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Giving Tuesday – Amplifying Our Collective Voices

Dear NS Choral Community,  

#GivingTuesday is two weeks away!  This global movement has unleashed the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This is a time when Canadians, charities, and businesses come together to celebrate giving and participate in a variety of activities that support charities and nonprofits; to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need. 

Every act of generosity counts. Everybody has something to give in their own way. 

Among the many worthy charities in your lives, including your own singing organizations, we humbly ask that you consider the NSCF in your giving plans, and the benefits your gift will have on our community at large. Your support directly impacts our ability to create and offer meaningful programming, provide services and resources, advocate and raise the profile of our beloved art form, and increase participation in collective singing of all kinds across our province.

This year the NSCF is focusing our campaign on children and youth as we work to grow the voices of our future Nova Scotia choral community. 

  • Donate to help us enrich and reignite a culture of singing in the schools by investing in the development of new initiatives to create training programs and resources for music educators, and bringing choral artists and clinicians into schools in rural communities across Nova Scotia.  
  • Give generously to lift up our provincial youth choral programming with our “Friends of Nova Scotia Youth Choir” campaign, or the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia.  
  • Help us ensure our programming is accessible, through our Choir Camp Bursary and Scholarship Funds.  

We commit to making every dollar count.  On our Canada Helps Online Donation Platform, you may choose to direct your donation to an initiative or to general programs and services.  You may also choose to set up a monthly or annual donation – these gifts are especially helpful for us for sustainability and planning for the future. 

We sincerely thank you for your consideration, and for any contribution you can make.  Stay tuned on social media for stories about our impact and how your support matters. We wish you all – our singers, leaders, audience members and any choral enthusiasts – the very best for Giving Tuesday, and in this upcoming holiday season. 

DONATE to the NSCF

Here’s to Song!

Heather Fraser 
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Choral Federation 

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Fall Advocacy Toolkit – Canadian Arts Coalition


This fall, the Canadian Arts Coalition is asking artists and allies who care about culture in Canada to spend time with both Members of Parliament and prospective candidates. They have created a Fall Advocacy Toolkit so you can easily welcome your local politicians to see why the arts matter nationally and to understand that culture is a part of every constituency.

The Coalition’s five-step approach to advocacy involves:

1. Connecting with MPs and candidates.
2. Inviting sitting members and candidates to your rehearsals, performances, facilities and events this fall and winter.
3. Sharing specific, impactful stories about the arts’ value in your community and asking politicians of all parties to support the national call for 1% for the arts!
4. Thanking them for coming out and talking with you and asking them to keep coming to cultural events and to pledge their support for the 1% call. 
5. Taking a photo and posting about their visit on social media, tagging accounts and using hashtags provided in the toolkit. 

Follow their five steps to make new neighbourhood allies and get to a permanent 1% funding for the arts!
FALL ADVOCACY TOOLKIT
Together, we are the storytellers of our neighbourhoods and our nation. If we each speak with our Parliamentarians and candidates as neighbours this fall and winter, we can help all the politicians from coast to coast to coast understand the role that artists and arts organisations play in every single community of Canada. Let’s make these moments matter. 

To learn more information about the Coalition visit: https://www.canadianartscoalition.com/
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Webinar: The Empowered Choral Community: Building Sustainable Approaches to ADEI (Choirs Ontario Workshop)

Facilitated by Justin Jalea, this interactive workshop is designed for choir leaders and administrators, focusing on how to effectively integrate ADEI (Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) principles into your organizational culture. You will learn how to develop ADEI practices and initiatives that align with your mission, enhance your organization’s impact, and foster a more equitable and inclusive choral experience for singers, staff, and audiences alike. We will explore strategies for community consultation and engagement, creating a shared vocabulary and reflective spaces, and setting meaningful goals while navigating the challenges your organization may encounter as it learns and grows. This workshop is free to Choirs Ontario members and available to non-members for a small fee.

Register for the webinar here: https://forms.gle/kioLb88qZ44wmCzy8

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Nov. 6, 8 & 9 – Free Choral Leadership Workshops with Dr. Kiera Galway from Mount Allison University

Kiera Galway, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Choral Conducting at Mount Allison University, will be offering a 2 hour workshop for singing leaders of all kinds – choir directors, music educators, music education students welcome!

Wednesday, November 6 – 6:00 – 8:00pm
New Glasgow – Trinity United Church (151 Temperance St.)
Friday, November 8 – 6:30 – 8:30pm
Halifax – NSCF Central Space (1113 Marginal Rd.)
Saturday, November 9 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Rm 226 – Denton Hall, Acadia University School of Music

Re-energize your choral rehearsals and engage singers of all ages with playful, creative warmups and vocal exercises that spark imagination and enthusiasm!  Gain some valuable skills and tools to add to your leadership toolbox for your students and singing groups! And who doesn’t love the chance to sing together with friends new and old, with new repertoire and incredible leadership?

  • Inspiring Warm Ups, Rehearsal and Teaching Techniques (for music classroom and more formal choral settings)
  • Vocal Health (for singers and teachers!)
  • Conducting Gestures
  • The value in the collective experience of singing together!

Workshop is in partnership with the NSCF, New Glasgow Youth Choir, Acadia University. Register now using button below!

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP HERE!

