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

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 2008 will spend ten memorable days together under the inspired leadership of conductor Linda Beaupré on the historic campus of the University of Ottawa in the heart of our nation's capital before travelling to Kingston and Toronto for two final performances. OYC is an unforgettable experience; friendship and fun 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 returns to the beautiful campus at the University of Ottawa, and will enjoy activities in and around our scenic National Capital from Friday, August 15th to Sunday, August 24th.

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 $550.00 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 15, 2008. 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 2008.

THE ARTISTIC STAFF

LINDA BEAUPRÉ, Conductor

Conductor of Guelph Youth Singers since its inception, and founder/director of the Bach Children's Chorus and Bach Chamber Youth Choir (Toronto) since 1987, Linda Beaupré is known throughout Canada as a choral clinician, adjudicator and workshop facilitator.  She received her B.Mus. degree in music education from the State University of New York at Potsdam, and a M.Mus. degree in vocal performance from the University of Western Ontario. She has taught music in Australia and Nova Scotia, and for several years was a professional singer with the Elmer Iseler Singers and The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Along with Jean Ashworth Bartle and Eileen Baldwin, she is a co-author of the series A Young Singer's Journey. Thisintegrated literacy programme of workbooks and CDs is distributed throughout North America by Hinshaw Music Publishing.

Ms. Beaupré is a co-winner of the 2006 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting, awarded by the Ontario Arts Council and Choirs Ontario. In 2002 she received the Women of Distinction Arts and Culture Award from the Guelph YM/YWCA.

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, since 1992 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 will be 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

The application form for the Ontario Youth Choir's 2008 season can be downloaded from the web here. Please note that the application deadline is February 15, 2008. For more information, contact Choirs Ontario.

Please click here to see OYC 2007!