Are you an emerging choral conductor under 35, ready to learn, lead, and be inspired? Or maybe you know someone who would fit the bill? The National Youth Choir of Canada is searching for its next Apprentice Conductor.
The 2026 program will take place in British Columbia and will culminate with a tour of the province, ending with the NYCC concert presented during the Podium Conference and Festival in Victoria (May 14-17, 2026). The 2026 choir will be under the direction of Dr. Julia Davids, who was the NYCC’s first-ever Apprentice Conductor!
“There is no other opportunity in the country as intensive and hands-on that gives young conductors the chance to work on all aspects of their conducting and rehearsal techniques. This program promotes an immersive, collaborative and supportive space that makes it an ideal learning environment for any conductor planning to work in community, youth and/or professional ensembles.
Having the opportunity to conduct the NYCC at PODIUM 2024 definitely gave me the chance to connect with a professional community of conductors and choirs from across the country. I’ll be forever grateful for all the things I’ve gained and learned from this experience and will continue to share and live this everywhere I go.”— Kitbielle Pasagui, 2024 Apprentice Conductor
Join the Nova Scotia Choral Federation’s first everRafflebox 50/50 fundraiser! Here’s your chance to hit the high notes for singing and choirs across the province while potentially winning big. With half the pot going to one lucky winner and the other half fueling the future of choral singing, it’s a win-win that will have you singing with joy!
This is a soundinvestment in our artistic communities! Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or a community supporter, your contribution will help fund programs that empower singers of all ages, nurture vocal talents, build confidence, and create unforgettable musical experiences. You can choose to support the NSCF or any singing organization on the dropdown list, or have your contribution divided equally amongst all.
Together, we can ensure that the magic of choral music continues to resonate throughout Nova Scotia. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly note-worthy! Purchase your raffle tickets today and help us strike a chord for music education and community choirs. Join the chorus of supporters and let’s make beautiful music together – because when we all come together, our voices are stronger and our communities shine brighter!
So, raise your voice and your chances to win! Let’s help keep the spirit of song alive in every corner of the province! Thank you for your support!
The winner will be contacted to claim their prize.
The National Youth Choir of Canada (NYCC) is a project of Choral Canada and is one of Canada’s finest youth choirs. The 2026 program will run from May 3-16, 2026 and we are looking for choral singers ages 19-26 to participate in this one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity.
The choir will be led by Guest Conductor Dr. Julia Davids, with a rehearsal residency and tour throughout British Columbia, ending in Victoria for a final performance at PODIUM 2026.
Video submissions will be accepted until September 30, 2025. Visit the website below to learn more about the audition process and to access the guidelines and application form.
Please share this news with your colleagues and networks, young singers, students, and anyone else who might be interested in this opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact programs@choralcanada.org.
ACVI Summer Training Program for Contemporary Singers
June 27-29, 2025
Halifax, NS
**Special offer for NSCF Singers** – enter the code NSCF150 at checkout for $150 off the cost of this year’s program!
The ACVI Summer Training Program is back with an incredible faculty line up and a new LEVELLED program to accommodate beginner, intermediate and advanced singers.
Join us this June for three days of informative and engaging workshops focused on technique, performance practices and creative work for singers of contemporary styles. Do you love to sing pop, rock, jazz, R&B, and folk? Or maybe you are a classically trained singer that wants to broaden your knowledge of CCM-specific training! Topics covered include vocal technique for CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music) singing including registration, mixing and belting, harmonizing by ear, improvisation, songwriting, arranging, microphone technique, performance confidence, conquering stage anxiety, and more!
Our 2025 faculty includes Zoe Leger, Rachael Delano,
Frances Farrell, Linda Carvery, Elise Besler, Breagh Isabel, Noah Malcolm, Jah’Mila, Aquakultre (Lance Sampson), Edward Enman, Holly Arsenault and Adam Johnson.
Thinking of posting your choir’s performance online? Not sure what the latest required steps are?
Choral Canada’s Student Chapter Committee has put together a webinar with presenters from SOCAN and the Canadian League of Composers to provide practical and helpful information to demystify the rules around synchronization (sync) licenses. This webinar will cover the licensing process, special considerations for choirs and singing groups, how to work with composers and publishers, and what to avoid.
Bring your questions and leave with clarity and confidence!
Advanced registration is required. This webinar is available to members of Choral Canada only*.
