Change is in the air for the Carleton University Choir (CUC). This fall the 50-member ensemble will not only change its rehearsal schedule and location, but it will also welcome Antonio Llaca as their choral conductor and newly appointed director of Choral Activities for the Carleton Music program.
The CUC has been a prominent part of the Ottawa music community for more than 40 years, with a vibrant membership that includes music students, Carleton staff, alumni and members of the community. Carleton has recently acquired the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre and, starting this fall, the CUC will hold weekly rehearsals there on Wednesday evenings.
“I am extremely excited and honoured to assume the directorship of the CUC,” says Cuban-Canadian conductor Llaca.
Llaca has been a part of the Carleton teaching staff since 2016, teaching undergraduate courses in choral and instrumental conducting. As director of Choral Activities he will serve as choral conductor for the CUC, conductor of the smaller Student Vocal Ensemble, and he will teach undergraduate courses in choral and instrumental conducting.
“Choral studies are an integral part of the training of any musician,” said Llaca. “I personally see great opportunities in Carleton’s music program and exciting prospects for collaborations with other choral and instrumental groups.”
“We anticipate great things ahead with Llaca at the helm of the CUC,” said Alexis Luko, associate professor of Music and assistant director in the School for Studies in Art and Culture. “The new energy of this dynamic conductor and the new rehearsal space at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre will showcase the talents of our Carleton music students and further strengthen our collaborative efforts within the Ottawa community.”
About the Carleton University Choir
The CUC is a large choral ensemble of as many as 90 voices. The choir is open by audition to Carleton students, members of the university community, and the public. The choir presents two major public concerts during the academic year. These events showcase a variety of large- and small-scale choral works and frequently feature orchestra and soloists.
The CUC rehearses Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (355 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0G8). The smaller Student Vocal Ensemble will meet in Carleton’s Loeb Building on Wednesdays from 2:35 p.m. to 5:35 p.m. Auditions will take place in early September. Those interested in joining the choir are encouraged to contact Llac at AntonioLlacaBuznego@cunet.carleton.ca for more information.
About the Conductor
Cuban born, Llaca is an active choral conductor, teacher, and clinician. He studied choral conducting and classical guitar both in Canada and in South America. He holds a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Université de Sherbrooke (Montreal) and has studied with masters such as Michael Zaugg, Christopher Jackson, Robert Ingari, Patrick Roux, Laurence Ewashko and Luis Zea. In addition to his work at Carleton, he is also a professor at the Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineau where he conducts the choirs and orchestra. In this position he founded and currently conducts the award-winning Choeur de Chambre du Conservatoire. Since 2009, Llaca has conducted Coro Vivo Ottawa (CVO). In addition to this, he often collaborates with numerous ensembles and prepares choruses for Canadian orchestras and artists such as The Tenors and touring international orchestras, such as the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra. His choral ensembles have performed on national and international stages including the National Arts Centre, the Tintqiao Performing Arts Centre (China) and Carnegie Hall.
Llaca is a sought-after choral clinician, having had a chance to present workshops at various Canadian and international institutions and festivals, including with the 2018 International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) in Beijing. As an instrumentalist, he has had the opportunity to perform in several festivals and instrumental ensembles across Canada including the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain.
Llaca has toured in Canada, Latin America and Asia with his ensembles. He has earned a reputation for being a passionate conductor and pedagogue who is regarded for his musicality and knowledge of the choral art. Llaca’s 2019-2020 season will include performances with visiting choral ensembles from the USA and the Czech Republic, a joint performance of the Brahms Requiem with the Orchestre Symphonique de Gatineau and he will lead a conference on Cuban choral music at the PODIUM national conference in Montreal.
Media Contact
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 8718
613-265-6613
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
Carleton Newsroom: https://newsroom.carleton.ca/
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Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in News Releases
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Choirs Ontario Invites Nominations for Conductor of the 2020 Ontario Youth Choir
Choirs Ontario Invites Nominations for Conductor of the 2020 Ontario Youth Choir
THE POSITION:
Nominations by Choirs Ontario members are now being accepted for the position of conductor of the 2020 Ontario Youth Choir program. Founded by Choirs Ontario in 1971, the Ontario Youth Choir (OYC) provides a unique opportunity for young singers from across Ontario to work with some of Canada’s outstanding choral leaders. Every summer 40 remarkable singers between the ages of 16 and 23 are selected to take part in OYC’s exceptional choral experience. The choristers are challenged with the finest choral repertoire while enjoying an exciting program of rehearsals, masterclasses and voice lessons. The 2020 Ontario Youth Choir program will run from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16, 2020.
REQUIREMENTS:
• The Conductor of the Ontario Youth Choir is responsible for conducting chorister auditions in spring of 2020, selecting repertoire (in accordance with the program mission statement provided), selecting the conductor intern(s), providing training for the conductor intern(s), conducting all rehearsals and performances of the choir, touring with the group, and being available for promotional purposes. The OYC Conductor will be assisted by a camp manager, two chaperones, and two vocal coaches.
