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Giving Tuesday – Amplifying Our Collective Voices

Dear NS Choral Community,  

#GivingTuesday is two weeks away!  This global movement has unleashed the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This is a time when Canadians, charities, and businesses come together to celebrate giving and participate in a variety of activities that support charities and nonprofits; to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need. 

Every act of generosity counts. Everybody has something to give in their own way. 

Among the many worthy charities in your lives, including your own singing organizations, we humbly ask that you consider the NSCF in your giving plans, and the benefits your gift will have on our community at large. Your support directly impacts our ability to create and offer meaningful programming, provide services and resources, advocate and raise the profile of our beloved art form, and increase participation in collective singing of all kinds across our province.

This year the NSCF is focusing our campaign on children and youth as we work to grow the voices of our future Nova Scotia choral community. 

  • Donate to help us enrich and reignite a culture of singing in the schools by investing in the development of new initiatives to create training programs and resources for music educators, and bringing choral artists and clinicians into schools in rural communities across Nova Scotia.  
  • Give generously to lift up our provincial youth choral programming with our “Friends of Nova Scotia Youth Choir” campaign, or the Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia.  
  • Help us ensure our programming is accessible, through our Choir Camp Bursary and Scholarship Funds.  

We commit to making every dollar count.  On our Canada Helps Online Donation Platform, you may choose to direct your donation to an initiative or to general programs and services.  You may also choose to set up a monthly or annual donation – these gifts are especially helpful for us for sustainability and planning for the future. 

We sincerely thank you for your consideration, and for any contribution you can make.  Stay tuned on social media for stories about our impact and how your support matters. We wish you all – our singers, leaders, audience members and any choral enthusiasts – the very best for Giving Tuesday, and in this upcoming holiday season. 

DONATE to the NSCF

Here’s to Song!

Heather Fraser 
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Choral Federation 

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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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Nov. 6, 8 & 9 – Free Choral Leadership Workshops with Dr. Kiera Galway from Mount Allison University

Kiera Galway, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Choral Conducting at Mount Allison University, will be offering a 2 hour workshop for singing leaders of all kinds – choir directors, music educators, music education students welcome!

Wednesday, November 6 – 6:00 – 8:00pm
New Glasgow – Trinity United Church (151 Temperance St.)
Friday, November 8 – 6:30 – 8:30pm
Halifax – NSCF Central Space (1113 Marginal Rd.)
Saturday, November 9 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Rm 226 – Denton Hall, Acadia University School of Music

Re-energize your choral rehearsals and engage singers of all ages with playful, creative warmups and vocal exercises that spark imagination and enthusiasm!  Gain some valuable skills and tools to add to your leadership toolbox for your students and singing groups! And who doesn’t love the chance to sing together with friends new and old, with new repertoire and incredible leadership?

  • Inspiring Warm Ups, Rehearsal and Teaching Techniques (for music classroom and more formal choral settings)
  • Vocal Health (for singers and teachers!)
  • Conducting Gestures
  • The value in the collective experience of singing together!

Workshop is in partnership with the NSCF, New Glasgow Youth Choir, Acadia University. Register now using button below!

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP HERE!

More about Kiera Galway:

Choral conductor, musician and educator Kiera Galway was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where a supportive family and community encouraged her musical growth. She completed Bachelors’ degrees in Bassoon Performance and Music History/Literature and Music Education and a Masters in Choral Conducting at Memorial University. Kiera then relocated to Toronto, Ontario, where she was active in the music community as a choral conductor and educator. While there, Kiera founded and directed the choral ensemble Toronto Chamber Voices and conducted the Massey College Choir. She also directed choirs and taught musicianship at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Dixon Hall Music School and University Settlement House. Kiera completed a Masters’ degree in Musicology and a PhD in Music Education at the University of Toronto.

