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Azrieli Music Prizes Celebrating Excellence in Music Compositions – 2024 Call for Submissions Now Open

Azrieli Music Prizes Celebrating Excellence in Music Composition
2024 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN
The Azrieli Foundation has launched the biennial Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) call for submissions to composers across Canada and around the world.With this fifth edition, AMP is seeking scores and proposals for a cappella choral works that match the forces of its Performance Partner – the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Chorus. Submissions may include up to four additional instruments and/or soloists.

The three existing Azrieli Music Prizes continue in this latest edition: The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, The Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music, and The Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music. A fourth prize has been added this year: the inaugural Azrieli Commission for International Music. 

The total package for each Azrieli Music Prize is valued at more than $200,000 CAD and includes:
A $50,000 CAD cash prize; A premiere performance at the AMP Gala Concert in mid-October 2024 in Montréal; Two subsequent international performances; and A professional recording for future commercial release.  

The Azrieli Foundation upholds Fair Access Principles in managing AMP. Submissions are accepted from institutions and composers of all nationalities, faiths, ages, genders, backgrounds and levels of experience. There is no entry fee.

The deadline for submissions for all four prizes is Friday, May 5, 2023.

Click here for more information.
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Call for Support: Arts Funding in Nova Scotia

Home is where the Art Is

The arts and culture sector in NS needs your voice to make sure we are a central part of Nova Scotia’s recovery. Artists and arts organizations have come together to create Home Is Where The Art Is, a campaign for artists and the broad public to positively and respectfully lobby our MLAs to ensure we can rebuild the hardest hit sector and make it stronger than ever. Building together on the work done by  our colleagues at the NS Arts Council and others, we have identified our collective priorities that will make arts and culture survive and thrive in Nova Scotia.
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The provincial government is setting its priorities for its 2023 budget now and the need has never been greater to ensure that they include these structural changes in their upcoming budget. We need to positively engage MLAs of all parties now to show them how important this is to the whole province. 

​We need your voice: the voices of individual artists and arts organizations, members, volunteers, staff, audiences and supporters.

http://www.nsarts.ca/?ct=t%28RC_COMM_MC_2022_year+end_COPY_01%29&goal=0_10b47fa043-0b51a9e796-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=0b51a9e796&mc_eid=3a4d55f37f

Sharing your voice could not be easier and the voices of the Arts need to be heard. Use the link to contact your MLA today! Letters are due by February 3, 2023.

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

Alexander Technique Opportunity

Ready to Be Inspired? – Alexander Technique Opportunity

What if you could find a bit more freedom in doing the things you love to do? In singing in a choir? In expressing yourself through your artistry? In moving through space with more ease? In meeting stressful situations with more poise? This is what the Alexander Technique offers.

What is the Alexander Technique?

What is AT? In a nutshell, the Alexander Technique is an approach to thinking and moving that allows for greater freedom and ease in performing the tasks you want to do, that you are passionate about.

Call for Students/Explorers

As part of the 1600-hour training process to become an Alexander Technique teacher, I am required to give a series of lessons. That’s where you come in: I am seeking folks who are curious about this work. I am offering 30-minute in-person lessons (I’m based in Halifax) for a nominal fee. If you are interested, please contact me at franpfarrell@gmail.com for more details. I would be happy to meet with you to (re) discover enhanced coordination and freedom in what it is you love to do.

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The Early Music Society of Nova Scotia Madrigal Group

EMSNS Madrigal Group starts January 12

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, January 12, running through March 2, 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!

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Galileo Baroque Choir, St. George’s Round Church Choir, The University of King’s College Chapel Choir

Three Terrific Choirs—One Audition!

Galileo Baroque Choir, St. George’s Round Church Choir and the University of King’s College Choir will be holding joint auditions on January 14/15. 

Singers in all sections will be considered for any and all of the these three highly-regarded ensembles—you only have to audition once. In some cases, paid positions are available.

Galileo Baroque Choir, directed by Andrew Pickett, is Halifax’s choir devoted to the historically informed performance of Baroque choral music. The choir rehearses Sunday evenings, with several concerts with Baroque instruments throughout the year.

St. George’s Round Church Choir, directed by Garth MacPhee, serves a historic Anglican church in the heart of Halifax with a well-established music program focusing on Renaissance polyphony. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings and regular services are Sunday mornings, with additional special services throughout the year.

The University of King’s College Chapel Choir, directed by Neil Cockburn, includes students at King’s College and Dalhousie University as well as non-student lay clerks who act as mentors for the student choristers. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, with afternoon services Wednesday and Thursday afternoons (4 pm call) during the academic year. The choir also sings occasional special services and concerts.

Auditions: King’s College Chapel, 6350 Coburg Rd, Halifax

Saturday, January 14, 2-5 pm (auditions for all three choirs)

Sunday, January 15, 2-5 pm (Galileo and St George’s only)

To book an audition or for any other inquiries, please email Andrew Pickett at andrewjpickett@yahoo.co.uk or phone 902-293-8172 by Friday, January 13.

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South Shore Chorale – Singers Wanted!

The South Shore Chorale (SATB Choir for 50 years) are inviting all singers but especially TENOR voices to join us as we prepare for early March concerts. We will be meeting for weekly rehearsals starting Sunday January 8th at 2pm at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Phoenix St. Bridgewater.
With our new Artistic Director, Amelia McMahon, we will celebrate light returning throughout the winter months with a program that focuses on the newness of spring. With choral classics by Kirchner, Coates, di Lasso, and Thompson, this concert also features Rajaton, Stan Rogers and Old Man Luedecke arrangements.

Membership will be waived for singers 17 to 24 and will be half price for singers 25 to 30. Further information can be found on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/southshorechorale
NEW SINGERS joining for the first time go to the link below and please fill out and submit the form to help us plan for your needs.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2OctTZeTbYKNa_ejDcooUHwW_Bnn5_DcSoWEuBl-Zs1nLZw/viewform

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Holiday Office Closure

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation office will be closed for the holidays from December 16, 2022 to January 3, 2023. Wishing you and your families all the best for the Holiday season and we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

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Let’s Have Some Music….A Concert in Celebration of the music of Robbie Smith

April 30, 2023 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

A Nova Scotian Songwriter’s Legacy

It was Robbie’s last wish for his music to continue on after his passing. In 2019, his musical partner, Kathleen Glauser, began the process of contacting composers to create choral arrangements of Robbie’s music. Partnering with the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, The Robbie Songs Project has now commissioned 27 new choral arrangements from 16 composers across Canada and the United States.

On April 30, 2023 we will celebrate Robbie’s work at St Matthew’s United Church in Halifax with a concert featuring Nova Scotia choirs.  Cantabile Singers will be joining us from Truro on the heels of their own Robbie Songs concert the previous evening and we are welcoming other choirs to join us.  More details about the concert to come!

If your choir has studied and performed Robbie songs (or would like to) and would like to join in this concert, please contact Anne at anne@nscf.ca to learn more.