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Choirs Ontario DynamicMay/June 2017|Volume 45, Issue 4 Dynamic is published four times a year by Choirs Ontario. Reproduction or translation of any work herein without the express permission of Choirs Ontario is unlawful. Choirs Ontario Editor, design & layout Linda T. Cooke (outgoing) Editor’s Letter 3 President’s Message 4 Incoming Board Members 5 Editorial President’s Leadership Award 7 Dynamic welcomes your letters, com- Ruth Watson Henderson Competition 7 mentary, photos, audio clips, video files, Choirs Ontario on the Road 8 Bullying in Choirs and article submissions. send to: Sing Ontario! Comes to Ottawa 9 [email protected] OYC Update 10 Advertising Podium 11 Info. on advertising cotracts, rates & Job Openings/Singers Wanted 22 specifications: 416.923.1144 or Concert Listings 22 [email protected] Festivals & Events 22 Choirs Ontario. 626 Bathurst Street, Toronto M5S 2R1 416.923.1144 or 1.866.935.1144 f: 416.929.0415 Features [email protected] Bullying in Choirs 12 Charitable registration: News From The Net 17 11906 7536 RR0001 Enchorus Children’s Board of Directors Choir President Upbeat Matthew Otto, Toronto (outgoing) Past President Enchorus Children’s Choir 18 Rachel R.-Hoff, St. Catharines (outgoing) Music at St. Thomas’ 19 President Elect Oriana Competition Winner 21 Elaine Choi, Toronto West Ottawa Ladies Chorus 21 Secretary Melanie Tellez, Hamilton Treasurer, Vacant Directors Carole Anderson, Mississauga Shana Brown, Sault St. Marie Eli Clarke, Toronto (outgoing) Linda Cooke, Mississauga (outgoing) Laurel Forshaw, Thunder Bay Music at St. Thomas’ Robert Filion, Ottawa Gloria Gassi, Komoka (outgoing) Anglican Church Jackie Hawley, Kanata Hussein Janmohamed, Toronto Office Manager Elena Koneva, Toronto Like us on facebook 2 Dynamic | May/June 2017| volume 45, issue 4 HOME Outgoing Editor’s Message “As I play the game of life I try to make it better each and every day, And when I struggle in the night The magic of music seems to light the way.” from John Lennon’s Intuition Hello, everyone, hat a pleasure it has been serving as editor of Dynamic and getting to Linda Cooke is a know so many of you -- and gaining a deep appreciation for all you do to professional graphic Wkeep choral music alive and well in Ontario! It has been a privilege to be a designer with certification member of the Choirs Ontario Board, and I hope that my tenure as Dynamic’s editor from the International has helped you to “connect chorally” and “make life sing!” Academy of Design. For many years she has done The decision to leave Choirs Ontario has been a difficult one. I will truly miss all of you, free lance design work, and as well as the exciting challenge of publishing each issue of Dynamic. However, I am she acted as Graphic Design moving on to the next chapter in my own artistic development, and I will be putting my and Publicity Chair for the time and energy into pursuing my personal goals in vocal studies and the fine arts. Mississauga Choral Society for six years. Throughout I would like to extend a special thank you to Matthew Otto, outgoing president, and her career as a Coronary members of the board, for their strong support and encouragement during my time as Care and ICU registered editor of Dynamic. And I want to wish all of you continuing success in the future and nurse, she pursued her to thank you for keeping the joy of singing alive! love of music and art, becoming a professionally Last but not least, I want to say a special thank you to my dear friend and colleague trained vocalist and an Judith Fine, who has worked alongside me as a Choirs Ontario volunteer. She tirelessly accomplished watercolour applied her skills as copy editor throughout my tenure as Dynamic’s editor. artist. She served as soloist in a prominent church Many blessings, choir for many years, and has participated in concert choirs for most of her adult Linda life. She has joined the Board of Choirs Ontario as Media & Communications I have attached a wonderful video of John Rutter reminding us of why choral singing is Chair. central to bringing joy into our lives -- In his words, singing “goes to the very heart of our humanity, our sense of community, and our souls.” Click here and enjoy! an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario 3 Dynamic | May/June 2017| volume 45, issue 4 HOME Outgoing President’s Message Dear Choral Friends, t has been an exciting and rewarding year at Choirs Ontario! The Board of Directors has implemented the restructuring envisioned in the 2015-16 fiscal year by work- Iing alongside our newly appointed Office Manger, Elena Koneva, on a number of exciting projects. We have continued to build our membership enrolment, offering innovative programs, increasing membership incentives, and enhancing our advocacy for choral-arts. In addition to relocating our office to a central location