Applications for adult bursaries for programs and professional development opportunities are currently being accepted. Full details are available on the Nova Scotia Choral Federation website. Deadline for applications is January 15, 2024.
The NS Choral Federation office will be closed for the holidays from December 20, 2023 to January 2 , 2024 inclusive. Thank you for all of your support in 2023 and we look forward to working with you all again in 2024. Have a wonderful Holiday Season with your families.
Dear Music Teachers,
We are excited to share information regarding our upcoming Audition Preparation Day, taking place in-person at Mount Allison University,Saturday, January 27, 2024. The Audition Preparation Day is designed for any high school student who is interested in making music a part of their university studies, and will be of particular interest for Grade 11 and 12 students who are considering auditioning for a Bachelor of Music degree.
Students will learn about Mount Allison’s Music program, receive a private lesson, and participate in sessions about the audition process, career opportunities, and music theory.
The fee for this event is $45 (no HST applied) and includes lunch on campus and access to all instructional opportunities. Participants and their families are also welcome to arrive on campus on Friday, January 26, to attend the Faculty Recital that evening – “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” with pianists David Rogosin and Stephen Runge – at no additional cost.
Visit our Music Department website to learn more about this event, Audition Preparation Day,or visit our Eventbrite Registration Page.
Please be in touch with our administrative assistant Margaret Craig, mcraig@mta.ca or 506-364-2374, or me, srunge@mta.ca, with any questions.
| PODIUM 2024: Connections Series |
| The CONNECTIONS SERIES is back! These sessions aim to provide a space for learning about the many forms of community-based group singing in the Montreal area through sharing together, rather than performing. We particularly welcome applications from groups that see their work as community-engaged, social impact-driven, and/or that represent a specific cultural or social community through either their music or their group membership. The deadline to apply is December 8, 2023. If you have any questions about the Connections Series, group eligibility, the application process, or if applying online is a barrier and you require alternate arrangements such as written or oral applications, please contact Ryan Doyle Valdés, PODIUM 2024 Project Manager, at podium@choralcanada.org. |
 REMINDER Looking to participate at PODIUM 2024 but can’t attend in-person? Check out our DIGITAL HORIZONS SERIES and submit your videos for our public playlist! |
| Pre-register your choir or singing group |
| Pre-registration is now open for choirs and singing groups wishing to take part in Youth PODIUM with QW4RTZ! All choristers aged between 7 and 14 from youth groups (school or community) in Québec are invited to participate. This bilingual event will be an exceptional opportunity for young people to sing with a few hundred choristers and to enjoy the experience of live performance! The event takes place Monday, May 20, 2024 at Salle Pierre-Mercure in Montréal. One preliminary rehearsal with a member of QW4RTZ is planned for April 2024. Rehearsal dates and locations will be announced shortly. Read more about QW4RTZ and learn more about Youth PODIUM: |
| Please note: Registration for individual singers (as well as choristers who are part of a pre-registered choir or singing group) will open in January 2024. |
Submissions for Choral Canada’s 2024 Competition for Choral Writing are now open! Choral Canada encourages and supports the creation of choral music for choirs and singing groups by emerging/early-career Canadian composers and music creators. Since 2000, composers and music creators from across Canada have submitted their compositions to be considered for the Diane Loomer Award. In 2018, the Stephen Chatman Student Award was introduced to support student composers.
Competition Regulations and Application Guidelines for each category can be found here:
https://bit.ly/3Gb0Qoh. Entry deadline: January 15, 2024.
The 2024 competition is sponsored by J.W. Pepper. The Diane Loomer Award is sponsored by Cypress Choral Music. The Stephen Chatman Student Award is made possible by Stephen Chatman and Tara Wohlberg.
GENERAL MANAGER, HALIFAX CAMERATA SINGERS
www.halifaxcamerata.org
Halifax Camerata Singers invites applications for the part-time position of General Manager to deliver operational services required for the choir’s continued artistic success and financial viability. This is an independent contractor position, renewable annually, reporting to the Board Chair and working closely with the Artistic Director.
