Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, March 6, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Mixing it up – where choral meets jazz.

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you a true blending, or even a collision of cultures. You’ll hear a whole range of releases that combines choral music with classical music’s creative cousin, jazz.

You’ll hear a concert with Concerto Della Donna (conducted by Iwan Edwards) and Montreal based saxophonist Joel Miller with his group Mandala. They’ll be doing pieces by Joel created especially for this event.

Peter will also swing back to the sixties with one of the most successful pop choral groups of all time, the Swingle singers. Plus a bluegrass mass (it works!) and brand new release by the Stuttgart Chamber Choir of the master of crossover himself, the great Brazilian master Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Is Choral Concert steering into messy waters? Check out the Choral Concert blog at: http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Vancouver Chamber Choir Auditions: March 26, 2011

The Vancouver Chamber Choir is holding auditions for professional-level singers on Saturday, March 26. All voices (SATB) are invited to audition. Please contact Natasha at natashaneufeld@telus.net for an appointment or call Violet at 604-738-6822 for further information. It is strongly advised that interested singers review the eligibility requirements on the About Us/Auditions page on our website www.vancouverchamberchoir.com.

Singsation Saturday: April 9th Choral Workshop

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC) presents Singsation Saturdays, choral workshops where anyone who loves to sing is invited to join with noted local conductors, TMC choristers and other singers to sing a variety of works from the choral repertoire. Musical scores are available for singers to borrow during the workshop.

Saturday, April 9, 2011: Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas with Guest Conductor Brian Farrow
Calling all Gilbert and Sullivan fans! This Singsation workshop brings back conductor Brian Farrow for a fun morning exploring popular Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Last year Brian led a very popular Gilbert and Sullivan Singsation Saturday.  This year, Brian will lead participants through selections from the operettas Princess Ida, Mikado, Yeomen of the Guard, Gondelliers and Ruddigore.

Brian Farrow brings his knowledge and love of Gilbert and Sullivan to this event. He has performed many operettas and was the Music Director of the Scarborough Gilbert and Sullivan Society. He will direct and his father Stan will accompany.

Time: Saturday, April 9 from 10:30 am – 1 pm

Location: Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Cameron Hall, 1585 Yonge St.

Price:  $10 – includes refreshments

Participants can register at the workshop.

For more information call TMC at 416-598-0422, ext 24 or check out the TMC website. (http://www.tmchoir.org/engage/singsationSaturdays.cfm).

VCC 10th Biennial Young Composers’ Competition Deadline Approaching

The Vancouver Chamber Choir encourages young composers (ages 8-22) to submit applications to the 10th 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! For more details and to download an application form visit www.vancouverchamberchoir.com/outreach Forms are also available by emailing info@vancouverchamberchoir.com or phoning 604-738-6822.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5pm Monday, March 7, 2011

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, February 27, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

A Morning of Vespers

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you a morning of Vespers, music devoted to the “days last glow”, where the long angle of the sun streams through stained glass windows and lights cathedrals with a special warmth….. and inspires composers to new musical heights.

Many composers have written for the vespers service, otherwise known as evensong, and you will hear the likes of Mozart, Scarlatti and Rachmaninoff in their interpretations of this time of day.

The highlight of the show with be the vespers of the great renaissance visionary Heinrich Biber (no relation to Justin, but pronounced the same) as performed by SMAM, the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal in an incredible performance from the Eglise Saint-Leon de Westmount in Montreal.

Think you can hear light? Check out the Choral Concert blog at: http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Planning a choir trip?

If you are considering taking your choir to a festival or competition, be sure to visit the ACCC web site and follow the link to the Festivals page for an extensive listing of national and international events.

22nd International Chamber Choir Competition of Pécs, Hungary 10-13th June 2011

Application Deadline: March 1, 2011.
E-mail: choircompetition@civilhaz-pecs.hu or nevhaz@t-online.hu
For competition rules, conditions and application form, please visit: www.civilhaz-pecs.hu/korusverseny/english

Le Choeur des jeunes du Québec 2011

Un projet de la Fondation Liette-Turner en collaboration avec l’Alliance des chorales du Québec

Ce projet offre une occasion unique aux jeunes chanteurs québécois de 18 à 25 ans de devenir membre éventuellement du Chœur des jeunes du Québec et du Chœur des jeunes du Canada. Pendant trois fins de semaines, de mars à mai 2011, ils auront l’occasion de :

• travailler avec un chef de chœur exceptionnel;
• suivre des cours de maître avec des musiciens expérimentés;
• répéter des œuvres de haut niveau et les chanter lors d’un concert-bénéfice;
• recevoir un certificat d’accréditation à titre de participant au Chœur des jeunes du Québec 2011.

Une vingtaine de jeunes chanteurs seront choisis par audition pour participer à ce projet. Cette année, les choristes du Chœur des jeunes du Québec 2011 passeront dix jours ensemble sous la direction inspirée du chef renommé, Pierre Barrette.

Announcing Le Choeur des jeunes 2011

A project of the Liette Turner Foundation in collaboration with the Alliance des chorales du Québec

This program provides a unique opportunity for young singers between the ages of 18 and 25 from across Québec to be members in the Chœur des jeunes du Québec and the National Youth Choir of Canada. Over three weekends, from March to May 2011, they will have the opportunity to:

• Work with an exceptional choral conductor
• Take voice lessons and master classes with respected voice teachers
• Rehearse and sing the finest choral repertoire in a gala concert
• Receive a certificate of accreditation as a participant in the Chœur des jeunes 2011

Twenty talented young singers will be selected by audition to take part in this exciting program. The choir members of Chœur des jeunes (CDJ) 2011 will spend ten memorable days together under the leadership of acclaimed conductor Pierre Barrette.

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, February 20, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis

This Sunday on Choral Concert Peter Togni brings you Beethoven’s choral masterpiece: the Missa Solemnis. It’s a grand and powerful piece that you just can’t ignore. It’s the one that Beethoven considered his very best, even if he was over 2 years late delivering it. You’ll hear a wonderful performance by the National Arts Centre Orchestra and chorus led by Pinchas Zukerman.

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

Choral Concert with host Peter Togni, February 13, 2011 9:00 - 11:00 am, (9:30 - 11:30 NL) on CBC Radio 2

From MusicFest Vancouver: Ludus Modalis perform "Sacred and Profane Love"

It’s Valentine’s day on Monday so this week on Choral Concert it’s all about love. Peter Togni puts the rose in his lapel, a flutter in his heart and brings you “Ludus Modalis”,  a French choir that focuses on the renaissance and early baroque periods. Their program “Sacred and Profane Love” explores love in all its forms: divine, romantic, brotherly, sisterly…. and a lot more.

“Ludus Modalis” pays particular attention to pronunciation and true intonation,  and the 5 members of the choir that perform in this concert create a beautiful “sonic bloom”.

You will also hear more romantic fare from the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Elora Festival Singers and the Juno nominated Musica Intima.

Are love and music both just a game? Visit the Choral Concert blog at:  http://cbc.ca/choralconcert

Reaching to the Choir

The February/March online issue of MORE Magazine features an article on choral singing by Kelly Toughill. Both ACCC's Christina Murray and Dr. Victoria Meredith were interviewed for the article.