in downtown Toronto, we are now rebranding Choirs Ontario with a new logo and website. Much of this growth and newfound vibrancy is due to the fantastic work of Elena Koneva! As you will recall, the Board began implementing important changes to ensure Choirs Ontario’s sustainability and continued growth, restructuring its adminis- tration to include a full-time Office Manager. In May 2016, we undertook an extensive Matthew Otto is a search process for a suitable candidate and, after reviewing more than 50 applications passionate and innovative and interviewing four candidates, we appointed Elena. Throughout the past year, she conductor, adjudicator and has increased membership, communications, office efficiency, social media, market- pedagogue, establishing ing, development and grant writing. It is clear that Elena is an outstanding employee himself as a leading voice and Choirs Ontario is so fortunate to have her at its helm. in the Canadian choral scene. Twice-recipient of As I end my tenure as President, I would like to recognize the fantastic work and the Elmer Iseler Fellow- leadership of the Board of Directors. It has been a pleasure to work and collaborate ship in Choral Conducting, with such a passionate group of individuals! I extend my gratitude to them for their and finalist in both the tireless advocacy, support and enthusiasm. In a particular way, I wish to recognize Leslie Bell Prize for Choral those board members who are completing their term with us: Linda Cooke, Eli Clarke Conducting and Sir Ernest and Gloria Gassi. Linda Cooke, Chair of Media, has diligently designed so much of our MacMillan Foundation Fel- communications and served as the editor of Dynamic. Eli Clarke, Chair of Develop- lowship Award, Matthew ment, has researched new development opportunities, fostering our relationship with holds a Bachelor of Music donors and corporate sponsors, in addition to seeking out new fundraising models. and a Master of Music in Gloria Gassi, Southwestern Regional Chair, has served as our eyes, ears and feet Conducting from the Uni- on the ground in that region. Finally, I wish to recognize Past President, Dr. Rachel versity of Toronto. Matthew Resink-Hoff. On a personal note, thank you for your constant support and encourage- is founder/conductor of ment of my leadership. You have been instrumental in laying the groundwork to allow Incontra Vocal Ensemble, Choirs Ontario to reach its fullest potential. On behalf of the Board, I wish you all the a professional level choir very best in your future endeavours. based in Toronto, serves as Choir Director & Organist We are incredibly fortunate to be part of this provincial choral federation in which we at Christ Church Deer Park collectively share our passion for all things ‘choral’. As I reflect on my past two years and conducts the award- as President, I am overjoyed by the strides that we have taken together, the growth winning Toronto Children’s that we have witnessed, and our greater role in the arts community. While we still Chorus. He has served have much to do, I am confident that Choirs Ontario will continue to thrive and offer as Associate Conductor the very best to our membership and province! of Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and has led a number Thank you for your continued support of Choirs Ontario! of church and community choirs. His current research focuses on cultural identity as seen in the choral music of Canada in the twentieth Chorally Yours, and twenty-first centuries. Matthew Otto, President 4 Dynamic | May/June 2017| volume 45, issue 4 HOME Incoming Board Members OPHELIA CHANG (Treasurer Position) Ophelia Chang is a seasoned financial services professional experienced in leading complex, large-scale projects across geographies to strengthen business environ- ments and processes. With nearly a decade of work experience and as a Master’s of Science (MSc.) candidate of the Executive Master’s in Technology programme at Wilfrid Laurier University, she possesses a proven track record of success in all areas – people, process & technology – necessary for successful enterprise transformations. Ophelia plays the piano for leisure – something she has been doing since the age of three, and was part of the school choir in her early teens. She is also a strong advo- cate and promoter of the arts, having been actively involved in events-based volunteering within the arts and culture community including Markham Little Theatre’s production of “Enchanted April”, Little Pear Garden’s “Venom of Love” production, Opera Atelier’s Versailles Gala, Autism in Mind’s annual fundraising concerts, Raise the Rhythm’s fashion show fundraiser, and York Region Arts Council’s “Arts After Hours” event. Her not-for-profit board experience includes a three-year term as Secretary for the Etobicoke Historical Society. BRUCE KOTOWICH (Regional Chair Southwestern Position) Bruce J.