Working from a home office, the GM is responsible for the following types of tasks:
Production and marketing (focusing primarily on usually two self- presented concerts each year as well as ongoing industry networking and community outreach)
Administration (including managing mail, files, preparing and obtaining signatures for contracts as needed, maintaining customer relationship management records, booking venues)
Support for grant applications and fundraising efforts (Camerata has a Fundraising Chair and will be contracting a professional grant writer. The GM will provide support to fundraising and grant writing with input from Artistic Director, Treasurer and Board; two grant applications are yearly, while the major one, Canada Council, is a multi-year grant)
Financial (paying invoices and maintaining accurate expenditure and deposit records; assisting Treasurer in preparing materials for the annual budget and documents for the choir’s bookkeeper and accountant)
Halifax Camerata Singers is Atlantic Canada’s premier chamber choir. The choir has won major awards, is featured regularly on CBC Radio, and forms the core of the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus.
The position requires experience in arts management, an independent work ethic and a spirit for collaboration on a wide range of projects. Outstanding interpersonal, communication and telephone skills and excellent computer skills are a must. There are strict and non-negotiable deadlines, so the incumbent must have superior time management skills and a proven record of working to deadlines. The candidate
should have a passion for choral music. The successful candidate must show evidence of the above qualities and experience. A more detailed list of job responsibilities can be provided to interested applicants. The position will be paid a monthly stipend and will be discussed with applicants during the interview process.
Applications for this position will remain open until December 1, 2023. We are looking for candidates who can start in this position immediately upon contract signing, or by January 1, 2024, at the latest. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
For information or to submit your resume and cover letter, please email the GM Search Committee at GMsearch@halifaxcamerata.org.
Coastal Voices is welcoming new singers in January!
The sound of men’s voices raised in harmony – beautiful and stirring! If you’re a man that enjoys singing, the Coastal Voices Men’s Choir may be just right for you.
We are a community choir which meets 7 pm, Thursday nights at the New Horizons Senior’s club in Musquodoboit Harbour. We begin rehearsing in January and prepare a concert program which is offered each spring in several communities along the Eastern shore.
In addition to learning a variety of songs, we work on developing a uniform choral tone and building music reading skills.
Lots of fun, friendship and musical support are provided in this friendly group. Practice tracks are made available for all the songs so inexperienced singers can feel comfortable taking part and it never hurts to have an experienced singer helping you along!
If you’re interested, check out our website @CoastalVoices.ca or contact Ross Thompson artisticdirector@coastalvoices.ca for more information.
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Choral Federation
Halifax, NS
Founded in 1976 the Nova Scotia Choral Federation (NSCF) is one of eight cultural federations, supported by the government of Nova Scotia. As a registered charity, NSCF has developed an excellent complement of programs and services for choirs of all ages in the province. Our Junior Choir Camp began in 1979 and was the model for similar camps in other provinces in Canada. Since then our camps have grown to include Youth and Adult Choirs camps offering a camp experience to singers starting at the age of 8 years old. NSCF also provides an opportunity for youth singers to take part in an auditioned provincial youth choir which is managed by NSCF each year and biennially supports a quartet of youth singers to attend the Nation Youth Choir of Canada, a program of Choral Canada .
The leadership shown by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation has assisted in the widespread participation in choral music throughout Nova Scotia. There are opportunities for all program alumni to stay involved in the Federation’s activities. School children are given the opportunity to develop choral experience in schools and networking takes place with provincial, national and international choral communities. There is training to encourage and support choral conducting, and professional, well-paid opportunities for both emerging and established artists. Corporations and governments recognize the valuable role choral music plays in enriching society and demonstrate their understanding through active support.
Nova Scotia Choral Federation is currently seeking a new Executive Director.
The Executive Director is the leader within NSCF and plays an integral role in building and maintaining relationships in the choral community in Nova Scotia. They are an active member on the board of the Cultural Federation for Nova Scotia. This individual is also involved on a national level with the board for Choral Canada, and maintains positive relationships with the other choral federations in the country. Other key responsibilities of the Executive Director include:
As the ideal candidate for this role, you have leadership experience in the choral community in Nova Scotia or your current community. Previous experience in a senior management role within a not for profit organization would be considered a definite asset. Other qualifications include:
Nova Scotia Choral Federation has built a strong legacy in Nova Scotia and continues to be a choral leader in Canada. Be part of the next chapter in keeping the momentum of choral music and experiences moving forward in Nova Scotia.
To express interest in the Executive Director role, please forward your cover letter and resume to the Selection Committee, Att: Anne MacDonald at anne@nscf.ca.
A full job description is available by request.
