FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2024 | Toronto, Ontario – Choirs Ontario is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Elaine Choi as conductor of the 2024 Ontario Youth Choir. The Ontario Youth Choir is one of Ontario’s most prestigious youth choirs and choral training programs, and core artistic program for Choirs Ontario.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Dr. Elaine Choi as the Ontario Youth Choir Conductor for Summer 2024! Elaine’s joyful warmth in connecting with singers, extraordinary musical skill, and depth of performance experience are sure to make for an unforgettable experience for the singers and audience alike.” – Choirs Ontario Board of Directors
Dr. Elaine Choi (D.M.A.) is Director of Music at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Artistic Director of Pax Christi Chorale, and founder and Artistic Director of Babεl.
Elaine is known for her contributions to Toronto’s vibrant choral community as a conductor, educator, adjudicator, chorister and collaborative pianist. Elaine was a sessional lecturer at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music from 2015-2023 as conductor of the Soprano-Alto Chorus. She has served as an adjudicator and clinician for various community events, including the 2023 Junior Treble Festival, TCDSB music festival, Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival and OMFA provincial festival. A dynamic and expressive conductor, Elaine is also active internationally, recently headlining as the guest conductor for the Bangkok International Choral Festival in 2022.
Elaine is a four-time recipient of the Elmer Iseler Fellowship in Choral Conducting and in 2018, she was the recipient of the prestigious William and Walters graduating award. In 2023, Elaine was awarded the prestigious Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting by the Ontario Arts Council.
An advocate for Chinese orchestral and choral music, Elaine was the conductor of the Toronto Chinese Orchestra from 2010-2017 and continues her connection as Guest Conductor and Educational Outreach Representative. In 2018, Elaine founded Babεl, an SATB choral ensemble with a mission to bridge cultures through choral music; Babεl was recently featured in the Canadian Opera Company showcase series for 2023.
“It’s truly an honour to be chosen as this year’s OYC conductor. I am looking forward to meeting everyone – to make friends through music, explore exciting repertoire, welcome new challenges, and learn & grow together!” – Elaine Choi
The Ontario Youth Choir will run from August 2 to August 11, 2024 at the University of Waterloo Conrad Grebel University College. Choirs Ontario is excited to welcome Dr. Elaine Choi and honoured to have her lead the artistic team in the 53rd Ontario Youth Choir.
Call for Submissions – Dynamic Magazine
Interested in contributing to Choir Ontario’s digital magazine publication, Dynamic?
Choirs Ontario is currently seeking submissions for the March 2024 issue of Dynamic!
Feature articles:
- Topics for feature articles may include repertoire, choral history, performance practice, choral composers and conductors (including interviews), rehearsal techniques, vocal technique, choir management and organization, choral music education, and sociological aspects of choral singing.
- Articles must be limited to 1,500 words or less and submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Referenced material should be noted in the body of the text and cited as endnotes.
- Submissions must include the author’s name, brief bio (max. 25 words), and a headshot.
- Articles are accepted for publication when board members determine that the article contains information that pertains directly to the general interests of the Choirs Ontario membership. We reserve the right to edit all material for length, grammar, timeliness, and appropriateness.
Choir News Items:
- News items report current or recent news about your choir including activities, milestones, tours, and recordings.
- Please do not include upcoming concert promotion in your write-up. Details about concerts and events should be submitted to Choirs Ontario’s Event Calendar.
- Items must be limited to 400 words or less and be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- Submissions must include the author’s name, brief bio (max. 25 words), and a headshot.
Photos and Graphics (e.g., logo, banners, etc.)
- All photos (including author headshot) must be in colour, 300 dpi, and measure at least 4” x 6” and be in .jpeg or .psd file format. Please ensure that you have obtained consent from choir members and/or instrumentalists before submitting your photos.
- Submit graphics in one of the following formats: Illustrator file (AI), high-resolution PDF, or EPS.
- Submit all photos and graphics separately, never embedded in a document. Depending on space, not all submitted photos may be used.