Kiera returned to St. John’s in 2015, teaching at Memorial University and serving as the Director of Music at the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. She also played bassoon with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and worked as an administrator in the St. John’s music community, acting as the Executive Director of the Calos Youth Orchestras, Vice-Chair of provincial choral organization Choral NL and project manager for Podium 2018, Choral Canada’s national choral conference and festival. Kiera joined the faculty at Mount Allison University as Assistant Professor of Music Education and Choral Conducting in 2020.

Kiera’s research interests centre on placed-informed approaches to music and music education. Her PhD dissertation focused on cultural and musical geographies in Canada, mapping the intersections of space, identity, and music. 

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NSYC Concerts Sept 22nd – Get Tickets Here!

In a program entitled “Seeking Light”, 35 talented young singers from across the province will raise their voices together again as the revived Nova Scotia Youth Choir! Their final performance take place Sunday, September 22nd in Wolfville and Halifax. 

PURCHASE/RESERVE NSYC CONCERT TICKETS HERE

The NSYC is an ensemble that provides musical training for singers ages 16-25 from across Nova Scotia. It is an opportunity for them to work intensively towards artistic excellence, develop their musicianship, and perform diverse repertoire together with some of the most accomplished and recognized choral instructors and conductors in Canada.  

On hiatus since Covid, this is an exciting year of rejuvenation and growth as we welcome a new generation of choristers into this nationally renowned program. 

Dr. Jamie Hillman, from the University of Toronto, is the guest conductor this season, supported by a faculty of fine musicians dedicated to excellence in vocal performance and musicianship – Amelia McMahon and Andrew Cranston as resident conductors, Adam Johnson on piano, and Maureen Batt, Ryan Henwood and Dr. Nicole Jordan as guest vocal coaches and clinicians. 

In “Seeking Light”, the singers will weave together a diverse program of uplifting music and will feature many Canadian composers like Marie-Claire Saindon, Tracy Wong, Matthew Emery and Andrew Balfour. 

Concerts take place Sunday, September 22nd at 1:30 p.m. at Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville and at 7:30pm at The Joseph Strug Hall, Fountain School of the Performing Arts, Halifax.  Tickets are $25 and $10 (students) available to purchase with the button above, or at the door. 

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Sing Summer Events Open to Public! Join Us in Berwick!

See below a LIST OF ALL THE EVENTS happening at Camp in August! (listed by date) These performances and workshops are open for the public to attend! Plan a trip to the valley and catch some of these great events. All events take place at the United Church Campgrounds,115 Commercial St., Berwick.

CHOIR CAMPS – OPEN DAY FOR EDUCATORS & CONDUCTORS!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14th | 9:00 – 12:30
FREE ENTRY

Join us for the morning to observe our Junior/Youth camp rehearsals and vocal health/musicianship activities with our amazing artistic staff Scott Leithead, Kitbielle Pasagui, Carmen So, Krista Vincent, and Nicole Jordan. Drama, dance and art activities are open as well with Netanya Backhouse, Josh Noiles, and Jane Beals! Email anne@nscf.ca to let us know you’re coming! (If you can’t come that day but still want to drop in another day send us a note!)

JUNIOR AND YOUTH CAMP CONCERTS!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17th | Free Will Offering
1:00pm – Junior Choir Camp Concert – Conductors: Carmen So, Krista Vincent
2:30pm – Youth Choir Camp Concert – Conductors: Scott Leithead, Kitbielle Pasagui

Come on out to support these youth and all their efforts over the week, and hear what they’ve learned together!

CONDUCTORS WORKSHOP WEEKEND – Spots Still Open!
AUGUST 17 – 19
Clinician: Dr. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor

Wonderful opportunity to improve your skills and soak up a weekend in beautiful Berwick Camp in a supportive, casual atmosphere for learning. Come as a conductor OR a singer/auditor! Click here for Info and Registration!

