Ottawa Premiere!
On March 31, 2023, the University of Ottawa Choir will join the University of Ottawa Orchestra and the University’s two student choirs to perform the Ottawa premiere of the work Golden Harvest – La moisson dorée, commemorating Ukrainian settlement in Canada from 1891 to 1914. Beethoven’s famous Symphony no. 6 (“Pastorale”) will also be performed. Save the date!
Conductor: Raffi Armenian
Choir masters: Laurence Ewashko and Robert Filion
Soloists: Irina Medvedeva and John Avey
Concert: Friday, March 31, 2023, 7 p.m., St. Joseph’s Church (174 Wilbrod, Ottawa)
Tickets: Online on Eventbrite ($28.34 – students $12.24, including fees and taxes)
Interview with Laurence Ewashko on Rogers tv:
Fundraising
The University of Ottawa Choir returned to its home in Perez Hall on campus with in-person rehearsals and serves up a musical feast this fall 2022 season! Can you help us continue the leading work we do on the Ottawa choral scene? Renew, upgrade or make your gift today and be a Friend of the University of Ottawa Choir.
The University of Ottawa Choir is a bilingual adult choir which is affiliated with the School of Music at the University. The Choir offers the opportunity for singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire and aims to improve their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. Instruction is in both official languages. Part of its mandate is to act as an ambassador for the University, to demonstrate its commitment to the community and excellence in choral music. The University of Ottawa Choir is a proud member of Choirs Ontario.
Concerts
The Choir performs at least two major concerts during its regular season - one in the Fall semester, and the other at the end of the Winter semester, in early April. The Choir also performs additional concerts with other ensembles outside of its regular schedule.
Membership
Admission and membership of the Choir is open to all students of the University, and members of the community who are at least 18 years old. Membership is by audition by the Music Director. Members are re-auditioned every 4 years. The auditions occur at the beginning of the choir season in September. The call for auditions is normally made in August of each year, and will appear here and elsewhere.
Rehearsals
Choir rehearsals occur on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m., in the School of Music. A few rehearsals may also occur at weekends if necessary. Members are expected to attend all the rehearsals.
Choir Operations
The Choir is run by an elected board, and supported by other volunteers. Although it receives considerable in-kind assistance from the University it still needs to generate its own revenue through fundraising. Such activities include concert program advertising and ticket sales, membership dues, grants as well as concerts in small groups in the community. The Choir also has a Friends of the Choir program to solicit and accept tax-deductible donations.
Support
The Choir is grateful for the generous in-kind support from the University's School of Music and a grant from the Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost.