Shelburne Chorus – Repertoire Recommendations

The newly formed Shelburne Chorus, a non-auditioned community choir of 25 singers, directed by Ben von Bredow, is looking for recommendations on relatively easy SATB pieces for next season that are part of the NSCF library.

Ben’s background is liturgical music and we are asking for help in finding non-sacred music.

Of course we will include some pieces from the Robbie Songs Collection, but if anyone is familiar with some of the titles in the library and would venture to send us some recommendations, we would greatly appreciate it.

Please send to Ben at benvonbredow@gmail.com

ESMS Madrigal Group – Join us!

EMSNS Madrigal Group new session starts November 2

Do you enjoy laughing and learning while you sing? The Early Music Society of Nova Scotia Madrigal Group is a relaxed a cappella ensemble that meets on Thursday mornings to sing a wide variety of English, Italian and French sixteenth-century music, directed by Andrew Pickett. Our next session begins Thursday, November 2, running through December 21, meeting at Faith City Church, 6225 Summit St, Halifax, from 10:30 am–12 pm. Please contact Andrew at andrewjpickett@yahoo.co.uk if you’d like to join in!

Membership Renewal Time

All NSCF Memberships expired on August 31, 2023. Have you renewed your individual or group membership? Do you need an invoice for your membership? We are launching a new management system which will allow members to renew their membership and review membership information online. Dues will still be able to be paid online, by phone, email money transfer or by cheque. Information will be sent out to members very soon . If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to Anne at anne@nscf.ca or call 902-423-4688.

Organist/Choir Director in Annapolis Royal

St. George and St. Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia is seeking an Organist/Choir Director. Duties include playing at regular Sunday services, for special services as required, and conducting a weekly rehearsal of forthcoming choral anthems and other music. Opportunities for offering private organ and piano lessons at the church are possible. We have a two-manual baroque-style (with swell) tracker-action instrument by Orgues Letourneau (Opus 28, 1991) and a Yamaha Digital grand piano (CLP-695GP) as well as a Yamaha Clavinova in the choir rehearsal room. The church boasts a strong music programme, with choral anthems as a regular part of every service, and many other musical events take place in our sanctuary due to its excellent acoustics.


Annapolis Royal is a small but thriving town with its own theatre, arts centre, and notable National Historic Sites. The position could be ideal for a city organist looking for something quieter but not the least dull.


Salary commensurate with experience. Resume with references in the first instance should be submitted to Andrea Boulding. (andrea.boulding@gmail.com)

2024 National Youth Choir of Canada Auditions and CCSC Executive Committee

Auditions are currently underway for the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada, led by Guest Conductor Roseline Blain. Are you or do you know a choral singer aged 19-26 who would like to participate in this one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity? Video auditions will be accepted until October 15, 2023. Information for singers, application details and audition guidelines are all available here: nycc.ca/auditions.

Choral Canada is also seeking Expressions of Interest for six (6) positions on the Choral Canada Student Chapter (CCSC) Executive Committee. These individuals are representative of the richly diverse group singing communities in which we participate and will help provide the CCSC committee with a multitude of perspectives and lived experiences. Deadline: October 20, 2023. For more information on the Student Chapter and how to submit your Expression of Interest: bit.ly/46sqf7K

HarbourVOICES! International Festival of Collective Singing Traditions – 2024

Call for Applications – HarbourVOICES! International Festival of Collective Singing Traditions

Join us on June 29 – July 4, 2024 in St. John’s, NL for an exciting roster of international, Canadian, and Newfoundland & Labrador singing groups/choirs on this ancient and beautiful land, at the most easterly edge of North America.

We strongly encourage participation from diverse voices, especially groups that have not been included historically in traditional choral settings/festivals. We welcome groups that are interested in collaboration and the reciprocal sharing of collective singing traditions.

There is only 3 spots for Invited Participating Guests remaining. Interested? Email info@harbourvoices.ca or visit www.harbourvoices.ca/apply for more information.”

Executive Director, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

GENOVESE VANDERHOOF & ASSOCIATES
A Cultural Management Consulting Firm


JOB OPPORTUNITY TORONTO MENDELSSOHN CHOIR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir invites applications and referrals for the
position of Executive Director.


Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMChoir) has been a champion of choral music in Canada since 1894. As Canada’s leading symphonic choir, and a pioneering force in the development of our country’s rich choral landscape, the TMChoir, like the country, has withstood world wars, economic crises, and lately a pandemic. It has amplified celebratory moments in Canadian history and in times of sorrow, it
has provided comfort through song.


This remarkable and resilient organization emerged from the pandemic with a new three-year artistic plan that re-imagines the TMChoir’s history with an enlivened concert series, touring, new partnerships, and recording. It has created a community engagement program highlighted by an annual composer-in-residence appointment, commissioning new works to ensure the Canadian choral repertoire grows and reflects the many communities that in the 21st century proudly call Canada home.