PERFORMANCE by CANVAS Jazz Quartet!
MONDAY, AUGUST 19th – 8:00 pm | Free Will Offering

CANVAS is a newly formed vocal jazz quartet. Kurt Sampson is a Juno nominated performer who was a Toronto-based member of the professional acapella group called Cadence. Now based in Halifax, Kurt maintains a busy vocal studio and performance schedule. Tenor Michael van der Gaag is a seasoned chorister having sung with Canada’s top choral ensembles including the Canadian Chamber Choir, Musica Intima, and the Halifax Camerata Singers. Currently he sings with the Helios Vocal Ensemble, based in Halifax. Amelia McMahon wears many musical hats. She conducts the South Shore Chorale, co-conducts Eastern Horizon ensemble, and is the assistant conductor of the Halifax Camerata Singers. Amelia is also an active vocalist both in choral and solo settings. Frances Farrell is a music educator with the Halifax Regional Arts program specializing in voice and choral music. Outside of school, Fran maintains an active schedule as an Alexander Technique teacher and as the conductor of the Aeolian Singers.

IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. BRAINERD BLYDEN-TAYLOR
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20th – 7:30pm | FREE WILL OFFERING
(immediately following the 6:30pm AGM)

Join us for an important conversation led by ACC guest conductor Dr. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor. Hear about the founding of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, his career with them, and the diffusion of Afrocentric Choral Music in our choral communities.

ADULT CHOIR CAMP CONCERTS!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24th – 1:30pm | Free Will Offering
Guest Conductor: Dr. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor

Come out to support these 115 (!) singers and all their efforts over the week learning a program of beautiful, diverse music together.

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Introducing the New NSCF Portal! Coming Soon! Important Info for Membership and Library use

Introducing the new NSCF Portal!

Happy August, NSCF Community! We have some very exciting news!

As we approach a new season, it will be soon be time to welcome new NSCF members, and to renew memberships for those who are already a part of our community. This process will now be done a little bit differently. We are modernizing our office systems and are thrilled to soon launch our new Membership Management and Library Lending platform called the NSCF Portal. Thanks to our NSCF Board Member, Andrew Cranston, tech guru & designer of this system, and all of Tim’s work on this before he retired!

Please read the information below carefully. We will send another notice when the portal is live and ready! It should be soon… we’re in the final testing phase! 🙂

What is the NSCF Portal for?
All NSCF members will now have direct access to their membership profile in a system called Podio. With this portal you will:

1) Manage your membership (either individual or a group/institutional membership of an organization you are connected with). You can update the profile, change contact info, pay dues etc.)

2) Access our Lending Library – Search the Catalogue, Reserve and Request Titles for borrowing. (all lending requests will be processed through this service)

3) Access the Directory of Member Choirs and all the info they provide.

How do I access the Portal to browse the library, become a member or renew my membership?

a) If you are already a member, or are connected to a choir that is a member, you will soon receive a notice via email that will provide you with instructions to access portal and renew membership. (Please don’t renew until this notice has been issued)

b) If you are NOT already a member, you can still create a profile and browse the library. You can access the portal via the NSCF website. (But we would love for you to become a member! See below!)

c) When you first arrive in the portal, the home “Dashboard” will provide detailed instructions for the next steps!

2 Important Heads Up before you start:

1) Be aware that you will need to create a password to login with an email. *Please save this password for all future use for your membership/library access*.

2) Choirs/Organizations must been connected to a person – therefore anyone who wishes to act on behalf of a group must register first with a profile. This includes conductors, volunteers etc. Instructions after login will direct you to request access to be connected your choir.

Please Consider Becoming a Member!
In addition to the many member benefits for both individuals and groups, you will be joining a rich cultural network of singers, artists, composers, educators, administrators – learners of all ages and abilities. As a member, your investment directly enables us to provide enriching programs and services for singers across this province. Adding your voice to this community will support our efforts to champion and celebrate the art of collective singing in all its forms! Find out more here!

Thank you for reading! We will send a notice soon when it’s ready to roll!

