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Upcoming Webinar: Brave Choral Spaces – Fostering Transparency, Accountability and Trust

Presented by Justin Jalea. (bio below)
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 1:30 – 2:45pm
FREE for NSCF Members. $25.00 for Non-Members. (Thank you to Choir Alberta for hosting!)
Register Here

This webinar explores how choral communities can cultivate spaces where singers, conductors, and administrators are heard, valued, supported, and empowered. We will examine the principles of transparency, accountability, and trust as cornerstones of an inclusive and equitable environment. Drawing from interdisciplinary insights, we will explore strategies for fostering open communication, ethical leadership, and shared responsibility.

By addressing power dynamics and systemic barriers and inequities, we will discuss ways to create policies and practices that uphold dignity and respect. From rehearsal practices to institutional decision-making, we will explore how proactive engagement and clear expectations build stronger, more resilient choral communities.

This session will offer conductors, singers, educators, and arts leaders, tangible tools to foster a culture where every voice has the courage to contribute and the confidence to thrive.

REGISTER HERE

About Justin:
Canadian human rights activist, conductor, and JUNO-nominated tenor, Justin Jalea is an internationally sought-after consultant for projects that seek positive social change through the arts. In his dual role of musician/activist, Justin has collaborated with organizations such as Americans for the Arts, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Musicians for Human Rights, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, and the United Nations.

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Justin is a seasoned choral artist having sung with professional choirs throughout Canada and the United States, including the Canadian Chamber Choir, Pro Coro Canada, Luminous Voices, and the Choir of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York.​​ He has founded numerous vocal ensembles that foster compassion and action for diverse social causes, including the New York City-based ensemble Inspire: A Choir for Unity, whose community-building work is featured in his recently published chapter on choral music and human rights in the Routledge Companion to Music and Human Rights.
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​Justin holds dual JD/BCL degrees from McGill University’s Faculty of Law. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree from the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University, and an MA and BA (Hons.) from the Universities of Alberta and Toronto, respectively, both in philosophy.

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Webinar: The Empowered Choral Community: Building Sustainable Approaches to ADEI (Choirs Ontario Workshop)

Facilitated by Justin Jalea, this interactive workshop is designed for choir leaders and administrators, focusing on how to effectively integrate ADEI (Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) principles into your organizational culture. You will learn how to develop ADEI practices and initiatives that align with your mission, enhance your organization’s impact, and foster a more equitable and inclusive choral experience for singers, staff, and audiences alike. We will explore strategies for community consultation and engagement, creating a shared vocabulary and reflective spaces, and setting meaningful goals while navigating the challenges your organization may encounter as it learns and grows. This workshop is free to Choirs Ontario members and available to non-members for a small fee.

Register for the webinar here: https://forms.gle/kioLb88qZ44wmCzy8

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The SingWell Project

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: The Art and Science of Singing Together
Did you know that singing with others has been found to improve mood, decrease stress, foster social connection, increase pain tolerance, and support improved communication function in people living with Parkinson’s disease? 

These are a few of the many benefits our friends at The SingWell Project are uncovering in their research into how group singing can enhance wellbeing for people living with communication challenges.

Later this month, we’ll be kicking off a monthly speaker series in collaboration with SingWell where researchers, choral practitioners and participants will unpack what happens socially, emotionally, physiologically and biologically when we sing with others — and how to tap into these benefits in practice. 

Tune in on October 18 from 12:00-2:00pm EDT for our dedicated session on group singing and Parkinson’s. Sessions are free, virtual, and recommended for care professionals and caregivers, speech therapists, music therapists, people interested in social prescribing, and anyone who wants to learn more about some of the surprisingly powerful ways singing with others can enhance wellbeing.Visit SingWell’s website for more details and how to register:
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
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Sing Summer 2024 Camp Positions Available!

For 2 weeks every summer, voices raised together in song float among the hemlocks of the Berwick United Church Campground. A wonderful and magical place, it has been the home of the NSCF Sing Summer program for 39 years, each year welcoming over 200 singers in two weeks of programs. The rustic and charming multi-coloured cabins, the wonderful indoor and outdoor activity spaces, and the centre pavilion for rehearsals in the open air, make it the perfect location to sing, to learn, to connect, and to have a great time – all the while becoming a part of the choral community.

Our guest conductors, artistic and caregiving staff love being a part of these programs and are truly dedicated to creating an accepting and welcoming culture at camp where inspiration abounds and creativity can be set free! It is truly amazing what we can all learn in only one week. 

Camp Dates:

Junior Choir Camp/Youth Choir Camp – August 11-17, 2024

ARTS AND CRAFTS INSTRUCTOR

We are currently seeking an Arts and Crafts Instructor to join our Junior Choir Camp Team (camp age 8.5-12). 

As the ideal candidate for this role, you have a love of music and how it can be tied together with creative and interesting art projects.  You also enjoy working with children and have an appreciation for the summer camp experience.   You are an art teacher/instructor or a current Fine Arts student.

This position mainly works with the Junior campers throughout the week of camp but we would love for you to also oversee 1 or 2 art projects for the Youth singers (age 13-18).  Often the individual who manages this part of camp will plan activities that relate to the repertoire of music the singers are preparing all week and they also have craft supplies available for singers who would enjoy doing crafts during their free time each day.  