Remarkably, the TMChoir has worked under the leadership of just eight artistic directors in its 125-plus year history. Internationally recognized conductor, scholar, and pedagogue Jean-Sébastien Vallée was appointed as the TMChoir’s eighth Artistic Director in June of 2021. With Jean-Sébastien’s exemplary leadership and vision, the TMChoir has fashioned a plan that bursts with possibility, a future growth balanced between tradition and innovation. The TMChoir is evolving to include diverse, contemporary works in its repertoire and to re-imagine performances in new, surprising, experiential ways. The TMChoir’s Board, its singers, and its staff are committed wholeheartedly to this plan’s success.

In addition to his work in Toronto, Jean-Sébastien is Associate Professor of Music, Director of Choral Studies, and Coordinator of the Ensembles & Conducting Area at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. He has conducted ensembles throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, and has prepared choruses for such leading orchestras as Chicago, Toronto, and Montreal. He is an advocate for contemporary music, making one of his priorities the commissioning and premiering works by emerging composers and programming rarely performed repertoire.

The TMChoir ensemble includes a core of 24 professional singers (the TMSingers) and expands as the full TMChoir of 150+ auditioned and experienced volunteer choristers. And because the TMChoir is “beyond a choir,” its dedication to new choral experience extends to creating meaningful and impactful educational and community programs, as well as forging new relationships and partnerships with friends and neighbors in the Canadian choral landscape.


The TMChoir is featured in every season of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as its partnered large-scale symphonic choir. This current season will feature a run of 5 performances of Handel’s Messiah during the holiday season, as well as three performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. In addition, the TMChoir will
tour with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec and the National Arts Centre Orchestra, performing together in Quebec City, Ottawa, and Toronto.


The 2023/24 season will also includes Verdi’s Requiem, an annual holiday celebration, two performances of the TMSingers, Carmina Burana at Roy Thomson Hall, and a variety of community events and activities. (See info@tmchoir.org for more information.)


The TMChoir is committed to excellence in performance; to using the capacity of choral music to ignite change; to building a welcoming, inclusive ensemble; and to create innovative collaborations with organizations that also see the arts as a means to building a more equitable world. The TMChoir has a deeply committed and hard-working artistic and administrative staff and volunteer board of directors. The annual budget is approximately $1 million.

The Position of Executive Director:
The Executive Director and the Artistic Director each report directly to the Board of Directors and work in close partnership with one another, in service of the organization’s shared artistic vision. The Executive Director provides leadership to ensure that the TMChoir’s mission is achieved and that the organization’s
strategic, educational, and financial goals are met.


The Executive Director (ED) will lead a team of individuals dedicated to the success of the TMChoir. The ED will oversee both the human and financial resources of the choir and is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the choir’s administration and operations, including fund-raising, marketing, public
relations, financial management, and chorister well-being.

Responsibilities:
In tandem with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director develops and implements season programming, guest concert appearances, and other events. This individual fosters strong, positive relationships with TMChoir volunteer and professional choristers, and with the organization’s artistic partners, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.


The Executive Director is the chief fund-raiser for the TMChoir, developing and executing a comprehensive strategy for generating public and private sector revenue. The ED creates and implement strategies for cultivating, securing, and stewarding private sector supports, including individual donors, foundations, and corporations, as well as writing grant applications.


The Executive Director manages the financial operations of the organization, developing the annual budget, monitoring the financial status, and controlling costs. The Executive Director creates, monitors, and presents monthly cash flow projections and monthly financial reports to the Board, overseeing the work of the bookkeeper (including the filing of municipal, provincial, and federal reports as
needed).


The Executive Director recruits, hires, and provides leadership to the administrative staff needed to achieve the TMChoir’s strategic objectives. The ED also assists the Artistic Director in creating, hiring, and evaluating the organization’s artistic positions.


The Executive Director partners with the Board of Directors and its Executive, paying a key role in achieving the organization’s strategic plan. This individual will actively promote the TMChoir and its brand, managing the overall plan for internal and external communications and developing content for storytelling on various channels.


Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have seven to ten years of senior management experience in the performing arts sector, a passion for choral music, and exceptional written, oral, and presentation skills. A bachelor’s degree is required; a graduate degree in arts administration or not-for-profit management is
preferred.


In addition we seek:
Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing fund-raising efforts with the ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major individual gifts, corporate sponsors, and foundation/government grants;

Ability to lead, inspire, and motivate staff and volunteers in an environment that fosters creativity, a commitment to excellence, teamwork, and mutual respect;
Experience in creating and managing budgets, financial projections, and cash flow reports;
Ability to think strategically while balancing a full portfolio of project tasks
and experience in collaborating with a wide network of partnerships;
Competency with computer technologies; able to evaluate the TMChoir’s existing systems and suggest necessary upgrades and improvement.


Preference will be given to qualified Canadian applicants.


Other Information and Application Process:
Compensation: $95,000 to $110,000, plus benefits package.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest in confidence, as well as a resume and list of references by Monday, October 30:

Margaret Genovese
Senior Partner

GENOVESE, VANDERHOOF & ASSOCIATES

gvamargaret@aol.com
77 Carlton Street, Suite 1103
Toronto, ON, Canada M5B 2J7
416/340-2762.

