By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

GIVING TUESDAY – EVERY DONATION HELPS

 

It is #GivingTuesday this week, please consider supporting the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. Every donation helps us to build a stronger choral community here in Nova Scotia and not only provide the best possible programs and services and but also make them accessible to people of all ages and means.   Please consider making a donation to the Friends of Nova Scotia youth Choir; Louise Simons Memorial Scholarship Fund; NSYC Black Folder Purchase Campaign; Elizabeth Murray Bursary Fund for Junior and Youth Choir Camp Bursaries or a general donation to help provide more services. You can find us at Canada Helps! https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/nova-scotia-choral-federation/

By Alison Knott Member Blog 0 Comments

Cantabile Singers to perform Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall in New York City

from the Truro News, Nov. 9, 2018:
https://www.trurodaily.com/living/truros-cantabile-singers-to-perform-at-carnegie-hall-this-month-257942/

TRURO, N.S.

A group of Truro singers will soon be on stage at Carnegie Hall.

Members of the Cantabile Singers are going to New York to take part in a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Nov. 25.

“This is a dream realized for myself, and for many of us,” said Chris Bowman, the Cantabile Society’s artistic director. “I get to be one of the singers and, as a singer, I’m very much looking forward to crossing that off my bucket list.”

The Truro group was invited to take part in the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) Concert Series, and will join more than 400 other singers for the show.

“The Cantabile Singers received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and the high quality of their audition recording,” said Dr. Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for DCINY.

“These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community.”

Twenty-one singers from Truro are going to New York for five days, and will spend about 10 hours in rehearsals. One of the things that Bowman is most worried about is getting everyone across Manhattan for an early morning rehearsal on Black Friday.

This will be Bowman’s first trip to Carnegie Hall.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity to have a great music making experience with friends from Truro, and is speaks to the quality of music Cantabile is making,” he said. “I’m so honoured to be working with them.”

People in Truro will have an opportunity to hear the Cantabile singers perform Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at First United Church. They will be accompanied by Cynthia Davies on piano.

Tickets are $25, and are available at MacQuarries – Esplanade location, First United Church, from choir members, and at the door.

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

World Choral Day – Register Your Concert Now!

World Choral Day / Dia Mundial del Canto Coral– commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ending of WWI

Join choral ensembles around the globe in celebrating World Choral Day  to show that “our choral family contributes through music to break down the artificial barriers of politics, ideologies, religions, and racial hatred that separate human beings” (Alberto Grau at the launch of IFCM’s World Choral Day, 1990). All choral ensembles are invited to register concerts/events that happen between November 11 and December 16 (Remembrance, Advent, Christmas, etc.). Choirs are encouraged to include the World Choral Day proclamation in concerts, use the logo in programs and advertising, and publicize their participation in World Choral Day through social media. Let’s have a massive Nova Scotia and Canadian presence on the World Choral Day website to demonstrate belief that “choral singing, an integral part of the Canadian cultural experience, has the power to build communities and transform lives.”

An international choral event to extol the values of solidarity, peace and understanding!
Since 1990 thousands of choirs have been joining in the celebration of World Choral Day on or around the 2nd Sunday of December.

Millions of singers across the globe have been involved in World Choral Day concerts, festivals, sing-alongs, choral seminars, days of friendship and other events.

The World Choral Day is an initiative of Alberto Grau from the Latin American Vice-Presidency of the International Federation for Choral Music, proposed and approved by the General Assembly of IFCM held in Helsinki in August, 1990, within the framework of the 2nd World Symposium on Choral Music:

“The world is living through severe and continuous crisis of self destruction. There are no possible reasons that can justify these actions. The majority of the human race wants to live in peace with dignity. It is time to show, with more power and strength, that our choral family contributes, through music to break down the artificial barriers product of politics, different ideologies, religious differences, and racial hatred that separate human beings. We must be able to show that MUSIC, the divine art, is more than the mere search of formal perfection and interpretative beauty, music should serve to extol the values of solidarity, peace, and understanding . We cannot work isolated, we have to make all possible efforts to have our voices heard and to let music work its own paths of communication.”

 

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

2019 NewWorks Choral Composition Competition

We at the DaCapo Chamber Choir are pleased to announce that the 2019 NewWorks choral composition competition is now open.

