CHORAL SESSIONS
APPROACHING THE CHORAL MUSIC OF ASIA | Adam Con
What is Asian choral music? How do we approach including Asian music in our repertoire in light of our heightened social and cultural awareness? All things are possible when done in a good and respectful way. Join conductor Dr. Adam Con as he guides us through the repertoire connecting much of what we have learned about Indigenous inclusion in choral music and applying that understanding to Asian choral music. This session is designed to embrace our discomfort and questions together.
What is Asian choral music? How do we approach including Asian music in our repertoire in light of our heightened social and cultural awareness? All things are possible when done in a good and respectful way. Join conductor Dr. Adam Con as he guides us through the repertoire connecting much of what we have learned about Indigenous inclusion in choral music and applying that understanding to Asian choral music. This session is designed to embrace our discomfort and questions together.
CHORAL SOUND DEVELOPMENT: BLENDING WITHOUT LOSING INDIVIDUALITY | Dr. John Brough
This session discusses the challenges community and school choral conductors face when trying to achieve a balanced choral sound with unbalanced numbers, while at the same time embracing the unique vocal characteristics of the individual singer. Through listening examples and demonstrations, we will discuss the ideal choral sound, break down preconceived notions of choral “blend”, and discuss strategies to include a mosaic of voices into a unified choral sound. Other topics include how to simplify the audition process, encouraging healthy choral singing, and how to break gender bound choral labels.
This session discusses the challenges community and school choral conductors face when trying to achieve a balanced choral sound with unbalanced numbers, while at the same time embracing the unique vocal characteristics of the individual singer. Through listening examples and demonstrations, we will discuss the ideal choral sound, break down preconceived notions of choral “blend”, and discuss strategies to include a mosaic of voices into a unified choral sound. Other topics include how to simplify the audition process, encouraging healthy choral singing, and how to break gender bound choral labels.
CIRCLESINGING | Karen Porkka
Circlesinging and vocal improvisation is a way of connecting to the creative source of music and to each other. This form of singing builds bridges across cultural and language barriers and invites us to listen deeply and interact with all music that is offered. It is accessible and inclusive in its nature. Participants will become the circle of voices. Together, we create spontaneous compositions using the building blocks of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, time, meter, dynamics, etc) and how they relate to one another while bringing us back to music’s most essential concept of “play”. All voices are welcome!
Circlesinging and vocal improvisation is a way of connecting to the creative source of music and to each other. This form of singing builds bridges across cultural and language barriers and invites us to listen deeply and interact with all music that is offered. It is accessible and inclusive in its nature. Participants will become the circle of voices. Together, we create spontaneous compositions using the building blocks of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, time, meter, dynamics, etc) and how they relate to one another while bringing us back to music’s most essential concept of “play”. All voices are welcome!
DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND APPROPRIATION IN CHORAL MUSIC: PANEL DISCUSSION
Shireen Abu Khader, Andrew Balfour, and Adam Con — panelists
Timothy Shantz — moderator
The panel of choir conductors and educators will identify pathways to fostering diversity and inclusivity in our ensembles as they relate to choosing repertoire, rehearsal practices, and performance. The discussion will delve into key considerations pertaining to decolonialized programming including the avoidance of appropriation and tokenism. Panelists will also explore strategies to the development of inclusive ensembles and rehearsal spaces that respect and honour the diversity of lived experiences within their membership.
Shireen Abu Khader, Andrew Balfour, and Adam Con — panelists
Timothy Shantz — moderator
The panel of choir conductors and educators will identify pathways to fostering diversity and inclusivity in our ensembles as they relate to choosing repertoire, rehearsal practices, and performance. The discussion will delve into key considerations pertaining to decolonialized programming including the avoidance of appropriation and tokenism. Panelists will also explore strategies to the development of inclusive ensembles and rehearsal spaces that respect and honour the diversity of lived experiences within their membership.
FROM PALESTINE WITH LOVE: APPROACHING THE CHORAL MUSIC OF THE LEVANT | Shireen Abu-Khader
Join Shireen Abu-Khader as she explores the diverse and rich choral music of the Levant region. Covering both original compositions and arrangements, delegates will learn important context for approaching this repertoire, including the emotional connection of text to Arabic music, the power of improvisation, and the economical, political and social implications. Abu-Khader will share examples for how to approach difficult conversations in the classroom, and give delegates the knowledge to incorporate these choral works into their future programming.
