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VOICE YOUR CONCERNS

As you know, singing and wind instrument playing are fully banned in our Nova Scotia schools, but did you know that students are allowed to participate in physical education classes unmasked, without gathering limits. It is vital that students have access to music programs, including singing in school and significant research has proven it can be done safely. The impact of the bans that have been imposed off and on throughout the pandemic will be long lasting and we need to see this policy reversed for the sake of our students.

Quick background:

We are asking you to lend your voice to these efforts. We know you’re busy, so we’ve created a template for you to use below. If you would like to add personal details or experiences, please feel free.

Music is not an extra. Music is a core component of our education system. This need is urgent. Please take a moment from your day to make a difference in Nova Scotia schools. You represent students whose lives have been forever changed by music and your voice really CAN make a difference.

A message from the Nova Scotia Music Education Council – NSMEC:
In Nova Scotia schools, children aren’t allowed to sing their ABCs, bands and choirs cannot practice let alone perform, and students are missing the safe place music making provides in school. Singing and playing wind instruments are banned for all students.
Visit the Nova Scotia Choral Federation’s website for a ready-to-go template you can use to speak up for Nova Scotia students: https://bit.ly/3r5HIkx
Speak up for music education in Nova Scotia!
Please use the letter template below to speak out for Nova Scotia students and send to ALL contacts listed at the bottom.I am a parent of children attending Nova Scotia schools. I am emailing to oppose the current ban on singing and wind instrument playing in school. My children, like many others, rely on access to music education in schools. It is a vital part of our public education system and singing and playing are necessary for students to experience music making.

Nova Scotia students are in school because it is the best place for their well being. Our children rely on music making in school for their mental health and well being. This ban on singing and playing is negatively impacting Nova Scotia students and music programs, and these impacts will be long lasting.

I have heard interviews and read Letters to the Editor outlining the inequity in school policies for music students and I agree: students should be allowed to sing and play in school, especially considering that students are able to participate in physical education class without any gathering limit and without masks.

I have read the open letter sent to you and other government elected officials and employees on January 10, 2022 by national and provincial organizations, including the Nova Scotia Band Association and Nova Scotia Choral Federation. The letter cites current research and outlines the many reasons singing and playing can and should be allowed in schools. I encourage you to review its contents and ensure students are able to return to music making through singing and playing in our schools.

I request a personal reply to my email on this very serious matter.

Name

SEND TO:

educmin@novascotia.ca,Educ-DM@novascotia.ca,steve.machat@novascotia.ca,chris.boulter@novascotia.ca,ardith.haley@novascotia.ca, pwozney@staff.nstu.ca, sbrooks@staff.nstu.ca, jmacnutt@nstu.ca, Health.Minister@novascotia.ca, jeannine.lagasse@novascotia.ca, Robert.Strang@novascotia.ca, Kelly.Dean@novascotia.ca, Vanessa.Chouinard@novascotia.ca, PREMIER@novascotia.ca

Who else do I contact?

Below you will find recommendations for the most effective avenues of communication in order to have your concerns addressed. The NSCF and NSMEC thank you for your support on behalf of all Nova Scotia choral community – we are stronger together.

AND YOUR LOCAL REGIONAL CENTRE CONTACTS:

Regional Centres for Education Avenues of Communication:

Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education executivedirector@avrce.ca, pat.murphy@avrce.ca, maria.carty@avrce.ca
Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education susankelley@cbvrce.ca, lcrawford@cbvrce.ca, murquhart@cbvrce.ca, andrewla@cbvrce.ca
Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education adamsgs@ccrce.ca, callaghana@ccrce.ca, duguays@ccrce.ca
Halifax Regional Centre for Education eleroux@hrce.ca, aking@hrce.ca, jchaulk@hrce.ca, pdanyluk@hrce.ca, MBreen@hrce.ca
South Shore Regional Centre for Education pash@ssrce.ca, jdewolfe@ssrce.ca, bwoodfordcollins@ssrce.ca
Strait Regional Centre for Education cheryl.macpherson@srce.ca, paul.landry@srce.ca, darrell.leblanc@srce.ca, wanda.fougere@srce.ca
Tri-County Regional Centre for Education jared.purdy@tcrce.ca

It is recommended that you voice your concerns to your regional representatives in the following sequence:

Fellow Parents (Music/Band Auxiliary, Home & School, School Advisory Co
Local School Principal
Local Family of Schools Supervisor
Regional Program Coordinator
Regional System Supervisor
Regional Executive Director of Education

You can find contact more information for your Regional Centre for Education here.

