News: Singers Wanted

THE HALIFAX YOUTH HONOUR CHOIR

The Halifax Youth Honour Choir is a choir for upper voices for students in grades 7-9. This choir is all about creating a welcoming, friendly, and safe environment where students will explore fun songs with fun people.  YHC rehearses on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:15 at Oxford School.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Fran Farrell at ffarrell@gnspes.ca (If the interview times listed on the poster do not work for you, reach out, and we’ll find a time to connect!)

Looking to sing with a treble voice youth choir? Join the Cantatrice Ensemble Honour Choir, a FREE program of HRCE’s ‘Halifax Regional Arts’! Auditions for new members will be held on June 12 at Madeline Symonds Middle School and June 19 AND JUNE 26 at Cavalier Drive School, starting at 6:30 pm. The audition piece will be “O Canada”. Applicants must be in Grade 7-12 as of September 2023. This choir sings repertoire for treble voices (soprano, second soprano, alto) and performs several times throughout the year. Interested singers may book an audition time slot by contacting director at KNewhook-MacDonald@hrce.ca, or can book an audition online using the following direct link: https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/4u5yv

New Women’s Choir in Annapolis Valley

Expressions of interest are now being accepted for a new choir being formed in the Annapolis Valley. The choir will be for women’s voices and will focus on musical excellence and primarily a cappella music. Rather than meeting on a weekly basis, the intent is for the ensemble to be more ‘project’ based, receiving and preparing repertoire in advance, gathering for a limited number of rehearsals and offering one or more performances.

Rehearsals will be held irregularly as needed and held at different locations throughout the Annapolis Valley depending on chorister location and venue availability. The hope is that rehearsals can be held in several locations to make travel more convenient for all members.

Auditions will be scheduled individually with interested applicants. An audition will consist of a piece selected by the singer and the administering of a sight reading test. Strong music reading skills are required. Those who are interested in booking an audition can fill out this form: https://podio.com/webforms/28691420/2308252

Are you an enthusiastic singer in high school that is looking to meet new people from across the HRM? Look no further and consider joining Soundtrax, an auditioned SATB choir that explores diverse and dynamic repertoire. To book an interview, please contact ffarrell@gnspes.ca or scan the QR code on this poster.

Children’s Choir, 2023 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Auditions to be held in early May for children interested in being part of the Children’s Choir, 2023 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Auditions are open to students from grades 4 to 7. Previous choral experience is an asset. 

Singing in the Children’s Choir is an amazing experience – they meet fellow performers from all over the world, are part of an incredible production, and make memories to last a lifetime. There is a time commitment involved but oh so worth it! 

Rehearsal schedule to date is as follows:

 – 1st rehearsal Sunday, 28 May, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Rehearsal venue TBA;
 – Rehearsals continue every Sunday night until 18 June;
 – Rehearsals in the ScotiaBank Center are scheduled to begin on the evening of Monday, 19 June. The Children’s Choir will likely be there most evenings until the Show starts their dress rehearsals on 28 June.

Show schedule:

Show 1 – 30 June (evening)

Show 2 – 1 July (matinee)

Show 3 – 2 July (matinee) 

Show 4 – 2 July (evening) 

Show 5 – 3 July (matinee) 

For further information including audition date and location, contact Martha Healy, Royal Nova Scotia international Tattoo Children’s Choir Director at choir@nstattoo.ca  . Please put Children’s Choir in the subject line.

Four Way Harmony (Halifax Rotary Club choir that was comprised of about 20 singers) has been inactive since the pandemic and is looking to rebuild. Their repertoire (sung in four part, SATB harmony), included a diverse selection of really fun to sing, light music, pop, country, folk songs, etc., and included numerous Canadian and Maritime classics – and Christmas music.  They rehearsed every second week, and performed at several retirement homes, as well as on the Halifax waterfront and at CTV’s Christmas Daddies.  Several members sang in performances of the Rotary International Choir at Toronto and Hamburg conferences.

In order to get started they need a few singers in all four voices, (soprano, alto, tenor, bass).  They also need to find a rehearsal space in a convenient location, preferably with a reasonable quality piano. Also critical is the need to track down a replacement musical leadership team.  More specifically they need help with the following:

• Singers!  If you enjoy singing in the shower, this is way more fun!  There is no audition, but some modest ability to follow along a four part musical score would be helpful.  Let us know if you’d like to give it a go.  We’d love to hear from you.

• Being a Rotarian is not a prerequisite.  If you know of any ‘Friend of Rotary’ who you think might be interested, please let them know, and ask them to get in touch – partners, adult children, neighbours… all welcome! 

• They need a new ‘Artistic Director’ to guide the Choir musically.  This may be a fine opportunity for a retired musician or choir director who is looking for some relaxing interest, or a music student looking to gain some experience in choir direction.  While revenue generation potential is inevitably quite modest, some level of remuneration should be possible.  If you know of someone who might be interested, please invite them to get in touch.

• Accompanist.  Their current accompanist is very keen to help out but has commitments that will likely limit her availability.  If anyone knows a competent pianist, again please get in touch.

• Finally they need a venue.  It needs to have seating for about 20 people, and as mentioned, ideally needs to be equipped with a piano.  Alternatively, we may be able to work with a reasonable quality keyboard. If you have suggestions please let us know.

If you can help with any of the above, please get in touch, either with Louisa Horne (rotarylouisa@gmail.com), or with Dick Hodgson of Halifax Northwest, (at dick.hodgson@dal.ca ).   They would love to get this fine choral group up and running again!!