CHORAL CONCERT, with host Peter Togni for Sunday, August 1,2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio 2

I Coristi perform Holst, Brahms and Veljo Tormis

Do it for love, it’s the only way to get it right! This Sunday Choral Concert focuses on Edmonton with a performance by  “I Coristi”, an amateur choir that shows us how love, dedication and commitment can make a group stand up and be noticed across the country. You’ll hear some wonderful performances of Gustav Holst, Johannes Brahms, and Veljo Tormis. 

You’ll also hear an incredible performance of the “Salzberg Mass” by Franz Biber performed by La Stagione Armonica, and the intoxicating sounds of the all boy’s choir “Libera".

Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

From the Hearth, Part II on Youtube

From the Hearth is a unique listening experience featuring recorded music by Elektra Women's Choir with commentary from Artistic Director, Morna Edmundson and Conductor Emerita, Diane Loomer, C.M. Join them as they sit by the fire, enjoy a glass of wine, and reminisce about Elektra's past 23 years. The second part remembers Elektra's first CBC Choral Competition win (for women's voices) and Elektra's early concert series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmZBddFsugk

Pacifica Singers Audition Announcement

The Pacifica Singers are a select ensemble of 16-18 voices led by award-winning conductor John William Trotter, Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Chamber Choir.  The ensemble was established in 2009 to provide a performance venue for experienced and motivated choral singers whose goal is to make music at a very high level.  In providing direct exposure to the world of professional music making, it offers an experience of exceptional value for singers intending to make music their career.  Current members are drawn from throughout the Lower Mainland region, with many also serving as conductors, music educators, and/or professional singers in their communities. 

The Pacifica Singers will perform in four concerts with the Vancouver Chamber Choir in the course of the 2010-2011 season, in addition to one independent production. Repertoire will include masterpieces by Vivaldi, Fauré, Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and others.

Auditions will be held on selected dates in August 2010.  Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings beginning in September, with additional dress rehearsals as required.

For more information, or to schedule an audition time, email John William Trotter at jwt@vancouverchamberchoir.com

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, July 25, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Vaughn Williams Mass in G minor with the Elora Festival Singers

This week on Choral Concert we’ll present a mass setting that Peter Togni calls “one of the great unaccompanied choral works of the 20th century”. Strangely enough this religious work was written by a declared agnostic – the British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. You’ll hear a pristine performance by the Elora Festival Singers led by Noel Edison.

Also on the show Vivaldi’s Gloria with Tafelmusik, the Medieval Babes, the great Finish sextet Rajaton and quite a bit more.

Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Vancouver Sings: 10th Anniversary Choral Concert

Vancouver is blessed with an outstanding choral community and is home to some of the very finest choirs in Canada - and the world! This year MusicFest Vancouver celebrates its tenth year by inviting five of these distinguished choirs together in one hall, on one night, for a powerful and inspiring choral celebration.

Each featured choir, Elektra Women’s Choir, Laudate Singers, musica intima, Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Chamber Choir and special guests, Brilliant Harmony women's choir from Japan, will perform several signature works and all the singers will come together for a grand finale.

This evening of choral music, sung in the superb acoustics of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, promises to be a festival highlight. Gather with other choral fans to witness this joyful salute to the power of the human voice on August 13 at 8:00 pm. Tickets available here.

Polyfollia Blog Created

A blog for Polyfollia festival has been created at: http://blogpolyfollia.wordpress.com. It is written in French, but there is a translation available. Feel free to check it.

Vancouver Chamber Choir...your Air Canada enRoute Entertainment

Travelling this summer? The Vancouver Chamber Choir could be flying with you!

If you are travelling with Air Canada between now and December 2010, be sure to tune in to your inflight audio entertainment. After rushing around a busy airport, you can unwind to the beautiful and relaxing sounds of Unexpected Gifts, the second CD in the Choir’s groundbreaking music for healing series.

Here’s how to find us:  Select Entertainment - Audio - Library - Easy Listening - Unexpected Gifts .

Enjoy your flight!

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, July 18, 2010 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

The archways and pillars of the St Mary Major in Rome is the inspiration for one of the center pieces of this week’s Choral Concert. Alessandro Scarlatti has never sounded so pristine, or so rich and colourful as in this wonderful release by the Netherlands Chamber Choir.  You will hear the glorious "Magnificat Animae Dominum" from the Vespers of the Virgin Mary.

Also on the show is a live performance of Stephen Chatman’s  Earth Songs as performed by the University of British Columbia singers and the CBC radio orchestra conducted by Alain Trudel.

Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Schola Magdalena Sings Hildegard of Bingen

On Sunday, August 8 at 3 p.m., the five-voice women’s ensemble Schola Magdalena presents music of Hildegard of Bingen at the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Avenue, Toronto. A “pay what you can” collection will be taken at the door. Schola Magdalena, which specializes in singing ancient music, is led by Artistic Director Stephanie Martin. 

After three years of devotion to medieval music and Gregorian chant, Schola Magdalena tackles this most challenging of chant repertoire, composed by the 12th-century abbess Hildegard of Bingen.

Music Celebrations International 2011 Festival Opportunities

If you are considering having your choir participate in an international choral festival you may wish to consider one of the following: Windy City Youth Choral Festival, Rome International Choral Festival, Mozart International Choral Festival and Somerset International Children's Choral Festival. See dates and contact information.

First International Competition for Choral Composition

The International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), in cooperation with Europa Cantat and Jeunesses Musicales International, announces the First International Competition for Choral Composition "A Choral Work for Peace" with the aim of promoting the creation and the wide distribution of a new choral repertoire and, above all, of promoting peace among the people of this world with the help of music. Continue reading for details and regulations in English and French.

Saskatoon Chamber Singers Open Auditions

If you are a singer looking for a challenging and rewarding choir, performing richly varied repertoire, we invite you to audition for the Saskatoon Chamber Singers. The Chamber Singers have been one of Saskatoon's premiere choirs for over thirty years, and may be best known for their annual Remembrance Day concert. The schedule is rounded out by a seasonal concert in December or January, and one or two concerts in late winter and spring with varying themes. The Chamber Singers also perform often with the Saskatoon Symphony, and plans are currently being made for their first CD.
August 23–28 (other dates by appointment)
More information at http://www.saskatoonchambersingers.ca/auditions2010 

Praise, Protest and Purpose: An interactive Gospel Music Workshop

An exploration of Afro American Spiritual music. Participants will learn various gospel songs, voice and chorus blending, stage presence. Concert to follow.
3rd. Ave. United Church, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Thursday, August 19–Sunday, August 22
For more information contact Lawrie Stewart: Lawrie@L2o2.com or visit this web link: L2o2.com