NSCF has commissioned a series of 5 posters encouraging singers to join a choir and sharing statistics from the first ever Canadian Choral Census. This series is now available as posters and concert program inserts for download from the NSCF website on our under About NSCF “Media” page . You can request printed posters as well. The series will appear weekly between now and Christmas on our webpage, Facebook page and in Enotes.
The hard work, the months of rehearsal and preparation, the extra coaching sessions, all paid off for the ScotianAires who recently competed at Harmony Incorporated’s International Convention and Contests for women’s barbershop choruses and quartets. This year’s event was particularly special because it was held in our hometown of Halifax at the World Trade and Convention Centre.
Competing with twenty-three choruses from across Canada and the United States, the ScotianAires placed sixth, attaining our highest standing at International since the 1990s. In addition to being the top scoring Canadian entry in the competition, the ScotianAires were awarded the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers trophy for the highest performance score for a non-medalling chorus.
ScotianAires director Sue Kember shares the impact of the experience. “It is so wonderful to work hard for something and have an amazing result. To work with such an impressive group of women is so rewarding and humbling for me, I consider myself extremely lucky. Sharing this passion for a cappella singing with them is fantastic! “
In the quartet competition, two foursomes from our chorus ranks (along with an import from the Valley Voices in Kentville) qualified for the top ten quartet finals held on Saturday afternoon. Newcomer enJOY! wowed the crowd in their first international competition, receiving the fifth-place medal. It was an emotional win for these four friends. Lead Jennifer Cleveland expresses their excitement. “We’re having a blast so far! Singing together over the last ten months has been so much fun for the four of us, and we’re so honoured to have won the fifth-place medal this year! We’re already hard at work, making plans for working towards our next goals!”
Atlantic Champion quartet Tonic! had their best result since they began competing, coming in eighth in very close standings with only four points separating the sixth, seventh and eighth placings. Tonic! expressed their elation at being part of this successful event. “Wow! What an amazing ICC weekend in Halifax! Tonic had such a blast! … Congratulations to everyone! Area 1 ROCKS!”
Indeed it was a very good contest for all choruses and quartets from the Area 1 (Atlantic) region with five Area 1 groups in the chorus finals and all three Area 1 quartets making it to the final quartet round on Saturday.
This year also marked a first for Harmony, Incorporated as the competition portion of the event was made available live through streaming service FloVoice. As a bonus, FloVoice shared video interviews, daily summaries and behind the scenes spots on their Facebook page.
The competitions were not the only activity during the four-day event. The convention portion of the gathering included education classes, a marketplace, social events and special performances including a couple of appearances by Barbershop Harmony Society award-winning quartet, Throwback. And now and then, a few lucky customers of the food court at Scotia Square would hear an impromptu performance by a quartet or chorus as singers traveled from the hotel to the competition venue.
Arguably the most popular social gathering on the final Saturday night was that hosted by the Area 1 choruses featuring a sing-along with over sixty convention delegates from across Canada and the United States playing their ukuleles! The camaraderie and friendship on display was truly the hallmark of the event.
“Wexford Carol was arranged by Canadian composer, Jeff Enns. In this tradition Irish carol, you will hear the lovely Shimon Walt on cello, myself singing the solo, and the Halifax Camerata Singers as the glorious chorus.and I’m excited to finally release the CD single. All proceeds from the CD sale will go to the Louise Simons Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Nova Scotia Youth Choir. “This whole recording and fundraising process has been so special and I hope to still get a few more donations to the Scholarship Fund through the sale of the CD!” Nicole Jordan
The CD is now available at the Nov Scotia Choral Federation office.
At $10 it is an excellent Christmas gift and opportunity to support our young singers.
Cover painting by Kurt van der Basch
Erin Simons at the Halifax Solstice Concert https://www.facebook.com/HalifaxCamerataSingers/videos/10157711432800251/
Spend a magical week with us making music under the majestic hemlocks of Berwick Camp. Bursaries are available for all three camps. We now also have family accommodation rates for Adult Choir Camp contact the office to find out more. Get more information or register here
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Government of Canada would like to see if perhaps any of the choirs would be interested in performing the National Anthem (bilingual) at a citizenship ceremony.
