Tuesday 11 December 2012

Remembering Diane Loomer


Diane Loomer, C.M. recipient of the Order of Canada, director and founder of Chor Leoni Men's Choir, co-founder and conductor emerita of Elektra Women's Choir, and founder and conductor of EnChor Chamber Choir passed away last night.

Diane's contribution to the Canadian choral music scene cannot be overstated. She was the first woman to conduct the National Youth Choir of Canada; she received the Healey Willan Prize in 1990 for her service to choral music in British Columbia; in 1994, she was named YWCA Vancouver’s Woman of Distinction for Arts and Culture; and in 2002, she was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for her significant contribution to Canada’s culture.

In addition to conducting, she has arranged and composed works for choirs and published her arrangements through Cypress Choral Music, founded by Diane and her husband, Richard Loomer.  Diane also received the Order of Canada and is internationally recognized as one of Canada's leading musicians. 

We receive the news of her passing with deep sadness and her absence will be deeply felt throughout the music community.  Our thoughts are with her family and friends, Chor Leoni, Elektra Women's Choir, and EnChor Chamber Choir.  We will treasure the great legacy that she leaves.

A tribute  to Diane Loomer has been put together by the CBC and is available at http://www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/2012/12/11/remembering-diane-loomer/

Get Ready for the Fun Run For Music!

Don't throw away your running shoes because you'll need them for SCF's inaugural Run For Music on Saturday, April 20, 2013!  Get involved, have fun and raise funds for your choir - all at the same time! More details coming soon!

Sing with Rajaton in Saskatoon!


Work with Finnish a cappella group, Rajaton, in Saskatoon on March 6, 2013!  The Finnish word Rajaton translates as "boundless" – a word that so accurately describes the way this six-voice a cappella ensemble approaches music. Regularly performing around a hundred concerts and workshops each year, Rajaton exposes their audiences to the kind of diversity of repertoire, singing style, and stage presentation that has made them a phenomenon on the world stage.

Rajaton's Canadian tour in March includes stops in Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.  Through special arrangement with Choral Federations in those three provinces, Rajaton will provide a choir workshop in addition to what will be a sold-out concert. 

Watch for the next edition of Choral E-notes for all the details and make plans to be in Saskatoon on March 6th!

Click here for more details or to register for this exciting event!

Thursday 6 December 2012

Music Director Wanted

i Coristi Chamber Choir is an auditioned mixed chamber choir of 20 to 24 volunteer singers located in Edmonton, Alberta and is searching for a new Music Director.

Music Director:
*Provides musical and artistic leadership.
*Works with the artistic team, Administrative Director, and Executive in planning the concert season, and in selecting an Assistant Conductor and Accompanist as needed.
*Attends Executive meetings and participates in budgeting and strategic planning.

Responsibilities include selecting concert repertoire and formulating programs, ordering music (in consultation with the executive), auditioning choir members annually, preparing rehearsal schedules, leading rehearsals, and conducting concerts.

Candidates should have:
*A graduate degree in choral conducting, and have had several years of experience directing adult choirs. Other combinations of qualifications and experience may be considered.
*A demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, work collaboratively, and have a strong interest in working with singers of varying levels of skill and background.  

The initial appointment will commence July 1, 2013 for a period of 2 years, with the possibility of renewal. The honorarium will be commensurate with qualifications.

Applications should be sent electronically to Search Committee Chair icoristiapplications@gmail.com by February 1, 2013.

For more information about i Coristi Chamber Choir, please visit www.icoristi.com.

Welcome Them Home for the Holidays

The Regina Airport Authority is looking for a small choir to perform in its Arrivals area the week before Christmas, December 16 - 23.  It is looking for individuals and/or groups to perform at various times throughout the above dates.  A small honorarium will be available in lieu of time and effort.  If you are interested and would like more details about this opportunity please contact Kari Dean (Director of Communications, Regina Airport Authority) at kdean@yqr.ca.

Monday 3 December 2012

List Your Choral Events With Us!

Every choral concert should have a little more exposure.  SCF invites you to add your choral concerts and events to our online calendar.  To list your event with us, visit http://www.saskchoral.ca/index.cfm and do the following:
  1. Click on a green calendar date in one of the calendars appearing on the left side of the page.
  2. A smaller window will open up.  Click "Click here to ADD a new event"
  3. Select the correct date(s) when your event will occur.
  4. Tell us the name of your concert or event in the "Event Name" text box.
  5. Briefly describe your event in the "Event Description" text box.  Be sure to include your ticket information and a contact phone number (if one is available).
  6. Tell us where your event will occur in the "Event Location" text box.  Don't forget to include the town and street name.
  7. List the scheduled start and end time for your event in the text boxes that follow.  A website and contact email can also be included with your event listing.
Contact the SCF office at (306) 780-9230 or information@saskchoral.ca if you have any questions about listing your event.