More about Kiera Galway:

Choral conductor, musician and educator Kiera Galway was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where a supportive family and community encouraged her musical growth. She completed Bachelors’ degrees in Bassoon Performance and Music History/Literature and Music Education and a Masters in Choral Conducting at Memorial University. Kiera then relocated to Toronto, Ontario, where she was active in the music community as a choral conductor and educator. While there, Kiera founded and directed the choral ensemble Toronto Chamber Voices and conducted the Massey College Choir. She also directed choirs and taught musicianship at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Dixon Hall Music School and University Settlement House. Kiera completed a Masters’ degree in Musicology and a PhD in Music Education at the University of Toronto.

Kiera returned to St. John’s in 2015, teaching at Memorial University and serving as the Director of Music at the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. She also played bassoon with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and worked as an administrator in the St. John’s music community, acting as the Executive Director of the Calos Youth Orchestras, Vice-Chair of provincial choral organization Choral NL and project manager for Podium 2018, Choral Canada’s national choral conference and festival. Kiera joined the faculty at Mount Allison University as Assistant Professor of Music Education and Choral Conducting in 2020.

Kiera’s research interests centre on placed-informed approaches to music and music education. Her PhD dissertation focused on cultural and musical geographies in Canada, mapping the intersections of space, identity, and music. 

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Thank you for your support of NSYC!

In the last two weeks we’ve had time to reflect on the last few months of rehearsals and concerts with the Nova Scotia Youth Choir. It was a wonderful relaunch of this program and we are so grateful to the NS choral community for your amazing support.

Thank you to those who helped with planning, meals, attended concerts, drove singers to and from rehearsals, volunteered at the rehearsals and concerts, and were part of making the 2024 NSYC program such a success. The concerts were incredible and the feedback we have received from both singers and audience members has been wonderful.

Planning for 2025 is already underway. Stay tuned for the official announcement of the NSYC 2025 Guest Conductor. COMING SOON!

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NS Choral Community Fall Meeting

You are invited to a NS Choral Community Fall Meeting!

Monday, October 21 OR Sunday, October 27 – 7:00pm 

Open for all members of our community – singers, collaborators, leaders, and supporters. Come chat with Heather, hear her vision for the NSCF and our singing community, say hello to fellow singers, hear about upcoming projects (50th Anniversary… WHAT?) and gain valuable insight into some important topics! 


This session will be split into two parts – the first for the greater community, and the second dedicated for those in leadership positions (conductors, educators, administrators, and board members) to get information specific to their roles.  

We know everyone’s busy with rehearsals so there will be TWO nights. Choose which night works for you!
Monday, October 21 – 7:00pm  OR Sunday, October 27 – 7:00pm 

Click to Register to Attend!  A Zoom link will be emailed within 24 hours of the meeting. 

Please share this invitation widely to the choristers in your choirs, fellow singers, choral friends and singing networks to attend.   We would love to have as many people on this community call as possible! 

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The SingWell Project

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: The Art and Science of Singing Together
Did you know that singing with others has been found to improve mood, decrease stress, foster social connection, increase pain tolerance, and support improved communication function in people living with Parkinson’s disease? 

These are a few of the many benefits our friends at The SingWell Project are uncovering in their research into how group singing can enhance wellbeing for people living with communication challenges.

Later this month, we’ll be kicking off a monthly speaker series in collaboration with SingWell where researchers, choral practitioners and participants will unpack what happens socially, emotionally, physiologically and biologically when we sing with others — and how to tap into these benefits in practice. 

Tune in on October 18 from 12:00-2:00pm EDT for our dedicated session on group singing and Parkinson’s. Sessions are free, virtual, and recommended for care professionals and caregivers, speech therapists, music therapists, people interested in social prescribing, and anyone who wants to learn more about some of the surprisingly powerful ways singing with others can enhance wellbeing.Visit SingWell’s website for more details and how to register:
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
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NSYC Concerts Sept 22nd – Get Tickets Here!

In a program entitled “Seeking Light”, 35 talented young singers from across the province will raise their voices together again as the revived Nova Scotia Youth Choir! Their final performance take place Sunday, September 22nd in Wolfville and Halifax. 

PURCHASE/RESERVE NSYC CONCERT TICKETS HERE

The NSYC is an ensemble that provides musical training for singers ages 16-25 from across Nova Scotia. It is an opportunity for them to work intensively towards artistic excellence, develop their musicianship, and perform diverse repertoire together with some of the most accomplished and recognized choral instructors and conductors in Canada.  

On hiatus since Covid, this is an exciting year of rejuvenation and growth as we welcome a new generation of choristers into this nationally renowned program. 

Dr. Jamie Hillman, from the University of Toronto, is the guest conductor this season, supported by a faculty of fine musicians dedicated to excellence in vocal performance and musicianship – Amelia McMahon and Andrew Cranston as resident conductors, Adam Johnson on piano, and Maureen Batt, Ryan Henwood and Dr. Nicole Jordan as guest vocal coaches and clinicians. 

In “Seeking Light”, the singers will weave together a diverse program of uplifting music and will feature many Canadian composers like Marie-Claire Saindon, Tracy Wong, Matthew Emery and Andrew Balfour. 

Concerts take place Sunday, September 22nd at 1:30 p.m. at Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville and at 7:30pm at The Joseph Strug Hall, Fountain School of the Performing Arts, Halifax.  Tickets are $25 and $10 (students) available to purchase with the button above, or at the door.