News: Member Blog

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

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.

The Annapolis Valley Honour Choirs are thrilled to be back in person and are ready to sing you into the holiday season once more! Come hear these wonderful singers raise their voices together in “Shine Like Stars!” – Saturday, December 4th, 2:00pm and 7:00pm at the Wolfville Baptist Church.

“Shine Like Stars!” will feature all three AVHC choirs singing uplifting, fun, sparkly music that celebrates finding those bright lights in the darkness and moving forward together! A laugh and a good cry is just what we all need, and this concert will not disappoint. This event also marks the return of our bake sale where you can pick up all your holiday goodies!

As singing communities of all sorts begin to reconnect across the country, please join the AVHC for this concert and make our return to live performance an event to remember!

Best reserve your seat now, as seating is limited to allow for some audience distancing and we are 80% sold out! Proof of vaccination and masks will be required. We are also offering you the opportunity to watch a live stream of the concert from the comfort of your own home! This is a wonderful opportunity to include those who may be isolating due to health reasons, people who live too far away to attend! (2pm show will be broadcast but link will be available to watch for 48 hours)

Tickets: In-Person $20/$5 (students). Live Stream $15. Available online or at the door (if available).

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

During the COVID 19 pandemic, retired music teacher and longtime NSCF member, Terry Hurrell, has found the time to be at his desk, to dig into his filing cabinets, and to register some of his music compositions and arrangements with SOCAN – 13 to date – including The Angel Song – composed in 1956 (!) and many composed later.  Terry has also explored publication, mainly through Cypress Choral Music..  Larry Nickel of Cypress Choral Music . This year, four of Terry’s works have been published.

There are many Nova Scotians who have choral music published with Cypress Choral Music.  To see what’s available, go to  https://cypresschoral.com , click on composer and you will be able to see what’s there under each composer, listed alphabetically.  These Nova Scotia composers include; Clary Croft, Gary Ewer, Fran Farrell, Terry Hurrell, Mary Knickle, Allister MacGillivray, Scott Macmillan, Barry Peters, Donna Rhodenizer, Stan Rogers, Doug Russell, Robbie Smith, Peter Togni, and Jennifer Trites.

If you’re tired of the same Christmas descants and discover that you cannot legally record them, then check out new ones by Terry Hurrell by including “Once in Royal David’s City; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Terry is able to supply them and give permission for them to be used.

Some Nova Scotia composers and arrangers have done arrangements for the Robbie Song Project, which has commissioned over 30 choral arrangements of the music of the late Robbie Smith accessible to choirs.  This was Robbie’s dying wish. The project is managed by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation and Kathleen Glauser, namingthetwins@gmail.com , Robbie’s singing partner. All arrangements are available through the NSCF Library, so that now they are accessible to member choirs of NSCF.  Many of the arrangements are also available through Cypress Choral Music https://cypresschoral.com/composers/robbie-smith/ .

So, for some composers in Nova Scotia and, no doubt, other places too, the COVID 19 pandemic has been a time of productive and creative work in music composition and arranging.

Terry Hurrell   tshurrell@hfx.eastlink.ca   902-457-0920

As the COVID-19 situation in Canada and around the world continues to evolve, the PODIUM 2022 Committee and the organizing partners reserve the right to modify, postpone or cancel the conference and / or festival at Anytime.

PODIUM 2022 commits to following public health guidelines and protocols. COVID-19 protocols for delegates could include wearing masks, social distancing, regular self-diagnosis and other precautionary measures as needed. delegates may also be required to provide proof of vaccination and / or a recent and negative COVID-19 test result before attending the in person conference and / or festival concerts. Expected guidelines for a safe PODIUM will be communicated via https://www.podium2022.ca once they are established.

Registrations will be open in January 2022 and we strongly recommend potential participants to wait for this moment before planning their trip.

Want to share your knowledge and ideas with the choral/group singing community in Canada and beyond?
APPLY as a Session Presenter for #Podium2022 by October 15, 2021!