Library Reminder

This is a reminder that loaned library music is due December 30, 2012.  If you would like to extend your loan into the Winter semester (January - May) contact the SCF office at (306) 780-9230 or email information@saskchoral.ca.  Please make arrangements to return your borrowed music to:
Saskatchewan Choral Federation
1870 Lorne Street
REGINA, SK   S4P 2L7

Grant Deadline Reminder

Don't forget to submit your applications for the following SCF grants:

Choral Festival Funding
Spring/Summer Festivals - due January 1, 2013
Fall Festivals - due March 1, 2013

Special Project Funding
Ongoing deadline.  Applications are due a minimum of 30 days before the beginning of the project.

Visit the SCF website for more information about available grant funding

Apply for Vocal Music Scholarships from Sing Canada Harmony

Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Fund is a registered charity created to provide financial assistance for educational and training opportunities in singing vocal music performance, vocal music leadership, vocal music administration and vocal music composition, arrangement, adjudication and staging.  Sing Canada Harmony will fund learning opportunities for Canadians throughout the communities and schools in our country, particularly young people, to gain expertise and experience in the field of a cappella vocal music harmony singing in quartets and choruses.

Principal learning opportunities supported by Sing Canada Harmony scholarships for Canadians, while all inclusive of the music community to some degree, are typically those sponsored by the Barbershop Harmony Society, Sweet Adelines International and Harmony, Inc. 

Apply for a scholarship - Next application deadline is March 1, 2013

Friday 30 November 2012

National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs 2013

Prizes: $500 - $5000 cash prizes will be awarded to first- and second-place winners in each of 11 categories:
1 Children’s Choirs / Chorales d’enfants
2 Upper-Voice Youth Choirs / Chorales de jeunes voix aigues
3 Lower-Voice Youth Choirs / Chorales de jeunes voix graves
4 Mixed-Voice Youth Choirs / Chorales de jeunes voix mixtes
5 Mixed-Voice Collegiate Choirs / Chorales universitaires voix mixtes
6 Mixed-Voice Adult Choirs / Chorales d’adultes voix mixtes
7 Mixed-Voice Adult Chamber Choirs / Chorales de chambre voix mixtes
8 Equal-Voice Men’s Choirs / Chorales de voix d’hommes voix égales 
9 Equal-Voice Women’s Choirs / Chorales de voix de femmes voix égales
10 Pan-cultural Traditions / Chorales panculturelles
11 Contemporary Music / Chorales de musique contemporaine

PODIUM 2014 - Call for Interest Sessions & Choral Performances

 
Bring Your Song! Partagez Votre Chanson!

The Committee is now accepting applications for choral performance and interest sessions. More information, submission guidelines and application documents are available on the ACCC website, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation website, and the brand new Podium 2014 website.

Le comité accepte maintenant des demandes de présentation d’un concert choral et de participation à des séances d’intérêt. Vous trouverez de plus amples renseignements, les lignes directrices sur la présentation et les documents de candidature au site Web de l’ACCC, à celui de la Nova Scotia Choral Federation, ainsi qu’au tout nouveau site Web de Podium 2014.

Call for Choirs

Are you thinking of a short trip for your choir?

Bring them to the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival, May 14,15,16, 2013. 

In a festive, non-competitive environment, they can sing their hearts out in our beautiful Zion United Church and then have a clinic with renowned singers/teachers/ clinicians Lisa Hornung and BJ Harris. 

Check out the schedule online at www.mjbandfestival.com to choose your performance time, call Sharon at 306-693-7087 for confirmation, then complete the online registration, and press "submit" - you're done!! 

Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival would love to have your choir be a part of the 64th Annual Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival.

PODIUM 2014 - Mark Your Calendars!


Thursday 29 November 2012

New CD Released by the Saskatoon Chamber Singers!

