SYC Update: New Application Process!

We've updated our application process for Saskatchewan Youth Choir - now instead of needing to be recommended by a teacher to audition for SYC, students can also apply on their own!

To apply for an audition, please send an email to with the following information:
First Name
Last Name
Email
Voice Part 

Applications for auditions are due May 21, 2014

Once a student has applied or been recommended by their teacher, the student will be sent a link to the online Chorister Questionnaire as well as the benchmark music piece. All audition materials must be received before 5:00PM on Monday, June 23, 2014.

Click here to find out more about the application & audition process.

Don't Miss the Bus for Song of the Open Road!

Song of the Open Road is a five day guided cultural singing tour of Saskatchewan.  It starts in south-west Saskatchewan and stops at museums, historic sites and art studios and galleries as it winds it way northward. On this tour you’ll experience the beauty of Renaissance master artworks, discover the mysteries of the St. Victor Petroglyphs, explore the Shurniak Art Gallery, visit the historic churches that comprise Sagebrush Studio and much, much more. More than 15 sites just like these are waiting for you to explore and experience!

This trip’s not all about visual exploration. As part of the tour, you will rehearse and perform a short concert program with award winning conductor, Dr. Victoria Meredith, Professor and Associate Dean with the Don Wright Faculty of Music Talbot College at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

FIND OUT MORE & REGISTER HERE

Register Today For Music For The Sole!

There are still spaces left for your choir to be involved in this year's Music For The Sole!  Don't be left at the starting gate - register today to make sure your choir cashes in on the benefits!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MUSIC FOR THE SOLE REGINA

Find out more information and see how the Music For The Sole fundraiser walk/run can help your choir here!

Help Support Harmony 2 Go!

Upcoming Concert!

Are you registered for Podium 2014?

You're Invited to Bring Your Song to Podium 2014 Choralscapes!

Choral highlights of Podium 2014 include:

* Keynote Presentation “Music of the Spheres” – a multimedia feast of music and photography featuring Cmd. Chris Hadfield, the Amadeus Choir and Roberta Bondar
* Opening concert featuring Edmonton’s Pro Coro (Michael Zaugg) and Halifax’s Camerata Singers (Jeff Joudrey)
* The 2014 National Youth Choir of Canada, conducted by Halifax native, Hilary Apfelstadt
 The Grammy Award-winning Kansas City Chorale, conducted by Charles Bruffy
* Two conducting masterclasses, led by Hilary Apfelstadt and Len Ratzlaff
* A chance to watch Franscisco Núñez in action, rehearsing for a Highlight Concert in celebration of youth
* 19 guest choirs, over 1000 singers, 25 interest sessions plus roundtable discussions and reading sessions

>> Visit the Podium 2014 page

Celebrate Saskatchewan's Choral Leaders!

The Choral Federation recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Saskatchewan choral community and is now accepting nominations for the following awards:

Community Service Award
Recognizes the contribution of an individual or group to the development of choral music in their community. 

Golden Note Award
Recognizes the contribution of individuals to the cultural life of Saskatchewan by their long-time (minimum of 25 years) active participation in the choral arts.  Awards can be given in either the Singer or Choral Conductor category. 

Pro Musica Award
Is presented annually in recognition of exemplary service to choral music in Saskatchewan.  The Pro Musica Award consists of a certificate and a cash award which is to be used for further musical development of the award recipient.

Awards will be presented in November 2014 in Saskatoon.  Forms, fees and supporting materials are due September 1st.   The nomination form and additional information are available here>>

Calling Young Choir Conductors!

The Nova Voce Scholarship recognizes an individual in the early stages of choral conducting development who has the potential to make a significant contribution to choral music throughout the life of their career.  A maximum of one award may be presented each year.  The scholarship will consist of a six-month mentorship with an accomplished choral conductor and a cash award of $250.
The

Applications are due September 1st.  More information available here.

Calling Young SK Singers! Apply to SYC!

Call for Nominations!

Help shape the voice of choral music in Saskatchewan!

The nomination committee is seeking potential candidates for the SCF Board of Directors.  Elections will be held to fill six (6) positions for terms of two years at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Saskatoon Inn.

To make a nomination to the Board of Directors, complete a nomination form and submit along with a brief biography of the nominee to the Saskatchewan Choral Federation (125 Hamilton Street, REGINA, SK  S4R 2A3) by October 1.

More information and nomination forms can be found on our website.

2014 artsVest Sponsorship Workshops

artsVest Saskatchewan is a sponsorship training and matching incentive program created by Business for the Arts and delivered with funding from Canadian Heritage and the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.  The program's goal is to assist Saskatchewan's small and mid-sized arts, culture and heritage organizations in the development of new and mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses.

artsVest is holding information workshops across the province from May 13-28 - Register now!

Spaces are still open on the Song of the Open Road Tour!

Don't miss your chance to tour the province singing under the direction of Dr. Victoria Meredith.

Dr. Meredith's last visit to Saskatchewan was as guest conductor of the acclaimed National Youth Choir of Canada.  Dr. Meredith serves as Associate Dean and co-ordinator of choral activities at Western University.  She teaches choral conducting and conducts the award-winning Western University Singers, and holds degrees in music education (Indiana University), voice performance (University of Northern Colorado), and choral conducting (University of Arizona).  Choirs under her direction have received numerous honours and awards, including CBC Choral Competition prizes, performance awards from the Canadian Music Educators Association, the Jack Richardson Award and the London Music Award.

Book by May 15 to receive a discounted rate.  

More information here.

Show Your Support - Sponsor a National Youth Choir Singer!

Dear Choral Colleagues,

The 2014 National Youth Choir, consisting of singers from every province and territory in Canada, will gather in Nova Scotia for a week-long residency this May with guest conductor Hilary Apfelstadt, Director of Choral Programs at the University of Toronto, before embarking on a tour of the Maritime Provinces culminating in a gala final performance at Podium 2014 in Halifax.

The budget for this major project runs in excess of $83,000 and covers professional fees for the conductor and accompanist, a new work by Canadian composer, Peter Togni, commissioned especially for NYC 2014 and music, travel and accommodation for 40+ singers and up to 5 staff every day for two weeks.

The NYC Committee and ACCC administration are continuing to work diligently to secure funding for this vital programme, and although there have been some positive results, cutbacks to the arts and non-profit sectors are increasing as government on all levels pare back funding in these areas. This is why we are reaching out to our national choral community, to those people who most recognize and appreciate the value of the National Youth Choir program.

For $85 you can send one singer to the Podium Gala Banquet. A gift of $100 will cover the cost of one night's accommodation and meals for one singer. Or, join our "Adopt a Singer" programme and sponsor one singer for $500! Each and every donation, in any amount, will be sincerely appreciated.

Click on Canada Helps to make a secure and immediate contribution. You will receive a charitable Income Tax receipt via e-mail directly from Canada Helps and your donation will be gratefully acknowledged in the NYC programme.

If you prefer you may make a cheque payable to the Canadian Choral Foundation, designate it for NYC and mail to:
ACCC
A-1422 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4G 3A7
Canada

Thank you in advance for your generous support for the 2014 NYC,
Robert Neufeld
NYC Chair