We invite you to join us on Sunday June 9 at 2:30 pm EST for a look back at some of our recent activities, and the year ahead.
This is also our chance to hear from you! Ask us questions in person, or send them by email or via our social media.
Afterwards, you’re invited to enjoy a session on indigenous singing perspectives presented by Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak (Good Hearted Women) led by Kelly Laurila. Session admission pay what you can.
The effects of colonization and racism have necessitated the need for Indigenous spaces within urban settings that nurture and provide opportunities for “re-membering” cultural teachings. The drum circle of Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak (Good Hearted Women Singers) is one such space. Kelly Laurila, Theresa McGregor, and Hope Engel will share their experiences and insights of singing with Settler choirs, express their thoughts regarding song and culture appropriation, and how Settler choirs can engage in meaningful and respectful singing exchanges with Indigenous peoples. In the spirit of creating positive relations, we will invite individuals present to sing with us! All my relations ~ Kelly (songcarrier)
Sunday, June 9, 2019
The meeting will run
from 2:30 to 3:15 pm EST.
The session and reception will follow
until 5:00 pm.
Atrium (main entrance)
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church
230 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 1R5
FREE parking available on church premises
Choirs Ontario is now accepting applications for the 2019 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition
The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition is a biennial contest for new choral works with categories alternating between pieces for treble voice choirs and pieces for mixed voice adult choirs. The competition exists to provide Canadian composers with an opportunity of contributing to Canada’s rich choral tradition through the writing of original choral works. The winning entry receives a premiere performance with one of the Ontario choirs and a cash award of $2,000.00.
Composition Requirements:
1. The composition must be an original SATB work, 4-6 minutes, a cappella or piano accompaniment
2. A cappella submissions MUST include piano reduction.
3. Texts may be sacred or secular and can be in languages other than English/French. The text must be either original, known to be in public domain or be accompanied by a letter of permission from copyright owner.
4. All submissions must not have been previously commissioned, published or performed and
must have been composed within the last two years. Arrangements of previously composed works are not acceptable. The composer shall retain the copyright of the work.
5. Previous competition finalists reapplying must submit a different piece.
Please submit a PDF copy of your composition without you name anywhere on the body of composition. The PDF copy must be clear, clean and legible. No handwritten scores will be considered. Graphic scores may be a PDF scan of a written score if applicable.
• $40 Application Fee applies and should be sent via e-Transfer to info@choirsontario.org
You will also need a cover letter that includes the following information:
1. Composer’s name
2. Physical Address
3. Phone Number
4. Email Address
5. Composition Title
6. Text Source
Judging criteria includes, but is not limited to:
1. Compositional structure
2. Voice Leading
3. Harmonic language
4. Adherence to concert theme
5. Text selection and setting
6. Piano accompaniment (if applicable)
7. General understanding of choral idiom
All entries must be submitted by November 1, 2019 to be considered. The winner will be notified no later than February 15, 2020. Please send submissions to Choirs Ontario Managing Director at info@choirsontario.org
History of the Composition
The competition was born out of a concert held in November 1992 to honour Ruth’s 60th birthday including Toronto Children’s Chorus, Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir, Bach Children’s Chorus, Elora Festival Singers, Oriana Women’s Choir, and TMC Youth Chorus. The proceeds of this joint concert were used to establish the RWH competition. The administration of the competition was handed over to Choirs Ontario with Ruth Watson Henderson involved in judging the competition up until 2017.
One of Canada’s foremost musicians, Ruth Watson Henderson is renowned internationally both as a composer and pianist. Her works are acclaimed, performed, and recorded worldwide. The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Competition was established in 1996 to recognize Ms. Watson Henderson’s invaluable contribution to the art of choral music. Ms. Henderson is very pleased to encourage the contribution to Canadian choral music that the competition provides, and appreciates the work of Choirs Ontario who administers this program.
Ken Fleet Choral Conducting Scholarship Awarded to Nila Rajagopal
The 2019 Ken Fleet Choral Conducting Scholarship awarded to Nila Rajagopal, Conductor’s Intern/Conductor’s Assistant, Toronto Children’s Chorus at Pro Musica’s Choral Masterpieces concert on Sunday, April 28th at the Church of St. Jude. The $1000 grant will help Nila with the cost of her choral conducting studies.
The Ken Fleet Choral Conducting Scholarship Fund was established by London Pro Musica Choir and named in honour of Ken Fleet, the choir’s beloved conductor for 23 years. The scholarship embodies Ken’s passion for music and education and gives young conductors a chance to forge their own path towards a career in choral conducting. The recipient must be an Ontario resident with formal music training.
Ken taught at Medway High School in Arva, Ontario, where his choral program won the CBC Choral Competition. He also taught at Western, conducting the UWO singers, and co-conducted the Amabile Mens’ and Boys’ Choirs in London with fellow Western graduate Carol Beynon, winning three CBC National Radio Competition awards.
The arts are vital to creating a vibrant, smart, and caring community. LCF is honored to steward this fund, ensuring talented conductors have the opportunity to follow in Ken’s footsteps, pursue their dreams, and contribute to their community through the gift of music.
“This is a unique scholarship meeting an important need”, says Lori Runciman, who represented LCF at the concert on Sunday. “We commend London Pro Musica’s desire to honour Ken and his vision in this lasting way.”
The Choral Pedagogy Professional Development (May 25th) at McMaster University has been canceled and will be rescheduled at another time.
The Choral Pedagogy Professional Development (May 25th) at McMaster University has been canceled and will be rescheduled at another time. Please email Dr. Tracy Wong (wongt40@mcmaster.ca) if you have any questions or would like to receive updates on this event.
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Join us for a day of choral pedagogy and professional development! Workshops will be led in a lab format by Dr. Tracy Wong (Assistant Professor and Choral Director, School of the Arts), with guest presenters Dr. Elaine Choi (President, Choirs Ontario) and Melanie Tellez (Assistant Artistic Director, Hamilton Children’s Choir).
Topics include:
– rehearsal techniques
– vocal methods for young and emerging voices
– introduction to multicultural music in classroom and concert settings
– resources for repertoire & appropriate repertoire selection
– integrated music literacy
– getting to know your provincial choral organization: Choirs Ontario
Materials provided: reading packets of original choral music and other handouts.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion.
The McMaster University Choir Octet will be present in all sessions to provide live demonstrations of repertoire, provide vocal modelling, and lead participants in group singing.
Registration Fees: Educators $172.32; Current McMaster Students $56.50
Registration Deadline: May 15, 2019
McMaster University Choral Workshop
For more information, refer to the attached workshop leaflet which includes registration and payment options. Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Tracy Wong if you have any questions: wongt40@mcmaster.ca