CANTA MARA – Nova Scotia’s Provincial Adult Choir!
November 1st - 3rd, 2013

Guest Conductor - Kellie Walsh

The Nova Scotia Choral Federation is launching a new pilot project this fall – a top level adult choir, auditioned from across Nova Scotia, assembling for a weekend under the direction of Kellie Walsh of the Newman Sound, Lady Cove and Shallaway Choirs in St. John's Newfoundland.

This program will provide Nova Scotia's adult singers, age 22 and up, an opportunity to work intensely with a reknowned and respected guest conductor, to sing on a very high level that demands excellence, requires individual commitment in preparation, and will introduce them to interesting and new repertoire in the choral genre. 

Whether it be for professional development, enjoyment, musical challenge, it will be a great opportunity for Nova Scotia’s singers.

Auditions and Audition Procedure

Although it is to your benefit to audition in person, a CD or DVD audition will be accepted. Recordings Due September 6th

In the audition you will be required to:
• present a piece of music of your own choice.
• engage in a brief music interview, vocalizing and aural skills.

Recording Requirments (Due via EMAIL - Sept 6th)
• present a piece of music of your own choice.
• 2 vocalizes to demonstrate range

Singers should choose a piece of music they feel comfortable with which demonstrates their musical ability and shows off their voice to its best advantage. * Please bring an original copy of your music for our accompanist and another for the audition panel.

Weekend Schedule

The schedule is based on our 2 other provincial youth choir programs, and will run from Friday afternoon, Nov 2 to Sunday afternoon Nov 4th. Attendance will be mandatory.  Rehearsals Friday at Halifax Music Centre. Saturday at St. Matthew's United Church. Concert to take place at St. Patrick's Church, Brunswick St., Halifax.

Friday, November 1st               Registration begins 5:30
                                                  6:00 - 9:30
Saturday, November 2nd           9:00 - 12:30, 2:00 - 5:00, 7:00 - 9:00
                                                  Canta Mara Social Time
Sunday, November 3rd             12:30pm Dress, 3:00pm Concert

Kellie Walsh - Guest Conductor

Dr. Julia Davids enjoys a thriving career as a versatile musician. She holds degrees in Education, Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Western Ontario (London, ON), the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) and Northwestern University (Evanston, IL).

As a soprano soloist, Julia is an avid performer and recitalist having appeared with Opera Atelier, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, the Toronto Chamber Choir, the Toronto Consort, the Guelph Chamber Choir, the Aradia Ensemble, Publick Musick, Ars Musica and others. Julia has served as voice adjudicator and conducted workshops on vocal pedagogy and conducting with many groups. Her book "Vocal Technique - A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers" was published by Waveland Press this year.

Julia is the Stephen J. Hendrickson endowed chair of Choral Activities at North Park University where she directs the University Choir, the Chamber Singers, and teaches music education and conducting. She is the Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society, a 140 voice community choir and serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette. Julia is a proud founding member of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canada's national choral ensemble providing a professional-level choral environment for Canadian singers, conductors and composers. Artistic Director of the CCC since 2004, she has led the ensemble on concert and workshop tours of Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan and directed their debut recording, "In Good Company." A native of London, ON, she now resides outside of Chicago with her husband, baroque violinist Martin Davids and their two children, Judith and Solomon.