A newsletter for choral pedagogues

Dear choral colleagues

The end of summer is already in sight, and one month from now many of us will be back to classrooms and rehearsals venues. We don’t know yet, what a rehearsal will look like. Will it be with distanced and masked singers, outdoors, still online…? Many elements have to be figured out and local guidelines and restrictions be taken into account. With Pro Coro Canada we are aiming for a first, in-person concert at the end of September. Fingers crossed!!

Our season will be released this Sunday, August 15, on YouTube! I hope you can join us.

In 2019, Pro Coro entered a collaboration with the Canadian League of Composers for their PIVOT program. This program brings together 6 emerging composers with established mentors, and the results - new choral works - are being premiered by the choir. Unfortunately, the first edition fell victim to the pandemic. But we have scheduled to premier the 6 new choral works for this November. The featured composers are: Sarah Albu, Fjóla Evans, Félix-Antoine Coutu, Rebecca Gray, Jessie Rivest, and Steven Webb.

The 2022 PIVOT program was just announced, and maybe you are interested, or know someone who fits the description, to apply. Click here for more information.

With my best wishes,

Michael Zaugg

PIVOT is a mentorship program for self identified early-career Canadian composers, presented by the CLC, in partnership with various ensembles and organizations across the country. PIVOT provides an unparalleled opportunity for six composers across Canada to work directly with a mentor-composer. After the selection process, PIVOT organizers consult with selected participants to identify mentors based on complementary artistic and career goals. Participants will be guided by their mentors over a six-month period as they compose a new 4-6 minute piece for Pro Coro Canada, one of Canada’s most celebrated and innovative choirs. 

In May 2022, rehearsals and an intensive series of professional development workshops will take place. Pending travel restrictions, participants will travel to Edmonton, AB for these events; live-streaming will be available for those unable to attend in-person. The project will culminate in the premiere of the six works in Edmonton (weekend of May 14/15, 2022). 

The concert will be titled Before The West—taken from the Emily Dickinson Poem Behind Me – dips Eternity—and participants will consult closely with Pro Coro artistic director/conductor Michael Zaugg to createa work which connects to the underlying theme of the concert program. Participants will not be setting the Dickinson poem, but should use its themes and imagery as a jumping off point when proposing their new work.

Eligibility Requirements

• Self-identified early career composer (please feel free to contact PIVOT organizers if you have questions about your career status);

• Substantial training and/or experience in their artistic practice to experience the full benefits of PIVOT;

• Anyone residing in Canada or Canadian citizens living abroad;

• No age restriction;

• Administrative Staff and Board / Council members of CLC and Pro Coro are not eligible.