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.
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:
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.
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.
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
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.
Applications for adult bursaries for programs and professional development opportunities are currently being accepted. Full details are available on the Nova Scotia Choral Federation website. Deadline for applications is January 15, 2024.
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:
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.
Founded in 1976 the Nova Scotia Choral Federation (NSCF) is one of eight cultural federations, supported by the government of Nova Scotia. As a registered charity, NSCF has developed an excellent complement of programs and services for choirs of all ages in the province. Our Junior Choir Camp began in 1979 and was the model for similar camps in other provinces in Canada. Since then our camps have grown to include Youth and Adult Choirs camps offering a camp experience to singers starting at the age of 8 years old. NSCF also provides an opportunity for youth singers to take part in an auditioned provincial youth choir which is managed by NSCF each year and biennially supports a quartet of youth singers to attend the Nation Youth Choir of Canada, a program of Choral Canada .
The leadership shown by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation has assisted in the widespread participation in choral music throughout Nova Scotia. There are opportunities for all program alumni to stay involved in the Federation’s activities. School children are given the opportunity to develop choral experience in schools and networking takes place with provincial, national and international choral communities. There is training to encourage and support choral conducting, and professional, well-paid opportunities for both emerging and established artists. Corporations and governments recognize the valuable role choral music plays in enriching society and demonstrate their understanding through active support.
Nova Scotia Choral Federation is currently seeking a new Executive Director.
The Executive Director is the leader within NSCF and plays an integral role in building and maintaining relationships in the choral community in Nova Scotia. They are an active member on the board of the Cultural Federation for Nova Scotia. This individual is also involved on a national level with the board for Choral Canada, and maintains positive relationships with the other choral federations in the country. Other key responsibilities of the Executive Director include:
Promoting and increasing awareness of NSCF and the programs/services available for choirs in Nova Scotia
Management and awareness of funding opportunities for NSCF. This includes review of proposal opportunities for funding and preparation of funding applications
Development of budgets for NSCF programs throughout the year
Assist in preparation and review of all financial statements monthly and for the end of each fiscal year (including regular communication with the NSCF Treasurer and Bookkeeper)
Manage scheduling of meetings, communication and relationships with the NSCF Board of Directors – this includes attending and preparing for Board Meetings, the Annual General Meeting and any other committee meetings as needed
Act as the organization’s spokesperson – including activities such as interviews, news releases, and other proactive communication with media
Attendance at key national meetings and conferences throughout the year
Create a culture that empowers and motivates NSCF staff and volunteers
As the ideal candidate for this role, you have leadership experience in the choral community in Nova Scotia or your current community. Previous experience in a senior management role within a not for profit organization would be considered a definite asset. Other qualifications include:
A background and education in Music, Choral Conducting, Music Education or Fine Arts
Demonstrated experience in managing budgets and financial management, including fund development
Experience in planning and managing successful events and projects
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships
A passion for continuing to build and develop choral opportunities for singers in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada
Experience in collaborating with other organizations at a provincial and national level
Nova Scotia Choral Federation has built a strong legacy in Nova Scotia and continues to be a choral leader in Canada. Be part of the next chapter in keeping the momentum of choral music and experiences moving forward in Nova Scotia.
To express interest in the Executive Director role, please forward your cover letter and resume to the Selection Committee, Att: Anne MacDonald at anne@nscf.ca.