Accommodations and meals are provided (yes you get to relive the fun of summer camp too!). You will also be paid a fee for your work at camp for the week.

COUNSELLORS, CHAPERONES, GOPHERS

We are currently seeking caregiving staff for our Sing Summer Camps. Available positions are JCC Counsellors, YCC Chaperones, and Gophers.


For Counsellor and Chaperone positions, applicants must be over the age of 18 and be able to complete a background and vulnerable sector check. Both of these positions oversee the day to day supervision of campers, participation in free time activities, assistance in managing the daily schedules for rehearsals and activities. These positions work closely with campers and helps to provide the atmosphere that campers have grown to love at camp.


For Gopher positions, applicants must be over the age of 14. Gophers are active behind the scenes at camp and are an integral part of the success of camp. They assist with meal service, some food prep in the kitchen, assist with arrival and departure logistics, manage the cleanliness of the public spaces at camp and also have the opportunity to participate in evening activities with the other campers.

Spend a week working with keen, enthusiastic singers. A fabulous opportunity for professional development and a rewarding time in an inspirational, heartwarming, magical environment.

To express interest in Counsellor, Chaperone or Gopher positions, fill out the form at https://forms.gle/SWU5gdP6hLkK5mYG6.

Resumes for the Arts and Crafts Instructor position can be forwarded to Anne at anne@nscf.ca.

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Registration for Podium Conference – May 16-19, 2024

Presented by Choral Canada and Alliance chorale du Québec,  in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, on the unceded traditional territory of the Kanien’keha:ka, as well as online through our conference app. PODIUM 2024 will bring together hundreds of delegates and thousands of singers and audience members from across the country and beyond who are passionate about group singing.

Held every 2 years since 1982, each Podium is different and is shaped by the many voices who come together to plan, perform, and share their knowledge and by the host province and city where delegates and audiences will gather. After having to cancel the planned 2020 Podium, presenting partners Choral Canada and Alliance chorale du Québec are excited to finally welcome PODIUM 2024 delegates to Montréal, Québec for a unique experience.

Our slogan ‘Open Voices, Open Minds’ reflects PODIUM 2024’s celebration of the full return to group singing in all its forms. Through offerings both online and on-site in Montréal, we will showcase a diversity of group singing practices from Québec, Canada, and beyond. We will create space for networking, sharing, and learning from presenters and artists with a multitude of lived experiences. Key themes will look to the future of group singing, including, but not limited to, the role of the choral arts in important topics such as social justice, climate change action, diversity and inclusion.

We plan for PODIUM 2024 to be a place to build new bridges and foster collaborations between individuals and communities who have not had the opportunity to connect before. We will create a fun, welcoming, and bilingual atmosphere where both anglophones and francophones can fully participate in all of PODIUM 2024’s activities together.  We are working to ensure all those who wish to participate in PODIUM 2024 feel that they are included and can access this national gathering in a variety of ways. 

Choral Canada is pleased to partner with Alliance chorale du Québec in 2024 as they celebrate 50 years of supporting choral music across the province of Québec and beyond.

Visit https://www.podium2024.ca/en/conference-registration for more information.

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Atlantic Contemporary Vocal Institute – Summer Training Program

Introducing the Atlantic Contemporary Vocal Institute – a place for singers ages 18+ to nurture their technique, grow their passion and have access to high level training and performance opportunities. 

This July, experience three full days of coaching from some of Atlantic Canada’s top performers and educators. Dig DEEP into your artistry and reach a new level of creative and technical output. The ACVI Summer Training Program is ideal for performing singers, as well as teachers and conductors who are looking to broaden their knowledge and increase their confidence in teaching contemporary singing styles. 

For more information and to register (spots are limited!), visit www.acvi.ca 

Also, follow us on Instagram for more updates! www.instagram.com/acvinstitute

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Elora Singers Vocal Academy

Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen invites vocal artists to apply for The Elora Singers Vocal Academy, from April 29 – May 4, 2024. This program has been developed for vocalists whose interests lie in art song, oratorio and ensemble singing.

Academy Singers will explore ways to communicate vocal repertoire more vividly, experience a broad range of vocal repertoire and examine all aspects of style, technique, communication, language, performance skills, and artistry. 

Application deadline is March 15, 2024

To learn more visit: https://elorasingers.ca/vocal-academy/

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Choral Canada’s 2024 Competition for Choral Writing

Submissions for Choral Canada’s 2024 Competition for Choral Writing are now open! Choral Canada encourages and supports the creation of choral music for choirs and singing groups by emerging/early-career Canadian composers and music creators. Since 2000, composers and music creators from across Canada have submitted their compositions to be considered for the Diane Loomer Award. In 2018, the Stephen Chatman Student Award was introduced to support student composers.
Competition Regulations and Application Guidelines for each category can be found here: 

https://bit.ly/3Gb0Qoh. Entry deadline: January 15, 2024.

The 2024 competition is sponsored by J.W. Pepper. The Diane Loomer Award is sponsored by Cypress Choral Music. The Stephen Chatman Student Award is made possible by Stephen Chatman and Tara Wohlberg.