Rager. Available now, until January 6, 2013, from http://cbcmusic.ca/mcgill

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

The 10th anniversary edition of the CBC/McGill Youth Choir Gala

On Sunday December 30th, as we approach the end of 2012 Peter Togni will bring you the 10th edition of the CBC/McGill youth choir gala.

This wonderful collective concert that brings together the best of our youth from Montreal and beyond has become a highlight of the season for many Montrealers, as well as for CBC listeners across the country.

It’s an annual event produced by the CBC and this year you will hear the Choeur des enfants de Montréal, the English Montreal School Board Senior Chorale, the Ensemble vocal senior De La Salle, the McGill Conservatory Youth Choir, the South Shore Children’s Chorus and from Boston – the PALS Children’s Chorus.

All this plus Peter Togni’s top-of-the-list CD releases from 2012,  including the King’s Singers and the Boston Baroque.

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.

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 February 27, 2013 in Regina, SK and April 10, 2013 in Vancouver, BC.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 18, 2013
The application form is available here.

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 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.  

Vancouver Chamber Choir presents 11th Biennial Young Composers' Competition

The Vancouver Chamber Choir encourages young composers (ages 8-22) to submit applications to the 11th Biennial Young Composers' Competition. It is an opportunity to compose for Canada's premiere choir, have the composition performed in the choir's concert series, and receive a cash award!

ENTRY DEADLINE: 5pm Monday, February 18, 2013

The entry form is available here.

Entries are judged in three age categories: Elementary (8-12), Secondary (13-17) and College/University (18-22), with several special awards for the best submissions by residents of British Columbia.  A panel of musicians selected by the Vancouver Chamber Choir adjudicates the competition by assessing the originality and craftsmanship of the music and, where appropriate, the words.

Finalist compositions will be performed at the concert YOUTH & MUSIC on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 8pm (Ryerson United Church, 2205 West 45th Ave, Vancouver).  Cash awards will be presented to two winners in each age group and also in the special BC categories.  Young composers are encouraged to seek the support of their own choir or school, which may also be eligible for an award.

In addition, all entrants will receive four tickets to a Vancouver Chamber Choir subscription series concert of their choice in the 2013-2014 season.

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

Choral Concert presents the other great Christmas Choral work: J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio

Handel’s great oratorio Messiah is the hot ticket item every year for classical music lovers. However, there is another masterpiece out there by one of the greatest classical composers of all time: J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.

This music is wide ranging, thoughtful, joyful and personal. It is full to the brim of what makes Bach so appealing;  meaty chorales, immensely interesting solo writing, and choruses that leave you amazed at his insight and complexity.

There are six cantata movements in all, and they are meant to be performed on six separate days throughout the Christmas season. In this edition of Choral Concert, we manage to squeeze in four of them into our two hour time slot.

You will hear a wonderful performance of this work recorded on December 6th with the great Belgian group Collegium Vocal Gent along with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra conductor by Philippe Herreweghe.

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

ACCC Member Alert: Telephone Scam

If you are contacted by someone who claims to be calling from ACCC and asks for your mailing and/or email addresses, please do not give out that information. It is a telephone scam.

Bulletin alerte; aux membres de l'ACCC: escroquerie téléphonique

Bulletin  alerte; aux membres de l'ACCC: escroquerie téléphonique

Si quelqu'un prétendant vous appeler de la part de l'ACCC vous demande votre adresse postale ou électronique, sachez qu'il s'agit d'une escroquerie téléphonique, et qu'il ne faut en aucun cas lui révéler ces informations.

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni Sunday, December16, 2012 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

For this Sunday, December 16th Choral Concert will step aside to present "Joy to the World", our annual all-day celebration of seasonal music on CBC radio 2 with host Peter Togni.

CBC Radio 2 has carried this broadcast for 19 years – and on Sunday December 16 listeners will be treated to concerts from Finland, Denmark, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Georgia and Canada.

“Joy to the World” with host Peter Togni, this Sunday December 16th 9:00 - 6 pm, (9:30 - 6:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2.

Diane Loomer Remembered

The Canadian choral community is saddened by the loss of one of our most highly respected and loved conductors. Diane Loomer, C.M.,who passed away on December 10, will be remembered by all who knew her as a wonderful friend, a kind and generous mentor and a superb choral musician. We mourn our loss and celebrate the life of a truly special individual.

Follow this link for some tributes:
http://www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/2012/12/11/remembering-diane-loomer/

i Coristi Chamber Choir Announces Search for Music Director

After 19 seasons as Music Director of i Coristi Chamber Choir, founder Dr. Debra Cairns is retiring. The choir is seeking candidates for a new Music Director.

i Coristi Chamber Choir is an auditioned mixed chamber choir of 20 to 24 volunteer singers located in Edmonton, Alberta. The choir focuses primarily on a cappella masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 21st century, while regularly inviting guest artists to provide accompaniment, and occasionally delving into other musical genres. The concert season typically consists of three concerts, as well as additional community events. The choir has toured nationally and internationally, been prize winners in choral competitions, been heard on national CBC broadcasts, and has appeared several times with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

The choir's artistic and administrative team comprises the Music Director, Assistant Conductor, Accompanist and Administrative Director, each of which is a paid position.

Complete job description and application details are available here.

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

Choral Concert celebrates World Choral Day with Eric Whitacre conducting the Vancouver Chamber Choir

Sunday December 9th is World Choral Day and to celebrate, Peter Togni brings us a concert with Eric Whitacre conducting his own works with the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

Eric Whitacre is as close to a rock star as you can get in the choral world. His music is featured with astonishing regularity by all of Canada’s choirs, and this high profile concert with the Vancouver Chamber Choir speaks to his international stature and his broad appeal.

You will hear some of his lesser known early works, plus the works that has made him an international celebrity like “Five Hebrew Love Songs” and “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine”.

World Choral Day is an international choral event created to extol the values of solidarity, peace and understanding. To find out more go to: www.worldchoralday.org

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.

Jamie Hillman Awarded the 2012 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting

Toronto, December 3, 2012 – The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) and Choirs Ontario today announced Jamie Hillman as this year’srecipient of the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting. The Leslie Bell Prize will be presented to Mr. Hillman at the Chatham Kent Children’s Chorus Christmas concert on Sunday, December 16, at 6 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Chatham, Ontario.

In choosing Jamie, the jury noted that:
"Jamie showed skilled and artistic conducting technique. His supportive and encouraging communication with the choir produced a relaxed yet focused performance."

Le prix Leslie Bell pour chefs de chœur 2012 attribué à Jamie Hillman

Toronto, 3 décembre 2012 – Le Conseil des arts de l’Ontario (CAO) et Choirs Ontario ont annoncé aujourd'hui l'attribution du prix Leslie Bell pour chefs de chœur de cette année à Jamie Hillman. Le prix sera remis à M. Hillman le dimanche 16 décembre, à 18 heures, lors du concert de Noël du Chatham Kent Children’s Chorus qui se tiendra dans l'église évangélique luthérienne Our Saviour à Chatham (Ontario).

En choisissant M. Hillman, le jury a souligné que « ce chef de chœur possède une technique de direction adroite et artistique. Sa communication attentive et encourageante avec le chœur a donné lieu à une prestation décontractée mais bien ciblée ».