After a very exciting return of Sing Summer 2022 and a very successful three years with the NSCF, Ryan has resigned as Program Coordinator to begin his new career as a music educator. Ryan has accepted a fulltime position teaching music at Oxford School in Halifax. Congratulations Ryan! Ryan is also a director at Choirs for Change and Assistant Director of the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus. Although we will miss Ryan here at NSCF we wish you all the best and look forward to working with you as an extremely active and dedicated member of our choral community!
Following our AGM in August at Adult Choir Camp, we would like to welcome new and returning NSCF Board members. We have an exciting time ahead of us and are looking forward to a healthy and productive choral season. For more information about the NSCF Board of Directors please visit Here
The Dalhousie Chorus is coming back to life this year! The Chorus is looking for tenors and basses to help fill our ranks. We are especially interested in high school tenors and basses who love to sing and are possibly interested in studying music in the future and are looking for another level of experience, expanding their singing experience. However, we are also very interested in any tenors and basses from the community who would like to help us bolster our chorus! With exciting rep this fall by Gjeilo, Vasks, and the amazing Kerry Andrew and the Duruflé Requiem this winter, the chorus will begin its next chapter with its new conductor John Bogardus. Rehearsals are held at the Dalhousie Arts Center in the Fountain School of Performing Arts on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm.
Welcome to our returning and new members of the NSCF Board. On Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at the NSCF AGM we welcomed the following new Board Members: Leslie Ann Andrews, (Sydney) Election; Andrew Cranston (Middleton) Election; Heather Fraser (Bedford) Election; Laura Moore (Halifax) Election; Kevin Parks (Halifax) Election; Kaitlin Wilcox, Halifax
Welcome also to returning Board Members: Tom Black (Halifax) Reelection Jacqueline Chambers (Truro) Reelection Spencer Gough (Halifax) Reelection Wendy LaPierre, President, (Kentville) Completing second year of two year term Laura Beth Smith (Lower Sackville) Reelection Norm Scrimger Past President One Year Term Greg MacCleod, Treasurer, (Dartmouth) Completing second year of two year term Jacqueline Chambers, (Valley), Completing second year of two year term
We would also like to thank departing board members Christopher Bowman and Danielle LeVangie for their years of service!
For more information about our Board Member please visit here.
Dalhousie University’s community choir, Collegium Cantorum, is auditioning for new members for their 2022-23 performance season. The choir is conducted by Gary Ewer, accompanied by collaborative pianist Tara Scott. It’s a mixed-voice choir which performs music from many different genres and styles, including classical, baroque, folksong, from both sacred and secular choral worlds. Rehearsals are 7-9 pm Monday evenings, September through March, at the Dal Arts Centre
Auditions will take place in late August and early September. If you would like to book an audition, or if you would like more information about how you can become a member of Dalhousie Collegium Cantorum, please contact Laurie Ewer at (902) 864-3090, or write ewer.laurie@gmail.com
The Chebucto Community Singers are looking for tenor and bass members. We are returning to regular rehearsals on September 27th 7-9 at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 3311 Ashburn Avenue, Halifax with COVID policies and protocols in place. Masks will not be required but are encouraged; proof of vaccination is required. Our choir has approximately 60 members and has enjoyed 45 years of making music together. We sing a broad range of repertoire from classical to Broadway.
The Choir Director, Louise Grinstead, would like basses and tenors who may be interested in being a member of this choir to come to our registration on September 20, at 7:00 PM for an audition at the above noted rehearsal space. Those auditioning should have experience in choral singing and be fluent sight readers or have a strong ear for music.
For more information on the choir and to register for an audition, please contact Nancy Saunders njsaun61@gmail.com 902-868-1388 or Janet Bardon at janetbardon731@gmail.com 902-429-3915.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 6:00 pm, Berwick United Church Camp, 115 Commercial Street, Berwick, NS
(If you are not attending Adult Choir Camp or have not signed up for meals at camp, to include dinner at a cost of $12.00 at 5:00 PM please RSVP to tim@nscf.ca or 902 423-4688)
Election of Officers
Each year the Nominating Committee selects a slate of nominees for their individual skills, expertise and their willingness to devote the time required for committee work and Federation business. The committee also strives for the widest possible provincial representation. If you are interested in nominating someone to our Board of Directors the deadline for nominations is August 9, 2022. The procedure is as follows:
Members will submit motions of nominations any time up to 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Motions must be made in writing, signed by the mover and the seconder, and delivered to the Federation office. The nominee must deliver signed acceptance by the deadline and provide biographical information suitable for reproduction or distribution to Annual General Meeting delegates.
Unison Choruses Canada is a federal not-for-profit organization created to produce the Unison Festival, for 2SLGBTQIA+ choirs, every four years. The festival brings together choirs from across Canada for a non-competitive celebration of choral music in the queer community. This exciting and fun-filled festival is being held in Halifax NS from May 19 to 22, 2023, at the Halifax Convention Centre; and will host over 500 delegates and hundreds of local concert goers.
The Halifax-based Festival Planning Committee is looking for an Event Coordinator. The ideal candidate is an energetic, detail-oriented, and dedicated person who can work both independently and as part of a dynamic team. The Coordinator reports to, and takes direction from, the Festival Co-Chairs; and works in collaboration with the Festival Artistic Directors, the Unison Administrator, and volunteer committees. The Coordinator will organize, promote and execute the concerts, workshops, social events, and other activities that make up the Festival schedule. Key responsibilities include event management and administration, financial coordination, and relationship management with local partners and supporters. In addition, the Coordinator will work in cooperation with team members in marketing communications and volunteer coordination.
DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
• Work extensively with Integra Planner software in collaboration with Unison Administrator; manage registrations; provide first-level support to choruses and delegates; prepare for in-person registration and delegate badge pick-up
• Manage contracts and coordinate logistical details for Festival venues and event sites, social events, delegate accommodations, delegate services, and hospitality
• Manage contracts and coordinate logistical details for guest artists, accompanists, workshop leaders, guest speakers, other professionals hired for the Festival
• Arrange and manage food and beverage contracts
• Manage logistics such as transportation, parking, schedules, and signage
• Oversee production of passes, tickets, delegate packages, festival programs, and other materials required for the Festival
• Coordinate Festival updates on Unison website
• Provide support as needed to marketing communications and volunteer coordination
• Assist the financial team with developing cost projections
• Provide administrative support to the Festival Planning Committee and subcommittees
• Reports to the Co-Chairs and updates the Festival Planning Committee regularly. Keeps other stakeholders fully informed of Festival preparation progress. Stakeholders may include the Festival Artistic Directors, Unison Administrator, venue managers, volunteers, etc.
• Liaise with Festival Planning Committee members, other Unison personnel, key volunteers, contractors, vendors, and Unison partners
• Maintain records and official documents pertaining to the Festival
• Ensure the Festival follows all applicable standards for health and safety, legal and insurance obligations
• Act as principal liaison with the Halifax Convention Centre (Festival venue)
• Direct the work of an Assistant Coordinator
• Other duties as may be required or assigned
DURING THE FESTIVAL
• Oversee and manage onsite registration, information, and orientation for delegates and contracted staff
• Oversee and manage Festival Store
• Oversee set-up, operation, and take-down for Festival events
• Serve as a point of contact for venue personnel and outside vendors, contractors, and suppliers
• Ensure that the Festival is run according to plan and troubleshoot problems that arise onsite during the Festival
• Assist in the collection of data about Festival event attendance, market impact, and other relevant statistics as determined by the Unison Board of Directors
AFTER THE FESTIVAL
• Manage post-Festival wrap-up of contracts
• Produce a post-Festival report for the Festival Planning Committee and Unison Board of Directors, detailing the activities carried out by the Event Coordinator and documenting lessons learned
• Assist in the collection of feedback from delegates, volunteers, and audience members
• Ensure that all documents relevant to the Festival are transferred to the Unison Administrator
QUALIFICATIONS
• Proven event management experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to both lead and work with others
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, email, etc.) and facility to learn new software quickly, such as the Integra Planning Software
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to identify key issues and creatively and strategically overcome internal and external challenges and obstacles
• Previous experience working with not-for-profit artistic organizations is considered an asset
• Previous experience working with choirs or choral music programs is considered an asset
• English and French bilingualism would be considered an asset
EDUCATION
The successful candidate will have appropriate university or community college education and at least three years of experience in managing similar events.
CONTRACT PERIOD AND COMPENSATION
The contract period is from mid-August 2022 to early June 2023, and will not exceed 500 hours. Months leading in to the Festival will ramp up as needed with more hours required as the event draws near. During the Festival itself, the time commitment will be at least 12 hours per day. The Coordinator is required to be available and onsite for the duration of the Festival (May 19 to May 22, 2023). During the lead-up, the Coordinator must be available to accommodate evening and weekend activities such as Planning Committee Meetings and Unison events. The Coordinator is responsible for providing their own workspace and basic computer equipment. A valid driver’s licence and access to a personal vehicle is required for the position. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Expenses will be reimbursed as per Unison policy.
TO APPLY
Submit letter of application and resume to positions@unisonfestivalunisson.ca by 4:30 pm on June 17, 2022. Letter should include a clear statement of contract fee expectation. Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Unison Choruses Canada values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Diversity for us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We value new perspectives, original ideas, and individuals who support this same commitment. We strongly encourage members from the Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, persons with disability, refugee and newcomer communities to express interest in the position.
The Unison Festival will take place within Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship”. We acknowledge and honour the Mi’kmaq people who have cared for and continue to care for this land. Unison Chorus Canada is continuing to learn and evolve, to walk together with the many Indigenous nations of Canada in the preservation and celebration of cultural traditions.
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is Looking for Choir Members
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is looking for choir members in all sections for our Adult Choir. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of the excitement of The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo? If you love to sing, and are in Grade 9 or older, this could be your opportunity to find out!
For the first time in two years, there will be a live show in June/July. Commitment has been received by European groups and planning is well under way. The choir begins rehearsals in May on Sunday evenings. The intensity and frequency in the Scotia Bank Centre begins near the middle of June. Here is a very early rough draft of the rehearsal schedule:
June 14 – 17 Evening rehearsals – beginning at 1900 hrs June 18 – 19 Some day and some evening rehearsals (this is when the foreign acts arrive) June 20 – 22 Evening rehearsals June 23 Student Matinee (first dress rehearsal) – begins at 10:00 June 24 Second Dress rehearsal (Could be afternoon or evening) June 25 Preview show 19:00 June 27 Evening performances 19:00 June 26, July 1-2 Matinee shows 14:00
Some things to consider:
sight reading skills are an asset.
memorization of all music is required.
we perform on a stage built over the arena floor.
there will be no social distancing on the stage.
while performing, we will not be wearing masks.
we move quickly in the dark while loading and unloading the set.
costume parts are provided, white shirt/blouses and long black skirts/pants are not.
you will receive two complimentary tickets to the Preview show
you will receive a cast T-Shirt
This information is meant to be helpful for any prospective choral singers. If interested, please contact the Tattoo Office at: info@nstattoo.ca and mention Choir in the subject box.
