Call for singers: auditions Kingston Choral Society
The Kingston Choral Society, which will begin an exciting new season in the fall, is getting ahead of the game with auditions this year. Previously auditions for new and returning members have been in September. This year KCS is moving up auditions for new members to May and June, and there are vacancies for singers in all sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass).
The Choral Society will perform three concerts with the Kingston Symphony over the 08-09 season, and it is the only choir in Kingston to enjoy such a privilege. In November it will join once again with the student singers of Queen’s Choral Ensemble to perform Beethoven’s Ninth (Choral) Symphony and works by Canadian composers Imant Raminsh and Jean Coulthard, conducted by Glen Fast. Pieces by Raminsh, a Latvian-Canadian and a very sensitive choral writer, have been performed in Kingston by Cantabile Choirs. The music of Jean Coulthard, a West Coast woman composer who died in 2000, is less well-known.
In January 09 the Choral Society will get to work with a guest conductor - none other than Brian Jackson, the former Music Director of the Symphony and Choral Society. Jackson, known as “Maestro Pops” because he enjoys the distinction of being Principal Pops Conductor of four Canadian orchestras, will take the choir on a “Last Night of the Proms” adventure, with a “tip of the hat” to Robbie Burns. In April 09 the Choral Society will sing with the Symphony in the final Sunday-afternoon Masterworks concert at the Grand Theatre, just like in days of old. The chosen piece is the beloved Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, conducted by Glen Fast, with acclaimed Canadian soprano Joni Henson as soloist.
The prospect of auditions sets off alarm bells with many choral singers, who are comfortable with singing in a group but not alone. The auditions of chorusmaster Ian Juby couldn’t be more user-friendly. Ian doesn’t want to hear prepared songs, and he won’t thrust a piece of music in front of you to be read at sight. He is interested in choral potential: tone quality, ability to match pitches, and ability to blend. He will play or sing short phrases and ask you to sing these back. An experienced teacher, he gives excellent suggestions for making the most of your voice, and he helps all nervous applicants to relax and even enjoy the audition experience.
Choral rehearsals take place weekly on Tuesday evenings from September each year in the upstairs hall of Sydenham Street United Church. If you love to sing, and if your Tuesday nights are free, why not call the Symphony office on 613-546-9729 to schedule a 10-minute audition time? The Kingston Choral Society has a history of over 50 years. It was the founding entity of what is now known as the Kingston Symphony Association, which includes the Orchestra, the Choir, the Community Strings, the Youth Orchestra and Youth Strings, and the Volunteer Committee. For more information on the choir, visit its website at www.kingstonchoralsociety.ca.
The Choral Society will perform three concerts with the Kingston Symphony over the 08-09 season, and it is the only choir in Kingston to enjoy such a privilege. In November it will join once again with the student singers of Queen’s Choral Ensemble to perform Beethoven’s Ninth (Choral) Symphony and works by Canadian composers Imant Raminsh and Jean Coulthard, conducted by Glen Fast. Pieces by Raminsh, a Latvian-Canadian and a very sensitive choral writer, have been performed in Kingston by Cantabile Choirs. The music of Jean Coulthard, a West Coast woman composer who died in 2000, is less well-known.
In January 09 the Choral Society will get to work with a guest conductor - none other than Brian Jackson, the former Music Director of the Symphony and Choral Society. Jackson, known as “Maestro Pops” because he enjoys the distinction of being Principal Pops Conductor of four Canadian orchestras, will take the choir on a “Last Night of the Proms” adventure, with a “tip of the hat” to Robbie Burns. In April 09 the Choral Society will sing with the Symphony in the final Sunday-afternoon Masterworks concert at the Grand Theatre, just like in days of old. The chosen piece is the beloved Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, conducted by Glen Fast, with acclaimed Canadian soprano Joni Henson as soloist.
The prospect of auditions sets off alarm bells with many choral singers, who are comfortable with singing in a group but not alone. The auditions of chorusmaster Ian Juby couldn’t be more user-friendly. Ian doesn’t want to hear prepared songs, and he won’t thrust a piece of music in front of you to be read at sight. He is interested in choral potential: tone quality, ability to match pitches, and ability to blend. He will play or sing short phrases and ask you to sing these back. An experienced teacher, he gives excellent suggestions for making the most of your voice, and he helps all nervous applicants to relax and even enjoy the audition experience.
Choral rehearsals take place weekly on Tuesday evenings from September each year in the upstairs hall of Sydenham Street United Church. If you love to sing, and if your Tuesday nights are free, why not call the Symphony office on 613-546-9729 to schedule a 10-minute audition time? The Kingston Choral Society has a history of over 50 years. It was the founding entity of what is now known as the Kingston Symphony Association, which includes the Orchestra, the Choir, the Community Strings, the Youth Orchestra and Youth Strings, and the Volunteer Committee. For more information on the choir, visit its website at www.kingstonchoralsociety.ca.
posted by Artsking at
10:21 AM
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