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 members of OYC 2010 will spend ten memorable days together under the inspired leadership of internationally renowned conductor Iwan Edwards. They will rehearse on the beautiful campus of the University of Western Ontario in the city of London before embarking on a short three-concert tour which will conclude in Toronto for the final performances. 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 20th to Sunday, August 29th, 2010. To be eligible, singers must have been born between August 29, 1986 and August 20, 1994.

THE COMMITMENT

Each singer's responsibilities include learning the music received before arriving in London 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 15th, 2010. You will receive a letter or e-mail with the location and time of your audition.

Please prepare two contrasting solos and bring three 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. Please contact the Choirs Ontario office if you wish to audition by submitting a CD.

Acceptance letters will be mailed in April 2010.

THE ARTISTIC STAFF

Iwan Edwards has specialized in choral conducting since he came to Canada from his native Wales in 1965. Since then, he has gained an international reputation as a prestigious conductor, adjudicator, clinician and teacher. Maestro Edwards received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and, most notably, the Order of Canada for outstanding achievements in the arts in 1995.

Over the past four decades, Maestro Edwards has founded and directed the 110-voice St. Lawrence choir, the F.A.C.E. Treble Choir, Concerto Della Donna, Choeur des enfants de Montréal, and the Canadian Chamber Choir in addition to working with the Ottawa Choral Society, the Lanaudière International Festival Chorus, and the Vancouver Bach Choir. These collaborations have led to performances with prominent orchestras in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Vancouver and, internationally, the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic.

After 21 years at the helm, Maestro Edwards retired as director of the Chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 2007. During his tenure, recordings involving the chorus won a Grammy Award and two Juno Awards.

As an associate professor and Chair of the Choral Department at McGill University, Maestro Edwards conducted a myriad of ensembles and oversaw graduate students of conducting. He also served as Chairman of the Performance Department of the Faculty of Music form 1992-1996. Maestro Edwards retired from McGill in 2001 to devote himself to his many choral ensembles. Today he continues his journey, guiding and inspiring future generations of Canadian musicians.

Vocal Coaches - TBA

THE APPLICATION FORM

The application form for the Ontario Youth Choir's 2010 season can be downloaded from the web here. Please note that the application deadline is February 15, 2010. For more information, contact Choirs Ontario.

Please click here to see OYC 2009!

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