• The successful candidate is well-established in Canada’s choral community as an exceptional choral conductor, experienced with and knowledgeable about young voices. She or he is capable of motivating and inspiring young people in choral training and performance, and has a thorough knowledge of the choral repertoire. In addition, he or she must possess the requisite skills to collaborate and work effectively with the Choirs Ontario office, OYC staff, the volunteer OYC committee and the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors.
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants living in Canada.
THE NOMINATION:
If you are a member of Choirs Ontario, and you believe you know a suitable candidate for this opportunity please submit a letter of nomination via email no later than Friday, July 26, 2019 to info@choirsontario.org
Nomination and selection process:
STEP 1
Nominate the candidate by submitting a letter of nomination outlining candidate’s qualifications and fit for the program, with contact information for both yourself and your nominee. Please DO NOT inform the candidate of your nomination.
STEP 2
The letters of nominations will be reviewed by the OYC selection committee. They will create a viable list of possible candidates and will select the candidate through discussion and consensus. An alternate candidate will also be selected. The Choirs Ontario Board will affirm the choice.
STEP 3
The successful candidate will be notified by personal call and, in writing.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Selection Committee includes:
1. Members of the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors Executive Committee: Past-president, President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and two other board members; one being the Chair of the Ontario Youth Choir Committee, and one other board member. Should the Chair of OYC not be available, another board member may serve in his/her place.
and
2. Two members of the Choirs Ontario Advisory Council who are choral conductors.
Choirs Ontario Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday June 9 at 2:30 pm
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
Presidents’ Leadership Award 2019 Call for Nominations
Do you know someone who, through their work as an administrator, volunteer, corporate sponsor, or philanthropist has made a significant contribution to the choral art in his or her community, as well as on a regional and/or provincial level? Nominations are open for the 2019 President Leadership Award. The award will be presented during a recognition ceremony to be held at one of the concerts of the recipient’s choir in the fall of 2019. Nomination deadline is May 31, 2019.
THE AWARD
Established in 2001 to commemorate Choirs Ontario’s 30th anniversary, this award recognizes individuals who, through their support or engagement in choral music-making, have made an exceptional contribution to the promotion and advancement of choral music in their own communities as well as on regional and/or provincial level.
The Award is presented annually and alternates between those who support choral music – executive directors, administrators, volunteers, corporate sponsors, philanthropists, and those who are directly involved in the performance of choral music – singers, conductors, and accompanists. Candidates must have demonstrated an exceptional leadership role, vision and cultural activism and must be nominated by a Choirs Ontario member choir or individual member. In 2018, the award was presented to Linda Beaupre and Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt in recognition of their outstanding work with choirs of all ages. Previous recipients include: Emily Burgetz, Marilyn Ala-Kanti, Albert Greer, Robert Henderson, Mark Sirett, Jessie Iseler, Gerald Fagan, Barbara Clark, Jean Ashworth Bartle, and Andi Murphy.
In 2019, the award will be presented to a choral music supporter who, through their work as an administrator, volunteer, corporate sponsor, or philanthropist has made a significant contribution to the choral art in his or her community as well as on regional and/or provincial level.
THE PROCESS
Candidates must be nominated by a Choirs Ontario member choir or individual member. Nominations should be submitted online on https://choirsontario.org/programs-awards/. Each nomination must consist of a completed application form, the nomination letter (from nominee), two letters of recommendation and nominee’s biography outlining the candidate’s contribution to the choral art.
The Award is juried by a three person panel of Choirs Ontario past presidents who are appointed by the Choirs Ontario Board of Directors.
ELIGIBILITY
Nominees must be residents of Ontario who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and advanced the role of choral music in their community for a minimum of five years.
THE PRESENTATION
The recipient receives a recognition plaque and a Choirs Ontario honorary lifetime membership at a recognition ceremony to be held during one of the concerts of the recipient’s choir in the fall of 2019.
Choirs Ontario announces the Preferred Partner Program (COPPP) as a new benefit to our members.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2019 (Toronto, ON)
Choirs Ontario is pleased to introduce Preferred Partner Program (COPPP) as a new benefit to our members.
This program provides Choirs Ontario member exclusive, high-value discounts and benefits from a growing list of partners including:
Choice Hotels – Savings at over 6,800 hotels worldwide for leisure & business travel;
Merriam Music – Exclusive discounts from Canada’s leading piano retailer;
The Leading Note – Special discounts on choral sheet music orders; and more
The full list of current Partners and Special Offers is available on our website: https://choirsontario.org/partners/
For instructions on how to take advantage of these offers, please log into your Member Account.
As the provincial network for Ontario’s 11,000 choral groups, we’re in a unique position to develop partnerships with local businesses, social enterprises and other organizations that work with and support the choral and non-profit sectors.
The team at Choirs Ontario is continually sourcing new partner offers – benefits that our members will desire most. Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions for products and services you’d like to see as part of the COPPP.
For interviews, please contact Elena Koneva, Managing Director at info@choirsontario.org or 416-923-1144.
New Artistic Director and Conductor Appointed by Guelph Chamber Choir
Guelph, Ontario – March 13, 2019 – After an extensive search process, we are delighted to welcome
Dr. Charlene Pauls as the new Artistic Director and Conductor of the Guelph Chamber Choir.
