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

By NSCFMGR Front Page • Member Blog 0 Comments

Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus – Inaugural Meeting

There will be an information session on the upcoming Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus, on November 1st, from 6pm-8:30pm at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road) at the Lindsay Children’s Room.

The session will include information about joining the chorus, refreshments, and a screening of “We Are the Vancouver Men’s Chorus” from the Vancouver Queer Film Festival.

By JBennet Member Blog 0 Comments

Choirs for Change – Retreat!

For their second annual retreat weekend, Polaris singers went out to Hubbards to sing, to grow, and to connect.

This year they had the pleasure of being joined by Geung Kroeker-Lee, Artistic Director of Prairie Voices (Manitoba), who was able to be with them thanks to a grant from Arts Nova Scotia.

Between braving the cold waters of Hubbards Cove for a swim and going for walks on the rocky beach, members of Polaris were preparing for their upcoming performance for Nocturne: Art at Night Festival in Halifax on October 13th. They will be performing Jason Noble’s “Furiouser and Spuriouser” every hour, on the hour, between 6pm and midnight at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. As Jason Noble says, this piece is “a musical fairytale about the Internet after Lewis Carroll and René Descartes.”

Under the guidance of Geung Kroeker-Lee and conductor Jack Bennet, Polaris was also busy rehearsing for their upcoming fundraiser on November 2nd. More details about that performance to come!

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

Nova Scotia Youth Choir Black Folder Campaign

We have purchased new embossed choral folders for the Nova Scotia Youth Choir and would like to give our member choirs an opportunity to help us offset this cost and also advertise your choir to these wonderful singers.  When a choir donates $30 towards the cost of the folder we will insert a card in the inside plastic pocket to acknowledge your choir’s donation but also to promote your choir to our singers.  Please provide both  your choir name and contact information with your donation so we can include it on the insert. Of course if an individual is interested we can acknowledge your donation  in the inside plastic pocket if you like.

All donors will be acknowledged and can receive a charitable tax receipt.

You can make a donation by visiting Donate Here

 

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

Nova Scotia Youth Choir 2018 Concert Tour

 Once again the Nova Scotia Youth Choir has had a wonderful season, culminating in a concert tour that included three concerts and a church service and took us from Amherst to Halifax.  Thank you to all the singers for their hard work and dedication to the choir.    All three performances were exciting and moving.  Thank you also to our music staff, Guest Conductor – Timothy Shantz; Accompanist – Cynthia Davies; Resident Conductors – Christina Murray and Gary Ewer; and our Vocal Staff – Jason Davis, Lucy Hayes-Davis, Jennifer Farrell and Ross Thompson.  What a team!

Check out our YouTube Channel for a listen! NSYC 2018 Concert – Amherst