Join Shireen Abu-Khader as she explores the diverse and rich choral music of the Levant region. Covering both original compositions and arrangements, delegates will learn important context for approaching this repertoire, including the emotional connection of text to Arabic music, the power of improvisation, and the economical, political and social implications. Abu-Khader will share examples for how to approach difficult conversations in the classroom, and give delegates the knowledge to incorporate these choral works into their future programming.
GIVING VOICE TO THE VOICELESS: DEVELOPING COMMUNITY AND EMPOWERING OTHERS THROUGH CHORAL MUSIC | Shireen Abu-Khader
Choral music can be a force for change in the world, especially through the stories we tell through our music. This informal presentation by Shireen Abu-Khader will trace her own journey in and through the sharing of singing, and how our universal shared connection can bring understanding and closeness to one another. Through the journey to find her own voice, Abu-Khader will offer insights and perspective on how choral music can empower vulnerable communities and give voice to the voiceless.
Choral music can be a force for change in the world, especially through the stories we tell through our music. This informal presentation by Shireen Abu-Khader will trace her own journey in and through the sharing of singing, and how our universal shared connection can bring understanding and closeness to one another. Through the journey to find her own voice, Abu-Khader will offer insights and perspective on how choral music can empower vulnerable communities and give voice to the voiceless.
INDIGENOUS CHORAL COLLABORATING 2022 | Andrew Balfour
This session will deal with fundamental protocols, both cultural and artistic when dealing with Indigenous artists in the 21st century and the present social landscape. As well, Andrew Balfour will talk about his experiences over the past 15 years as an outreach artist with the National Arts Centre's Music Alive program: a program that pairs Indigenous musicians with Classical Orchestral artists and bringing them into remote Northern Indigenous communities to help empower students in creative artist stories involving music, dance and the visual arts. Cultural relationship building is one of the important steps toward reconciliation, and particularly in the arts. Andrew will also talk about the importance of cultural Land Acknowledgment in present day society and on the concert landscape.
This session will deal with fundamental protocols, both cultural and artistic when dealing with Indigenous artists in the 21st century and the present social landscape. As well, Andrew Balfour will talk about his experiences over the past 15 years as an outreach artist with the National Arts Centre's Music Alive program: a program that pairs Indigenous musicians with Classical Orchestral artists and bringing them into remote Northern Indigenous communities to help empower students in creative artist stories involving music, dance and the visual arts. Cultural relationship building is one of the important steps toward reconciliation, and particularly in the arts. Andrew will also talk about the importance of cultural Land Acknowledgment in present day society and on the concert landscape.
ISPICIWIN (JOURNEY): INDIGENOUS CHORAL COLLABORATION | Andrew Balfour
Join composer & conductor Andrew Balfour as he shares his own Indigenous choral repertoire and the process of including Indigenous themes in choral music and collaborations. Topics will include First Nations languages and text-setting, the challenges of understanding pronunciation and Indigenous themes, the present cultural landscape, and the sometimes fragile relationship between Indigenous artists and settler Canada. Balfour will share an important book by xwelmexw writer Dylan Robinson, “Hungry Listening,” and its relevant topics. This session will also explore recent collaborations with ensembles such as Luminous Voices, Chronos Vocal Ensemble, musica intima and Dead of Winter (formerly Camerata Nova).
Join composer & conductor Andrew Balfour as he shares his own Indigenous choral repertoire and the process of including Indigenous themes in choral music and collaborations. Topics will include First Nations languages and text-setting, the challenges of understanding pronunciation and Indigenous themes, the present cultural landscape, and the sometimes fragile relationship between Indigenous artists and settler Canada. Balfour will share an important book by xwelmexw writer Dylan Robinson, “Hungry Listening,” and its relevant topics. This session will also explore recent collaborations with ensembles such as Luminous Voices, Chronos Vocal Ensemble, musica intima and Dead of Winter (formerly Camerata Nova).