At Choirs Ontario, we value and seek to actively involve the full range of what makes people unique in order to create a strong and innovative choral music sector where amazing people thrive. We strongly encourage article submissions from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people from all gender and sexually diverse communities and people with intersectional identities.
Please note all contributors must be current Choir Ontario members. You can join Choirs Ontario here.
The deadline to submit is February 15, 2024.
Please submit all materials to Dynamic Editor, Matthew Emery at editor@choirsontario.org.
Choirs Ontario is accepting submissions for the 2024 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition
Choirs Ontario is now accepting entries for the 2024 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition.
Prize: $2,000 and a premiere performance with one of Ontario’s celebrated choirs.
Entry Deadline: February 15, 2024
Composition Guidelines for the 2024 Competition (SSA Composition)
- The composition must be an original SSA work (composed for performance by a community treble choir), 4-6 minutes in length, a capella or piano accompaniment.
*A capella submissions MUST include a piano reduction - 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 the copyright owner.
- All submissions must not have been previously commissioned, published or performed. Arrangements of previously composed works are not acceptable. The composer shall retain the copyright of the work.
- Previous competition finalists re-applying must submit a different piece.
- Multiple entries by a single composer will not be accepted.
Choirs Ontario announces Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff as 2023 Ontario Youth Choir Conductor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2023 | Toronto, Ontario – Choirs Ontario is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff as conductor of the 2023 Ontario Youth Choir. The core artistic program for Choirs Ontario, the Ontario Youth Choir, is one of Ontario’s most prestigious youth choirs and choral training programs.
“We are honoured to have Rachel conduct the 2023 Ontario Youth Choir. Her leadership, energy and expertise within the Ontario choral community is extraordinary. This year’s choristers will have a remarkable opportunity to work with Dr. Rensink-Hoff and learn from her innovative and inspiring pedagogy” stated Andrew Walker, Choirs Ontario President.
Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff is Associate Professor of Music at the Brock University Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts, Conductor of the Brock University Choir and Sora Singers, and Artistic Director of the Avanti Chamber Singers.
Rachel is known for her excellence and creative energy with a distinguished career in Ontario and throughout Canada. She is an inspiring and innovative conductor, clinician and pedagogue on Canada’s choral scene, recently serving as guest conductor of the 2022/2023 Alberta Youth Choir and in 2019, the Nova Scotia Youth Choir.
Rachel is the 2014 winner of the prestigious Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting of the Ontario Arts Council and in 2022 was awarded the Arts in Education Award by the City of St. Catharines. Her choirs have also been well recognized, including first prize in the 2015 National Choral Competition for Amateur Choirs (McMaster Women’s Choir). In 2019, her Avanti Chamber Singers was named “Most Promising New Adult Ensemble”.
Upon learning of her appointment, Rachel remarked: “I am honoured to be conducting the 2023 Ontario Youth Choir and look forward to meeting and working with talented young singers from across the province”.
Rachel is the founder of the Brock University Summer Choral Workshop for teachers and conductors and her ongoing research focuses on conductor mentorship and training, singing and wellbeing, and the creative process of rehearsal planning and concert programming.
The Ontario Youth Choir will run from August 11 to August 20, 2023 at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Choirs Ontario is tremendously excited to welcome Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff and honoured to have her lead the artistic team of the 52nd Ontario Youth Choir.
Call to Action: Write to Your MPP to Voice Concerns About Cuts to the OAC Budget
Choirs Ontario has become aware of planned budget cuts to the Ontario Arts Council (up to 15% of the total budget, down $55 million), to be announced by the end of March.
Choirs, composers, conductors and the greater choral community rely heavily on government support funding and cannot survive on fundraising efforts, program and/or membership fees alone. Other streams of government funding are smaller, geared towards smaller scale and individual short-term projects. The arts and culture sector rely on funding from the Ontario Arts Council, the provinces largest public granting agency.
The Ontario budget will be announced on March 23. Please take the time to write a letter to Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy or reach out to your local MPP.
Choirs Ontario is happy to both share and support advocacy efforts, and has provided templates for writing to the Minster of Finance. Greater conversations about funding reforms are also crucial to the support of the arts sector. Imagine Canada has created and provided a toolkit on how to talk to your MP. Choirs Ontario is asking our members and the greater choral community to please share this information across your membership base, with colleagues, and greater audience.
Choirs Ontario is also a member of Provincial Arts Service Organizations/Organisations Provinciale de Services aux Arts de l’Ontario (PASO-OPSA). PASO is a coalition of Ontario Arts Service Organizations that, collectively, acts as a conduit to over 272,000 creative workers, and artists across the province, as well as to thousands of organizations, large and small, that create and support artistic expression in Ontario. GOG and PASO members are aligned that the OAC budget of $65M be sustained in the 2023 provincial budget.
Templates & Resources
MPP – Letter to Minister Bethlenfalvy
Imagine Canada: MP Meeting Toolkit
New Opportunities with the Canadian Choral Resources Project
Canadian Choral Resources Project Survey: Strengths, Challenges and New Opportunities
National and provincial choral organizations, artists, composers, schools, and various arts organizations across Canada are invited to complete this survey to help gather information to support the creation of a new national Choral Resources Database as part of the Canadian Choral Resources Project. For more information on the project read the project blog on the Choral Canada website.
This project is co-ordinated by Byron Hermann with analysis by CPAMO. This survey is part of a project designed to determine the major challenges choirs, choruses, singing groups and composers are currently facing, and to help identify what gaps there are in choir programming and governance, as well as help identify new resources or toolkits needed in the choral sector.
Your participation in this survey will help development of new resources available for you and will include a new website CanadianChoralResources.ca with a free database for you to explore containing information from across the country, such as: digital programs, recorded interviews, performances, composer information, and toolkits to assist in livestreaming, strategic and curriculum planning, etc. This database could also help you improve your current audience experiences.
Deadline for completion: Monday, March 27, 2023
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time. As a token of appreciation for your time, after completing the survey you can enter into a draw to win one of the prizes:
- A gift certificate for $100 from Cypress Music Publishers
- A $50 gift certificate from Long and McQuade
Why not share the link/post to this survey with others who you think would be interested.
Choirs Ontario Regional Round Tables
Choirs Ontario is hosting our traditional Regional Round Tables this November! Do you have any questions about current in-person choral activities? Need information, resources and other choral music practices? Or have any feedback for Choirs Ontario?
We want to hear from you! Choirs Ontario is hosting 5 round tables by region to check-in with our members and communities to hear your concerns, questions, and collect feedback! We will also have a chat about upcoming projects and initiatives.
To RSVP for a Regional Round Table session, please complete the Registration Form.
For questions and additional information, please contact Emma Margutsch, General Manager at – info@choirsontario.org or (416) 923.1144.
Choirs Ontario: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility – Working Group
Choirs Ontario is the provincial arts organization for the choral arts sector and community in Ontario. Choirs Ontario’s mission is to foster vibrant, inclusive and accessible choral communities by providing programs, services and resources; creating opportunities; and engaging Ontario’s diverse population in the transformative power of choral music.
The Choirs Ontario Board of Directors invites you to join our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) subcommittee and working board. As inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility become increasingly prevalent, Choirs Ontario will begin the important discussions surrounding our current practices, operations and projects. In these evolving times, it is crucial that we share ideas and perspectives in our commitment to cultivating a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse organization and choral community in Ontario.
Our hope is to bring together members of Choirs Ontario with the intent of collaborating as a working board / IDEA subcommittee. With multiple groups and individuals working in partnership, this board will be able to devise and recommend equitable approaches and resources to the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors and community, to both challenge traditional practices at the provincial level.
Involvement and commitment to the IDEA subcommittee will have several goals and benefits, which include:
- Regular monthly meetings over the course of a minimum of 6 months (tentative), each 1.5 – 2 hours.
- Address IDEA issues and collaborate on constructive discussions regarding current practices, for the purpose of collective action.
- The support of the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors and Staff, membership, resources, and the greater choral music community in Ontario.
- Pooling of resources where appropriate.
- Providing a report to the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors, with the focu of addressing current practices and providing suggestions and areas for improvement and action regarding IDEA initiatives.
- Other important tasks and responsibilities
Meetings will begin in the new year with the first introductory meeting anticipated during the week of January 9-13, 2023 (tentative). A final date for the introductory meeting will be solidified between interested individuals where a meeting schedule will be established.
If you are interested in joining our IDEA subcommittee, have any questions or require assistance, please contact Emma Margutsch, General Manager at info@choirsontario.org or (416) 923-1144. You are also welcome to reach out to any current director on the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors to discuss interest and/or questions.
Our office is located in Tkaronto in the Dish With One Spoon Territory and covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. We are grateful to work, live, and make music on the traditional territory of the nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples.
Choirs Ontario By-law Review Subcommittee
Choirs Ontario is the provincial arts organization for the choral arts sector and community in Ontario. Choirs Ontario’s mission is to foster vibrant, inclusive and accessible choral communities by providing programs, services and resources; creating opportunities; and engaging Ontario’s diverse population in the transformative power of choral music.
On October 19, 2021 the Ontario Ministry announced that the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA). This legislation, over 10 years in the making, is the enabling corporate legal framework for most not-for-profit organizations incorporated under Ontario provincial law. Not-for-profits have only three years after the proclamation to transition to the new rules. Choirs Ontario, as a Not-for-profit incorporated in the province of Ontario, will need to review and transitions to ONCA prior to the expiry of the three year transitional period – that is, by October 19, 2024.
Choirs Ontario By-Law Subcommittee
The Choirs Ontario Board of Directors is seeking individuals from our membership to join our working board / by-law subcommittee. As we begin the important and required transition to operations under ONCA, along with continued review of our practices, programming and initiatives, a review of our bylaws and governance is required. Together with members of our Board of Directors, we invite those interested in supporting our diverse choral community and those who are committed to supporting our organization as we continue to grow, reflect, and build our practices and governance.
Choirs Ontario is committed to collaboration and listening to the needs and interests of all Board and Subcommittee members as we aim to create a welcoming environment of inclusion, support and friendship.
Language
The working language of Choirs Ontario Board of Directors is English. We welcome and encourage expanded perspectives and therefore welcome French-speaking and indigenous languages from communities across Canada.
Term & Time Commitment
- Regular monthly meetings over the course of a minimum of 1 year (tentative), each 1.5-2 hours in length.
- Time preparing for meetings, strategic planning work, and research into current practices of other arts organizations and their practices.
- Submitting and presenting a cohesive review and update of the Bylaws to the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare for, attend, and participate in meetings (conducted via Zoom)
- Ensure you have an individual membership in good standing with Choirs Ontario
- Play an engaged and active role in the operations of the bylaw subcommittee.
- Act in the best interest of Choirs Ontario.
How to send in your “Expression of Interest”
If you are interested in joining our Bylaw Subcommittee, please email your “Expression of Interest” to info@choirsontario.org, and address your expression to Andrew Walker (he/him/il), President of Choirs Ontario. All expressions of interest should be submitted by December 1, 2022.
Prior to submitting we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the organization through our website www.choirsontario.org. From this, you will be able to learn about our history, goals, and mission. Information about our programs and services as well as membership is also available on our website.
In accordance with Accessibility laws in Canada, if you require support applying online, please contact Emma Margutsch (she/her), General Manager at (416) 923-1144 or info@choirsontario.org.
If you are interested in joining our Bylaw Subcommittee, have any questions or require assistance, please contact Emma Margutsch, General Manager at info@choirsontario.org or (416) 923-1144. You are also welcome to reach out to any current director on the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors to discuss interest and/or questions.
Call for Expressions of Interest to Join the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors
Choirs Ontario is the provincial arts organization for the choral arts sector and community in Ontario. Choirs Ontario’s mission is to foster vibrant, inclusive and accessible choral communities by providing programs, services and resources; creating opportunities; and engaging Ontario’s diverse population in the transformative power of choral music.