Political Avenues of Communication:
Minister and Deputy Minister of Education – Contact Information
Opposition Parties’ Education Critic – Liberal,  New Democratic Party
Local Member of the Legislative Assembly – Find your MLA

For concerns related to community choral programs the NSCF recommends contacting the following public officials:
Local Municipal Councillor
Local Municipal Chief Administrative Officer
Local Municipal Department of Recreation and Culture
Local Mayor

You can find contact information for your local municipality here.
Local Member of the Legislative Assembly – Find your MLA
Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage – Contact

FOLLOW and SHARE Nova Scotia Choral Federation with your friends and followers. Spread the word that #MusicMatters!!

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The Robbie Songs Project: 19 Titles Now Available through Cypress Choral Music!

Over the past few years, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation has been busy with commissioning choral arrangements of the music of the late Robbie Smith. Called the Robbie Songs Project, we are excited to share that 19 of these arrangements (available in multiple voicings) can be purchased through Cypress Choral Music or taken out on loan through the NSCF lending library.

Recently, Cypress Choral Music has recorded choral performances with the Cypress Studio Singers. We invite you to take a listen- it is such a joy to hear these choral arrangements come to life! Here is a performance of “The Painter of Wintertime”, arranged by local conductor and composer, Dr. Frances Farrell:

To view the the rest of  the collection of Robbie Songs, visit: https://cypresschoral.com/composers/robbie-smith/

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Choral Canada: Respectful Workplaces Workshop

A Message from Choral Canada:

Do you have current policies and codes of conduct in place for your choral organisation to navigate issues of harassment, bullying, and other complex problematic situations? Register for this FREE TRAINING WORKSHOP that discusses these important issues in the context of a choral organisation’s “workplace”, ie. in-person and virtual gatherings of singers (paid, amateur, children/youth, etc.), volunteers, artistic and administrative staff, board of directors, committees, etc. These workshops are not legal or therapy clinics, but are rather conversations facilitated by experienced cultural sector leaders.

About the Workshop:
Choral Canada and the Provincial Choral Organizations are pleased to offer the Respectful Workplaces in the Arts Workshop for the Canadian choral arts sector and community. They are free and open to anyone to attend.
Presented by the Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC), the goal of the workshop is to provide information and facilitated conversations to encourage better workplace practices and behaviours.

Register today! https://www.choralcanada.org/respectful_workplaces_workshop

 

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Singing in Canadian Schools: COVID-19 Impact Survey – Final Report and Executive Summary

The final documents for the Singing in Canadian Schools: COVID-19 Impact Survey have been completed and are now available for viewing by the public.

It is once again a critical time for advocacy for our music programs- restrictions are in place that forbid singing and wind instrument playing in schools across our province and others. Highlighted findings from the survey results show the severe negative impact that the pandemic has had on the delivery of music programs across the country:

  • Students were not permitted to sing during regular music classes in 70% of music teachers’ school music programs.
  • Extra-/Co-curricular music programs involving singing were suspended in 91% of respondents’ schools.
  • Teachers were unable to teach 60% of the mandated music learning outcomes in Canadian music curricula due to health restrictions, and they were unable to assess students in relation to 66% of these mandated learning outcomes.

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Choral Canada, and the many other supporting organisations of this survey invite our membership to #SpeakUpForSinging by starting the conversation in your community and helping music educators return to doing what they do best! For more information on how you can #SpeakUpForSinging, click here.

To view the Executive Summary of the COVID-19 Impact Survey, click here.

To view the Full Report of the COVID-19 Impact Survey, click here.

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#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:

 

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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.

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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)

 

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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)