Westben is looking for singers!

Westben Festival, started by soprano Donna Bennett and her husband collaborative pianist Brian Finley, is a wonderful addition to summer music in southern Ontario!  Their concert season is eclectic and after TEN years, just keeps getting stronger.  This is a call for choristers from their Facebook page:

Westben Arts Festival Theatre

Do you feel like singing? Is it time to get those vocal chords warmed up, flexible and soaring? Join one of Westben's three choruses and let the fun begin. The Westben Festival, Teen and Youth Choruses are starting up again soon and will be working on a new concert version of the Dicken's classic, A Christmas Carol. The Westben Festival Chorus begins Monday, September 12, 7 pm at The Barn. The Teen and Youth Choruses start Tuesday, September 13 at 6pm. All are welcome!

The Ontario Youth Choir turns 40!

This week the Ontario Youth Choir, in residence at the University of Toronto, turns 40!  Under the direction of Dr. Hilary Appfelstadt (Director of Choral Activities at UofT), 40 young singers between the ages of 16 and 24 spend eight intense days rehearsing music for a 3 day tour of concerts.

I have had the privilege of providing private vocal lessons to each of the 20 young women of the choir this week while my colleague Peter Barnes will spend the next 3 days working with the young men...and what a talented bunch!  I look forward to hearing these voices as they grow and mature.

If you are a singer that is interested in experiencing choral music at a very high level, check out the OYC website for information on how to join this exciting choir!

To catch this choir in action, you can hear them in Orillia this Saturday, August 27 at St. James' Cathedral at 8pm. In Toronto, they will be performing at the CNE on Friday, August 26 and again in McMillan Theatre at the Edward Johnson Building (UofT) on Sunday, August 28 at 2:00pm.

Women need to sit at the table

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg talks about why women need to keep their foot of the gas pedal of their careers....totally relevant to all young female singers looking to have a career!