Introducing the Association of Canadian Choral Communities
Founded in 1980, the Association of Canadian Choral Communities (ACCC) is Canada's only non-profit professional service organization for choral musicians and administrators. A national voice for over 600 conductors, 38,000 singers, as well as choral composers, publishers and administrators, the ACCC promotes its art form at all levels throughout Canada and supports and encourages the writing and performance of Canadian choral music.Our greatest strength is our membership. Please join us!
News
Winners of National Competition for Canadian Choirs Announced
Congratulations to the winners of the Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. The awards were presented at the Podium banquet on May 22 in Saskatoon. The gala event, recorded by CBC Radio-Canada and Espace Musique, was broadcast nationally on May 23 and 24. A complete list of this year's recipients may be seen here.
Diane and Dick Loomer Receive Prestigious Distinguished Service Award
Heather Bedford-Clooney, Dick Loomer, James Hawn and Diane Loomer, C.M.
ACCC has awarded Diane Loomer, C.M., and her husband, Dick, with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of the many valuable contributions that both have made to Canada's vibrant choral music scene. Co-founders and owners of Cypress Choral Music for 15 years, the Loomers have been advocates and supporters of emerging composers and choral musicians in Canada.
View the complete list of the 2010 National Choral Awards here.
2010 Choral Composition Competition Winners
The sixth edition of the Choral Composition Competition held in collaboration with Cypress Choral Music awarded two prizes. Donald Patriquin received the award for best arrangement for Scottish Contrasts which was premiered by the National Youth Choir. "Songs are Thoughts" by Lavinia Kell Parker received the prize for best original composition and was performed by the Canadian Chamber Choir.
President-Elect Named
Jeff Joudrey was named as ACCC President-Elect at the AGM held in Saskatoon on May 2. Joudrey is conductor of the Halifax Camerata Singers, winners of first prize in the Chamber Choir category of the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and of the Healey Willan Grand Prize, a $5,000 Canada Council award for best performance and overall musicianship, technique and program.
Noteworthy
ACCC Honours Patricia Abbott
James Hawn, Patricia Abbott and Heather Beford-Clooney
Patricia Abbott, who served as executive director of ACCC for 16 years, was presented with a commemorative book of pictorial memories and messages of appreciation at the recent Podium banquet in Saskatoon.
Call for Peer Reviewed Articles
The Editorial Board for Anacrusis is accepting articles related to the choral art and of interest to choral musicians across the country. Articles on Canadian aspects of choral music are particularly welcome. Articles may be in French or English and should be submitted to: office@choralcanada.org
Please see Guidelines for Submission for details.
Changes to ACCC Constitution Passed
At the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Canadian Choral Communities held on May 21st, 2010, the membership ratified changes proposed by the Board of Directors to our organization’s Constitution. Read the entire Constitution with the changes incorporated here: ACCC Constitution.
National Youth Choir 2012 Conductor Announced
ACCC Choral Bytes Blog
Stay up to date by becoming a regular follower of the Choral Bytes blog at http://choralbytes.blogspot.com/. Please send us your notices by using this convenient submission form.
The Globe and Mail Reports Choral Singing on the Rise in Toronto
Read the article by John Lorinc, which includes a comment on the national scene from Christina Murray, at this link:
Toronto’s choral scene
Choral Resources
Be sure to visit our new Choral Resources page which will keep you linked to useful articles, archived "Choralicious" columns, Podium 2010 session notes and more.