News and Notices

Calling soprano and alto voices of all genders and gender identities to join the 21V roster for its inaugural performance project, Beyond Binary, exploring the myth of “us vs. them.” Compensation is $450. Please submit an audition request form by January 14, 2022. For more information please visit our auditions page or contact us at .

About 21V

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Martín Benvenuto, 21V explores a broad identity of 21st century music of the Americas, inspiring awareness and advocacy for underrepresented American continent perspectives. To inaugurate its first season, 21V recently released a video performance of its first commissioned work, Praise Song for Tulsa.

Please share this opportunity with your networks, and follow our latest news and announcements on Facebook and Instagram!

After a 6-month international recruitment process, the Toronto Children’s Chorus (TCC) Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that Zimfira Poloz will be joining the Toronto Children’s Chorus as Artistic Director, starting July 1, 2022.

We are tremendously excited to welcome Zimfira as the third Artistic Director in TCC’s 44-year history. Our team is already working closely with Zimfira and her current organization to ensure a smooth transition for both communities. Our Board is exceptionally grateful to TCC Associate Artistic Director, Matthew Otto, for agreeing to serve as Interim Artistic Director through the end of our current season.

Zimfira is a globally celebrated expert in choral artistry for young voices. She established her musical credentials in Kazakhstan, serving as founder and principal of the nation’s first choir school. On her arrival in Canada, Zimfira found her first musical home working with the Toronto Children’s Chorus under our Founder Jean Ashworth Bartle, CM OOnt. She then worked with St. Michael’s Choir School and became Artistic Director of Young Voices Toronto and Hamilton Children’s Choir (HCC). Under Zimfira’s direction, HCC has transformed into one of the most acclaimed youth choral programs in the world, performing across North America, Europe, and Asia, with a long list of national and international “Grand Prize” awards, including CBC Radio National Choral Competition, World Choral Singing Competition, European Broadcasting Union Choral Competition “Let the People Sing”, and 1st Xinghai Prize International Competition. The TCC has enjoyed several collaborative opportunities with Zimfira and HCC, including a joint appearance at the 2018 Podium Choral Canada Conference.

Zimfira teaches choral conducting for children’s choirs in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, and her curated Canadian choral collection can be found with Cypress Choral Music: The Zimfira Collection. She has been decorated with numerous awards, including Honoured Representative of Education of Kazakhstan, Hamilton’s VIP Award, and the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting (Ontario Arts Council). She has appeared as an adjudicator and guest conductor around the world, including at the First International Choral Alberto Grau Composition Competition in Venezuela, Europa Cantat, America Cantat, and the World Choir Games.

While her credentials are exceptional, what sets Zimfira truly apart is her ability to create joy, inspiration, and a love of singing within the communities she serves; choristers, parents, and audiences alike. The TCC Board is delighted that Zimfira is returning to her first Canadian musical “home” to lend her vision and joy to building on our legacy and taking our organization forward.

On a final note, I wish to express the deep gratitude of our Board of Directors to the Artistic Director Search Committee spearheaded by TCC alumna, Board Director, and TCI chorister parent Kirstin Grant. Kirstin’s international HR leadership expertise and extensive knowledge of our organization were complemented by a committee of international choral leaders and key partners. Much appreciation to Kirstin and the core committee members, including TCC founder and Conductor Laureate Jean Ashworth Bartle, CM OOnt, U of T Professor Emerita of Choral Studies Hilary Apfelstadt, and U of T Director of Choral Studies and Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting Jamie Hillman. We would not be enjoying the successful conclusion of this recruitment process without the months of hard work, care, and attention that this committee has devoted.

Susan Astington
Chair of the TCC Board of Directors

Looking for 2 tenors and 2 basses to join the roster of Chicago Choral Artists for performances of Craig Hella Johnson’s “Considering Matthew Shepard.” Rehearsals begin in February on Tuesday evenings at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest (7:15-9:45 on February 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; April 5, 19, and 26) and a dress rehearsal (7-10) on Thursday, April 28. Performances are on April 29 at 7:30 in Chicago and April 30 (7:30) and May 1 (4:00) in River Forest. Pay is $15/hour.

Covid precautions are taken seriously and singing with masks has been our norm this season. Happy to answer any other questions via e-mail.

Please contact Michael Costello at for audition information.

Calling soprano and alto voices of all genders and gender identities to join the 21V roster for its inaugural performance project, Beyond Binary, exploring the myth of us vs. them. Compensation is $450. Please submit an audition request form by January 14, 2022. For more information please visit our auditions page or contact us at .

About 21V

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Martín Benvenuto, 21V explores a broad identity of 21st century music of the Americas, inspiring awareness and advocacy for underrepresented American continent perspectives. To inaugurate its first season, 21V recently released a video performance of its first commissioned work, Praise Song for Tulsa.

Please share this opportunity with your networks, and follow our latest news and announcements on Facebook and Instagram!

Happy New Year!

Today, Wednesday, January 5th, is the final day for choirs to join us! 

I am thrilled to share that the commissioning consortium for “I am a Voice that Sings” is fully funded!  There is still room for more choirs to join, but you’ll have to move quickly. 

The approximate length of the piece is around 4 minutes.
The score will be delivered on January 17th 2022.
The voicings to choose from are: SATB, SAB, 2-part Mixed, ATB, SSAA, SSA, TTB, Unison, SongStyle with piano

Here’s what you will get:
• Pre-recorded panel discussion with composer & lyricist
• PDF of score
• Listing on inside cover of score
• Live session with composer
• pre-recorded panel video
• midi rehearsal tracks
• monthly Zoom mixer for choir directors of project
 
Again, here is the sample video of my solo vocal arrangement:

 
Here are just a few of the many things you can choose to do with your choir:
-Invite singers to submit photos of themselves with friends or family.
-Celebrate the wonderful diversity of your choral community like I did with the photos on the sample video!
-Use this project as an outlet to talk about mental health. Invite a social worker or other trusted mental health professional to have a meaningful conversation about taking care of ourselves and each other.  
-Use this project the talk about the power of singing!
-Use this project to continue your program if your choir must move to remote rehearsing for a day here or there.

To join, visit: https://consortio.io/mbqstudio/i-am-a-voice-that-sings
 
Warmly,
Michael

(she/her)
Composer
Commissions/Consortium Commissions
Workshops/Skypehearsals
 
ISCM World New Music Days, Vancouver, BC, 2017
Winner, The American Prize in Choral Composition: 2021 
Carnegie Hall: “Where We Find Ourselves” with Dr. Rodney Wynkoop, 2022
 
deep work hours: M-F, 9a-12p

www.MBQStudio.com


(516) 729-0970
 
member of ASCAP, ACF, ACDA, Chorus America, and NAfME
 
MB Arts is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Setauket.

Announcing Auditions for Voci Women’s Ensemble upcoming spring 2022 season!

Auditions will be held through January 10. Email Artistic Director Mitchell Covington to set up an audition at .

ABOUT VOCI: Known for their beautiful choral sound, Voci Women’s Ensemble is a select chorus of 26-30 experienced choral musicians. Voci sings beautiful and interesting music from all style periods. Voci rehearses in Orinda on Wednesday nights & performs in Berkeley, Oakland, and Lafayette.

Watch our short “About Voci” Video: https://youtu.be/h_CaMHoDNFs
More about auditions: https://VociSings.org/about/audition

We have an exciting Spring 22 season planned!
“Sacred Baroque”: Pergolesi’s masterful Stabat Mater and other gems from the Baroque era. Featuring Jubilate Baroque Orchestra