News: Front Page

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

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.

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.

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)

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)