BCCF 'Choral Voices' Newsletter

A newsletter for members of the British Columbia Choral Federation

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BCCF CHORAL VOICES
January 2020

BCCF Chorfest 2020 – Adult Choir Registration now open!
Get ready for a wonderful (and waterful) weekend of singing on May 29/30/31 in the Fraser Valley, co-hosted by Langley Community Chorus and Valley Festival Singers. Our special Early Bird rate is on sale now – only $183.75!

Chorfest 2020 registration is now open. Visit our website for details.

Did you know? This year's Adult Choir repertoire is centred around the theme of water and its influence on our lives in various ways. The ensemble will be led by Dr. Julia Davids – artistic director of the Juno-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir and Director of Choral Activities at North Park University in Chicago. Also convening at Chorfest will be the BC Youth Choir (Dr. Jim Sparks) and the Chorfest Children's Choir (Sandra Meister).

"I’m excited to get to work on these great pieces by all-female composers with the many singers who are coming together to Be the River!" – Julia Davids

MEMBER NEWS

Chor Leoni receives Juno nomination for When There Is Peace album

Juno nominations were announced on January 28, and Chor Leoni Men's Choir and artistic director Erick Lichte were among five in the category of Best Classical Album: Vocal or Choral. Their 2019 album, When There Is Peace: An Armistice Oratorio, featured a world premiere by composer Zachary Wadsworth, was recorded live at Vancouver’s St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church and was broadcast across Canada by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Remembrance Day, 2018.

Victoria Children’s Choir announces appointment of new Artistic Director

It's the end of an era at Victoria Children's Choir (VCC). and the start of another. Founder/artistic director Madeleine Humer will be passing the baton in June 2020 after more than 19 years at the helm. Read this great article to learn more about her wonderful tenure with the ensemble, and join us in congratulating her successor, Teodora Georgieva, who was announced on January 22. Full press release here.

Nickel's Requiem for Peace to be given encore performance in Ukraine

Big news for BC-based composer, conductor, clinician and publisher extraordinaire, Larry Nickel. He writes: "I can't contain the excitement. Some of you know that my Requiem for Peace was given its 26th performance in Kiev last September. Now I've learned that the National Philharmonic of Ukraine wants an encore performance in the prestigious hall on Feb. 20 - the Remembrance Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes. It's the annual memorial day commemorating the heroism of the participants in 2013/2014 "Revolution of Dignity"."

BC Youth Choir application deadline extended until February 2

Know a serious singer aged 16-25? Our auditioned BC Youth Choir will convene May 29-31 in the Fraser Valley under the direction of Dr. Jim Sparks.

The audition application deadline for singers (and also for assistant conductor) has been extended to February 2, 2020. Learn more about this fabulous opportunity, held each year in conjunction with Chorfest.

Have you read our Seniors' newsletter, Lifelong Singers?

As we head towards spring and a brand new edition of Lifelong Singers (our newsletter featuring senior singers) we'd like to draw your attention to some articles within the Fall/Winter edition. Special congratulations are in order to the Penticton Tune-Agers Choir and Orchestra, who will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2020, and also to the Richmond Singers Ensemble who will celebrate their 30th.

Lynn Valley Voices to host singing workshop April 2-4

A workshop called The Confident, Authentic Voice: A holistic approach to speaking & singing, with clinician Dr. Madeline Miskie-Jaeger, is coming to North Vancouver on April 2-4, and will be open to all singers. Registration for two sessions and a concert is $150.

Festival of Voices returns to Smithers May 1-3

Looking for a vocal getaway in northwestern BC? Sing Smithers is thrilled to present its 7th biennial Festival of Voices — a springtime retreat that brings singers of all levels together for a few days of fun & learning in a beautiful rural setting just outside Smithers, BC. Organizers are offering a special 'very early bird' rate until February 15.

Want to be featured here? Send us your news items!

Do you have some exciting choral news to share? An award? A big announcement? Send us an email and we'll consider it for an upcoming edition of BCCF Choral Voices.

BCCF WORKSHOPS

Sight-Singing & Music Theory Course for Choral Singers: West Kelowna
> Starts Feb. 5

From note identification to solfege, these six evening sessions will give you the tools you need to become a better choral singer! Your instructor is retired educator Kim Kleineberg. Details here.

A Winter Tune-Up For Singers: Victoria
> Feb. 8

In this informative morning workshop, clinician Jim Sparks will ‘drill’ a fun and interactive series of skills for choral singing, and then ‘test-drive’ those skills on real repertoire. No experience required; all voice types welcome. Details here.

Want to host a workshop in your region? Contact us!

CHORAL
CONCERTS

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CLASSIFIEDS CORNER

Here's what's been making headlines on the BCCF Classifieds page lately:

Island Voices have begun the search for a musical director; Comox Valley Presbyterian Church also seeks a director, Comox Valley Youth and Children's Choir has an opening on the podium effective fall 2020, and Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir are hiring a marketing/concert coordinator.

High Spirits Choir is encouraging newbies for its first two rehearsals of the term; Vancouver Children's Choir is auditioning singers aged 6-16; Choralation A Cappella have a spot available for a tenor; Aequitas Singers are open to new members, Vancouver City Singers are welcoming all voice types; as is the Handel Society of Music; West End Chamber Choir is inviting new singers for the month of January; The Squares Barbershop Chorus is on the hunt for male voices; and Richmond Singers are looking for altos. Grace Community Choir in Burnaby is seeking all voice types, with a preference to tenors and basses.

This newsletter is written for you, our valued BCCF members and member choirs. We encourage you to share this email with your fellow choir members, friends and musical colleagues. To update your choir’s contact information for distribution, please email us at projectmanager@bcchoralfed.com.

We're here to help with your choral needs! Feel free to reach out at any time.

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