2016/17 NEW DISCOVERIES AUDITIONS
for Emerging Vocal Artists
presented by the Ottawa Choral Society
The Ottawa Choral Society’s New Discoveries Auditions are held in alternating years to provide emerging young vocal artists with a professional platform, broad audience exposure, and career development. The Choral Society is proud to have encouraged many of Canada’s most exciting young singers to find success with audiences across the country. Our laureates, including Joseph Kaiser, Philippe Sly, Wallis Giunta, Shannon Mercer, Krisztina Szabo, Michael Colvin, Isaiah Bell, Peter McGillivray, Pascale Beaudin, Geoffrey Sirett, Rihab Chaieb, Peter Barrett, and Jacqueline Woodley, are now appearing on opera and concert stages across North America and Europe.
The Choral Society wishes to particularly motivate the exploration and performance of oratorio and concert repertoire, though opportunities in opera have also been offered to laureatesfollowing the Auditions. Our winners have gone on to perform with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Thirteen Strings of Ottawa, CAMMAC, The Amadeus Choir, Chorus Niagara, St. Lawrence Choir, Cantata Singers of Ottawa, the Canadian Opera Company, Opéra de Montréal, Pacific Opera Victoria, and San Francisco Opera.
Awards:
There are three cash prizes of $1,900, $1,300, and $800, respectively. The jury may choose to provide more or fewer prizes.
The Ottawa Choral Society promotes the artistry of its laureates to performing organizations across the country. Laureates will be guaranteed professional engagements with the OCS. Frequently they are offered engagements with the Society’s participating partners.
Winners will be presented at a Laureates’ Showcase Recital, which attracts the interest of local arts presenters and management agencies.
The OCS will invite to the auditions local conductors and agency representatives from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal for additional exposure and opportunities. These invitees will not be part of the jury.
Auditions:
TORONTO: Tuesday, October 18: 10:00 am – 5:15 pm
Venue: St. Michael’s Choir School (66 Bond Street)
MONTREAL: Friday, November 25, 2016: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Venue: The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul (3415 Redpath Street)
Requirements and Conditions (Please read carefully)
Application materials: Completed application form, resumé, and headshot must be submitted electronically in advance (no hard copies required) with a $50 non-refundable registration fee at (VISA, MasterCard or PayPal accepted); the electronic document submission deadline is Monday, October 10, 2016. Registration fees being sent by regular mail must bepostmarked no later than Monday, October 3, 2016.
Eligibility: Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 33 years or under as of October 10, 2016, and ready to launch their professional careers.
Music Requirements: Candidates are asked to prepare four contrasting selections of their own choice, one of which must be anariafrom the classical period (required), one of which must be anaria fromanOratorio, a Cantata, a Mass, or a Passion, from any period,(required), plus two other selections from art song or opera. Candidates must perform at least one number in English, one in French, and one in German. The jury will choose from the list. Not all selections will be heard.
Accompanist:
A pianist will be provided, for whom the candidates should bring a copy of their music in a binder to the audition. Any selections outside the standard canon should be emailed in advance. Candidates may bring their own pianist but should indicate this on the application form.
Showcase Recital: Winners are expected to perform at the Laureates’ Showcase Recital to be held at a mutually convenient time in the 2016-2017 concert season. Travel and accommodation expenses will be provided.
2016 JURY:
ROBERT COOPER CM
Artistic Director,
Chorus Niagara
Orpheus Choir of Toronto
Opera in Concert Chorus
Ontario Male Chorus
BEN HEPPNER CC
Celebrated Heldentenor
Host of CBC Radio'sSaturday Afternoon at the Opera
Host of CBC Radio'sBackstage with Ben Heppner
JOEL IVANY
Opera and Stage Director
Artistic Director, Against the Grain Theatre
DR. JEAN-SÉBASTIEN VALLÉE
ArtisticDirector,Ottawa Choral Society
Director of Choral Studies,McGill UniversitySchulich School of Music
Conductor, Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal
Inspiravi Chamber Choir
Mountainside Master Chorale
Please contact Maggie McCoy, Registrar, at for
additional details.
Ottawa Choral Society
New Discoveries Auditions Application Form
Your application must include ALL items to be submitted by email only, by October 10, 2016:
1.This form completed in full (please print neatly and scan clearly)
2.Your resumé (two pages maximum)
3.Your headshot
4.A copy of the information page of your Canadian passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate or proof of permanent residence
5.Non-refundable application fee of $50 payable online or by cheque.
6.If paying by cheque, payable to:
Ottawa Choral Society noted “Registration Fee”
Attention Maggie McCoy, Registrar, New Discoveries Auditions
P.O. Box 14017 RPO Glebe
Ottawa ON K1S 3T2
Postmarked not later than Monday, October 3, 2016.
Name: ______Voice Type: ______
Address: ______Date of Birth: ______
______Phone: ______
Email: ______
Audition Repertoire (title/composer; please consult the Requirements for specifications):
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
Audition City (please check the appropriate box):
Toronto ☐Audition time preference (not guaranteed)10:00-12:00 ☐ 12:30-14:45 ☐ 14:45-17:15 ☐
Montreal ☐Audition time preference (not guaranteed)11:00-13:00 ☐ 13:30-16:00 ☐ 16:00-18:00 ☐
A pianist will be provided; if you’d rather bring your own, please check this box: ☐
______
SignatureDate
Applications should be submitted by email to .
The application must be received not later than October 10, 2016. Applications received after this date (even those postmarked by then) will not be considered.