Saskatoon Chamber Singers: Remember


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James Hawn, Director     Rod Epp, Accompanist

The Saskatoon Chamber Singers was founded in 1977, and for the last fifteen years has presented a concert of music and readings on Remembrance Day. The choir’s first CD Remember commemorates those who fought and died in war as well as those who have gone before us. The selections cover a wide spectrum in their approach to life and its inevitable ending: strong emotional works that can move us to tears, but at the same time raise our spirit. Most of the music showcases a vibrant contemporary choral repertoire, with over half by Canadian composers. The CD was recently featured on CBC Radio’s Choral Concert, which noted the Chamber Singers’ “wonderful blend … and a rich sound, sort of gorgeous velvet.”

To order or for more information: www.saskatoonchambersingers.ca/remember

Monday 26 November 2012

Call for Applications!

2013 John Hobday Awards in Arts Management


New deadline for 2012: December 1, 2012

Two $10,000 John Hobday Awards in Arts Management are given annually to established and mid-career arts managers for professional development or mentorship.

Click here for more Information/Guidelines

Give the Gift of Music This Christmas

 2012 CK Holiday Catalogue

This Christmas, give a gift that helps Saskatchewan children live their dreams

Browse the Creative Kids 2012 Holiday Gift Catalogue and make a difference in the lives of Saskatchewan children and youth. Help a child get started with guitar lessons, or learn to play piano. There are plenty of options for everyone. The perfect present for teachers, family and friends.

For more information or to get your copy of the gift catalogue visit the Creative Kids website.

Upcoming Concert!


Upcoming Concert!


Wednesday 21 November 2012

Calling Young Choral Composers!

NewWorks Canadian Choral Composition Competition  

 

The DaCapo Chamber Choir announces the fourth annual NewWorks choral composition competition.  The winning entry will receive a $1,500 cash award and a performance by the DaCapo Chamber Choir under director Leonard Enns, in the 2013/2014 season.  Entry deadline is February 18, 2013.

 

About the Competition

The purpose of the NewWorks competition is to foster new and engaging choral works by Canadian composers.  The DaCapo Chamber Choir was founded in 1998 and is dedicated to exploring unaccompanied music, primarily of the 20th Century and later. We are continually looking for new pieces to perform which will challenge us and our audiences - both musically and emotionally.

Entry forms are available at the SCF office or can be downloaded from the DaCapo Chamber Choir website.

For full details and requirements, including composition guidelines, categories & eligibility requirements, submission procedures, timelines, and entry forms visit www.dacapochamberchoir.ca.

Thursday 27 September 2012

SCF Goes North!

What are your plans for Culture Days weekend?

This weekend, Saskatchewan Choral Federation will be teaming up with the Flin Flon Arts Council to share some choral culture with the communities of Creighton and of Flin Flon during Flin Flon Culture Days 2012. "These communities have a strong reputation of support for the arts and we are excited to work with them during Culture Days weekend," says Amanda Walton, SCF Program Coordinator.

The weekend's choral clinics will be offered by Swift Current's own, Marcia McLean. Marcia is currently the artistic director of the Swift Current Oratorio Choir, teaches private voice lessons, gives choral workshops and adjudicates. She has adjudicated for the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival and communities affiliated with the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association.

Choral activities will begin on Thursday, September 27, with an intensive day-long choral workshop being offered to the Creighton and Flin Flon high school choirs, followed by an evening workshop with the Coppertones. Rotating choral workshops will be offered to students on Friday as part of Flin Flon Culture Days' SUPERSTAR! program. An adult choir workshop will be held with the community choir on Saturday followed by an evening performance.

SCF is excited to share Culture Days 2012 with the Creighton and Flin Flon communities.

Friday 14 September 2012

Library Reminder

It's Not Too Late To Borrow Music!

Over 80 new titles were added to the SCF Choral Library, including:
  • A Gaelic Blessing - John Rutter
  • Five Hebrew Love Songs - Eric Whitacre
  • Like a Singing Bird - Bob Chilcott
  • Innoria - Donald Patriquin
  • Wade in the Water - Moses Hogan
  • Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair - arr. Rene Clausen
  • There Will Be Rest - Frank Ticheli
  • The Drunken Sailor - Robert Sund
  • Love Walked In - Steve Zegree
  • Buffalo Gals - Bob Chilcott
  • The Turtle Dove - arr. Linda Steen Spevacek
  • If Music Be The Food Of Love - David C. Dickau
  • Ngana - Stephen Leek
  • Set Me As A Seal (from A New Creation) - Rene Clausen
  •  The Moon Is Distant From The Sea - David N. Childs
  • Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier - arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw
  • Ave Maria - Javier Busto
  • Amor De Mi Alma (You Are The Love Of My Soul) - Z. Randall Stroope
  • Salmo 150 (Psalm 150) - Ernani Aguiar
  • Praise His Holy Name - Keith Hampton
  • Sarah - arr. Jonathan Quick
  • Famine Song - arr. Matthew Culloton
  • A Lover And His Lass - Donald Patriquin
  • O My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose - arr. Rene Clausen
  • Muie Rendera - C.A. Pinto Fonseca
  • Te Deum - Eleanor Daley
  • and much more!
Check out the online library listings and reserve your music today!

