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Attention Teachers! PD Opportunities with Susan Brumfield – Workshops and Open Rehearsals for CCNS!

Some great opportunities for professional coming up soon!

Learn from the incredible Susan Brumfield, Professor of Music at Texas Tech University (and Guest Conductor for Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia 2025)!

Read More about Susan below!

Opportunity #1 – CCNS Weekend – Professional Development for Leaders:  

April 11 & 12 – FREE – OPEN rehearsals for observation with the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia. First United Church Hall, Prince St, Truro.   Friday:  10 – 12, 1:00 – 5:00.    Saturday:  9:30 – 12:00

April 13 – CCNS Final Concert!  3:00pm – First United, Prince St. Truro – 125 singers from across the province! 

Tickets available: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/2025-childrens-chorus-of-nova-scotia-final-concert 

PD Opportunity #2 – Workshops with Susan!

Join Susan for a 2 hour workshop for Music Educators, Conductors, Singing Leaders and Music Students. 
TWO for ONE interactive, soul and tool-kit filling workshops!  Come after school to absorb fun, transferrable activities that work in the elementary & junior high classroom, choir and band! 

#1 – Sing It In Your Head: From Listening to Inner Hearing
#2 – Improvisation in the Kodály Approach

Workshop Dates/Locations:

April 10, 2025- New Glasgow – 4:30pm – 6:30pm – North Nova Education Centre, 343 Park St

April 14, 2025 – Annapolis Valley – 4:30-6:30pm – Kings County Academy, 35 Gary Pearl Dr

April 15, 2025 – HRM – Upper Tantallon – 4:30 – 6:30pm – Location TBA

Please select your location during registration below.

Registration Fees:

NSCF Individual Members/Leaders of Group Members:  FREE
NSCF Non-members:  $20 per person 

Payment can be made via etransfer to nscfadmin@nscf.ca. Please use the security answer SUSAN.

***Individual memberships are available for $35 per year. Student Group Membership is $55 per year. Available here: www.nscf.ca website – Visit the membership page for more details.  

Register for Susan Brumfield Workshop

About Susan:

Dr. Susan Brumfield is Professor of Music Education at Texas Tech University, and holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma. She is in high demand throughout the United States and Europe as a clinician, consultant, author, composer, arranger and choral conductor. An internationally recognized expert in the Kodály approach, Dr. Brumfield is the author of First, We Sing! Kodály-Inspired Teaching in the Music Classroom (Hal Leonard), a set of Kodály-based of curriculum and resource materials for K-5 music.

Dr. Brumfield is Founder and Artistic Director of The West Texas Children’s Chorus – with four choirs consisting of singers from Kindergarten through college, serving children throughout the South Plains area, and serves as a teaching lab for TTU Music Education students. The choirs have performed at the Texas Music Educators’ Conference, national conferences of the Organization of American Kodály Educators and the American Orff Schulwerk Association, and has been featured in concerts at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues in NYC. www.wtccsings.com.

Dr. Brumfield was honored in both 2012 and 2014 with the Texas Tech University College of Visual and Performing Arts Award for Outstanding Research, and as a two-time finalist for the President’s Book Award. In 2015, Dr. Brumfield was the recipient of the Louisiana Tech University Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.

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Upcoming Webinar: Brave Choral Spaces – Fostering Transparency, Accountability and Trust

Presented by Justin Jalea. (bio below)
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 1:30 – 2:45pm
FREE for NSCF Members. $25.00 for Non-Members. (Thank you to Choir Alberta for hosting!)
Register Here

This webinar explores how choral communities can cultivate spaces where singers, conductors, and administrators are heard, valued, supported, and empowered. We will examine the principles of transparency, accountability, and trust as cornerstones of an inclusive and equitable environment. Drawing from interdisciplinary insights, we will explore strategies for fostering open communication, ethical leadership, and shared responsibility.

By addressing power dynamics and systemic barriers and inequities, we will discuss ways to create policies and practices that uphold dignity and respect. From rehearsal practices to institutional decision-making, we will explore how proactive engagement and clear expectations build stronger, more resilient choral communities.

This session will offer conductors, singers, educators, and arts leaders, tangible tools to foster a culture where every voice has the courage to contribute and the confidence to thrive.

