ONTARIO YOUTH CHOIR

The Ontario Youth Choir, founded by Choirs Ontario in 1971, provides a unique opportunity for young singers from across Ontario to work with some of Canada's outstanding choral leaders. Every summer 40 talented young singers audition to take part in an exciting programme of rehearsals, masterclasses and voice lessons. The choristers are challenged with the finest choral repertoire while enjoying the camaraderie of talented colleagues. This year the choir will rehearse and stay on the beautiful campus of the University of Ottawa under the inspired leadership of conductor Michael Zaugg. There will be a three city tour finishing with the final concert in Toronto on August 26, 2012. OYC is an unforgettable experience; fun and friendship for the singers, and extraordinary training with skilled professionals. There are now over 1,300 OYC alumni who continue to enrich their communities as choristers, conductors, accompanists, composers, educators and soloists.

This year, OYC takes place from Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August 26, 2012. To be eligible, singers must have been born between August 26, 1988 and August 17, 1996

 

THE COMMITMENT

Each singer's responsibilities include learning the music received before arriving in Ottawa and working with others to make the OYC experience a valuable one for all. The fee of $575.00 includes accommodation, meals, lessons, and masterclasses. Choristers are responsible for their travel costs to and from OYC.

 

THE AUDITION

Auditions will be held in the spring in various cities. To apply for an audition, complete the attached form and send it, an outline of your musical background, a letter of recommendation and the audition fee of $40 to the Choirs Ontario office by February 17, 2012. You will receive a letter or e-mail with the location and time of your audition.
Please prepare two contrasting solos and bring two copies of each. Ear and sight-reading tests will be administered and an accompanist provided.
Live auditions are preferable, but recorded auditions (on CD) will be allowed in special circumstances. We are also pleased to offer auditions via Skype for choristers unable to attend a live audition do to geographical distance.  Please contact the Choirs Ontario office if you wish to audition by submitting a CD or via Skype.

Acceptance letters will be mailed in April 2012.

THE CONDUCTOR

Michael Zaugg, Conductor

Swiss native Michael Zaugg is an innovative and versatile conductor devoted to the advancement of choral performance and choral conducting education. He is currently the artistic director of the Cantata Singers of Ottawa and the St. Lawrence Choir in Montreal – both organizations recognized throughout Canada for their long history of excellence. He is also founder and artistic director of the Montreal Choral Institute, featuring voces boreales, a 24-voice ensemble specialized in contemporary a cappella music. Michael is active as a guest conductor with groups that include the Halifax Camerata, musica intima, the Nova Scotia Youth Choir and Pro Coro Edmonton. In Europe, he has worked with such choirs as the Mikaeli Chamber Choir, the Adolf Fredriks Girls Choir, Ensemble Orlando and the Regiochor of Basel.

VOCAL COACHES

Sandra Graham, Vocal Coach
Mezzo-soprano Sandra Graham has established a world-wide reputation for thrilling performances and has performed and recorded with Helmut Rilling, Charles Dutoit, and Sir Andrew Davis. A top prize winner in international competitions, Miss Graham has been a guest artist with the Staatstheater in Stuttgart, Germany, most recently singing in the world premiere of Pastorale.  In 2007 she was featured in a BRAVO! documentary about the Incontro Chamber Music Festival in Southern Italy.  Miss Graham, an OYC alumna, teaches voice and opera at the University of Ottawa.

Ingemar Korjus, Vocal Coach
Bass-baritone Ingemar Korjus is the winner of numerous national and international competitions and has been heard in recital and oratorio in Europe, the United States, and across Canada. A jury member for the Canada and Ontario Arts Councils, as well as a popular adjudicator at festivals, he has given classes in China and Estonia, at the Glenn Gould Professional School in Toronto and at the Juilliard School in New York City. Formerly chair of the Department of Music and co-artistic director of the Opera Lyra Young Artists Program, Mr. Korjus is presently head of the University of Ottawa's vocal program

 

The application form for the Ontario Youth Choir's 2012 season can be downloaded from the web here.Please note that the applications must be postmarked by February 17, 2012. For more information, contact Choirs Ontario.

Please click here to see OYC 2011! 

 

Choirs Ontario gratefully acknowledges the generous assistance of The University of Ottawa, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Toronto Community Foundation, The Toronto Arts Council and The Ontario Arts Council.