All That I Was, I Am: The 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada

The 2024 NYCC takes a group picture following their participation in a PODIUM 2024 conducting masterclass at the Delta Hotel Montreal. – Photo: Kitbielle Pasagui

​When music sounds, all that I was I am
Ere to this haunt of brooding dust I came;
And from Time’s woods break into distant song
The swift-winged hours, as I hasten along.

— Walter de la Mare (1873-1956)

Thirty young choral singers from across the country recently embarked on an unforgettable journey throughout the province of Quebec, sharing their voices and vibrant energy as members of the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada. 

The program officially launched in early January with Zoom gatherings and repertoire meetings with Guest Conductor Roseline Blain and Apprentice Conductor Kitbielle Pasagui, and a virtual roundtable discussion on contemporary career avenues for choral artists. The choir also had a chance to meet and learn from Quebec-based composer Ana Sokolović who was commissioned by Choral Canada to write Two Studies for Choir for the 2024 ensemble, and Kanien’kehá:ka dancer Barbara Diabo, as they explored connections to nature, art and movement in Katia Makdissi-Warren’s Clairière.

The group then convened in person at Université Laval in Quebec City for five days of intensive rehearsals and workshops, which included Estill voice training with Julie Cimon Racine​. The singers excitedly dove into the repertoire under the expert guidance of Blain, Pasagui and collaborative pianist Pierre McLean, supported by Tour Manager Émilie Versailles.

The Grand Opening
The tour kicked off in Les Bergeronnes on May 10, where the choir performed at Église Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Désir. A warm welcome and a generous audience awaited the singers for their first concert thanks to the kind hospitality provided by Tourisme Bergeronnes and l'Odyssée artistique. The evening was made even more special as it was capped off with a beautiful display of the aurora borealis during a historic geomagnetic storm!

The tour continued with a workshop on performance anxiety led by Claude Webster, author of The Performance Handbook and concerts in Jonquière (May 11) at Salle Pierrette-Gaudreault and Rimouski (May 12) at Cathédrale Saint-Germain. ​

Photo: Josiah Maxfield

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“We were impressed by the quality of the National Youth Choir of Canada, their teamwork and, what's more, their vocal control! They should feel proud of being worthy representatives of Canada. We were simply dazzled by their exceptional display of talent; it was a pleasure to see and hear young singers with such pride and professionalism. It was a memorable concert.”

— Board of Directors of the Chorale du CRDA (Rio Tinto) in Jonquière, QC

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And what’s a choir tour without some sight-seeing and public singing?

Choristers taking a ferry from the village of Tadoussac, QC. – Photo: Josiah Maxfield

A visit to the beach in Les Bergeronnes, QC. – Photo: Natalie Ross

Enjoying some time off exploring rainy Quebec City, near Château Frontenac. – Photo: Jocelyn Heroux

Engaging with Local Communities
Part of what makes the National Youth Choir of Canada so special is the opportunity to engage with communities through workshops, concerts, and collaborations with local choirs and singing groups. These events not only provide essential opportunities for personal growth and cultural exchange for all involved, but they help bring exciting musical experiences to communities that may not otherwise have access to them.

This year, the NYCC shared their music with multiple community organizations at no cost. They sang for patients at Maison St-Raphaël, a palliative care home in Montreal, a special mother’s day concert at Leclerc Institution women’s prison in Laval, and for students and staff at École de musique Vincent-d’Indy. 

A Grand Finale at PODIUM 2024
The tour concluded in Montreal at PODIUM 2024, Choral Canada’s national choral conference and festival. As part of the NYCC program, all singers are provided with full access to the 4-day event where they attend lectures and concerts, network with new colleagues, and create memories to last a lifetime. 

Their final concert at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul was a true culmination of the choir’s work together and served as a fitting end to the tour. The choir was surrounded by hundreds of colleagues, friends, and new acquaintances, including past alumni who joined them for their closing piece, a bilingual performance of Stephanie Martin’s Nothing Gold Can Stay.

We sincerely hope the NYCC left feeling energized and inspired to bring back all that they learned and experienced to their local choral communities!

The National Youth Choir of Canada performing at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal during PODIUM 2024. – Photo credit: Julie St-Georges

The 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada. – Photo credit: Julie St-Georges

The 2024 NYCC Team (L-R): Kitbielle Pasagui (Apprentice Conductor), Roseline Blain (Guest Conductor), Émilie Versailles (Tour Manager and Pierre McLean (Collaborative Pianist). – Photo credit: Julie St-Georges

The 2024 Quebec tour of the National Youth Choir of Canada was more than just a series of concerts; it was a journey of connection, learning, and celebration. The choir not only showcased their exceptional musical talent but also embraced the cultural richness of Quebec, leaving a lasting impression on all who heard them. 

A special highlight of the tour, and one that seemed to resonate with the singers, was performing Katharine Petkovski’s When Music Sounds, winner of the Diane Loomer Award in Choral Canada’s 2024 Competition for Choral Writing. As the choir members returned to their respective homes across the country, they carried with them memories of joy, friendship and good music, with the piece’s poetry (by Walter de la Mare) reminding them of the transformative power of music:

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“« When music sounds, all that I was, I am ». It’s impossible to describe the full experience of NYCC, even though it is my second time doing it. Two weeks that feel like a lifetime, making music with as much passion as your soul can muster while you’re surrounded by lifelong friends and colleagues who are doing the exact same. It was two weeks of learning, of laughter, tears, joy, wonder, and so much more. From almost getting blown away in front of the Chateau Frontenac to traditional French dancing to mildly explosive science experiments, this experience had it all… Here’s to choir, here’s to family, here’s to song.”

— William Austin (NS), NYCC tenor: 2022, 2024

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​The National Youth Choir of Canada continues to exemplify the power of music to unite, inspire, and create a brighter future for all.

It cannot be said enough times: THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this program possible. Choral Canada is beyond grateful for the support from every single donor, sponsor, singer scholarship provider, tour and concert host, billet, volunteer, member of the NYCC committee, all those who shared ideas and made connections for us in the province of Quebec, and the list goes on... Lastly, we want to thank all the incredible singers, artistic and administrative staff, and the incredible composers without whom this would not be possible. The future of the choral art form is in good hands!

Stay tuned for updates on the 2026 edition of the program by visiting our website, connecting with us on social media, and signing up for Choral e-Bytes, Choral Canada’s bi-weekly newsletter.

Would you consider making a donation this year to help us reach our goal?

Plans are already underway for the 2026 program in British Columbia and we need your help to continue the growth and success of this program. As you may have heard, we are celebrating the 40th year of the NYCC program this year and we have set an ambitious goal to raise $40,000. Although we’ve reached 45% of this goal ($18,000), we’re not stopping there! 

To help us reach $40,000, we are happy to announce that we are launching a Matching Campaign to further support our fundraising efforts. Through the generosity of a long-time donor and supporter of NYCC, every donation received today through to September 30, 2024 will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000!

DONATE TO OUR MATCHING CAMPAIGN TODAY