Bring it On: The ACCC announces its National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs

Choral singing can be a lonely process. There are choirs all throughout this country who meet weekly to rehearse, socialize, and develop these musical families; however, they may not get regular opportunities to share their music with audiences outside of their immediate network.

There is a chance for this to change as the National Competition for Amateur Choirs is hosted by the Association of Canadian Choral Communities in conjunction with CBC Radio and Festival 500 in St. John's, NewFoundland this year. There are 11 categories, such as Children's Choir, Youth Choirs, University Choirs, and Pan-Cultural Traditions. In addition to competing for cash prizes and a chance to win the Canada Council for the Arts Healey Willan Grand Prize ($5000), performances will be heard on CBC Radio 2 Choral Concert, and the winners will be announced at a feature concert in St. John's, NFLD at Festival 500. However, what I am most excited about is the fact that each choir will have their own Artist Page with their competition entries available for live-streaming on cbcmusic.ca.

voces boreles at Podium 2012

This choral competition has a close place in my heart as it was the first national competition I ever competed in with my children's choir, The Cantilon Chamber Choir. I remember the stress of recording a clean run-through of a piece and the sense of achievement as I listened and cassette recorded my choir's entry on CBC Radio. The competition serves a different purpose for every choir. Perhaps they have reached a plateau at local music festivals in their province and it is time to consider more national recognition, or maybe it is a chance for the rest of Canada, as well as the world, to hear what fine choral singing is occurring in your community. Personally, I would love to hear new music highlighting works by Canadian composers and what the choristers in northern Canada are up to in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Now, get recording! Deadline is April 15, 2013. All competition details are available at the ACCC Webpage. I can't wait to hear your choir on CBC Music.

The National Youth Choir at Podium 2012