Jubilate Singers Wanted

Opportunity for Singers:  The Jubilate Singers, a community choir based in the north end of Halifax is in search of three second sopranos and three tenors to give us a balanced choir this season.   Each fall, this choir, conducted by Terry Hurrell, puts on a pre Christmas Concert which raises funds for providing meals for needy north- end families. There will be nine Saturday morning rehearsals, beginning October 16th, held at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Russell and Gottingen from 10 am till noon, culminating in an evening concert on Sunday, December 12th.  Safe distancing and mask wearing will apply. If you are interested and would like to join this choir, please contact Terry Hurrell for a simple audition at 902-457-0920 or email tshurrell@hfx.eastlink.ca

Thanks, Terry

Among The Branches: A Special Project with the Nova Scotia Youth Choir

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NSYC is re-imagining our program for this year. Partnering with Mi’kmaw filmmaker Shelley MacDonald, Mi’kmaw elder Dorene Bernard and Settler conductor Christina Murray, choristers will participate in an Indigenous-led creation process. Instead of our usual concert tour, the NSYC will create an ~25-minute film that combines choral music, poetry, and movement that explores themes of isolation, togetherness, and environmental stewardship.


Important Dates: 

  • Camp Rehearsal Weekend – August 19 – 22 – United Church Campground, Berwick
  • Audio Recording Weekend – August 27 – 29 – First Baptist Church, Halifax
  • Film Shoot Weekend- September 17 – 19 –  United Church Campground, Berwick

We are excited to invite both alumni and choristers that are new to the choir to participate. As this is a special project for the NSYC, we will be accepting choristers aged 16-35. There are limited spots so you’ll want to register as soon as possible!

Registration closes on August 13th.

To register, complete the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/qZskgD5fcg9f8X5q7

For more information, visit the program webpage: https://nscf.ca/nova-scotia-youth-choir-2021/

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Without their support, this project would not be possible! #BringingTheArtsToLife

Please help us spread the word about this timely and exciting project! If you have any questions, please direct them to our Program Coordinator at ryan@nscf.ca!

CCC launches 2020 Choral Composition Competition

Call for Scores

The Canadian Chamber Choir (CCC) is soliciting innovative submissions for a National Choral Composition Competition. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has altered our world and especially in-person choral singing, we are looking for compositions that transcend the current limitations of singing together – choral music that is performable by singers spread throughout Canada. This competition is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The CCC strongly encourages composers of diverse backgrounds and experiences to submit works for consideration.

Compositions should leverage technological supports but not rely solely on a ‘virtual choir’ platform. Choral innovations could include, but not be limited to: a combination of pre-recorded and live material, conducted and/or unconducted processes, and the use of other technologies which would be readily available to singers. The composition should be 2-4 minutes in total length and written for a cappella mixed chamber choir (divisi possible, 20 singers minimum). The winning composition will demonstrate a thoughtful, creative use of technology to create a choral piece that unites geographically separated singers and expresses emotions experienced by artistic communities during the pandemic.

This is the 3rd Choral Composition Competition sponsored by the Canadian Chamber Choir. Our mission is to celebrate and champion Canadian choral music by engaging in a diverse musical narrative that strengthens the choral community. Our Canada 150 competition was won by Alberta composer, Garrett Krause for his composition, “The Maple.” The song is featured on our recently released album, Seasons of Life and Landscape and is published by Cypress Choral Music.

The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2020. The winning composer will receive a $2,000 cash prize as well as a virtual performance of their work, in consultation with the CCC Artistic Team.

For more information visit the Competition webpage by clicking here. 

Paid Opportunity for Choral Scholars

Seton Cantata Choir currently has openings for paid choral scholars for its 2020 spring season.  Successful candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

1.  Be 16 years or older

2.  Be enrolled in secondary, post-secondary, or taking music instruction

3.  Demonstrate a satisfactory level of musicianship and vocal ability as assessed by the Artistic Director.

Interested candidates may contact Norm Scrimger (scrimger@cs.dal.ca)

Tenor Section Lead

St. Andrew’s United Church, corner of Coburg and Robie has an immediate opening for a tenor section lead. This will be a supplemental position between now and Christmas, with the opportunity to become permanent in January. The immediate need is for a strong reader and leader in the section for a performance of Randall Thompson’s Peaceable Kingdom on Sunday Nov 10.

Excellent remuneration based on per call attendance. Contact Kevin Parks, Minister of Music at joyfulnoise@eastlink.ca or 902-221-1597

Choirworks!

After a successful pilot project in June 2019, we are excited to announce a new community choral opportunity for young singers in Halifax – Choirworks! Join director Krista Vincent and pianist Lynette Wahlstrom for a quality music experience in a positive environment.

Children ages 7-11 years are welcome to register for this unauditioned program. Previous choral experience is not necessary. Weekly rehearsals will include ensemble singing, vocal technique, ear training, and music literacy, as well as performance skills and team building. We will meet at First Baptist Church on Oxford Street and are grateful for their support of community music education.

Rehearsals take place on Saturdays from 10:15-11:30 am, starting September 21, 2019. The program will run until December 15, 2019 and will include 2 performances. Tuition for the term is $185 per singer. Partial bursaries are available based on financial need.

Aeolians Singers Auditions

(Halifax, NS) Aeolian Singers – Audition now!

Looking for choral music opportunities with a fabulous community of women?  Do you love to sing great music, love a challenge, and love to laugh? The Aeolian Singers is holding auditions for committed choristers with previous singing experience for their 2019-20 season, which begins in September.

The choir recently completed its 43rd season, the second one under the artistic direction of Nova Scotian choral conductor Heather Fraser. The Aeolians perform five to six times per year, and are accompanied by pianist Diana Torbert. 

You can learn more about the choir at  www.aeoliansingers.ca (go to How to join the choir). Auditions will take place on June 10, 17 and 24 (Monday evenings) in Halifax.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, please contact the choir’s Assistant Conductor, Joanne Slack, at mjslack@eastlink.ca, or call (902) 473-1869 and leave a message to schedule your audition.
Information:  Peggy Walt, peggy@culturalaffairs.ca
(902) 422-5403 (office), (902) 476-1096 (cell)

Alto Section Lead for September

St. Andrew’s United Church Choir is seeking an Alto Section lead for September 2019. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings 7-9pm, and on Sunday morning 9:45 am, followed by Sunday worship at 10:30am. Special services include Christmas Eve, 7pm and 10pm, Good Friday 10:30am. Occasional concerts and special events.

St. Andrew’s United is located at the intersection of Coburg and Robie Streets in Halifax. We are a progressive, experimental, innovative congregation with an eclectic music program. The choir gives leadership to community singing weekly, and regularly offers special music to augment worship. The diverse repertoire spans the gamut of traditional high church choral standards to singing back up on jazz and popular arrangements with a house band and vocalists. The music is challenging, well prepared and delivered with excellence. But first and foremost St. Andrew’s choir is a caring, supportive, inclusive community where we enjoy the process of music making, and that is welcoming of everyone of all ages, regardless of gender, racial identity, spiritual/faith location or sexual orientation. The section lead is expected to model proper vocal technique, to come to rehearsal with parts prepared, to support other members of the section in learning and executing their part. Occasional solo or ensemble work may be requested. Remuneration is $35/call, based upon actual attendance. Contact Kevin Parks, Minister of Music, joyfulnoise@eastlink.ca or FB/Twitter @joyfulnoisehfx by June 7 to arrange an audition