Positions
Choirs Ontario is seeking 6 individuals to fill vacant and upcoming positions on our Board of Directors. We are looking for individuals who are interested in supporting our diverse choral communities and who are committed to supporting our organization as we continue to grow, reflect, and question and build our practices and efforts.
We are currently seeking individuals for the following positions:
- President Elect: A position on our executive board, this individual will have strong leadership skills. The president-elect will begin a six-year role with Choirs Ontario (two years President Elect, two Years President, and two years Past President).
- Treasurer: The individual would have strong financial management skills with extensive experience in the field. Professional CA or financial designations are not required but would be an asset. The treasurer would provide financial management and oversight to Choirs Ontario.
- Members-At-Large (3): These individuals would be directors on the Board and have a proven interest and dedication to choral music, choral education and advocacy. Individuals would have experience and skills in a diverse range of areas, including but not limited to:
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- Community Building
- Fundraising and Development
- Indigenous creators, performers, composers, administrators, educators, and other leadership roles in the choral/group singing communities
- Leaders in choral/group singing from equity seeking communities
- Other various areas of experience.
Choirs Ontario is committed to collaboration and listening to the needs and interests of all Board members as we aim to create a welcoming environment of inclusion, support and friendship.
Language
The working language of Choirs Ontario Board of Directors is English. We welcome and encourage expanded perspectives and therefore welcome French-speaking and indigenous languages from communities across Canada.
Term & Time Commitment
- 2 year terms, renewable 2 times to a maximum of 6 years (*with specific exception)
- 6-8 board meetings per year (inclusive of the AGM), each 1.5 – 2 hours
- Time preparing for board meetings, participating in committees and events, and supporting staff.
- Facilitating regional round-tables and other Choirs Ontario outreach.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare for, attend, and participate in board meetings (currently all conducted via Zoom)
- Ensure you have an individual membership in good standing with Choirs Ontario
- Play an engaged and active role in governance and management support and oversight.
- Participate in the approval of annual budget and assistance in help/monitoring the financial performance of the organization.
- Play an active role in fundraising and advocacy initiatives and events, when needed.
- Leverage connections with colleagues, networks, and resources for the benefit of the organization.
- Act in the best interest of Choirs Ontario, working as an ambassador for the organization, its work and mission.
Remuneration
Serving on the Board of Directors for Choirs Ontario is a volunteer position without any remuneration. Administrative and logistical support will be provided and approved expenses will be reimbursed for board-specific work.
How to send in your “Expression of Interest”
If you are interested in any of these positions, please email your “Expression of Interest” to info@choirsontario.org. Please provide a short paragraph describing why you would like to join the Board of Directors and address your expression to Andrew Walker (he/him/il), President of Choirs Ontario.
Prior to submitting we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the organization through our website www.choirsontario.org. From this, you will be able to learn about our history, goals, and mission. Information about our programs and services as well as membership is also available on our website. If you require support applying online, please contact Emma Margutsch (she/her), General Manager at (416) 923-1144 or info@choirsontario.org.
Selection
Choirs Ontario will review all expressions of interest. Following the review, the committee will present a slate of applicants and nominees to be approved/and or amended by the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors. Selections will be based upon the individual’s expression of interest and the qualifications outlined above. All individuals who express interest for one/more of the outlined positions will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of the process and next steps. We hope to fill these positions as soon as possible.
Third Party Nominations: Members of Choirs Ontario are also welcome to nominate or suggest an individual for one of these positions by signing a letter of nomination.
If you have any questions regarding positions, please contact Emma Margutsch, General Manager at info@choirsontario.org or (416) 923-1144. You are also welcome to reach out to any current director on the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors to discuss interest and/or questions.
Our office is located in Tkaronto in the Dish With One Spoon Territory and covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. We are grateful to work, live, and make music on the traditional territory of the nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Peoples.
We sincerely thank you for your engagement and support.