Call for Sing Summer Staff 2024

Junior Choir Camp and Youth Choir Camp (August 14th to 20th)

Adult Choir Camp (August 19th to 24th)

Looking for a summer job in a relaxed camp environment? Consider joining us for our Sing Summer Camps held in Berwick, Nova Scotia! There are numerous positions available, including artistic staff and more traditional camp roles.

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation is preparing for Sing Summer 2024 and is looking for individuals to fill the following positions:

Camp Staff

Junior & Youth Choir Camp (August 11th to 17th):

  • Junior Choir Camp Counsellors
  • Youth Choir Camp Chaperones
  • Gophers (age 15 and up)

Adult Choir Camp (August 19th to 24th): 

  • Gophers (age 15 and up)

Please fill out the following Google Form in its entirety.

Sing Summer 2024- Staff Application Form

 

Nagamo – musica intima and Andrew Balfour – Workshops and Concert May 10-13, 2024

We are thrilled to share that musica intima and Andrew Balfour will be in Halifax May 10-13, 2024 to deliver workshops to both adult and youth choirs and will perform on Sunday, May 12.

Schedule:

Friday, May 10 – 6:30pm (2.5 hour workshop) Adult singers (register as a group or come as an individual), St Andrew’s United Church, Halifax

Saturday, May 11 – Youth Workshop. 9am to 5pm. St Andrew’s United Church.

Sunday, May 12 – 7:30pm, Musica Intima Concert, St Andrew’s United Church. $45 for adults, $25 for students. Tickets on sale soon!

Monday, May 13 – 6:30pm (2.5 hour workshop) Adult singers (register as a group or come as an individual), St Andrew’s United Church

The fee for workshops is $15 per singer. Those who attend the workshop and wish to also attend the concert will receive a discount on their ticket for the concert.

To Register for the Monday and Friday workshops, click HERE

To learn more about how your group can participate in the workshops, contact Anne at anne@nscf.ca.

“NAGAMO (Sings) reimagines history and the concept of nation to nation respect and musical dialogue between the nations of the so-called New World and Old World.  During the beginning of the 17th century,  several Chiefs and esteemed Indigenous leaders journeyed to Europe in the hope of forging alliances. In many cases, they were treated as respected ambassadors. NAGAMO explores the fantastical idea of what might have happened if the sharing of music, and the respect of culture had contrived, and how a different history might have played out.”

Andrew Balfour, curator 

Revolving around Elizabethan choral music by Byrd, Tallis, and Gibbons, NAGAMO also features the unique musical perspective of Balfour’s reimagining of these motets into Cree and Ojibway.  Compositions by Balfour himself explores universal ideas of governance, diplomacy, and culture, as well as the challenges Indigenous peoples face today. 

Nagamo Tesitmonials:

Working with musica intima and Andrew Balfour was an incredibly impactful experience for
me and the Collingwood School choirs. My students learned much about vocal technique,
history, collaboration, different artistic practices, and in particular how art can be part of a
decolonial effort towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. They were awed by hearing
a professional choir for the first time and inspired by getting to sing and work directly with
them. Hearing about Andrew Balfour’s experience as a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, and his
work to reclaim his identity through music was hugely impactful for me and my students. As
a music teacher, I benefited from the workshop by learning new pedagogical strategies for
teaching technique, phrasing and repertoire. We are very grateful for the chance to work with
musica intima and Andrew Balfour and we very much hope to have similar opportunities in
the future!
Luke McAndless-Davis, Choir Teacher, Collingwood Schools, BC

Thank-you SO much for the work you did with us in MB. The concert was fantastic,
and the students are on fire after working with you all. We did our Thursday rehearsal
without any conductor, and the group’s level of commitment to music-making was at
an all time high. I also decided to invite them into the programming for our April 1
concert and so they have chosen what rep we will be singing for that. I think this may
become a pattern for future concerts… Please let musica intima know that this tour
was a lot more than just great and meaningful concerts, but there will actually be a
long-term impact on participating choirs – in decolonizing the rehearsal space (at least
at U of M).
Elroy Friesen, University of Manitoba, MB

Registration for Podium Conference – May 16-19, 2024

Presented by Choral Canada and Alliance chorale du Québec,  in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, on the unceded traditional territory of the Kanien’keha:ka, as well as online through our conference app. PODIUM 2024 will bring together hundreds of delegates and thousands of singers and audience members from across the country and beyond who are passionate about group singing.

