Audition Information for Singers

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF CANADA?
A project of Choral Canada, the National Youth Choir of Canada (NYCC) is a professional development program for some of Canada’s top emerging choral artists. Singers between 19 and 26 are traditionally auditioned every two years, with the goal to select up to 4 singers from each province and territory. 

The NYCC convenes in a different region every two years, in association with PODIUM, Canada’s national biennial choral conference and festival. After a week-long intensive rehearsal and training week, the NYCC embarks on a provincial or territorial tour, with the final stop at PODIUM. 

For the 2024 NYCC, singers must be between the ages of 19 and 26 as of May 1, 2024.

WHEN AND WHERE IS NYCC 2024?
The program will run from May 5-17, 2024, including rehearsal week, tour and PODIUM 2024 experience. The NYCC 2024 rehearsal and training session will take place in Québec City, Québec, from May 5-11, 2024. 

The choir will then tour from Québec City to Montréal from May 11-17, performing concerts and community engagement workshops at stops en route. Singers are required to be onsite and to travel with the choir for the duration of the training week and tour, and must not have any other professional or personal commitments during that time which would interfere with their ability to participate in all activities of the NYCC. 

Please note that NYCC rehearsals and program administration will be conducted in English, however Choral Canada staff, the 2024 Tour Manager and the 2024 Guest Conductor are fluent in both French and English. Singers should feel free to communicate with staff in either French or English.

PODIUM 2024
The choir will perform the opening concert of PODIUM 2024 (Choral Canada’s national conference and choral festival) on May 16th at 8pm and participate as the choir in a conducting masterclass at Podium on May 17th. At this point the NYCC program concludes.
 
The PODIUM 2024 conference and festival is an opportunity for education, networking, exposure to fantastic concerts, and an unforgettable choral experience. More information about Podium can be found at www.podium2024.ca. Singers will have the following options for PODIUM 2024 participation:
●	Return home on May 17th, accessing the remainder of PODIUM 2024 conference and festival virtually (a value of over $130).
●	Remain at PODIUM 2024 with a full in person conference and festival pass (a value of over $500). Singers who remain at PODIUM 2024 after May 17th will be responsible for their own accommodations and meal expenses.

WHO IS THE CONDUCTOR?
Choral Canada and the NYCC are pleased to welcome Roseline Blain as the Guest Conductor for the 2024 edition of the choir. 

With nearly twenty-five years of experience, Roseline is known for her dynamic and expressive qualities, her inspired interpretations and her leadership that combines energy and finesse. Originally trained as a pianist, she holds a master’s degree in performance from the University of Ottawa and a master’s degree in choral conducting from Université de Sherbrooke.

Roseline says: “I am honoured to be the Guest Conductor of the 2024 National Youth Choir of Canada! I feel grateful and privileged to follow in the footsteps of the choral conductors who came before me. It is a unique opportunity for me to share my great love of music with young ambassadors of choral singing. I look forward to seeing and hearing them flourish through music and song, in a respectful, fun and inclusive environment, while sharing in a rich and memorable experience, both personally and artistically.”

For more information about Roseline Blain and her role with the National Youth Choir of Canada, visit www.nycc.ca/artistic-team.

HOW DO I AUDITION FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF CANADA?
Singers audition by submitting video recorded auditions to Choral Canada by October 15, 2023, and selections are made by a National Selection Committee. 

In all cases, we strive to select up to four NYCC singers (one for each voice part) and four alternates from each province and the territories. When this is not possible, there may be more than four singers selected from some provinces or territories. 

WHAT DOES THE AUDITION ENTAIL?
You will need to perform two short solo pieces in different languages. You will also be required to prepare a choral excerpt (see score included at the end of this document) and to sing vocal exercises which demonstrate your vocal range. You must also submit a choral/musical resume and a letter of recommendation. Please see the APPLICATION AND AUDITION GUIDELINES document. If more clarification is required, please contact Choral Canada directly.

HOW MUCH DOES NYCC COST?
The fee per singer for 2024 will be $1575 + federal tax (GST 5%) and Québec tax (QST 9.975%). The tuition fee covers roundtrip travel, program tuition, music, meals, accommodations (student residence/hotel for rehearsal week and Podium, billeting while on tour) and ground transportation for the duration of the entire NYCC program. 

The tuition fee is the sole responsibility of the singer and is payable in 3 installments to Choral Canada as per our payment schedule.

IMPORTANT: Some provincial choral organizations (listed below) will be able to provide partial financial support for 2024 and other funding opportunities may be available, including grants or bursaries. If the tuition fee is a barrier, we encourage you to audition and if you are selected, we will work with you to help access additional funds to support your NYCC experience.

ChoralNL - choralnl.ca
Nova Scotia Choral Federation - nscf.ca
New Brunswick Choral Federation - nbcfsite.wordpress.com
Alliance horale du Québec - chorales.ca
Choirs Ontario - choirsontario.org
Manitoba Choral Association - manitobasings.org
Saskatchewan Choral Federation - saskchoral.ca
Choir Alberta - choiralberta.ca
British Columbia Choral Federation - bcchoralfed.com

HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT
The 2024 NYCC program will abide by public health guidelines and deal with any illness or health situations on tour on an individual basis.

CHORAL CANADA POLICIES
ADEI (Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Policy
Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy