By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

#LetThemSing: Singing and Wind Playing in Nova Scotian Schools

On Monday, January 10th, Choral Canada, the Canadian Band Association, the Nova Scotia Band Association, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, the Nova Scotia Music Education Council, the Kodaly Society of Nova Scotia, and the Kodaly Society of Canada shared a letter advocating for fair and informed decision-making in relation to restrictions on music education. This letter highlights the research and studies that show that, with the appropriate measures, singing and wind playing can be done safely. It is discouraging to see a return of restrictions on singing and wind playing when there has been no reported spread of COVID-19 linked to music education in Canada. Meanwhile, despite the reported spread of COVID-19 during sport, school sports activities have continued with minimal restrictions.

Though this letter has already been shared with a large and comprehensive list of government contacts in Education, Health, and Culture, we ask music educators and our membership to share this letter with school principals, parent support groups, and on your social media platforms.

Here are links to the Singing & Wind Playing letter as both a PDF and three separate PNGs:

 

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page 0 Comments

Choral Canada: National Competition for Choral Writing

Choral Canada encourages and supports the composition of new choral works by Canadian composers.  To that end, Choral Canada invites submissions to the 2022 Choral Canada Competition for Choral Writing. Within this competition, composers may submit to two categories, the Diane Loomer Award, co-sponsored by Cypress Choral Music,  and the Stephen Chatman Student Award.

For full details on the 2022 Choral Canada Competition for Choral Writing, please visit https://www.choralcanada.org/competitionforchoralwriting.html

Application Deadline:  February 6th, 2022

Click here to see The Diane Loomer Award guidelines. 

Click here to see the Stephen Chatman Student Award guidelines.

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page 0 Comments

The NSCF’s Year in Review

Tune Up & Sing Out:

This past spring, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation partnered with the Robbie Songs Project and the Canadian Chamber Choir to host “Tune Up & Sing Out”. This virtual program allowed choristers from across the globe (Canada, the United States, and Australia!) to spruce up their vocal technique, clear out the COVID cobwebs and share in the joy of creating music together, all from the safety of their own homes!

The project consisted of two virtual workshops led by Dr. Julia Davids and choristers from the Canadian Chamber Choir, and culminated with the creation of a virtual choir performance of “Why Can’t We”. An original song by Nova Scotian folk duo, Naming the Twins, “Why Can’t We” was arranged for choir by Nova Scotian composer Donna Rhodenizer. Please enjoy this musical offering by the Tune Up & SIng Out Virtual chorus with video edited by William Duffy!

 

Choral Companion:

A new initiative by the NSCF, Choral Companion offered choristers an opportunity to come together with local choral and vocal specialists. Led by Dr. Frances Farrell, Jason Davis, Lucy Hayes-Davis and Lynette Wahlstrom, participants learned choral selections from a variety of styles and genres and participated in private vocal lessons and group masterclasses. Highlights from the week included a talent night (an homage to our Talent Night at Sing Summer Camps) where program staff and choristers alike shared their own musical offerings with the rest of the program participants.

Please enjoy the Choral Companion Chorus’ performance of “Heilig, Heilig, Heilig” by Franz Schubert, led by Dr. Frances Farrell!

Nova Scotia Youth Choir:

After plans for our 30th anniversary concert tour were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 iteration of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir was planned with a virtual format in mind. Again partnering with Settler conductor and NSYC alum Christina Murray, the NSCF also brought on Mi’kmaw filmmaker Shelley MacDonald and Mi’kmaw dancer Sarah Prosper to create a film project for choir and dancer.

Choristers returned to our summer home at the Berwick United Church Camp for a rehearsal weekend in late August. This weekend was facilitated by water protector and Mi’kmaw knowledge keepers Dorene Bernard and Ducie Howe. The NSYC choristers, committee, and NSCF staff were privileged to learn from Dorene and Ducie and to participate in ceremony as a way to ground our project. The following weekend, the NSYC 2021 choir gathered again at First Baptist United to record with the help of Stonehouse Sound.

To close the production period of the NSYC project, the NSYC choir and team captured video around the province at Point Pleasant Park and the Treaty Truckhouse in Shubenacadie. This truckhouse has become the gathering point for resistance, and is one way that Mi’kmaq water protectors constantly exercise and demonstrate their treaty rights.

We are thrilled to have received funding from the Canada Council of the Arts and cannot wait to share the final film from this project in the New Year. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for updates!

Looking Ahead:

Despite the recent restrictions that have been announced in response to the Omicron variant here in Nova Scotia, the NSCF is beginning preparations for a return to more in-person programming! Our dates are booked at Berwick United Church Camp for Sing Summer 2022, and we are hoping for a return of our other programs like the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia, Juvenata, and other workshop opportunities.

Again, keep your eyes peeled for an official announcement in the New Year! Happy Holidays!

-NSCF Staff (Tim & Ryan)

 

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page 0 Comments

Updates to COVID-19 Restrictions

Starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 17, and lasting until at least the new year, the following restrictions will be in place. Please find below the restrictions that may be relevant to our choral community.

Physical distance and mask requirements:

  • physical distance of two metres (six feet) is required indoors and outdoors, except among people in the same household or a consistent social group of up to 20 people
  • individuals, businesses and organizations all have responsibility for ensuring mask requirements are followed and can all be subject to enforcement action

Gathering limits:

  • gathering limits of 50 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors and 250 outdoors apply to social gatherings, regular faith services, weddings, funerals and their associated receptions and visitation, special events, meetings, training, festivals, and audiences for sports events and arts and culture events (like performances and movie theatres) that are hosted by a recognized business or organization, including faith organizations
  • a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances; competitions are not allowed; professionals must have a plan for their workplace; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors
  • children age 11 and younger continue to be restricted from entering Nova Scotia to participate in sports and arts and culture events and from participating in them outside Nova Scotia

Vaccinations:

There is no change in the requirement for proof of full vaccination for discretionary activities. It is still required for attendees and volunteers, even in places where gathering limits and physical distance will apply.

Additional Resources:

  • Nova Scotia Coronavirus website: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
  • COVID-19 testing and Online booking, visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
  • Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus or 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

Dalhousie Collegium Cantorum presents The Joy of Singing

Monday, November 29, 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrew’s United Church, Coburg & Robie, Halifax

Admission: By donation

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in March of 2020, the question every musical ensemble had to consider was: How do we keep going? Because choristers are inherently creative people, the answer kept changing to suit the requirements of the moment. Some rehearsals included eight members only, live-streamed to the rest of the choir. Other rehearsals were for larger groups, but always distanced, always masked. As anyone who has tried it knows, singing through a mask is difficult at the best of times. But everything becomes easier when you approach the task with positivity and a sense of humour.

And now, for the first time since the fall of 2019, we’re able to perform for you again. This performance is titled “The Joy of Singing”, because throughout these difficult times, it is the joy we feel being in each others’ presence, singing beautiful music, that has sustained us. Our performance will include excerpts from J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass and the opening chorus of BWV 61:Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland. We will also perform two choruses each from “Solomon” (Handel) and “Higgaion: Images of Hope and Fear” (Ewer), as well as Morten Lauridsen’s beautiful “Lux Aeterna.”

For more information, please contact Laurie Ewer: ewer.laurie@gmail.com

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

Jubilate Singers and Friends – Christmas at Home Again

December 12, 2021 @7:00 p.m.

A live-streamed version of our annual Festival of Carols to raise funds for Christmas food boxes for families in need. Free will offering.
Featuring
• The Jubilate Singers, under the direction of Terry Hurrell with piano and organ accompaniment by Gregory Doyle
• Ardyth & Jennifer, with Pam Mason and Clara Whitman
• The Halifax Horn Quartet
• Storytellers: Jamie Bradley and Gillian Fowler
To get updated and receive the link to the virtual concert:
• Like our Facebook page (Jubilate Singers & Friends https://www.facebook.com/Jubilate-Singers-Friends-115401170368076) or
• Subscribe to St. Mark’s YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_TZGafQql_pmktU-akA-w or
• Email jubilatesingers2020@gmail.com to get e-mail updates!
If you wish to donate in advance, you may do so
• By e-transfer: jubilatesingers2020@gmail.com, Include your name and address for tax receipt in the “message” field.
• By cheque: to St. Mark’s Food Box Committee and mailed to or dropped off at St. Mark’s Church, 5522 Russell Street, Halifax N.S. B3K 1X2
• By credit card or Pay Pal through Canada Helps
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/67072.
Any support, small or large, is gratefully accepted! Tax receipts are issued for donations of $15 or more.