SK Music Conference - Registration Reminder

Don't Miss Out - Early Bird Registration Closes Oct. 1

Don't miss your chance to attend SK Music Conference at a reduced rate!  Early bird registration is available until October 1.  Take advantage of the great choral sessions being offered at SK Music Conference this year:
  • Conductor Tune-up - In the flurry of our busy choral teaching and conducting lives, how often do take time to analyze what our bodies are saying to our choristers?   (Elroy Friesen)
  • It's All About the Text . . .   Text is key to inspired performance! This session focuses on using text to teach tone, technique, interpretation, and performance skills.  (Elroy Friesen)
  • Cracking the Boy Code - This humorous and informative session will take a look at how boys learn and process information differently than girls. Learn how we as teachers can gear our classes and private lessons to aid our male students to learn at their fullest potential.  (Gregory Chase)
  • Senior Choral Reading Session - Music supplied by Long & McQuade.  (Elroy Friesen)
  • Junior Choral Reading Session - Music supplied by Long & mcQuade.  (Elroy Friesen)
  • and more!
Be sure to sign up for the SMC Chamber Choir and re-experience the excitement of honour choir as you share the joy of choral singing with fellow delegates from across the province.  Rehearsals begin Thursday, November 1 with the concert performance to occur on Friday, November 2.

NEW IN 2012 - Register by September 30th and have your name entered to win a Deluxe King-Size room at the Saskatoon Inn for the weekend!

Sing Along With Jeffery Straker At SMC's Kitchen Party Welcome Social!

Join us on Thursday, November 1 (after Chamber Choir rehearsal, of course) for even more choral fun!  Saskatchewan's own Jeff Straker, will be joining us at the conference to perform and lead us in a sing along at the SMC Kitchen Party Welcome Social!  Don't miss out!

Singer-songwriter-pianist Jeffery Straker performs over 100 shows per year across Canada. He recently recorded for CBC radio’s ‘Canada Live’, and had a music video rise to the top 10 (#6) on Canada’s Much More Music. His previous album ‘Step Right Up’ was the #5 selling album in his home-land of Saskatchewan in August 2010, ahead of both Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. He’s sure neither of them cared. But he is sure that he, in fact, did. 

Ease the Load & Lighten the Way - Take a Break & Get a Grip

Keynote Speaker - Patricia Katz 

Super-sized, multi-role demands and a supersonic pace can and do exact a huge toll on individuals, their families, and the organizations in which they work. Ongoing overload negatively impacts physical, mental and emotional health.
And, to make matters worse, overloaded individuals often abandon the very self care practices that would bring relief and help them cope. This situation is unhealthy, unprofitable, unsustainable, and ... unnecessary. Life and work do not have to be this way!

This session will help you and your colleagues:
  • Reset your mindset to embrace a more sustainable response to the nonstop pressures of a 24/7 world.
  • Enhance productivity & renew energy by giving yourselves and each other permission to offset the pressure to perform with well-paced pauses for renewal.
  • Adopt practical, workable strategies to help you carry the load, define the load, control the load, and celebrate the load.
  • Reinforce your progress through accountability and reminders.

Click here to REGISTER NOW.

Nominations Reminder

Board of Director Nominations Due Oct. 1

Saskatchewan Choral Federation is looking to fill five (5) vacant positions on its Board of Directors that will be open for election at the Annual General Meeting, November 3, 2012 at the Saskatoon Inn.  Nomination forms are due October 1st.  Click here to make a nomination.

Deadline Reminder

Find Fame At SK Music Conference!

Apply to perform during one of the breaks at this year's SK Music Conference at the Saskatoon Inn.  If you have a small group who can perform on a stage with a minimal requirement for equipment and set-up, then you're invited - you perform and we'll enjoy!  Scheduled breaks are:
  • Friday, Nov. 1 - 10:30 - 10:50 AM and 2:30 - 2:50 PM
  • Saturday, Nov. 2 - 10:00 - 10:20 AM
Please send us an e-mail outlining the:
  • Number of people in your group
  • Type of performance
  • Time you would prefer to perform
The Conference Committee will review proposals on September 22 and contact applicants shortly afterwards.  Sorry, there are currently no honorariums or expenses available, but we'll buy you coffee and applaud loudly!

Thursday 13 September 2012

SK Culture Days Reminder

Call For Participants

If you are a Saskatchewan singer or choir who is looking for a new kind of choral experience that fosters participation then SCF needs you to join us as we show off choral culture in Saskatchewan during this year's SK Culture Days.  The event will take place on Saturday, September 29.  Contact the SCF office for more details.

Choral Concert!

Singing Our Hearts Out! - Chantons a plein choeur!

You are invited to celebrate the diversity of Western and Northern Canadian francophone choral singing on one stage on Saturday, October 6, at 7:30PM at Knox Metropolitan Church.

In celebration of the Year of the Fransaskois, Alliance chorale Manitoba and its partners are delighted to present Chantons a plein chœur! / Singing our Hearts Out!, a retrospective look at the contribution of French language choirs to the musical culture of our province. Four choirs will offer a unique concert experience on October 6th at 7:30 PM at the Knox Metropolitan Church in Regina. A repertoire of original songs written by francophone songwriters from Western and Northern Canada, songs from Quebec, from France, gospel music and English songs will be presented.

The choirs: Plaines de gospel(SK) with choir director Annette Campagne, Les bles au vent (MB) with choir director Guy Boulianne, Les Ceusses-qui-ont-du-fun-quand-y-chantent (YK) directed by Danielle Bonneau and the vocal ensemble Aurora Chorealis (N.W.T.) will offer a performance full of passion. They will share the stage with special guest artists Gerry & Ziz of Manitoba and Folle Avoine, Christie-Anne Blondeau, Alexis Normand and Shawn Jobin of Saskatchewan.

Tickets are available at the Association canadienne-francaise de Regina (ACFR). Phone to reserve your tickets 306-566-6020 www.acfr.ca. Ticket price is $ 20.00 before October 5th / $25.00 at the door.

Alliance chorale Manitoba is an organization which supports the development of French language choir singing in Manitoba. It has embarked on this project in partnership with Assemble?e communautaire fransaskoise, the Conseil culturel Fransaskois, the Association canadienne-francaise de Regina, the Institut francais of the University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Choral Federation and Radio-Canada Manitoba/Saskatchewan.

For more information, please contact: Beatrice Gaudet, Producer & Artistic Director Chantons a plein chœur! at 204-489-4479 • bgfocusinc@mymts.net

Dream Broker Summer Music Camp

Photos & Video Are Now Available!

They're finally here!  Check out the official Dream Broker Summer Music Camp video here and camp photos here.

The Dream Broker Summer Music Camp was held in Saskatoon on July 3 -- 6, 2012 and in Regina on July 23 -- 26, 2012 and gave students a four-day intensive introduction to a wide range of instruments including: Guitar, Violin, Piano, Percussion, Band, Choir and First Nations' Hand Drumming and Storytelling.  Approximately 45 students came to each camp with little musical experience and left with a greater knowledge and appreciation of music.

The Dream Broker Summer Music Camp is an initiative by the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Saskatchewan Music Festival and the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association in collaboration with the Dream Broker Program.  It was supported by SaskCulture and PotashCorp with additional funding and in-kind contributions provided by Long & McQuade, First Student Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, Conexus Credit Union, Access Communications, Signs by BGN, Culligan Water Matters Saskatoon, Water Warehouse Regina.

The Dream Brokers program is a joint venture between SaskSport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association to increase access to sports, culture and recreational activities for children and youth.  The Dream Brokers program was started in 2006 in partnership with the Regina Public and Catholic school boards. Dream Broker coordinators work in schools to ensure children and youth, who traditionally have not had access, get the chance to participate in new opportunities within their community.

For more information, visit: http://www.saskchoral.ca/html/whats_new/NE_DBSMC/index.cfm

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Connect With Us!

SCF Has Gone Social

SCF is now on Facebook and Twitter and we want to connect with you!  Follow @SKChoral on Twitter and like our Facebook page SCF Saskatchewan Choral Federation to join the conversation and catch the latest updates on choral events in the province.  You can also check out our YouTube and Flickr pages for videos and photos of the latest SCF and Saskatchewan Music Alliance events.

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SKChoral

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/saskchoral

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SKChoral?feature=mhee

Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saskchoral/