After a brief hiatus from our traditional programming, the Nova Scotia Youth Choir is excited to return for its 32nd year! Through auditions, approximately 40 singers ages 16-25 will be chosen to work with a faculty of fine musicians dedicated to excellence in vocal performance and musicianship. They will provide them a challenging opportunity to work, develop and perform choral music together at a very high calibre.

Choristers work with the faculty during two rehearsal periods in June and August. Final rehearsal sessions will be led by the guest conductor and will culminate in performances in Lunenburg, Wolfville and Halifax on October 1 and 2, 2022.

Check out this awesome video all about the NSYC

 

Dr. Jamie Hillman – Guest Conductor

Dr. Jamie Hillman is a Canadian and American musician, active as a conductor, singer, pianist, music educator, and composer. He is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto where he holds the Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting. Prior to his appointment at U of T, Hillman served on the faculties of Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Kodály Music Institute, and Longy School of Music of Bard College. As a Boston University Prison Arts Scholar and faculty member of BU’s Prison Education Program, Hillman co-initiated an innovative vocal music program in the Massachusetts prison system.

Dr. Hillman has adjudicated, guest conducted, lectured, and performed throughout the United States and Canada, and in France, India, and Indonesia. He has led All-State, festival, or honor choirs in Connecticut, Georgia, Manitoba Maryland, Massachusetts, New York. Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Ontario. Most recently he conducted a Manhattan Concert Productions National Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall.
Hillman’s upcoming engagements include speaking at the World Choral Expo in Lisbon Portugal; guest conducting the ACSC High School Honor Choir in Taichung, Taiwan;  leading All-State Choirs in New Hampshire, New Jersey and Utah, and honor choirs in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Virginia; giving conducting masterclasses at Christ’s College Taipei; and returning as a member of the jury of the Bali International Choir Festival in Indonesia. He is the curator and editor of the Jamie Hillman Choral Series published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing.

Dr. Hillman earned an associate diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music and degrees from Western University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Boston University. He is the 2012 laureate of the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting from the Ontario Arts Council.

Stay tuned for the rest of our Artistic Team Biographies! 
Resident Conductors: Pamela Burton & John Scott
Collaborative Pianist: Mary Castello
Vocal Coaches:  TBA 

Auditions

This year, the Nova Scotia Youth Choir is moving all of their auditions to a pre-recorded video format. The due date for video submissions has been extended to Monday, May 23rd, 2022.

Video Audition Requirements

When you complete your application form, please note the time that you plan to record your video audition. A short quick study will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to your recording time slot. Video Files may be sent by email, or a video can be put on YouTube and a link emailed to the office. Video auditions should include:

• a piece of music of your own choice
• 2 vocalises that show range in either direction
• A short quick study (will be sent to you via email 24 hours before your scheduled recording time.)

To read the full audition guidelines, click here. 

Recordings Due Date: Monday, May 23rd, 2022 (NEW DEADLINE)

REGISTER HERE TO AUDITION

Program Dates & Expectations

  • First Rehearsal Weekend – June 10 – 12 – St. Andrew’s United Church, Halifax
    • Friday Evening Arrival
    • Sunday Evening Departure
  • Camp Rehearsal Weekend – August 11 – 14 – United Church Campground, Berwick
    • Thursday Afternoon Arrival
    • Sunday Evening Departure
  • Concert Tour Weekend- September 29 – October 2  – St. Andrew’s United Church, Halifax
    • Thursday Evening Arrival
    • Sunday Evening Departure

Choristers will work with the resident conductors and guest voice faculty at the first two rehearsal weekends. These will include rehearsals, pull-out voice lessons, and workshops with guest vocal artists. The final rehearsal session in September/Ocotber will be led by the guest conductor, Dr. Jamie Hillman and will culminate with three performances on October 1 and 2.

**It is expected that all singers prepare their music in advance of the first weekend, and to come to August Camp with all notes/rhythms/text in place, and any memory work or other assignments given by the conductors, completed. Testing in August will be done and singers who arrive without knowing their music may be dismissed from the choir.

Program Fees

Program Cost – $385.00 per singer
Fee Includes:  Audition • Tuition for 10 full days of choral instruction and organized activities, which includes 50+ hours of rehearsal, clinics and private voice lessons • Music rental • T-shirt (Casual Uniform) • All site fees, accommodations and meals for 4 days at camp • Most meals at final rehearsal weekend (provided by NSYC volunteer committee)

Payment Options

Option 1: Send a cheque to: Nova Scotia Choral Federation, 1113 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS, B3H 4P7 (payable to Nova Scotia Choral Federation)

Option 2: Send an email money transfer  to nscfadmin@nscf.ca

Option 3: Pay online with PayPal Here!

(please note a service charge will be added when using PayPal)


Payment Options for NSYC



Financial Assistance:

Louise Simons Memorial Scholarship – Covers full tuition and provides leadership and learning opportunities! Applications due May 23rd, 2022: Click here for Louise Simons Scholarship Application

Travel Bursary Application – Helps to cover gas and travel expenses for singers June 1st, 2022: Click here for NSYC Travel Bursary

Testimonials – Successful Alumni Speak About the Program

“It has been 3 years since I last sang with the Nova Scotia Youth Choir; however I am still to this day, reaping the benefits of what it provided for me as a young musician, and as a young person. The benefits of the program reach far beyond making fine music with other young, enthusiastic singers. It is an opportunity to develop skills which are essential to the life of a musician, to network with some of the leading figures in the Canadian conducting scene, and to feel inherently more human. The ability to sing well in an ensemble has become a means by which I have been able to support myself financially, and has been hugely beneficial for my performances in opera and musical theatre. The NSYC also presents you with the rare opportunity to work with the most prominent conductors, not just of choirs, but also of orchestras and symphonies. The relationships which I was able to develop with these conductors led to professional engagements with their ensembles, which in turn led to further connections and more work. For me, the Nova Scotia Youth Choir was more than just a choir; it was a program of professional development which just happened to also be a whole lot of fun.”

~ Marcel d’Entremont – NSYC & National Youth Choir alumn.
Winner of the 2014 National Music Festival in Voice Performance

“The Nova Scotia Youth Choir provided an enriching musical experience, created wonderful life-long connections, and shaped future endeavors of an entire generation of successful musicians in Nova Scotia. The knowledge and skill demanded of choir members, and the rigorous training, coupled with immensely rewarding performances, nurtures all young musicians in an immensely positive way. The support from the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, the involvement with the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, and the opportunities to seek further national choral experiences (with the National Youth Choir of Canada), were the most influential and important musical experiences of my young life as an aspiring singer.”

~ Dr. Christianne Rushton
Director of the School of Music
Head of Vocal Studies, Acadia University

Important Documents

Please note: Detailed program weekend schedules will be added below as well as emailed to participants prior to each rehearsal weekend.