Volume 8 Issue 8 - May 2003

ensemble of seventy

ensemble of seventy auditioned at Sunday Mass and other liturgivoices. The Mississauga Choral cal services during the church Society rehearses every Tuesday year. They sing traditional reperevening in Port Credit from Sep- toire from medieval plainchant to tember to June and presents at twentieth-century works. The least three concerts each year at choir has participated in numerthe living Arts Centre in Missis- ous services outside the parish in sauga. The 2002-2003 season venues including St. Michael's Ca-, marks the Mississauga Choral thedral, the Martyr's Shrine, Mid­ Society's 28th season of choral . land, and the Slavic Cathedral of music-making. the Transfiguration. The choir For an audition appointment call tours regularly and has been to 905-278-7059 or visit our website Italy. Gehnany and Austria, Great at www.misschorsoc.com ~ Britain, and the Caribbean. The choir released a CD in 1989 and THE MISSISSAUGA FESTIVAL recently began singing joint concerts with Toronto church .choirs. YOUTH CHOIR (MFYC) For more information on this or one of the other choirs at . St. Patrick's, please contact Esteban Cambre, Director of Music, at 905- 294-5955 or visit www.stpatrick. on.ca ~ . was founded by Deborah Bradley in the summer of 1997 as a choral music education program for Mississauga youth ages 9 to 19. The choir performs two major concerts per year, as well as other community performances, The MFYC recently received a First Prize adjudication in the April 2000 Peel Music Festival. The choir participated in the Choral Music Experience Institute at the University of Toronto, July 21 - 27, 2000. Rehearsals are at the Mississauga Seniors Centre. Auditions. by appointment only, are in June and early September. Call Deborah Bradley at 905-276-5732 for info. Our next concert "From Sea to Sea to Sea" will be held on Sunday June 8 at 7:30 pm in the Royal Bank Theater at the Living Arts Centre . in Mississauga. Tickets: 905-276- ~~. ~ MUSIC AT ST. PATRICK'S, MARKHAM St. Patrick's Choir, Markham, is a sixty voice SATB choir that assists. Dett. February 2003 saw the release of Carry Me Home: The Story & Music ofThe Nathaniel Dett Chorale, a docum'entary celebrating this unique ensemble and its place in Canada's musical spectrum. ~ NORTH 44° ENSEMBLE under the Directorship of Geoffrey Butler is a 22 member auditioned vocal group dedicated to excellence and eclecticism in choral music. Performances include two major concerts per year - a concert for Remembrance Day and a spring concert, as well as a number of special engagements. The Ensemble was recently featured on a soon-to-be-released CD entitled, "Children of Lir" by the Loretto Reid Band. North 44° rehearses once a week on Tuesday evenings in the Toronto core. For more information, please call 905-764-5140 or email North 44° at n44vocal ensemble@hotmail.com. ~ Mondays, 6:15-8:15 pm; Chamber Choir - Mondays. 7:30-9:00 pm; Tuesdays 7:30-9:00 pm. · Auditions for the Z003 ~2004 Season will be held April 25'h and 26'h and May 16'h and 17'h. Call 905- 337-7104 for an appointment. E­ mail: info@oakvillechildrenschoir. org Web: www.oakvillechildrens choir.org · ~ ONTARIO PREsBYTERIAN CHORUS This choir-was formed in 1989 as a consolidation of the Presbyterian Men's Chorus (1972) and the Covenanter Singers (1984) to promote choral singing from the rich mo~aic of sacred music from the 1600s to the present. Using votal & instrumental our repertoire consists of music from the classical era, anthems, hymn arrangements and gospel songs. The Chorus THE NATHANIEL DETT CHORALE Brainerd Blyden·Toylor, Artistic Director performs regularly throughout Southern Ontario and has toured extensively in Eastern, Western & Tel: 416-340-7000 Fox: 416-340-0333 Northern Canada and in Scotland, info@nothonieldettchorole.org THE OAKVILLE CHILDREN'S Northern Ireland & Eire. www.nothonieldettchorole.org . CHOIR was formed in 1994 by its Although Presbyterian in origin, The Chorale is comprised of .clas- Music Director Glenda Crawford the Chorus is transdenominationsicallytrained, multi-faceted vocal- and has achieved tremendous al in membership and concert ists whose work stretches beyond success in 9 years. It is a com.pre- schedule. Director of the Chorus the traditional expectations of a hensive music education proclassical is Alastair Mccallum and accom­ chamber choir, and cha!- gramme for over 150 auditioned panist Mina Park ARCT (perf.) New lenges us to broaden our vision of choristers ranging in age from 7 members are most welcome. For Afroc~ntric choral music. It per- through 17 years providing theoforms further information please call all styles and genres of mu- ry. vocal coaching and workshops Sheila Bailey (Secretary) at 905-731- sic, from classical to jazz, folk, blues with professional artists 0136. ~ and popular music as appropriate The choir presents three annual to African traditions. concerts, workshops and guest THE ORIANA SINGERS ·In November 2002, The Natha- appearances .at community func- WOMEN'S CHOIR · niel Dett Chorale proudly released tions and collaborates with other Artistic Director: Willi.om Brown musical groups. Rehearsals: its first CD, Listen to the Lambs, the first commercial recording of the choral works ofrenowned African­ Canadian composer R. Nathaniel THE NATHANIEL DETT CHORALE ' Brainerd Blyden-Tuylor, Founder/Artistic Director A UDITIONS The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada's first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: • Prepare 2 works to perform at your audition: one classical (operatic aria or art song); the other, a popular Afrocentric piece Uazz-bluesgospel-pop) Accompanist will be provided. Provide 2 extra copies of chosen works in correct key, for accompanist and conductor. •Demonstrate professional level sight singing, improvisational and musicianship skills • Provide Performance Resume •Provide Photo - black and white 8x10 glossy FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & TO BOOK AN AUDITION CALL: 416-340-7000 or auditions@nathanieldettchorale.org . Cherup Choir - Mondays', 4:45-5:45 pm; Intermediate Choir • Tuesdays, 6:00-7:15 pm; Senior Choir· E-mail: theorionosingers@hotmoil:com Website: www.orionosingers.on.co Phone: 416-923-3123 The Oriana Singers, one of the first j /'* . 1/if l-'1"0 RT H 4 4 ° / h / voca l e ns e mbl e / / &! , __ -_: __ ::_,,,. r 22 member vocal ensemble is seeking new members for September, 2003 Variety of challenging repertoire presented by a dedicated and sociable gr oup of individuals Rehearsals located in dqwntown core Director: Geoffrey Butler Accompanist: Jenny Crober For an audition, please call 905 764-5140 Choral Scene 10 www.the wholenote.com M ay 1 - June 7 2003

all-female choirs in Canada, was chestra. Many of the choristers are THE PETERBOROUGH SINGERS, formed in 1972. It endeavours to local Mennonites, but the choir founded in 1993 ana directed by achieve and maintain high levels boasts members from many faith Sydney Birrell, has grown into a of vocal and musical excellence. traditions and cultures, all of highly regarded ensemble of some Great care is taken to choose mu- whom gather for weekly rehears- ninety members. Its reputation is sic suited to the female voice, to als because of their common love such that many world-elass Canapresent music that has already of singing. A new children's choir · dian soloists including Gary Relyearned its lasting position in the offers wonderful learning oppor- ea, Mark Dubois, Sally Dibblee and repertoire, and to introduce audi- tunities for younger singers. Measha Bruggergosman, have ences to contemporary music in- Membership in both choirs is come back time and again to percluding new Canadian works. The open to anyone interested in seri- form with the choir. For the last choir presents concerts in Novem- ous choral singing. Adult rehears- 10 years, the choir has presented ber, March and May, which are als are on Monday nights in North four or five concerts per year, inheld at Grace Church on-the-Hill. York. For information or to arrange corpora ting a blend of repertoire Auditions for next season will be an audition, call us or visit from gospel to sacred to pop to held in August 416-923-3123. Re- www.paxchristichorale.org ~ oratorio. The Peterborough Sing- QUODLIBET The Quodlibet chamber choir, founded in 2001, comprises sixteen experienced and versatile singers committed to spending Friday evenings experiencing the joy of making music together under the direction of Arthur Wenk. The group rehearses and performs at St. Leonard's Anglican Church, an intimate setting known for its outstanding acoustics. The name Quodlibet, or "whatever you like", refers to a Renais, sance genre consisting of either a catalogue of items on a given topic or a juxtaposition of themes old and new. The spirit of the quodlibet engenders thematic programming that brings together familiar and lesser-known choral music. ORPHEUS CHOIR OF TORONTO Artistic Director: Robert Cooper Accompanist: Ted Moroney Administrator: Helen Coxon Tel: 416-530-4428 e-mail: coxon.spencer@sympatico.co Website: www.orpheus.on.ca The Orpheus Choir of Toronto, which will celebrate its 40th Anni­ 'lersary in 2004, looks forward to a period of growth and renewal under the direction of newly-ape pointed Artistic Director, Robert Cooper. The 50-voice choir presents programmes which combine familiar choral repertoire with less well-knoWI1 or less often performed pieces, 'from Palestrina to contemporary composers, and from a capella pieces to works with full orchestra. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, 7.30-10.00 pm at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. There are four concerts per year, plus occasional outside hires. Auditions are held in May/June. Please call or e-mail for further details or to arrange an audition. ~ -p AX CHRISTI CHORALE Toronto's Mennonite Choir Stephanie Mortin, artistic director & conductor Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill, accompanist 122 Song Meodowoy, Toronto ON M2H 2T7 416-494-7889 poxchristichorale@hotmoil.com Pax Christi Chorale has maintained a tradition of fine choral singing for fifteen years, performing some of the great masterpieces of the choral literature with or- porary Canadian material frequently highlights our programmes. The choir, recent semifinalists in the CBC competition for amateur choirs presents two concerts each year in December and May in its home base, Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant Road at South Drive. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at Rosedale. Join us for our "Salut Printemps" concert with garden party and silent auction on Saturday; May 31, at 3:00 p.m. (See listing) · Penthelia Singers: Artistic Director: Mary Legge, 196 Elmwood Ave., Toronto, ON, M2N 3M6 Tel. 416-229-0522; e-mail: legge@ interlog.com; Web: www.penthe lia. org . ~ Announces Auditions For the 2003-2004 season A young women's choir CBC semi-finalists Looking for singers with Good sight-reading ski/ls Commitment to excellence Call 416-229-0522 for an 'appointment www.penthelia.com hearsals are on Wednesday eve- ers rehearse Wednesday evenings 7:30-9:45pm. We are cur- · THE PENTHELIA SINGERS, nings, September to May, from rently seeking a new Business founded in 1997 under the direc- 7:30 to 9:30pm. To audition, e­ Manager - deadline May 9/03. tion of Mary Legge, is an 18-voice mail us at singers@peterborough Visit Choirs Ontario's website for young women's choir performing singers.com and for more inforinformation at www.choirs ontar- challenging repertoire in a vari- mation, visit our website at io. org. ~ ety of styles and periods; contem- www.peterboroughsingers.com. For further information, including audio clips from performances and biographical sketches of the Come to England - ~-r:h~ this summer with ... 1-.enais~\ance August 5 to 25, 2003. SI~f[CLT We start near Hadrian's Wall in ancient Carlisle Cathedral with four days of singing and sightseeing, then its on by steam train to Lancaster priory in the Lake District. Next stop Yorkshire for a week of singing services in historic Ripon Cathedral and then on to magnificent Lincoln Cathedral for another week. Approximate cost is ,800. which includes air fare, all taxes, deluxe accommodation, transportation, all breakfasts and some gourmet meals. Interested? Call Kathy at 519-725-4397 for more information. AUDITIONS In September 2003 the Orpheus Choir will begin rehearsals with newly-appointed . Artistic Director, Robert Cooper. We invite experienced singers in all voice parts to join us for thi.s exciting new era in the history of Orpheus. Highlights of the season ir;tclude the_ Dvorak Stabat . Mater with Chorus Niagara, Orff's Catulli Carmina, and a programme of contemporary choral works. Auditions will take place on May 20 and 28 (a June date may also be possible.) ·For further information or to book an audition, please call 416 530-4428 or e-mail coxon.spencer@sympatico.ca May 1 - June 7 2003 www.thewholenote.com Choral Scene 11