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates for employment are
considered without regard to race, color, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age,
familial or marital status, veteran status, non-job-related disability or any other basis protected by applicable federal, provincial, or local laws.
For additional information see: www.genovesevanderhoof.com; www.tmchoir.org.

Graphic and Website Designer, Annapolis Valley Honour Choir

Amazing Opportunity!

Request for Proposal (RFP): Graphic and Website Designer to Assist with the Rebranding of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir

AnticipatedTime Period – 5 months

Background: The Annapolis Valley Honour Choir is a charitable, not for profit choral organization based in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The Annapolis Valley Honour Choir (AVHC) is a nationally recognized community organization known for its excellence in music education and capacity for community building. It has been a mainstay in the Valley’s cultural fabric for over 30 years. Artistic Director Heather Fraser, former alumni, curates a program for each of our choirs that not only teaches them the fundamentals of music but stretches their minds and fills their hearts at the same time. Currently there are 170 choristers ranging from Grades 3-12 in three choirs, representing communities from the Kempt Shore to Granville Ferry in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

The AVHC’s goal is to provide an accessible, comprehensive, professional quality musical education for youth while providing a unique and powerful means for young people to express themselves both musically and individually. We are focused on nurturing healthy voices, strong musicianship and engaged community volunteers and leaders. The AVHC program offers the chance for choristers to work with professionally trained faculty in weekly rehearsals and workshop settings. It includes a full music literacy (theory/sight-singing) program, chorister apprenticeship leadership program, performances, community engagement, and cultural exchange travel opportunities.

Citizenship, strong community values, volunteerism and a global education are also a large part of the organization’s goals. As a truly inclusive, supportive family, the choir provides a safe space for young people to find their inner voice – to take risks, build confidence and be their true selves. Choir members learn the value and true meaning of teamwork – to feel a collective sense of responsibility, to learn what it means to be committed to something larger than individual accomplishments, and to share in a common vision and work ethic.To build on our success and begin to move the organization into the future, we are currently seeking an experienced Graphic and Website Designer to assist in creating a new, more modern brand that better represents the AVHC of today.

The Position: 

The successful candidate will follow a timeline of approximately 5 months. Primary responsibilities for this position will include: 

Working with the Project Manager, Artistic Director, and Board President, develop a more representative name and logo to be used on all communication materials, choir clothing, websites, etc.

Redesign the AVHC website to make it more modern and intuitive, user-friendly Assist in the development of a suite of marketing materials

The successful respondent (or respondent team) will be selected by the Board of Directors of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir based on the process detailed in this document.

The Board of Directors of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir will make the final selection of the successful respondent (or respondent team) to perform the proposed services.

The Board of Directors of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir reserves the right to cancel any and all solicitations and to accept, or reject, in whole or in part, any and all proposals when it is in the best interest of organization as determined by the organization in its sole discretion.

Proposed Project Timeline:

RFP Submission Deadline – 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 5, 2023
Clarifying Questions to be submitted to the Project Manager via email at coordinator@avhc.ca by noon on Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Anticipated Start Date – October 23, 2023

Within the proposal the respondent (or respondent team) must describe: 
● Past experience working with similar non-profit organizations
● Overall Experience
● Links to portfolio, including samples of similar work done for other non-profit or arts organizations, if possible
● A summary of your knowledge of the AVHC and a brief description of your vision for our design and marketing strategy
● References – provide contact information for three references – one of which must be a former client.

Submission Detail: Applicant Proposals should be submitted by 11:59 pm, Thursday, October 5, 2023 to coordinator@avhc.ca as a single pdf with no more than 10 pages

Ancient River Festival Pop Up Choir – Thank You!

Huge thanks to everyone who made our Ancient River Pop Up Choir event such a heartwarming success. We had 35 choristers participate in the workshop, led by Cantabile Singers of Truro’s artistic director Chris Bowman. Cantabile performed a full set of Robbie Songs at the festival, which was named after one of Robbie’s songs. The finale was a group effort between the workshop participants and Cantabile for a lovely 70 person chorus singing “The Last Song” arranged by Donna Rhodenizer who was part of the chorus.

Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Robbie Songs Project as we prepare to release a full length digital recording of the best tracks from our Apr 29 and 30th concerts through Leaf Music Distribution.

Kathleen – Robbie Songs Project

Photo Credits: Heather Ingram Kaiser and Mimi Champagne.

Performance Fees: Entandem & SOCAN

September is here and we wish you the very best for an exciting start to the choral season.  May it be enriching and rewarding for you, your choristers and audiences. 

Approximately three years ago, SOCAN handed over the collection of concert performance licenses to ENTANDEM. It has been found that the process is seriously flawed. One would assume that nothing more is required after payment through the on-line portal at Entandem.  However, the final step should be the submission of a digital copy of the concert program, otherwise it is impossible for SOCAN to disburse the funds appropriately to publishers, composers, and authors. The programs should be sent to:  concertsetlist@entandemlicensing.com and concertsubmit@socan.com 

Early in July, SOCAN and Entandem assured those affected that there would be improvements/clarifications to both websites. In the interim, it would be appreciated if you or your administrator would submit any programmes from the last three years and all future programmes to one of the above email addresses.  

Wishing you the very best for the upcoming season.