Thank you!
Heather Fraser, Executive Director
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Nagamo – musica intima and Andrew Balfour – Workshops and Concert May 10-13, 2024

We are thrilled to share that musica intima and Andrew Balfour will be in Halifax May 10-13, 2024 to deliver workshops to both adult and youth choirs and will perform on Sunday, May 12.

Schedule:

Friday, May 10 – 6:30pm (2.5 hour workshop) Adult singers (register as a group or come as an individual), St Andrew’s United Church, Halifax

Saturday, May 11 – Youth Workshop. 9am to 5pm. St Andrew’s United Church.

Sunday, May 12 – 7:30pm, Musica Intima Concert, St Andrew’s United Church. $45 for adults, $25 for students. Tickets on sale soon!

Monday, May 13 – 6:30pm (2.5 hour workshop) Adult singers (register as a group or come as an individual), St Andrew’s United Church

The fee for workshops is $15 per singer. Those who attend the workshop and wish to also attend the concert will receive a discount on their ticket for the concert.

To Register for the Monday and Friday workshops, click HERE

To learn more about how your group can participate in the workshops, contact Anne at anne@nscf.ca.

“NAGAMO (Sings) reimagines history and the concept of nation to nation respect and musical dialogue between the nations of the so-called New World and Old World.  During the beginning of the 17th century,  several Chiefs and esteemed Indigenous leaders journeyed to Europe in the hope of forging alliances. In many cases, they were treated as respected ambassadors. NAGAMO explores the fantastical idea of what might have happened if the sharing of music, and the respect of culture had contrived, and how a different history might have played out.”

Andrew Balfour, curator 

Revolving around Elizabethan choral music by Byrd, Tallis, and Gibbons, NAGAMO also features the unique musical perspective of Balfour’s reimagining of these motets into Cree and Ojibway.  Compositions by Balfour himself explores universal ideas of governance, diplomacy, and culture, as well as the challenges Indigenous peoples face today. 

Nagamo Tesitmonials:

Working with musica intima and Andrew Balfour was an incredibly impactful experience for
me and the Collingwood School choirs. My students learned much about vocal technique,
history, collaboration, different artistic practices, and in particular how art can be part of a
decolonial effort towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. They were awed by hearing
a professional choir for the first time and inspired by getting to sing and work directly with
them. Hearing about Andrew Balfour’s experience as a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, and his
work to reclaim his identity through music was hugely impactful for me and my students. As
a music teacher, I benefited from the workshop by learning new pedagogical strategies for
teaching technique, phrasing and repertoire. We are very grateful for the chance to work with
musica intima and Andrew Balfour and we very much hope to have similar opportunities in
the future!
Luke McAndless-Davis, Choir Teacher, Collingwood Schools, BC

Thank-you SO much for the work you did with us in MB. The concert was fantastic,
and the students are on fire after working with you all. We did our Thursday rehearsal
without any conductor, and the group’s level of commitment to music-making was at
an all time high. I also decided to invite them into the programming for our April 1
concert and so they have chosen what rep we will be singing for that. I think this may
become a pattern for future concerts… Please let musica intima know that this tour
was a lot more than just great and meaningful concerts, but there will actually be a
long-term impact on participating choirs – in decolonizing the rehearsal space (at least
at U of M).
Elroy Friesen, University of Manitoba, MB

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CONDUIT Chamber Choir Auditions

The CONDUIT Chamber Choir is holding auditions for our spring project. The project will focus on repertoire about the life of Mary and Marian themes.

All auditions will be scheduled on an individual basis. Those interested in auditioning are asked to perform a piece of their choosing as well as a sight reading test.

To book an audition or for more information, please contact us on Facebook or via email at info@conduitchoir.ca.

PS: Please like our new page and visit our Videos section to see performances from our inaugural project.

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NSCF Holiday Office Closure

The NS Choral Federation office will be closed for the holidays from December 20, 2023 to January 2 , 2024 inclusive. Thank you for all of your support in 2023 and we look forward to working with you all again in 2024. Have a wonderful Holiday Season with your families.