SING! – A Community Songfest with choral icon Alice Parker

Alice Parker, the renowned American choral composer, arranger, author and conductor, comes to Toronto for SING!, an exhilarating three-day, one-of-a-kind singing experience, October 25-27, 2013. Open to all enthusiastic choral singers, directors, church musicians, and hymn enthusiasts, SING! is co-sponsored by the Department of Choral Studies, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto and Yorkminster Park Baptist Church (YPBC) along with assistance from the Royal Canadian College of Organists (Toronto Centre) and the Southern Ontario Chapter of The Hymn Society. For three intensive days Alice Parker will lead a Community SING, give a workshop on Hymns in Worship, lecture at U. of T., preach at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church and conduct a massed choir of over 200 singers in a grand finale to this uplifting weekend of song.

An octogenarian with a rare communicative zeal and infectious joy for singing, Alice Parker has been described by her mentor, and America’s choral conductor emeritus, Robert Shaw, as “a rare and creative musical intelligence”. Founder and Artistic Director of Melodious Accord, her not-for-profit organization, Alice Parker believes deeply in the possibility of accord rather than discord in the lives of people who sing together. She delights in sharing her joy of singing and unleashing the discovery of the musical potential in us all. A recent workshop devotee proclaimed: “What is missing from her mile-long list of accomplishments is a description of her charisma in causing music to happen.”

The SING! weekend will include:

• Community SING! Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. (YPBC)

• Creative Use of Hymns in Worship Saturday, Oct. 26, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. (YPBC)

• Parker in the Pulpit: Service of Worship Sunday, Oct. 27, 11:00 a.m. (YPBC)

• Gala Choral Concert: How can I keep from singing: Celebrating the Legacy of Alice Parker, Sunday, October 27, 3:00 p.m. MacMillan Theatre, University of Toronto MacMillan Singers, U of T Women’s Chamber Choir & Men’s Chorus, Exultate Chamber Choir, Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Cawthra Park Secondary School Chamber Choir, Yorkminister Park Baptist Church Choir

Tickets available through Koerner Hall Box Office

No Registration Required!

Come ALL who just love to sing-and even those who just love to listen and enjoy!

For INFORMATION call the SING! Hotline (416) 978-0827

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Music Director – Keswick United Church, Keswick, ON

Keswick United Church, on the beautiful southern shores of Lake Simcoe, is seeking a Music Director – Choir Director/Organist/Pianist. As music is a key component in our Worship Services, we are seeking a person with a strong background and commitment to both traditional and contemporary styles of music and experience with choral leadership We have a 12 member SATB choir who are all eager to learn and rise to new levels. Our music is provided by either a Classic Organ or a Roland Digital Piano Model KR105

The salary of this part-time position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. We hope to have this position filled by September 1st

Please send resumes with references by e-mail to stanarmstrong47@gmail.com or by mail to Stan Armstrong P.O. Box 25054, Rpo Kes 001, Keswick, Ontario. L4P 4C2

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Music Director needed – Eastminster United Church, Toronto, ON

Eastminster United Church is an Affirming Congregation in the United Church of Canada located on Toronto’s vibrant Danforth Avenue.  We are seeking a music director who can lead our choirs, inspire our congregation to raise our voices, build community both inside and outside our church.   The position is anticipated to include 16 hours per week year round starting September 1, 2013 with compensation based on experience and skill.  Duties will include leading the musical components of worship, inspiring our adult and children’s choirs and congregation through music both sacred and secular.  Music at Eastminster is a mix of modern and traditional and has brought both pageantry and fun to our experience of faith.

The ideal candidate is a person of faith who is

  • a skilled keyboard musician and leader,
  • with a keen desire to work with and challenge our enthusiastic and skilled adult choir (along with our congregation);
  • a patient educator who can bring the joy of music to our children;
  • a community builder who has proven commitment to bring the ministry of music to an array of audiences and;
  • well organized and tactful.

Please consult our web site for a more detailed description of the role and a link to our Annual Report(http://www.eastminsteruc.org/recent-news/item/153-eastminster-united-church-annual-report-2012) that gives an overview of our music program.

All applications should be emailed to Eastminster@bellnet.ca, by May27, 2013 including  the subject line “Music Director Role” in the note.

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Music Director – Aurora United Church, Aurora, ON

Aurora United Church is a vibrant faith community, worshipping together for over 190 years.  We are currently seeking a Music Director, commencing September 1, 2013, who can immediately become a key component for our growth and vitality.  This Music Director will engage our congregation by developing and evolving our music programs to their fullest potential in our technological state of the art facility.  Our vision for music at Aurora United is a broad blend of traditional and contemporary, grounded in the finest musical history and forward-looking in spirit.  The successful candidate is an accomplished organist (2-manual Casavant pipe organ), pianist (Yamaha grand piano) and choral conductor of both youth and adults who values a team environment.  A background in United Church liturgy is an asset.  The position is approximately 16 hours per week, with compensation based on experience and qualifications.  A complete job description can be found at www.auroraunitedchurch.ca.  Applications should be submitted to:  Aurora United Church, ATTN: Music Director Search Committee, 15186 Yonge Street, Aurora, ON, L4G 1L9 or by email to:  musicsearch@auroraunitedchurch.ca.  Active consideration of applications will commence on April 22, 2013.

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Stittsville United Church – Music Director Position

Stittsville United Church – Music Director Position – We are a thriving congregation in a rapidly growing community in west Ottawa and we are looking for a creative, energetic person to be our Music Director. The successful applicant will be proficient in choir direction and piano and organ performance, and have a desire to work collegially with others to enhance our worship life. Primary responsibilities include selecting and offering musical components in worship services on Sunday mornings and special occasions, and directing a 15 voice adult choir. The position is presently 10 hours per week and is remunerated based on the RCCO salary scale. For more information or to submit a resume contact Stittsville United Church, 6255 Fernbank Rd., Stittsville, ON K2S 1X5 or email suchurch@primus.ca.  Visit us at www.suchurch.com

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