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National Survey for Choirs – Canada Council for the Arts

Choir/Choruses/Singing Groups/Composers Survey

Strengths, Challenges and New Opportunities

This survey is part of a project designed to determine the major challenges choirs, choruses, singing groups and composers are currently facing, as well as to help identify what gaps there are in choir programming and governance. This survey will also provide some preliminary insight into what new opportunities are available and what toolkits are needed to help meet these challenges.

Choirs at all levels and composers across the country are seeing new opportunities in exploring the creation and use of new and shared digital content and resources. (This does NOT include unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material.)This survey and project will help inform decision making and provide strategic guidance to allow for a quick and successful transition to our “new normal”. 

National and provincial choral organizations, artists, composers, schools, and various arts organizations across Canada will be invited to complete this survey which asks questions about “Digital Offerings”, in particular during COVID.  Questions on topics such as: What digital tactics have been used? How have they been monetized, if at all?  How and with whom have these been shared? Have they resulted in changes in audience connections? What financial and human resource barriers have you encountered?

There are new resources needed to increase the digital literacy of choral organizations.  This could take the form of “toolkits” or a national database to help organize access to current and future content. The hope is that these resources will help leverage digital technologies to inform innovative programming, new ways of marketing and funding, and a transformation of audience engagement as they return to live performances. Your collaboration through the completion of this survey will greatly assist in helping the choral and other arts sectors towards understanding these goals.

Some questions are designed for singing organizations to answer and some are more generic and can be answered by both choirs and independent composers. Composers associated with singing organizations can of course answer all questions. Independent composers not associated with a specific organization will be directed to certain parts of the survey.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time. As a token of appreciation for your time, after completing the survey you can enter into a draw to win one of the prizes: 

– A gift certificate for $100 from Cypress Music Publishers 

– A $50 gift certificate from Long and McQuade

Deadline: Wed. November 9, 2022 

Complete the survey today!  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8MH7MYJ

If you have any questions, or if you experience any technical issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at: Victoria Glizer at info@cpamo.org or charles c. smith at executive@cpamo.org.

This project is supported with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. 

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Choir Director, Dartmouth Choral Society

The DARTMOUTH CHORAL SOCIETY seeks a Choral Director to start September 2023

We are searching for a director who will continue to provide enjoyable and musically challenging experiences for our members.

The Dartmouth Choral Society is a four-part, non-auditioned 60 member community choir. We are the longest continuously performing community choir in Nova Scotia, soon entering our 70th year of singing and performing for the community. Throughout its history the Dartmouth Choral Society has provided an artistic opportunity for members to sing some of the great choral works from the renaissance to the contemporary.

Our choral year consists of two terms, September to December, rehearsing weekly to present a Seasonal Concert, and January to April/May culminating in a Spring Concert. The Choir may participate in other concerts/performances at the discretion of the Director.

The responsibilities of the Director include in part:

  • the selection of music and liaising with the librarian to acquire music
  • notifying the accompanist in advance of musical selections for each rehearsal
  • conducting weekly 2 hour rehearsals
  • providing musical instruction to the choir
  • holding auditions as required to determine the appropriate range for a voice or to
    select soloists
  • preparing the choir for at least two concerts per year and directing these concerts
  • recommending guest performers for concerts
  • consulting regularly with the President on matters of choir administration such as
    concert dates, venues, program content, suggested honoraria for guest performers
    and on choir progress.

The application deadline is March 24th, 2023. Applications should be sent electronically to the Selection Committee: dartmouthchoral1954@gmail.com
For further information contact the President Bep Demings: dartmouthchoral1954@gmail.com

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Choral Canada’s Connections Silent Auction.

We’re just one week away from the start of Choral Canada’s Connections Silent Auction! There’s still time to register – sign up now to be notified as soon as the auction goes live on March 3rd. There are loads of items to bid on, including 8 commissions, 11 workshops/consultations, gifts, books and more!

And don’t forget to RSVP for the final event on March 15th at 7:30 pm ET, featuring a “live on Zoom” performance from the Vancouver Youth Choir and time to connect with colleagues as we watch the final bids roll in.
REGISTER TO BID
RSVP FOR CLOSING EVENT
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Canadian Choral Resources Project Survey

National and provincial choral organizations, artists, composers, schools, and various arts organizations across Canada are invited to complete this survey to help gather information to support the creation of a new national Choral Resources Database as part of the Canadian Choral Resources Project.  For more information on the project read the project blog on the Choral Canada website. 

This project is co-ordinated by Byron Hermann with analysis by CPAMO. This survey is part of a project designed to determine the major challenges choirs, choruses, singing groups and composers are currently facing, and to help identify what gaps there are in choir programming and governance, as well as help identify new resources or toolkits needed in the choral sector.