The ceremony usually lasts about 1 hour, and the anthem is sung near the end. Choirs would certainly be more than welcome to sing at the beginning of the event as well if they wish.
We usually have a ceremony once a month or so in Halifax, but we do also have hosts outside of the downtown area on occasion. The size of the room we are in depends on the host we are working with.
We do have an upcoming ceremony at Pier 21 on December 12th. It is being held from 10am to 11am, and we would love to see if a choir would be available to perform that day.
There is a chance that media will attend.
I can be reached by email or phone, 902-536-3518/902-402-2268 should you have any questions, please do not hesitate.
Samantha Primerano
Supervisor – Citizenship, Domestic Network
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Government of Canada
Samantha.Primerano@cic.gc.ca / Tel: 902-536-3518
Superviseur – Citoyenneté, Réseau national
Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
Samantha.Primerano@cic.gc.ca / Tél.: 902-536-3518
Summary: The Office Administrative Assistant is responsible for completing accounts receivable tasks, processing memberships, processing library loans (NSCF), registrations, providing administrative support to programs of the organizations.
Responsibilities:
• Receive memberships via telephone, mail or online; enter data into software; process payments and create receipts
• Receive registrations via telephone, mail or online; enter data into software; process payments and track all related tasks, coordinating with other departments as necessary
• Receive and process library request and returns via telephone, mail or online; enter data into software; process late or replacement payments and track all related tasks, coordinating with other departments as necessary
• Send invoices, track accounts receivable
• Send payments, track accounts payable
• Process credit card, cash and cheques
• Photocopying, maintaining records, filing
• Perform other related duties as assigned
Skills
• Undergraduate degree or diploma in administration
• Proficiency with database software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience in CSM websites and forms
• Related experience
Attention to Detail: Accomplishes a task through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small. Highly organized and attentive to detail. Monitors and checks work or information and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.
Communication: Able to write in a variety of communication settings and styles; orally communicates positively in a variety of formal and informal settings; actively listens.
Customer Service: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of members and customers. Is respectful of others, helping or serving them to meet their needs
Teamwork: Works cooperatively, with a positive attitude with others to achieve common goals. Keeps other team members up to date. Addresses conflicts or issues within the team in a positive and open manner.
Deadline for applications: Sept 25, 2017
Email: nmorgan@theatrens.ca
Work location: Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Rd.
Hours: 24 hours per week, Monday-Friday, schedule to be determined within Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Remuneration: $15 per hour
Anticipated start date: October 2, 2017
We thank all candidates for their interest, however only those under consideration will be contacted.
Nova Voce is looking for a few good men. If you are a tenor or bass interested in singing with a top-notch provincial men’s choir, Nova Voce may be the fit for you! Come join us for the music but also for the camaraderie of singing with this group of dedicated men.
Auditions for placements in all sections are now being scheduled.
For more information and to arrange an audition please contact us at:
www.novavoce.com/contact
Halifax Camerata Singers is currently holding auditions for all voice parts for the 2017-18 season (31st season) for singers who have a solid vocal technique, good sight-reading skills and above average musical ability. Previous choral experience is a must. If you would like to be part of this dynamic choral ensemble please contact General Manager Peggy Walt at peggy@culturalaffairs.ca for more information.
The choir is under the direction of founding Artistic Director Jeff Joudrey, and forms the core of the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus, who will be performing Handel’s Messiah in December, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the spring with SNS. Halifax Camerata Singers will also reprise their show commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion (December 3), present two remembrance-themed concerts in November with guests, Nova Voce, and present a concert with guest mezzo-soprano, Christianne Rushton, in March and June.
Halifax Camerata Singers is Atlantic Canada’s award-winning chamber choir, and rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings at First Baptist Church, with additional rehearsals as required. You can learn more about the choir at www.halifaxcamerata.org(and more about the audition process on the home page under Auditions).