Dr. Pauls’ brings with her an extensive background in choral conducting enhanced by experience as a recognized international soprano soloist and degrees in Early Music and Vocal Performance. This past Fall, Dr. Pauls was awarded the 2018 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting by the Ontario Arts Council.
In accepting the appointment, Dr. Pauls said: “This is a group of wonderful musicians who, under the direction of Dr. Gerald Neufeld, have made a strong impact on the artistic landscape of the Guelph community and beyond. I am honoured to be part of the next chapter for this organization and look forward to the many musical opportunities ahead.”
We look forward to welcoming Dr. Pauls to the podium for the 2019-2020 season.
Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Brenda Lewis, Concert Promotions for Guelph Chamber Choir
media@brendalewis.ca (or hit “reply”) | 519-767-0792
Amadeus Choir Announces New Artistic Director and Conductor!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Toronto, ON (December 20, 2018): The Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto’s Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the appointment of Kathleen Allan to the position of Artistic Director and Conductor starting July 1, 2019.
Originally from St. John’s, NL, Ms. Allan is a conductor, composer, and soprano who has rapidly become internationally respected for her compelling performances and engaging compositions. She is currently the Artistic Director of Canzona, Winnipeg’s professional Baroque choir, Director of Choral Studies and Associate Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Bach Choir. “I am honoured to accept this role and I look forward to furthering the exceptional tradition of music-making for which the Amadeus Choir is known.”
For the past 35 years, the Amadeus Choir has thrived under the inspirational leadership of Conductor Lydia Adams. During this time, it has built a reputation as one of Canada’s preeminent choirs, presenting a wide range of choral repertoire. Guided by Ms. Adams, the Choir has been a leading force in commissioning, premiering, performing, and recording Canadian choral works.
“We are truly grateful to Lydia for the vision and passion she has brought to our community. We wish her well as she moves on to pursue other creative projects,” says Mary Gray, President of the Amadeus Choir Board of Directors. “It is an exciting transitional era for the Choir as we look forward to welcoming Kathleen Allan to our organization.”
Lydia Adams is delighted that Ms. Allan has accepted the position as her successor. “Kathleen is a superb musician who will continue to bring the Amadeus Choir forward with excellence and imaginative programming. This appointment is exciting for the Choir, and I wish both Kathleen and the Amadeus community every success in the future.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact
Mary Gray, Board President
hr@amadeuschoir.com
416-446-0188
KATHLEEN ALLAN
Kathleen Allan is the Artistic Director of Canzona, Winnipeg’s professional Baroque choir, Director of Choral Studies and Associate Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Bach Choir. Her expertise ranges from medieval repertoire to contemporary works, and she is particularly interested in the intersections found between music of diverse genres.
In high demand as a conductor, composer, and soprano, Ms. Allan made her Asian conducting debut in 2015 performing Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Prize in Choral Conducting which accompanied her appointment as Apprentice Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada. She is the founding co-artistic director of Arkora, a chamber music collective dedicated to interdisciplinary performance. Her compositions have been commissioned, performed and recorded by ensembles throughout the Americas and Europe and have been featured at two World Symposiums on Choral Music.
Also active as a soprano, she has appeared as a soloist with the National Broadcast Orchestra of Canada and Berkshire Choral Festival Choir, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Bach Choir. A passionate interpreter of new music, she has premiered over two dozen solo works for the voice. In addition to freelancing regularly in Canada and the United States, she has sung as a member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Vienna-based Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Skylark Vocal Ensemble in Atlanta, Clarion Choir in New York City, and the Yale Schola Cantorum.
Having nurtured a passion for early music since childhood, Ms. Allan has studied and performed with many of Baroque music’s leading figures including Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Masaaki Suzuki, Nicholas McGegan, Helmuth Rilling, and Simon Carrington. She holds a degree in composition from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in conducting from Yale University.
AMADEUS CHOIR OF GREATER TORONTO
Enlivening Toronto’s arts community for 45 years, the award-winning Amadeus Choir is a semiprofessional mid-sized choir of auditioned voices from all parts of the GTA and surrounding areas. Led by Artistic Director and Conductor Lydia Adams since 1984, the choir champions the best of choral music and premieres works of Canadian and international composers through a selfproduced Toronto concert series, guest performances, and special events. Known well beyond Toronto through tours, festivals, recordings, and national and international radio broadcasts, the choir partners and collaborates with many professional performing arts organizations in the GTA.
In addition to its choral workshops for conductors and students, the Amadeus Choir engages in educational and community outreach by commissioning works from established and emerging Canadian composers. The Amadeus Choir has received numerous awards throughout its history, most recently when it travelled to Nova Scotia as the keynote choir at Podium 2014, Choral Canada’s biennial conference. There the choir was awarded the ACCC Outstanding Innovation Award 2014 for “Music of the Spheres,” a multi-media collaboration with the Elmer Iseler Singers, The Ontario Science Centre, and The Roberta Bondar Foundation and directed by conductor Lydia Adams.
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact
Mary Gray, Board President
hr@amadeuschoir.com
416-446-0188