Choirs Ontario gratefully acknowledges the generous assistance of the Ontario Arts Council and the University of Ottawa

Choir 2006 had a most successful camp at the University of Ottawa from August 18th to the 27th, ending with concerts in Ottawa and Kingston. Under the exceptional leadership of Gerald Fagan — conductor of Fanshawe Chorus London, the Gerald Fagan Singers, and the Concert Players Orchestra — and pianist Marlene Fagan, the 38 members spent 10 extraordinary days together.

This year's choristers came from all across Ontario: Bolton, Goderich, London, Markham, Mississauga, Ottawa, Peterborough, Richmond Hill, Sault Ste. Marie, Scarborough, Stratford, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Waterloo. They started off their exciting time together with a rehearsal only hours after registration, and were kept busy with full rehearsals and sectionals most mornings, afternoons and evenings. In addition, the singers received private voice lessons and attended master classes with mezzo-soprano Sandra Graham and her husband, bass-baritone Ingemar Korjus, head of the voice department at the University of Ottawa. Sandra is also on the Choirs Ontario Board, is an OYC alumna and, as Chair of the 2006 OYC committee, did a fabulous job organizing the camp and Ottawa concerts.

It isn't all work for the choristers, though. Mid-week, there was a break from singing, and they enjoyed seeing the sights of Ottawa or just hanging out. One evening, they entertained one another at Talent Night, and at various times some choristers could be found tossing around a Frisbee.

The OYC has a reputation for presenting the very best music from various traditions. The repertoire Maestro Fagan chose for this year's choir was no exception. Canadian composers were well represented in both original compositions and folksong arrangements. The choir performed Adonai, Adonai by Srul Irving Glick, Due North by Stephen Chatman, Torches by Brian Emery (an OYC alumnus) and Two Inuit Songs by Sid Robinovitch. Folksong arrangements included Five Canadian Folk Songs arranged by Jean Anderson, Chants d'auvergne arranged by Berthold Carrière, and Will ye no come back again? arranged by Mark Sirett, a former OYC conductor. European composers were represented as well. The choir performed the Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré, selections from Six Chansons by Paul Hindemith, Magnificat by Arvo Pärt and Halleluya by Salamone Rossi. As always, the encore was Le temps de vivre, and OYC alumni joined the choir to perform this moving song.

The week of intensive rehearsals, voice lessons and master classes ended with three successful concerts. On Friday evening, August 25, the choir sang in Ottawa at Knox Presbyterian Church. The next morning, they piled into a bus for Kingston, where they presented a splendid concert at St. George's Cathedral to over 160 appreciative audience members. I live in Kingston, and since that concert, dozens of people have told me how much they enjoyed it. Possibly the highest compliment OYC 2006 and the Fagans could receive came to me in an e-mail: "We thought the choir was marvelous. I'm not really wild about choir music but that was really special. Thanks for telling us about it." A convert to choral music, thanks to OYC!

The choir's time together came to an end on Sunday afternoon. After singing to 300 people (who gave them two standing ovations) in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Canada, the choristers said goodbye to one another with hugs galore before they headed back to their home towns.

OYC 2006 was made possible through the generosity of a number of individual and corporate donors. This year's concerts were dedicated to the memory of Don Wright, whose generosity and kindness have been invaluable to both Choirs Ontario and the Ontario Youth Choir over the years. Board members Carolynne Godin, Marta McCarthy, Lauri-Ann Loreto Neal and I helped with the auditions. The camp was managed by Nancy Tanguay, who, along with chaperones Rick and Wendy Bornstein, made sure all the choristers were in the right place at the right time. Helen Tremethick and Elizabeth Shannon in the Choirs Ontario office ably handled countless details. The University of Ottawa donated rehearsal space, and Laurence Rowbotham found a most generous donor for much of the choir's music — Music Plus Corporation in Kitchener. Its owner, Bill LeBron, is an OYC alumnus, and an Excellent example of the wide and lasting influence OYC participation has on the musical life of Ontario. The Kingston concert was made possible through the generous support of The Corporate Protection Group, Wilkinson and Company, and Cruickshank Construction. Choirs Ontario was also pleased to receive $5,000 from the Ontario Arts Council for this year's choir.

Of course, choristers' fees, grants, sponsorships and ticket revenue do not cover all the expenses of a project as ambitious and important as the Ontario Youth Choir. We also rely on individual donations. The Ontario Youth Choir is an unforgettable experience, and we are already planning for OYC 2007. If you would like to help Ontario's young singers, please send your contribution to Choirs Ontario, 330 Walmer Rd., Toronto, ON, M5R 2Y4. Choirs Ontario is a registered charity and receipts will be issued for all donations. Each and every donation is greatly appreciated!

OYC 2006 Donors

Choirs Ontario and OYC 2006 thank the following donors for their generosity & support:

John Barron
Kimberley Briggs
Barbara Clark
Corporate Protection Group
Cruickshank Construction
Paul-Andre Durocher
Andy Fraser
Paul Gilmour
Ruth Grant
Deral Johnson
Bill LeBron
Diane Loomer
Allison Lynn
Music Plus Corp., Kitchener
Ontario Arts Council
Maria Simunovic
University of Ottawa
Jon Washburn
Ruth Watson Henderson
Wilkinson and Company
and some who wish to remain anonymous