March 2020 - March 2021 One Year Later

Dear Friends and supporters of Pro Coro Canada

One year ago on this day, March 2, the singers came home from the Choral Art residency at the Banff Centre, having finished a three-week intensive workshop with emerging composers and conductors. The spread of the virus and its impact was already on front pages and the US reported its 2nd virus-related death. On March 5, Alberta reported its first presumptive COVID-19 case and it would be only another two weeks before schools were closed on March 15.

It seems that much more time has passed. Re-imagining traditions, daily routines and major events under pandemic restraints makes each day new and different. And I’m sure I am not the only one that feels tired of the easing and tightening of restrictions.

Pro Coro Canada used the time from March to June to conceptualized and implement a new virtual production model, and we started with live streamed concerts last October. This was a completely new venture for our choral art organization. To date, our TV channel at tv.procoro.ca has close to 80 videos and 11 live events. Since the launch of the virtual platform, we have had almost 4000 individual views from 25 nations, and we are planning to release an album before the summer.

Here in Alberta, indoor gatherings, singing and performances are currently not allowed. We are in regular contact with the provincial health organization, and work with other choral organizations across Canada to provide resources and research for a safe opening for the choral art sector. Please keep your name on our newsletter list so we can tell you personally when our next live-streams and, hopefully, in-person concerts will take place.

If you are interested in choral pedagogy and anything related to leading a choir and/or choral organization, sign-up for our Emerging Artists (EAR) Newsletter, for Choral Directors and Choral Educators. This week we will introduce Dr Sara Brooks who will, over several editions, explore a holistic model for self-care for musicians.

with my best wishes

Michael Zaugg, Managing and Artistic Director

Canadian Connections IX - 2020

One year ago, on March 7, we hosted the Elmer Iseler Singers from Toronto, under their long-time director Lydia Adams. It was the last performance before everything shut down. In fact, we had a “Plan B” ready for this performance, as the Elmer Iseler Singers were on tour in BC and there were concerns that the choir would have to cut their tour short and fly back to Ontario. Luckily they arrived here safely, and we were able to have one more concert with glorious choral music by the combined choirs.

The series Canadian Connections brings musicians from across Canada together with Pro Coro Canada, and over the years we have collaborated with Quasar (Saxophone Quartet), Flute Alors! (Recorder Quartet), Spiritus Chamber Choir (Calgary, Tim Shantz), Vancouver Chamber Choir (Jon Washburn) and Chor Leoni (Vancouver, Erick Lichte).

Listen here to the archival recordings of Pro Coro Canada’s selection in Canadian Connections IX on March 7, 2020 at All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral.

Rehearsing Contemporary Music

Recently, on February 16 and 19, 8 of our singers were rehearsing new choral works under the direction of Michael Zaugg. The workshop was held as part of a research project at MacEwan University. The ensemble rehearsed un-performed works by Marie-Claire Saindon (QC) and Ben Sellick (MB), and reviewed the composition Furiouser and Spuriouser by Jason Noble (QC). This work includes extended vocal techniques and narration, hear for yourself how the composer transfers the story of Alice in Wonderland into the digital age.