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Celandine: An Exercise in Social Dreaming – Polaris Choirs for Change

Celandine: An Exercise in Social Dreaming

Performed by Polaris (Choirs for Change) Music by Ryan Henwood Text by Claire Bennet Video by Tim Mombourquette

Celandine, meaning “joys to come” in the language of flowers, explores the transition from a busy life led by superficial desires (the Past) to a sudden absence of these structures in a time of isolation and questioning (the Present). The third section (the Future) represents a call to reconnect with nature, guided by a sense of community and transience. We have been sending polluted noise out into the world for so long, it is now time to pause, listen, and react to the music the environment is trying to relay to us, and imagine a joyful, hopeful future. This piece was created for Nocturne: Art at Night 2020 with funding received through the Province of Nova Scotia’s Cultural and Youth Activities grant program.

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National Youth Choir of Canada Virtual Choir Performances

“All Of Us” from “Considering Matthew Shepard”
Composer: Craig Hella Johnson; Text: Michael Dennis Browne and Craig Hella Johnson
Performers: Choral Canada’s National Youth Choir of Canada alumni
Sheet music available at Hal Leonard; please visit https://www.halleonard.com/
Conductor: Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée; Apprentice Conductor: Thomas Burton
“May our songs, discussions, and learning experiences also lead to meaningful and lasting actions towards greater inclusion, diversity and equity in our choral community—let us be part of the change so it can truly be All of Us.” – Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée
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*WORLD PREMIERE* – She Walks In Beauty
Composer: Kevin Pirker; Poet: Lord Byron (George Gordon), 1788-1824
Performers: Members of Choral Canada’s 2020 National Youth Choir of Canada
Sheet music available at Cypress Choral Music; please visit https://cypresschoral.com
Conductor: Jean-Sébastien Vallée; Apprentice Conductor: Thomas Burton
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This is the winning composition of Choral Canada’s 2020 National Competition for Choral Writing – Diane Loomer Award
https://www.choralcanada.org/competition-for-choral…
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Choristers:
Angela Myshkowsky (MB), Avery Opalka (NS), Beverley Rockwell (NT), Brianna Penner (SK), Diana Rockwell (NT), Élie Lefebvre-Pellegrino (QC), Emily Parker (ON), Eva Stone-Barney (QC), Grace Rose (NL), Greer Schatz (NL), Julia Brotto (ON), Kai Leung (ON), Katharina Unruh (MB), Kiley Venables (ON), Luke Munchinsky (MB), Natasha Gosling (BC), Nathan Gritter (ON), Oliver Dalton (BC), Ryan Henwood (NS), Stephen Gagnon-Ruscio (ON), Tim To (AB), William Ireton (SK)
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Join our supporters of the Choral Canada’s National Youth Choir of Canada professional training program by donating here today: https://www.canadahelps.org/…/choral-canadacanada-choral/

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National Roundtables for the Canadian Choral Community: Connect & Exchange

Choral Canada is hosting a second series of National Roundtables for the Canadian choral community: Connect & Exchange.

This will be a time to reconnect with colleagues, to share in the ups and downs of running a choir during COVID-19, and to exchange practical ideas based on what has or has not been working well. Come hear from some choral leaders in the country and engage in small group discussions.
Six roundtables will be offered in English and two in French, co-hosted with Alliance chorale du Québec. Summaries from the sessions will be made available in both languages.

Advance registration required. Register here today!

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Free Online Vocal/Choral Opportunities – HRM Students

The Halifax Regional Arts program is offering multiple music-making opportunities for students in the HRM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Halifax Regional Arts Program is offering online choral classes. To register for this and other choral/music offerings, please go to https://hra.hrce.ca/ and click on “online offerings”

CHORAL SKILLZ (2 SECTIONS) THURSDAYS SECTION I 4:00-5:15 SECTION II 5:30-6:45 GRADES 7-12

“If a choir is only about singing and performing – there will be no choir for awhile. If a choir is about teaching and learning, growing, connecting, community, cultural exploration and transmission, and innovating – we will find a way to have choir”-Kellie Walsh

While there are some restrictions in place with regards to singing in person, we can move online and take this opportunity to develop our choral skills, study some choral repertoire, and build a choral community that is bound by a love of choral singing!  In addition to exploring choral repertoire, we will learn about sight-singing; ear training; vocal health, body mapping, conducting; improvisation; music appreciation (listening to choirs from around the world) and tips for a successful choral audition.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE VOCAL/CHORAL OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE GO TO:

https://hra.hrce.ca/

TO REGISTER PLEASE GO TO:
https://sites.google.com/gnspes.ca/halifax-regional-arts-resource/home/online-programs-2021

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Virtual Meeting for Choral Leaders in Nova Scotia with Dr. Strang

                               

On Friday, October 23, at 2 pm there has been a opportunity organised for choral leaders to meet virtually with Dr. Strang, our Chief Medical Health Officer, to discuss guidelines around group singing in Nova Scotia.  If you would like to participate please fill out this form.  If you have any questions you would like submitted before hand or if you cannot attend and have a question please do fill in the form.