The purpose of the NewWorks competition is to foster new and engaging choral works by Canadian composers.  We are continually looking for new pieces to perform which will challenge us and our audiences – both musically and emotionally.  This November, we released our newest CD – 9 of 10 tracks on this recording come out of this NewWorks competition!

In its programming and performance, DaCapo aims to contribute to the work of building empathy, of fostering understanding, and of strengthening bonds between the entitled and the impoverished, focusing particularly on the refugee road in its present programming. With this in mind, for this year’s NewWorks competition, we are asking for compositions that are related in some way to the theme of renewal: of hope, courage, and new purpose.
The winning entry of the 2019 competition will receive a $1,500 cash award plus travel expenses to Kitchener to attend the premiere of his/her composition by the DaCapo Chamber Choir, under director Leonard Enns, in the choir’s 2017/2018 season.  We are also inviting young composers (aged 25 and younger) to submit compositions for consideration in our Young Composers Reading Sessions.
Entry deadline is Monday March 18, 2019. Full information is available on our web site:  http://www.dacapochamberchoir.ca/newworks.

Sara Martin, manager
DaCapo Chamber Choir
www.dacapochamberchoir.ca
@DaCapoChoir  #NewWorks
519-725-7549

 

By scotianaires e-notes • Member Blog 0 Comments

ScotianAires quartet Tonic! brings home three awards from women’s barbershop chorus international competition

The ScotianAires, a women’s a cappella chorus with members from across the Halifax region, represented Atlantic Canada at Harmony, Incorporated’s International Convention and Contests 2018 in Orlando FL, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4. The five-day event included chorus and quartet competitions, education classes, gala shows, and of course, lots of singing in four part harmony!

The chorus competition was undoubtedly one of the best yet, with performances ranging from beautiful ballads such as “I See the Light” from the Disney movie “Tangled” to a clever and comic “zombie” version of “Moonlight Becomes You”. The ScotianAires performed the Grammy award winning ballad “What Kind of Fool Am I” followed by a lively medley of “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and “Steppin’ Out With My Baby”. Twenty-five of Harmony’s 65 chapters competed in the international competition and the ScotianAires were the 3rd highest scoring Canadian chorus coming in 12th overall.

The excitement built towards the end of the weekend as two foursomes from the chorus ranks, enJOY! and Tonic!, qualified for the top ten quartet finals held on Saturday afternoon. EnJOY!, in only their second appearance at International, came away with 7th place earning their highest scores ever. Atlantic champions Tonic! were 5th place medalists, their best placing and best score ever at an international competition. But the accolades didn’t stop there for Tonic! The quartet also took home the “Image of Harmony Award” for service within the organization and the wider community, and the “Accord Award” for the most improved quartet. Consistency across all three categories for Tonic! and highest scores ever at International.

Tonic!’s bass Adele Merritt expresses the gratitude of all four members. “We have worked with some dedicated and inspirational coaches this year who have helped us to deliver an authentic performance and to connect with the audience. Thank you to Theresa Weatherbee, Eddie Martinez, Steve Tramack and a special thank you to Renee Tramack for all her encouragement and wisdom! Thank you also to our loving, caring and enthusiastic ScotianAires Chorus! You ladies rock!”

On Saturday, the ScotianAires enjoyed performances by the medalists, including their own Tonic!, the new championship chorus, New England Voices in Harmony,and the new championship quartet, Aged to Perfection. The singing went on into the early hours as quartets entertained and people gathered to sing in various venues at the resort.
Looking back at the event, director Sue Kember related how proud she was of the ScotianAires, particularly because they had premiered a new performance technique for their ballad. Kember shares the impact of the experience. “To work with such an impressive group of women is so rewarding and humbling for me, I consider myself extremely lucky. Sharing this passion for a cappella singing with them is fantastic! “

Director Kember also hopes their success will help to raise the profile of women’s a cappella singing in the Halifax region. “We’re always looking to expand our membership, so if you’re a woman who loves to sing, we want to hear from you.” The ScotianAires can be contacted at info@scotianaires.ca .

