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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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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.
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Glee Club – Maritime Conservatory

Glee Club with Amelia McMahon/voice and Katrina Phillip/dance: Join the new Glee Club and learn to sing and dance with joy and exuberance. Students will learn a medley of popular songs that will be presented during an end of year performance. Interested students will have the opportunity to audition for vocal and dance solos or explore skills such as beatboxing. Fridays, 4:30-5:30pm, starting Feb 3rd.

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Call for Support: Arts Funding in Nova Scotia

Home is where the Art Is

The arts and culture sector in NS needs your voice to make sure we are a central part of Nova Scotia’s recovery. Artists and arts organizations have come together to create Home Is Where The Art Is, a campaign for artists and the broad public to positively and respectfully lobby our MLAs to ensure we can rebuild the hardest hit sector and make it stronger than ever. Building together on the work done by  our colleagues at the NS Arts Council and others, we have identified our collective priorities that will make arts and culture survive and thrive in Nova Scotia.
​
The provincial government is setting its priorities for its 2023 budget now and the need has never been greater to ensure that they include these structural changes in their upcoming budget. We need to positively engage MLAs of all parties now to show them how important this is to the whole province. 

​We need your voice: the voices of individual artists and arts organizations, members, volunteers, staff, audiences and supporters.

http://www.nsarts.ca/?ct=t%28RC_COMM_MC_2022_year+end_COPY_01%29&goal=0_10b47fa043-0b51a9e796-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=0b51a9e796&mc_eid=3a4d55f37f

Sharing your voice could not be easier and the voices of the Arts need to be heard. Use the link to contact your MLA today! Letters are due by February 3, 2023.

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Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir and Girls Choir welcome new choristers for a winter start! 

Capella Regalis Choirs are FREE and open to any child who passes a basic audition. We invite interested girls (ages 7-13) and boys (ages 6-12) to sign up for a simple and friendly audition through our website: capellaregalis.com. *No prior musical experience or religious affiliation is required. A willingness to learn and commitment to the choir schedule are the basic requirements for participation.* 

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Cape Breton Chorale – Open Rehearsal.

We are inviting soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass singers
to join the Cape Breton Chorale in an open rehearsal!

Thursday, January 26, 2023
United Heritage Church
500 Charlotte Street
Sydney, NS

Here’s how it works:
1) Let us know if you are coming by sending us an email message.
2) Come up to 30-minutes before rehearsal begins to ‘meet and greet’ with the director
and some of our choir members.
3) Join us in our regular rehearsal for 75 minutes, followed by a break.
4) After break, you will be welcome to stay and observe the rest of the rehearsal or
continue singing with the group.
Here’s how the schedule looks in terms of time:
*January 26, 6:30 pm: meet at United Heritage Church, find your seat.
7:00 pm: 75-minute rehearsal with the Chorale
8:15 to 8:30 pm: break
8:30 to 9:30 pm: option to stay and observe the rest of the rehearsal or continue
singing.
*Enter through the OFFICE door toward the back of the building on Charlotte St. The building is
wheelchair accessible through the west door on Townsend Street.
There is no charge for this event.
If you are interested, please rsvp to us via email or phone by Wednesday, January 25.
Email: info@capebretonchorale.com
Phone: 902 968 9041

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Alexander Technique Opportunity

Ready to Be Inspired? – Alexander Technique Opportunity

What if you could find a bit more freedom in doing the things you love to do? In singing in a choir? In expressing yourself through your artistry? In moving through space with more ease? In meeting stressful situations with more poise? This is what the Alexander Technique offers.

What is the Alexander Technique?

What is AT? In a nutshell, the Alexander Technique is an approach to thinking and moving that allows for greater freedom and ease in performing the tasks you want to do, that you are passionate about.

Call for Students/Explorers

As part of the 1600-hour training process to become an Alexander Technique teacher, I am required to give a series of lessons. That’s where you come in: I am seeking folks who are curious about this work. I am offering 30-minute in-person lessons (I’m based in Halifax) for a nominal fee. If you are interested, please contact me at franpfarrell@gmail.com for more details. I would be happy to meet with you to (re) discover enhanced coordination and freedom in what it is you love to do.

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The Early Music Society of Nova Scotia Madrigal Group

EMSNS Madrigal Group starts January 12

Do you enjoy laughing and learning while you sing? The Early Music Society of Nova Scotia Madrigal Group is a relaxed a cappella ensemble that meets on Thursday mornings to sing a wide variety of English, Italian and French sixteenth-century music, directed by Andrew Pickett. Our next session begins Thursday, January 12, running through March 2, meeting at Faith City Church, 6225 Summit St, Halifax, from 10:30 am–12 pm. Please contact Andrew at andrewjpickett@yahoo.co.uk if you’d like to join in!