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Performance Fees: Entandem & SOCAN

September is here and we wish you the very best for an exciting start to the choral season.  May it be enriching and rewarding for you, your choristers and audiences. 

Approximately three years ago, SOCAN handed over the collection of concert performance licenses to ENTANDEM. It has been found that the process is seriously flawed. One would assume that nothing more is required after payment through the on-line portal at Entandem.  However, the final step should be the submission of a digital copy of the concert program, otherwise it is impossible for SOCAN to disburse the funds appropriately to publishers, composers, and authors. The programs should be sent to:  concertsetlist@entandemlicensing.com and concertsubmit@socan.com 

Early in July, SOCAN and Entandem assured those affected that there would be improvements/clarifications to both websites. In the interim, it would be appreciated if you or your administrator would submit any programmes from the last three years and all future programmes to one of the above email addresses.  

Wishing you the very best for the upcoming season.

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Musical Director, Canadian Military Wives Choir (Halifax)

    

The Canadian Military Wives Choir in Halifax is seeking a new Musical Director. Rehearsals are Monday nights from 6:30-8:30pm at CFB Halifax. They are a bunch of lovely ladies with various levels of musical knowledge. They are looking to fill this position ASAP. More information is provided below. If you would like to learn more contact canadianmwc.halifax@gmail.com.

           General Duties

  • Teaches musical selections to choir members in a fun, supportive environment.
  • Attends weekly rehearsals and performances as required.
  • Abides by Canadian Military Wives Choir Constitution.
  • Operates within the guidelines of the Canadian Military Wives Choir, as administered by the Halifax CMWC Committee.
  • Provides a welcoming inclusive musical environment for choir members.
  • Encourages a fun and safe environment for all singing levels.
  • Refers all performance requests, membership enquiries, media enquiries, fundraising opportunities and all other choir administrative business to the local Committee for consideration.  Final decision for choir participation in all events rests with the local Committee as representatives of the Canadian Military Wives Choirs movement. 

        Music Selection

  • The Music Director shall in consultation with the President and/or the Vice President, prepare and teach music for rehearsals and performances appropriate for various experience levels and performance opportunities of the choir.  Note: Music will usually be chosen jointly by the President and/or Vice President and the MD; the MD may submit selections to the President and/or Vice President for consideration.  The final selections will be reviewed by the MD to confirm the pieces are suited for the choir members abilities.
  • Create arrangements of songs that cannot be purchased or sourced, within the guidelines of current Canadian copyright laws.
  • The MD is responsible for producing performance tracks if they have not been purchased.

        Digital Content

  • The MD shall-generate and make available digital copies of sheet and audio music required for choir members.
  • Forward any costs for digital copying to the committee for prior approval and payment.
  • Generate rehearsal recordings of individual parts, including solos as required adhering to reasonable time requests.
  • Notify the Committee when new complete sets of recordings and sheet music are ready and uploaded to the Choir Google Drive for member access.  Consult with the Committee regarding musical content on the National CMWC website.

Rehearsals

  • The MD shall prepare fully for warm-ups and practices and lead weekly rehearsals tailored to diverse levels of musical understandings. 
  • Assist in preparation of rehearsal space as required.
  • Assist new members to find their musical range and section within the choir. 
  • Create and contribute to a collegial, creative, supportive environment where members feel comfortable to take musical risks together.
  • Improve and maintain confidence in musical abilities of both individuals and the group.
  • Review CMWC Core music selections on a regular basis in order to be prepared for combined choir or seasonal events. 

Performances

  • The MD shall consult with the Committee in generating musical programs for performances.
  • Liaise with event coordinators regarding logistics as required.
  • Liaise with hosts to ensure performance details have been addressed.
  • Forward ideas and opportunities to collaborate with other groups or musicians to the Committee for discussion and approval.

Spreading the Movement

  • Be willing to support the choir in fundraising and profile-raising events.
  • Refer new possibilities to the Committee for discussion.
  • Refer new possibilities to the Committee for discussion.
  • Attend local Committee meetings when required (occasionally).
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Talent Trust Applications are open.

Applications for Talent Trust Scholarships are now open. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2023. For more details about the available scholarships and the application process visit: https://www.nstalenttrust.ns.ca/scholarships/apply

Applicants may submit an application to the Talent Trust before they have been accepted into their proposed program of study.  In fact, it is highly recommended applicants do so.

Scholarship amounts vary between $800 and $4,000.

We strongly urge all applicants to apply early to avoid any difficulties with your application, technical or otherwise.

Please use Google Chrome as your browser to avoid any technical difficulties and be able to save your online application easily. 

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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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HIGH HOPES FOR HIGH NOTES

A Soaring Experience…

In this interactive online session, we will explore one of the most common issues folks face when singing in a choir: finding freedom in the upper range. Designed for choristers and choral conductors alike, this introductory session offers fresh thinking about

o   co-operating with the body’s natural design

o   constructive conscious kindness

o   the value of curiosity

High Hopes for this Session…

o   This is an opportunity for you to develop your singing skills in a safe and playful environment.

o   This event is part of my ongoing teacher training with Total Vocal Freedom, a thriving singing community that celebrates singing in all its forms: https://www.totalvocalfreedom.com

o   All proceeds from this event ($10 is the suggested fee) will be donated to the Nova Scotia Choral Federation.

Please join me, Frances Farrell, on Monday, June 1st at 7:30 p.m. (AST) for an hour of vocal exploration. For more information and to reserve a spot, please contact me at highhopesforhighnotes@gmail.com

By NSCFMGR Member Blog • Professional Development 0 Comments

Registration for Nova Scotia Youth Choir Apprentice Collaborative Pianist Open!

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation is proud to announce that registration for the Nova Scotia Youth Choir Apprentice Collaborative Pianist is now open. This is a wonderful opportunity for a student pianist looking to improve upon their collaborative piano skills, learn more about the voice and choral art form, and gain experience working with an excellent ensemble, established conductors and a fantastic collaborative pianist as coach. The student pianist would function as an apprentice collaborative pianist, playing for rehearsals for the Nova Scotia Youth Choir under resident conductors Gary Ewer and Pamela Burton, as well as working alongside and receiving coaching from NSYC’s current collaborative pianist, Mary Castello.

For more information on the apprenticeship, click here.

For more information on the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, click here.

Application Requirements:

  • Cover Letter describing your intent, musical strengths, and your goals.
  • Music Resume outlining achievements, choral/accompanying experience (if any)
  • Letter of reference from a music teacher (piano teacher preferably)

 Application Deadline: May 30th, 2019

Please submit applications electronically to Ryan Henwood, Program Coordinator at the NSCF, and contact him with any questions:  Email:  programs@nscf.ca.       

By NSCFMGR Member Blog • Professional Development 0 Comments

Register Today for Choral Conducting Apprenticeship with Michael Zaugg!

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday, June 21st, 2019

This summer NSCF will be offering an opportunity for a choral conducting apprenticeship in conjunction with Adult Choir Camp. The apprentice will gain experience in all facets of the conductor’s craft both on and off the podium, including rehearsal planning and strategy, warm up and vocal health exercises, rehearsals throughout the week, and performance. In addition to observing and participating in all rehearsals during the week, they will have individual responsibility for one repertoire selection in rehearsal and performance, as well as four daily private or semi-private hour-long sessions with the guest conductor, Michael Zaugg.

Click here for more information on the Apprenticeship

Click here for more information on Adult Choir Camp

Application

To be considered for this apprenticeship, complete an Online Application Form and submit a 3 minute video recording of yourself  choral conducting within the last two years.
The video can be sent to us as a private YouTube link or as a Google Drive shareable link which can be pasted into the application form. Once the Guest Conductor has selected the apprentice, they will be notified by NSCF.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday, June 21st, 2019

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Choir Camp Open Day and Teacher Workshop!

Wednesday, August 23rd – 9:00 – 2:30

Berwick United Church Camp

Attention teachers, conductors, singing leaders of all kinds! Come to choir camp for a fabulous day of professional development that will get you in the mood to start a brand new choir year. Soak up the last bit of summer under the hemlocks at Berwick Camp, while absorbing great ideas from fabulous teachers! For those who aren’t familiar with our camp, it’s a chance to see what it’s all about and why we love it so much!

At Open Day you can:

– Observe rehearsals with Robert Filion (Ottawa – YCC) and Sarah Morrison (Oakville – JCC). Read their bios here

– Observe sectional rehearsals by Artistic support staff (Jenny Trites, Jack Bennet, Thomas Burton, Amelia McMahon, Rachael Delano)

– Observe group activities with Dr. Christianne Rushton (YCC Vocal Health & Musicianship), Josh Noiles (JCC/YCC Drama), Linda Song (JCC Kodaly Music and Movement), and Sherise Jones (YCC – Yoga for Singers)

– **Attend a special 60 minute Workshop for Teachers and Conductors with Linda Song – guest teacher and Kodaly specialist with us from Toronto. Linda teaches Elementary and Middle School music at Claude Watson School of the Arts and is a conductor in the training choirs program with the Toronto Children’s Chorus.

Click here for more information and to register!

By LouiseGrinstead e-notes • Member Blog • Professional Development 0 Comments

Singing the Circle

The 23rd International Kodaly Symposium will be held at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta from August 8 to August 12. World-renowned music educators from 14 countries will be offering active sessions focusing on every aspect of teaching music to children today. Delegates will be active – making music in workshops, daily communal canon singing, sight – reading new publications and and participating in singing games. There will be live concerts every day featuring a variety of choirs and artists.