* While membership fees are an important part of our operating budget, we strongly believe they should never be a barrier to accessing our programs and services. That’s why we offer a pay-what-you-can membership option for anyone who needs it. For those who might be in a position to pay more for their membership, please consider selecting the full-price “Individual” or “Student” membership and adding a donation during the payment process. Your support helps us keep the pay-what-you-can option available for others.
Due to the announcement of our current Choir Director’s retirement at the end of our Spring 2025 season, the East Hants Community Chorale (EHCC) is seeking a new Choir Director, beginning in September 2025. EHCC is a welcoming, non-auditioned SAB/SATB choir of 40+ members, who meet from mid-September to mid-May. The choir performs 2 concerts per year, usually in early December and May. We are looking for a Choir Director with experience working with adult SATB and has a sense of humour to make weekly rehearsals fun and engaging! Please review the attached posting a end applications with the subject heading “Choral Director” to ehcommunitychorale@gmail.com We will accept applications until the position is filled, with the interview process beginning in June 2025.
Summer Study July 21 – August 1, 2025 Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia
KSNS is thrilled to announce the return of summer study to Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki! Join Maureen Dunn & Dr László Norbert Nemes who will be instructors for *Kodály Level I and II being held in Kjipuktuk/Halifax.
This two week intensive program is designed to strengthen personal musicianship and pedagogical skills, as well as deepen understandings of Zoltán Kodály’s philosophy & how it lives in the 21st Century. Participants will explore child-centered, culturally affirming activities in singing, moving, reading, writing, listening, and creating that will foster student love for music making and inform personal teaching practice, all within a supportive learning environment. Classes run Monday-Friday, 8am-4:15pm.
To register or for more information, please contact presidentksns@gmail.com
Some great opportunities for professional coming up soon!
Learn from the incredible Susan Brumfield, Professor of Music at Texas Tech University (and Guest Conductor for Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia 2025)!
Read More about Susan below!
Opportunity #1 – CCNS Weekend – Professional Development for Leaders:
April 11 & 12 – FREE – OPEN rehearsals for observation with the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia. First United Church Hall, Prince St, Truro. Friday: 10 – 12, 1:00 – 5:00. Saturday: 9:30 – 12:00
April 13 – CCNS Final Concert! 3:00pm – First United, Prince St. Truro – 125 singers from across the province!
Join Susan for a 2 hour workshop for Music Educators, Conductors, Singing Leaders and Music Students. TWO for ONE interactive, soul and tool-kit filling workshops! Come after school to absorb fun, transferrable activities that work in the elementary & junior high classroom, choir and band!
#1 – Sing It In Your Head: From Listening to Inner Hearing #2 – Improvisation in the Kodály Approach
Workshop Dates/Locations:
April 10, 2025- New Glasgow – 4:30pm – 6:30pm –North Nova Education Centre, 343 Park St
April 14, 2025 – Annapolis Valley – 4:30-6:30pm – Kings County Academy, 35 Gary Pearl Dr
Please select your location during registration below.
Registration Fees:
NSCF Individual Members/Leaders of Group Members: FREE NSCF Non-members: $20 per person
Payment can be made via etransfer to nscfadmin@nscf.ca. Please use the security answer SUSAN.
***Individual memberships are available for $35 per year. Student Group Membership is $55 per year. Available here: www.nscf.ca website – Visit the membership page for more details.
Dr. Susan Brumfield is Professor of Music Education at Texas Tech University, and holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma. She is in high demand throughout the United States and Europe as a clinician, consultant, author, composer, arranger and choral conductor. An internationally recognized expert in the Kodály approach, Dr. Brumfield is the author of First, We Sing! Kodály-Inspired Teaching in the Music Classroom (Hal Leonard), a set of Kodály-based of curriculum and resource materials for K-5 music.
Dr. Brumfield is Founder and Artistic Director of The West Texas Children’s Chorus – with four choirs consisting of singers from Kindergarten through college, serving children throughout the South Plains area, and serves as a teaching lab for TTU Music Education students. The choirs have performed at the Texas Music Educators’ Conference, national conferences of the Organization of American Kodály Educators and the American Orff Schulwerk Association, and has been featured in concerts at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues in NYC. www.wtccsings.com.
Dr. Brumfield was honored in both 2012 and 2014 with the Texas Tech University College of Visual and Performing Arts Award for Outstanding Research, and as a two-time finalist for the President’s Book Award. In 2015, Dr. Brumfield was the recipient of the Louisiana Tech University Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.
