Every spring, the ACF holds non-competitive choral festivals in Edmonton (Choralfest North and Choralfest Jazz) and Calgary (Choralfest South). Choirs participate in both an adjudicated performance and an individual workshop session with recognized clinicians from across North America.
The ACF encourages the participation of all levels and abilities of choirs. In the evaluation and workshop, the emphasis is placed on the continued encouragement, education and development of the individual choir.
Details for participant choirs.
Choralfest Jazz 2011| 3-4 March 2011
MacEwan Alberta College Campus, Edmonton
Evaluator • Brenda Earle (New York, NY)
Choralfest North 2011| 12-15 March 2011
McDougall United Church, Edmonton
Evaluators • Eric Hannan (Vancouver, BC), Brenda Uchimaru (Aurora, ON), Simon Carrington (France)
Choralfest South 2011 | 18-22 March 2011
Knox United Church, Calgary
Evaluators • Ken Fleet(Kingston, ON), Dr. Julia Davids(Chicago, IL), Dr. Ardelle Ries(Camrose, AB)
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Each choir or ensemble may perform a minimum of three and a maximum of four contrasting selections.
- Concert Choirs may perform a maximum of 20 minutes of music on stage followed by a workshop of approximately 30 minutes.
- Vocal Jazz Ensembles will have one hour on stage (including 15 minutes for setup and sound check) followed by 45 minutes for performance, adjudication and workshop.
- Every facet of the performance, including accompaniment, will be considered in the evaluation. Participants will receive a verbal and written evaluation, as well as an audio recording of their performance – all comments are intended as a guide for the continued encouragement and development. Conductors will receive a video-recording of their performance.
- Participating choirs must be a current CHOIRS/INSTITUTIONS member of the Alberta Choral Federation.
- Due to limited space, early registration is advised. Scheduling requests are considered on a first come–first served basis only.
- Confirmation of registration and performance schedule will be emailed to the email address provided on the registration form following the registration deadline.
- Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 30 minutes prior to the performance time for all choirs.
- Sessions are open to the general public. Participants should encourage colleagues, singers and supporters to attend to hear the choirs and observe the evaluators. All choirs are strongly encouraged to schedule additional time to hear and observe other participating ensembles.
- VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLES – a maximum of 18 microphones plus two solo microphones and risers (3 rows) will be supplied. Bass amplifier and a complete drum set will also be supplied. Additional keyboards may be used - set-up must be done in consultation with the on-site sound technician.