Held every 2 years since 1982, each Podium is different and is shaped by the many voices who come together to plan, perform, and share their knowledge and by the host province and city where delegates and audiences will gather. After having to cancel the planned 2020 Podium, presenting partners Choral Canada and Alliance chorale du Québec are excited to finally welcome PODIUM 2024 delegates to Montréal, Québec for a unique experience.

Our slogan ‘Open Voices, Open Minds’ reflects PODIUM 2024’s celebration of the full return to group singing in all its forms. Through offerings both online and on-site in Montréal, we will showcase a diversity of group singing practices from Québec, Canada, and beyond. We will create space for networking, sharing, and learning from presenters and artists with a multitude of lived experiences. Key themes will look to the future of group singing, including, but not limited to, the role of the choral arts in important topics such as social justice, climate change action, diversity and inclusion.

We plan for PODIUM 2024 to be a place to build new bridges and foster collaborations between individuals and communities who have not had the opportunity to connect before. We will create a fun, welcoming, and bilingual atmosphere where both anglophones and francophones can fully participate in all of PODIUM 2024’s activities together.  We are working to ensure all those who wish to participate in PODIUM 2024 feel that they are included and can access this national gathering in a variety of ways. 

Choral Canada is pleased to partner with Alliance chorale du Québec in 2024 as they celebrate 50 years of supporting choral music across the province of Québec and beyond.

Visit https://www.podium2024.ca/en/conference-registration for more information.

Atlantic Contemporary Vocal Institute – Summer Training Program

Introducing the Atlantic Contemporary Vocal Institute – a place for singers ages 18+ to nurture their technique, grow their passion and have access to high level training and performance opportunities. 

This July, experience three full days of coaching from some of Atlantic Canada’s top performers and educators. Dig DEEP into your artistry and reach a new level of creative and technical output. The ACVI Summer Training Program is ideal for performing singers, as well as teachers and conductors who are looking to broaden their knowledge and increase their confidence in teaching contemporary singing styles. 

For more information and to register (spots are limited!), visit www.acvi.ca 

Also, follow us on Instagram for more updates! www.instagram.com/acvinstitute

Giocoso Community Choir – Tenors and Basses wanted!

Giocoso Community Choir is looking for more tenors and basses! 

Tenors and basses, or low voices of any range, are you looking for a place to sing? We would love to have you! Giocoso is an all-ages ensemble with no experience requirements, welcoming all who want to sing. We work on a variety of music and have in the past spent time on classical, jazz, show tunes, and sea shanties.  This term we are preparing a concert of hope, resilience, and peace, with a concert date of April 13th. 

Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm at Christ Church in Dartmouth. Look us up on social media or reach out to giocosocommunitymusic@gmail.com for more information.

https://linktr.ee/giocosochoir

CONDUIT Chamber Choir Auditions

The CONDUIT Chamber Choir is holding auditions for our spring project. The project will focus on repertoire about the life of Mary and Marian themes.

All auditions will be scheduled on an individual basis. Those interested in auditioning are asked to perform a piece of their choosing as well as a sight reading test.

To book an audition or for more information, please contact us on Facebook or via email at info@conduitchoir.ca.

PS: Please like our new page and visit our Videos section to see performances from our inaugural project.

Elora Singers Vocal Academy

Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen invites vocal artists to apply for The Elora Singers Vocal Academy, from April 29 – May 4, 2024. This program has been developed for vocalists whose interests lie in art song, oratorio and ensemble singing.

Academy Singers will explore ways to communicate vocal repertoire more vividly, experience a broad range of vocal repertoire and examine all aspects of style, technique, communication, language, performance skills, and artistry. 

Application deadline is March 15, 2024

To learn more visit: https://elorasingers.ca/vocal-academy/

NSYC and Sing Summer Registration is Open!

Registration is open for:

  • Sing Summer Camps – Adult Choir Camp (Guest Conductor: Brainerd Blyden-Taylor), Junior Choir Camp (Guest Conductor: Carmen So) and Youth Choir Camp (Guest Conductor: Scott Leithead)
  • Nova Scotia Youth Choir 2024 – for singers age 16-25 (Guest Conductor: Jamie Hillman)

Visit www.nscf.ca to register and learn more!