By NSCFMGR e-notes • Front Page • Job Postings • Member Blog 0 Comments

NSCF Employment Opportunity – Program Coordinator

Employment Opportunity
Program Coordinator

Now Accepting Applications: Deadline November 5, 2018

Permanent Part time Position Please submit resume and references to tim@nscf.ca For more information call 902-423-4688
Start Date: November, 2018

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for administrative tasks required for the smooth operation of the Federation’s programs.  The Federation currently present two weekend programs for children and youth, 3 weeklong summer choir camps, an auditioned provincial youth choir, and other projects.  S/he will assist with the program management, presentation and promotion, including tracking registrations; receipting and database maintenance; updating, creation, and distribution of information packages for program participants and program staff, as well as  promotion and evaluation of programs.

JOB DESCRIPTION
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
• This is a salaried position hired by and responsible to the Executive Director.  It is expected that the Program Coordinator is capable of working with minimal supervision.
• This is a permanent part-time position which requires 14-21 hours per week.  The selected candidate will set regular office hours in consultation with the Executive Director.  It is preferred that the selected candidate be present in the office at least two days per week.
• The position will include sick leave and vacation time commensurate with the Personnel Policies of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation.

PROGRAMS

Sing Summer Programs – Junior, Youth, Adult and Conducting Choir Camps
Bursary Programs
Nova Scotia Youth choir
Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia
Juventata
National Youth Choir
Other Programs and Workshops as developed/required
• Create, maintain, and implement a critical path for all office work associated with NSCF the programs
• Assist the Executive Director in the development of program budgets and work within those budgets
• Seek external funding for programs through grant, donations, and advertising
• Provide required documentation for program expenses and revenue
• Create and implement, in cooperation with the Executive Director, a promotional plan
• Create, in cooperation with the Executive Director, all promotional materials
• Create and maintain database for registration
• Create and/or adapt program information packages
• Create and maintain a database for program staff
• Solicit and contract all program staff in compliance with hiring policy
• Act as artistic liaison with guest clinicians
• Develop and implement staff training procedures
• Ensure the smooth running of programs
• Oversee program evaluation and development in conjunction with program committees
• Coordinate administrative follow-up including thank you letters and archival work
• Assist with music acquisitions for all programs
• Assist to catalogue new music
• Order and/or borrow music for programs within specified budgets
• Prepare music packages for programs – numbered and assigned
• Keep records of music on loan for programs
• Record music returned
• Invoice for lost music
• Assist, in consultation with the Executive Director, with administrative work for other programs

GENERAL

Other Programs and Services
Duties set out are representative of the principle responsibilities of the position and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.

Telephone/Reception
• Receive telephone calls courteously and transfer and/or deal with them as required
• Deal with visitors/customers in a courteous, efficient manner

Library General Operations
• Responsible to assist with smooth operation of the music library
• Asist with/prepare music loans for customers
• Mail out phone orders from out-of-town members
• Maintain and update library database

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education Requirements
• University undergraduate degree with music, marketing, public administration and/or library training, or equivalent experience
• Experience in education and/or event and programs presentation and development, or equivalent experience

Special Knowledge and Skills Required
• Ability to read music is an asset.  An appreciation of choral music, a willingness to learn and understand technical and practical choral terminology is essential.
• Good writing and communications skills are required.  Ability to work with and develop volunteers is essential.
• Knowledge and experience with computers is required.  A working knowledge of Microsoft Office including database, spreadsheet, word processing, Google apps and scheduling and email software is recommended.  Must be comfortable with web based social media and have a willingness to adapt to that changing environment. A working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is an asset.

By JBennet e-notes • Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

Choirs for Change – Nocturne!

On Saturday, October 13th, Polaris performed for Nocturne Halifax: Art at Night festival. Performing in Halifax’s oldest building, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Polaris sang Jason Noble’s “Furiouser and Spuriouser” six times between 6pm and midnight. The performances were a huge success, drawing an estimated 1,500 people (which led to a Nocturne photographer stating that it was the most well-attended event of the night!).

Don’t worry if you missed the evening’s performances, because Polaris will be reprising “Furiouser and Spuriouser” at Choirs for Change’s fundraiser concert on November 2nd. The concert will also include performances by Spira and individual members of our choirs. The event will begin at 7:30pm (door opening at 7:00pm) at St. Andrew’s United Church community hall. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can with a suggested donation of $20, and are available online through eventbrite or at the door. This is not a night to miss!

For more information, contact us at choirsforchange@gmail.com