 

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CBC: What Singing in a Choir Looks Like in a Pandemic

Check out The Aeolian Singers in CBC’s What Singing in a Choir Looks Like in a Pandemic. The NSCF is so excited to see choirs returning to rehearsals while taking the necessary precautions to gather safely.

For more information on the Government of Nova Scotia’s and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation’s guidelines for choirs, click here.

 

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NSCF – 45th Annual General Meeting

45th Annual General Meeting
Friday, October 30, 2020
7:00 pm
Via Zoom – Please register here in advance to receive a link to the AGM

Election of Officers
Each year the Nominating Committee selects a slate of nominees for their individual skills, expertise and their
willingness to devote the time required for committee work and Federation business. The committee also strives for
the widest possible provincial representation.  If you are interested in nominating someone to our Board of Directors the deadline for nominations is October 16, 2020.
The procedure is as follows:

Members will submit motions of nominations any time up to 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Motions
must be made in writing, signed by the mover and the seconder, and delivered to the Federation office. The nominee
must deliver signed acceptance by the deadline and provide biographical information suitable for reproduction or
distribution to Annual General Meeting delegates.

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Congratulations to Edward Enman, winner of the CCC’s 2020 Composition Competition!

Edward Enman, winner of the CCC’s 2020 Composition Competition

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation (NSCF) is excited to congratulate Edward Enman for winning the Canadian Chamber Choir’s (CCC) 2020 Compostion Competition: Responding to the Pandemic. Edward Enman has been actively involved in the NSCF’s programming, beginning as a participant in many of our programs and later as  regular staff. at our Sing Summer camps. Enman was also the winner of the NSCF’s Young Composer’s Competition in 2015 for his piece, Time’s Small Space.

To read the official announcement shared by the CCC, click here.

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AVHC: Come Sing With Us!

“Hope Lingers Here” - Singing Safely with Annapolis Valley Honour Choir!

Choir vows to sing through the pandemic, launches 2020-21 season with optimism.

When Covid struck last March, the AVHC quickly pivoted to an online program. All through the spring, singers met regularly to continue sharing their love of choral music with each other and with the community. Their spring “virtual concert” has reached over 11,000 people.

The theme of this season, “Hope Lingers Here” is a line taken from a song by Lissa Schneckenburger. With no singing in the schools, the AVHC aims to be a place where any young singers can gather to continue using their voices. In what will be an important year in all children's lives as they navigate the societal effects of Covid-19, the AVHC is fostering a feeling of hope, and of resilience with a season of joyful learning, inspiration and connection where young people will continue to build self-confidence, self-expression and grow in their artistry.

This enriching and innovative program makes the most of new opportunities to focus on individual development for the children and to broaden their horizons by exploring other genres of music and art forms through exciting workshops with local and internationally renowned guest artists, and choirs across the country.

Singers will engage in weekly online rehearsals for singing and a variety of activities, as well the older choirs will receive small group vocal coaching with voice teachers Paula Rockwell and Michael Donavan. They will have customized music theory/sight singing instruction and new online programs that allow them to receive individual attention and progress at their own pace. Modular workshops for the fall term will be offered by musical experts in their field - Laura Caswell (Music Theatre), Amelia McMahon (Vocal Jazz), Ken Shorely (World Rhythms), and Holly Carr (Visual Arts).

In addition, the Senior Choir will be participating in the Bridge Choral Collective - a series of cross-Canada workshops with a focus of music and social justice, led by international stars The University of Pretoria Choir (South Africa), Moira Smiley (US folk artist) and Sherryl Sewepagaham (Canadian Indigenous Cree Artist).

For the past five months, Artistic Director Heather Fraser, as part of her Advocacy work for Choral Canada, has closely been following the science and studies, and researching what is possible and what is safe with regard to group singing and the spread of COVID 19. As many choirs across the country, and internationally, begin to open their doors once again, AVHC hopes to be able to add in-person rehearsals/activities to enhance this virtual program later this fall - following all current recommendations and best practices to ensure the safety of all singers.

With no singing in the schools at this time, any singers from Grades 3-12 from anywhere (even outside the valley!) who are looking to sing and learn in a supportive community are welcome! Entry will be open until the end of September. Visit www.avhc.ca to find out more or contact the choir at coordinator@avhc.ca.

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SopranoJoan: Singer’s Masks

Side view of a Singer’s Mask

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation would like to extend a thank you to SopranoJoan for sharing her patterns for Singer’s Masks. Throughout the pandemic, SopranoJoan has released three versions of her singer’s masks patterns as well as instructional YouTube videos on how to make them.  If you do not have access to a sewing machine,  we have linked an option for online purchasing.

To access the pattern (provided in either English or French) used in SopranoJoan’s video above, click  the corresponding link below:
Singer’s Mask (English)
Singer’s Mask (French)

To purchase a singer’s mask based on the same  pattern, click here.