The Youth Mentoring Program was established in 2000 to give young singers an
opportunity to prepare and perform a large work, in a short period of time
and at an intensive level of study, with the experienced Camerata choristers.
Each year eight young singers from university, senior high school or
community music programs are invited to join the weekly rehearsals leading up
to a major performance. These concerts are often for the first time these
young people have sung with an orchestra. Consideration is given to students'
school and exam schedules when the performance is chosen.
Are you interested?
Our youth singers are usually referred by their voice teachers, choir
directors, school teachers or other music leaders who feel the young musician
would benefit from this experience. You can also contact us directly. If you
would like to be considered for Camerata's Youth Mentoring Program, please
write:
We're looking for young singers with:
- an innate sense of musicality;
- a good understanding of music theory fundamentals;
- good sight reading ability;
- a voice that blends easily and
- a commitment to the rehearsal schedule.
What the singers gain
The Youth Mentors work at an intensive level to prepare a major program with
an experienced and committed choir. This allows them:
- to prepare repertoire that they probably would not have an opportunity to
perform with a youth choir;
- for certain repertoire, to be accompanied by Symphony Nova Scotia and
work with an orchestral conductor;
- to be introduced to the greater choral music scene in Nova Scotia and
- to have an opportunity to make connections that might help their plans
for a future music career.
What Camerata gains
The Youth Mentoring Program also benefits the Camerata singers, many of whom
are educators or parents who found their way into a lifetime of choral music
because they had encouragement and support from adult choristers when they
were young. The Youth Mentors are welcomed because they:
- augment the choir in preparation for major works;
- inject youthful enthusiasm into rehearsals;
- encourage singers to be examples of good "chorister-ship";
- increase the audience appeal for the concert and
- focus attention on one of Canada’s unique choral training programs.
Youth Mentor Concerts
- 2009/10 – Songs and Dances: Music in Motion, our annual fundraising
concert presented in Halifax and Tatamagouche. Jeff Joudrey, Artistic
Director, with Cynthia Davies, piano
- 2008/09 – In Remembrance, a concert dedicated to the memory of loved
ones. Jeff Joudrey, Artistic Director, with Blue Engine String Quartet;
Cynthia Davies, piano; John Hudson, organ
- 2007/08 – Ein deutsches Requiem Op. 45 (Johannes Brahms) featuring
Halifax Camerata Singers and the Symphony Chorus with Symphony Nova
Scotia; Bernhard Gueller, conductor; Donna Brown, soprano; Olivier
Laquerre, baritone
- 2006/07 – We Will Remember, a concert dedicated to the memory of loved
ones Jeff Joudrey, Artistic Director, with Anne Rapson, violin; Curtis
Dietz, trumpet; Shawn Whynot, organ
- 2005/06 – Brilliant Baroque, a Symphony Nova Scotia Baroque Series
concert featuring Dixit Dominus by Handel, Gloria by Vivaldi
and Beatus Vir by Monteverdi. With Jeff Joudrey, Conductor;
Symphony Nova Scotia; Ruth Phillips, Soprano; Sarah Myatt, Mezzo-soprano
- 2004/05 – In Remembrance, music and readings to honour our loved ones,
conducted by Jeff Joudrey, with Cynthia Davies, piano; Curtis Dietz, trumpet;
Shawn Whynot, organ
- 2003/04 – All-Handel Celebration with Symphony Nova Scotia and guest
conductor Ivars Taurins (Zadok the Priest and Ode to St. Cecilia)
- 2002/03 –- Mozart Requiem with Symphony Nova Scotia and David Fallis,
conductor
- 2001/02 –- Back to Back Bach - an all Bach concert featuring three motets
(Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden BWV 230, Jesu, meine Freude BWV 227, Singet dem
Herrn ein neues Lied BWV 225) and the Mass in G Major BWV 236
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