CHORAL CONCERT, with host Nick Halley Sunday November 17, 2013: 9:05 - 10:00 am, (9:35 - 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

A focus on men's choirs

Nick Halley brings you the rich, powerful and deep sound of men's choirs.

If you are a fire fighter, or know someone who is, you might suggest they get a choir going in their local fire department - because that was the genesis of one of the world's true choral hits, the "Ave Maria" by Franz Biebl (you may not recognize the name, but I bet you'll recognize the piece when you hear it). Back then their weren't any fire women like there are now, so the piece was originally written for men only.

That's how Nick is going to start this weekend's show, and then he'll go on to bring you men's choirs from around the world - Sweden, the Netherlands and France.

20th Annual 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 7, 2014 in Sudbury, ON and April 8, 2014 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 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: December 10, 2013

The application brochure is here.

World Youth Choir 2014 Global Auditions Deadline: December 31, 2013

The World Youth Choir 2014, "Singing the World" is currently in the process of auditioning young, talented, experienced singers, between the ages of 17—26, who are interested in improving their choral singing skills while touring Croatia and Southeast Europe during three weeks in July 2014 (exact dates to be confirmed). Details and information on the audition requirements can be viewed at World Youth Choir Global Auditions. Eligible Canadian singers who are interested in auditioning for this exciting opportunity should read this information carefully prior to contacting the WYC directly to arrange for an audition.

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Nick Halley Sunday November 10, 2013: 9:05 - 10:00 am, (9:35 - 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

Remembrance Day Weekend on Choral Concert

This Sunday Nick Halley brings you beautiful music in keeping with Remembrance Day.

If you've been lucky enough to catch some of the glorious fall weather that has been appearing here and there across the country over the past few weeks—where the low angled sun cuts through the vibrant colours of the trees with its straight rays of light—you might think about how such weather is in stark contrast to this time of remembrance, for events that are tragic and dark.

Many of you have commented about the power of choral music to express both darkness and light, sometimes at the same time. So this Sunday's show is dedicated to choral music that not only expresses darkness, but also cuts through like that beautiful fall light with clarity and loveliness.

You will hear everything from Felix Mendelssohn's beautiful Nunc Dimittis to the great Gabriel Faure's Requiem.

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Nick Halley Sunday November 3, 2013: 9:05 - 10:00 am, (9:35 - 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

Big music for big occasions

To kick off your Sunday Nick Halley has a few big, bold and bombastic pieces for you - three right in a row.

They are all Te Deums. A Te Deum is an expression of thanks meant for big occasions. There was a time when if you won a battle, the first thing you would do is order up a Te

Drum.

You will hear a tryptich of Te Deums from the master of effect George Frideric Handel, the reclusive Franz Joseph Haydn and the head of music for Louis the 14th himself, Jean-Baptise Lully.

Vancouver Chamber Choir - Deadline Approaching for Conductors' Symposium

NATIONAL CONDUCTORS' SYMPOSIUM January 20-25, 2014
Application deadline: November 8, 2013

The Vancouver Chamber Choir's 34th National Conductors' Symposium is an opportunity to take part in master classes with Canada's premier choral ensemble January 20-25, 2014 in Vancouver.

Presenting a week of conducting sessions and technique seminars, Master Conductor Jon Washburn will provide invaluable instruction for five selected choral conductors from around the world. The symposium will focus on providing conductors with as much podium time as possible and will culminate with each participant sharing in the conducting of the Vancouver Chamber Choir concert THE WORLD IN MUSIC.
 
The 2014 application brochure is here.

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Nick Halley Sunday October 27, 2013: 9:05 - 10:00 am, (9:35 - 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

A musical spin on words.

One of the wonderful things about Choral Music is that it involves words. Of course this is stating the obvious - but nevertheless it is one of the gifts of choral music and singers do get to use words in the most wonderful ways.

This Sunday on Choral Concert Nick Halley will take you on a musical spin through pieces that explore words in all sorts of different ways. From Jacob Handl and his reformation-era take on "Our Father", to the literary relationship J.S. Bach had with the local high school teacher, Nick will explore the somewhat turbulent relationship words and music have had in the choral world.

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Choral Conductors’ Symposium, January 28 – February 1, 2014: Call for Applications

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir invites emerging choral conductors and conductors who wish to refine their choral conducting skills to apply for a spot in the 2014 Choral Conductors’ Symposium, January 28 – February 1, 2014, in Toronto. The Symposium is a five-day series of workshops and master classes with conductor Noel Edison, during which participants will have the opportunity to conduct the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Concert.

Further information, including fees and schedule information and a link to the registration package, is available at  http://www.tmchoir.org/education/conductors-symposium.cfm.

NewWorks 5th Annual National Choral Composition Competition

The purpose of the NewWorks competition is to foster new and engaging choral works by Canadian composers.  This year, we are looking for a composition based on a Canadian text.

The winning entry will receive a $1,500 cash award plus travel expenses to Kitchener to attend the premiere of his/her composition by the DaCapo Chamber Choir, under director Leonard Enns, in the choir’s 2013/2014 season.  We are also inviting young composers (aged 25 and younger) to submit compositions for consideration in our Young Composers Reading Sessions.

The Competition is open to all Canadians. 
For more information: www.dacapochamberchoir.ca/newworks

Entry deadline: February 17th, 2014

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Nick Halley Sunday October 13, 2013: 9:05 - 10:00 am, (9:35 - 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

Thanksgiving… the time for sitting in your kitchen, with the fall light coming in the windows, drinking hot cider or tea, and listening to choral music of the highest order. 

It's a comfortable, contemplative time of year and this Sunday on Choral Concert Nick Halley will take you on a journey through some choral music that fits the mood. 

If you have an old chair in your kitchen, or an old book – some family heirloom, like an antique chest, when you look at it, have you ever thought about what it is that makes these objects so beautiful? Is it the sense of history in them? The sense they've been well-made – the craftsmanship? Or just that they've been well-loved and well-used?

It is the same with choral music, some of it is so perfectly built, it is a thing of beauty to behold, but also like that old chair in your kitchen, it’s made to be savoured and enjoyed.

This week you will hear a collection of perfectly built choral works..... everything from Palestrina's gorgeous Missa Brevis to Mozart's mysterious Mass in C Minor.

London International A Cappella Choir Competition April 21–26, 2014

From April 21–26th, 2014, the London International A Cappella Choir Competition will bring together 16 choirs from around the world to compete in a series of public concerts. A jury of renowned experts, chaired by the founder and director of the award-winning Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips, will select a winning choir from four preliminary rounds to compete in a prestigious final with the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes and further concert dates.

In addition to the opportunity of winning one of the prizes which are on offer, each competing choir will be given discounted entry to an opening concert from given by the Tallis Scholars, free tickets to the competition heats and will be invited to give a further concert at another prestigious London venue during their stay.

View the brochure outlining the schedule for the week, details of repertoire and information of how to apply. An application form is available at www.sjss.org.uk

CHORAL CONCERT, with host Nick Halley Sunday September 29th, 2013 9:05 - 10:00 am, (9:35 - 10:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

The best new choral releases with Nick Halley

This Sunday on Choral Concert Nick Halley takes you on a survey of the best new releases from across Canada, the USA and Europe. You'll hear the Lady Cove Women's Choir from St. John's, the Laurier Singers from Waterloo, and international groups like the Orchestra and Chorus of the Age of Enlightenment, and Conspirare