REGISTER HERE

About Justin:
Canadian human rights activist, conductor, and JUNO-nominated tenor, Justin Jalea is an internationally sought-after consultant for projects that seek positive social change through the arts. In his dual role of musician/activist, Justin has collaborated with organizations such as Americans for the Arts, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Musicians for Human Rights, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, and the United Nations.

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Justin is a seasoned choral artist having sung with professional choirs throughout Canada and the United States, including the Canadian Chamber Choir, Pro Coro Canada, Luminous Voices, and the Choir of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York.​​ He has founded numerous vocal ensembles that foster compassion and action for diverse social causes, including the New York City-based ensemble Inspire: A Choir for Unity, whose community-building work is featured in his recently published chapter on choral music and human rights in the Routledge Companion to Music and Human Rights.
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​Justin holds dual JD/BCL degrees from McGill University’s Faculty of Law. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree from the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University, and an MA and BA (Hons.) from the Universities of Alberta and Toronto, respectively, both in philosophy.

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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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Celebration for Tim Cross.

At the end of May, life will change at the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. Tim Cross is retiring.

Tim has been with the Choral Federation for 34 years, 26 of which he has served as our Executive Director. With dedication, knowledge, compassion, and a deep belief in the power of choral music and of community, Tim has guided our organization and its volunteer boards and committees through the ups and downs every arts organization knows well. He has seen us safely through challenges ranging from budget cuts and moves to hurricanes and COVID.

Throughout his tenure Tim has also been a wise and experienced presence in the wider arts and culture field, both at home and as a strong advocate for Nova Scotia in organizations across Canada. We are going to miss him deeply, but we know his retirement is well-timed and well- earned. 

We are inviting choral friends and colleagues to join us at the Choral Federation office, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7 on June 21 at 6:30 to celebrate Tim’s career and wish him well.  To help us plan, please RSVP to Jackie – jrchambers@me.com

If you cannot attend in person, we hope you will choose to be here in spirit. We’re collecting greetings and reminiscences to be shared during the event. Please email to jrchambers@me.com or regular mail to the office address above.

We hope you can join us.

The board of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation

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Nova Voce Online Auction

Nova Voce has some exciting news! This weekend we will be launching our first ONLINE AUCTION as a fund raiser, and this is YOUR invitation to participate. Browse the offerings (there’s over thirty items) that range from a one-week cottage rental here in Nova Scotia to a brand-new acoustic guitar. You are sure to find some gift cards, paintings and other objets d’art that are just perfect for you. You don’t want to miss out!

Just click https://www.32auctions.com/NovaVoce2024 to be taken to our 32Auctions site. Once you’re there, you can browse the items at leisure. To place a bid, you will need to register for an account. It’s easy and painless! It will ask you to enter your email address and make up a password. The site will send you a confirmation email. Click on the link in that email and, Presto! You’re ready to bid on that item you want. That’s all there is to it!

The auction items are available to preview now and the auction opens Saturday morning at 12:15 a.m. The auction runs until Friday, May 24th at 11:45 p.m., so check back often! If you place a bid, the system will email you if you are outbid. You can also set an item to “Watch” so the system will send you notifications on items you’re thinking about.

If you have any questions during the auction, you can contact us through the “Contact Us” on our auction page or you can email information@novavoce.com.

Happy Bidding! And thank you for your support!

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Risers for sale!

Seaside A Cappella is buying new risers and selling our old ones!

There are 11 four-foot sections – unsure of the date they were originally purchased from Wenger.

The Staging Canadell riser backs will go with them and they are only a few years old.

If you are interested, please send a message to sactreasurer2021@gmail.com We are open for negotiation!

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Capella Regalis Choirs 50/50 Cash Raffle


Win big in Capella Regalis Choirs 50/50 Cash Raffle

Tickets on Sale until May 31, 2024 at rafflebox.ca

Support free music education, youth, and community! Get a ticket – or a whole bundle – for your chance to win 50% of the jackpot. Proceeds from Capella Regalis’s first-ever 50/50 fundraiser will support our free after-school music training programs, open to any child keen to learn music. 

A world-class performing arts education usually requires money for private lessons, camps, and other intensive training experiences. Capella Regalis is committed to eliminating that financial barrier for families in Nova Scotia and to making musical excellence open to everyone.

The more money raised, the bigger the jackpot — for the winning ticket and for Capella Regalis! 

The draw takes place on June 1, and the winner will be contacted to claim their cash prize! Must be 19 years or older and a resident of Nova Scotia to play.

To learn more visit capellaregalis.com