Your participation in this survey will help development of new resources available for you and will include a new website CanadianChoralResources.ca with a free database for you to explore containing information from across the country, such as:  digital programs, recorded interviews, performances, composer information, and toolkits to assist in livestreaming, strategic and curriculum planning, etc. This database could also help you improve your current audience experiences. 

Deadline for completion: Monday, March 27, 2023

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time. As a token of appreciation for your time, after completing the survey you can enter into a draw to win one of the prizes: 

– A gift certificate for $100 from Cypress Music Publishers 

– A $50 gift certificate from Long and McQuade

Complete the survey today!  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8MH7MYJ

Why not share the link/post to this survey with others who you think would be interested.

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Sing Summer – JCC & YCC Registration

Registration is open for Sing Summer 2023. JCC and YCC will take place from August 13-19, 2023. New this year is a Day Camper option for either camp. There are a limited number of spots for campers who may wish to join for the activities all day but return home in the evening (includes lunch and supper). Visit our website to learn more.

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Unison Festival 2023- Festival Chorus Registration


In only three months, Halifax will be welcoming over 600 2SLGBTQIA+ choristers from all
across Canada for the 2023 Unison Festival. The Festival is being hosted by The Women Next
Door and the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus, with support from the Nova Scotia Choral
Federation. From May 19-22, the city will be buzzing with the joy of a queer community
united in the magic of choral music! The weekend will feature a series of choral concerts,
workshops and social events that will bring the community together.


The theme of the Festival is Open Harbour, and in that spirit we want to welcome the local
2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies to participate. The Closing Concert will feature our
three Festival Choruses, each with delegates drawn from the 17 2SLGBTQIA+ choruses
participating in the festival. Registration for a Festival Chorus is also open to the public and if
you’re a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or an ally who loves to sing, we’d love to
have you!


Each of the three Festival Choruses (SSAA, SATB and TTBB) will be performing their own
repertoire, which will include the world premiere of newly commissioned pieces to help
raise awareness around the LGBT Purge in Canada. These pieces were commissioned by
Unison with the assistance of the LGBT Purge Fund. The Festival Choruses will be conducted
by some of Canada’s premiere choral conductors: Deirdre Kellerman (SSAA), Marg
Stubington (SATB) and Willi Zwozdesky (TTBB). More information about the repertoire of
each Festival Chorus will be posted on the Unison Festival Choruses page.


During the festival, rehearsals for the Festival Choruses will occur on Saturday, May 20 and
Sunday, May 21 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Halifax Convention Centre. The Festival
Choruses will perform at the Closing Concert on Monday, May 22. There will be a tech
rehearsal in the morning so the expected time commitment is from 9:00am – 12:30pm. An
online rehearsal will be held prior to the festival and new registrants will have access to a
recording from a previous rehearsal. The cost of registration for a Festival Chorus is $50 and
can be done through the Festival Choruses page. Participants will also receive either a
rainbow tartan bow tie or bandana which will be part of the uniform for the concert.
If you are interested in participating in a Festival Chorus and are coming from out of town,
Unison has group rates available at several hotels in Halifax.

For more information about the 2023 Unison Festival, please visit the Unison website or contact
festival@unisonfestivalunisson.ca.

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Choir Camp 2023, Owen Sound, Ontario

COME SING AT CHOIR CAMP 2023!

We are very excited to announce a new summer choral event in Ontario called Choir Camp 2023. Happening July 10-14, 2023, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Owen Sound, Ontario, Choir Camp will be five days of large and small choir rehearsals, singing and music workshops, a mid-week concert by the Canadian Chamber Choir, and an end-of-week concert of our camp choirs. 

We are inviting adults of all ages and students age 14+ to attend our camp. All singers are welcome, whether they can read music or not, and regardless of singing level or ability.

We are thrilled to bring two very impressive choral professionals to Owen Sound to lead our choirs and workshops: Dr. Elaine Choi and Dr. Julia Davids.

Dr. Elaine Choi will lead our mass choir and workshops on singing and conducting. Originally from Hong Kong, Elaine is very active in Toronto as the artistic director of the Pax Christi Chorale, the director of music at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, the conductor of the University of Toronto Soprano/Alto Chorus, and the founding artistic director of Babεl (an SATB choral ensemble whose mission is to bridge cultures through choral music).

Dr. Julia Davids is the artistic director of the Canadian Chamber Choir. She and the choir will lead a vocal workshop for the Choir Camp singers, as well as put on an evening concert for the Grey/Bruce community while they are here. Julia has led workshops and master classes for choirs and conductors throughout Canada and the U.S. Originally from London, Ontario, Julia is a professor and director of choral activities at North Park University, Chicago. She is co-author with Stephen LaTour of Vocal Technique – A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers, which was the winner of Choral Canada’s 2014 award for best choral publication.  

Choir Camp 2023 will also be supported by many local choral and vocal professionals.

