News: e-notes

Chorusmaster for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, artistic director of Spiritus Chamber Choir and founding director of Luminous Voices, Timothy Shantz continues to garner critical praise for his work as conductor with both choral and instrumental ensembles. Kenneth DeLong of the Calgary Herald wrote, “Timothy Shantz led the choir with both energy and grace, drawing from the ensemble sounds that were refined, balanced, and filled with inner life.”

Shantz is an experienced conductor, collaborator, and tenor soloist. As a conductor, Shantz is recognized for his work in early-music, contemporary works, as well as virtuoso unaccompanied choral music to large choral-orchestral masterpieces. Under his direction, Spiritus Chamber Choir earned the Healey Willan Grand Prize from the Canada Council in 2013 and toured internationally, earning second prize at the Fleischmann International Choral Competition in Cork, Ireland as well as second prize at the Florilège Vocal de Tours in France. His preparation of choruses for major orchestral works has been equally successful. Following a performance of Beethoven’s Mass in C, DeLong wrote, “the well-prepared chorus (was) thrilling in the grand climaxes and sensitive in the softer Sanctus and Agnus Dei portions of the mass. The big fugal choruses always are a big sing for any choral group, and the CPO Chorus tucked into these most characteristic passages with relish. One could not help noticing the security of both the tenor and bass sections, and the way this contributed to the health of the total choral sound.” Shantz has collaborated with conductors Christoph König, Matthew Halls, Paul Hillier, Nicholas McGegan, Roberto Minczuk, John Morris Russell, Yoav Talmi, Jean-Marie Zeitouni and more.

Shantz has several recordings to his name including, Zachary Wadsworth’s The Far West released in May 2016 of which Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote “beautifully sung, as everything here is, by the aptly named Luminous Voices under Timothy Shantz.” Mendelssohn’s Te Deum, released in Spring 2015 by Luminous Voices was named Outstanding Choral Recording from Choral Canada in May 2016. Other recordings include, James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words (Spring 2014) with Spiritus Chamber Choir and future releases planned from the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus and Luminous Voices. Performance highlights as tenor include Händel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall, soloist and ensemble singer at the Carmel Bach Festival since 2008 and twice with the Lucerne Festival Academy under Pierre Boulez. Shantz holds a Doctor of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a dissertation analyzing the unaccompanied choral work Sun-Dogs by composer James MacMillan.

Watch for audition details in January.

 Congratulations to Gabrielle Gaudreault who was chosen as an apprentice conductor of the National Youth Choir 2018!

Congratulations to our 2018 National Youth Choir quartet Laycie Sutherland, Elyse Delaney, Ryan Henwood, Connor Grey and also to our 2018 National Youth Choir alternates Margaret Currie, Rhian Merritt, Luke MacLean, who have all been invited to take part in the 2018 National Youth Choir in Newfoundland! NSCF is committed to providing financial assistance for our quartet to attend, however, if anyone would like to help provide further financial assistance NSCF will accept donations to help all our singers take part in this incredible opportunity!

https://nscf.ca/support/donate/