We hope to include a wide variety of musical styles at Choir Camp including classical, folk, musical theatre, a cappella, popular, music of various cultures, and more. Anyone who loves to sing and make music together will find something fun and challenging to do!

You can register for Choir Camp 2023 and learn more on our website, choircamp.wordpress.com, on Facebook at “Choir Camp 2023”, and on Instagram at “choir_camp_2023”. Please sign up for our mailing list if you would like to receive our monthly emails.

Please help us spread the word!

Arlen Wiebe & Matthew Allard 

Organizers

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Voice Male Workshop – February 25, 2023

LESS THAN 2 WEEKS UNTIL THIS WORSHOP! REGISTER TODAY!

CALLING ALL MEN! Presented by Nova Voce in cooperation with the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Voice Male is a workshop for changed male voices.  It is an opportunity to learn, have fun and sing with a larger male chorus!  The workshop will be followed by a concert featuring Nova Voce, guest choirs, and a massed choir sing. Join us for a day of music for men!

Guest Conductor:  Dr. Mark Sirett 

To register visit: https://forms.gle/WwoLNCVVBo24mcsG6

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Employment Opportunity: Director of Music (Part Time), Grace United Church

Director of Music (Part-time)
Grace United Church
Dartmouth, N.S.

Grace United Church is seeking a Director of Music to provide leadership and coordination of the Ministry of Music which is an integral, well-respected and beloved part of our worship and community.

Grace United Church is an affirming ministry, committed to transforming lives by living God’s vision as an active part of the diverse community in the heart of Dartmouth. We are a welcoming community of people who cherish our faith, one another and the opportunity to make a difference.

The Director of Music works as a member of the Ministry Team and Worship Committee to build upon and enhance the over 160 year history of compassion and excellence in preaching, music, community outreach and congregational care. We offer hybrid services (both in-person and live-stream) which are then posted to our YouTube channel which boasts a far-reaching audience.

The person in this position has the training and vision to continue, enhance and expand the Ministry of Music by working collaboratively with other members of the Ministry Team and Worship Committee while encouraging and supporting volunteers, choir members and musicians of all ages. This involves selecting, conducting and playing a variety of styles of organ, piano and choral music appropriate to our worship services. Grace United Church houses a pipe organ (Canadian Pipe Organ Company, 2 manual), a grand piano (Yamaha) and 2 electric pianos (Yamaha). As well, a dedicated group of 25-30 make up the SATB, adult choir who attend regular weekly rehearsals and worship services, special services, funerals and community concerts. Within the choir is a number of capable and willing soloists and musicians who also regularly contribute to the Ministry of Music.

There is a small budget for acquisition of new music in addition to an extensive, existing library.

Terms of Employment
Hours: 12 hours per week with some flexibility. 5 weeks paid summer leave during church closure (July/August in alternating years).

Remuneration: Determined using RCCO standards and commensurate with experience and education.
A small budget to assist with professional development fees is available.
There will be a contract with annual review by the Ministry and Personnel Committee.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor of music degree or equivalent experience and previous church musician experience.
The successful candidate will demonstrate keyboard proficiency (piano and organ) and choral conducting skills.

Optimal Start Date: August 1, 2023

Application and Selection Process:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume outlining experience, education, skills, attributes and 3 references to: apply@gracedartmouth.ca
Deadline for applications: April 14, 2023

On the basis of the application, a short list of candidates will be selected for in-person/zoom interview. An audition will be organized. Police and vulnerable sector check will also be required.

For a detailed job description or more information about life at Grace United Church please visit our website at www.gracedartmouth.ca
Past services may be viewed on the Grace United Church YouTube channel at youtube.com/gracedartmouth

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Azrieli Music Prizes Celebrating Excellence in Music Compositions – 2024 Call for Submissions Now Open

Azrieli Music Prizes Celebrating Excellence in Music Composition
2024 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN
The Azrieli Foundation has launched the biennial Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) call for submissions to composers across Canada and around the world.With this fifth edition, AMP is seeking scores and proposals for a cappella choral works that match the forces of its Performance Partner – the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Chorus. Submissions may include up to four additional instruments and/or soloists.

The three existing Azrieli Music Prizes continue in this latest edition: The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music, and The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music. A fourth prize has been added this year: the inaugural Azrieli Commission for International Music. 

The total package for each Azrieli Music Prize is valued at more than $200,000 CAD and includes:
A $50,000 CAD cash prize; A premiere performance at the AMP Gala Concert in mid-October 2024 in Montréal; Two subsequent international performances; and A professional recording for future commercial release.  

The Azrieli Foundation upholds Fair Access Principles in managing AMP. Submissions are accepted from institutions and composers of all nationalities, faiths, ages, genders, backgrounds and levels of experience. There is no entry fee.

The deadline for submissions for all four prizes is Friday, May 5, 2023.

Click here for more information.