Invitation to sing with Christine Duncan and the Element Choir Project as part of Ottawa Chamberfest 2013.

Invitation to sing with Christine Duncan and the Element Choir Project as part of Ottawa Chamberfest 2013. Two performances: A designated choir performance at Dominion-Chalmers United Church (2 August, noon), and as part of Arcade Air, a new site-specific composition by Scott Thomson for Chamberfest in City Hall (1 August, noon)

Full details after the jump…

Toronto vocalist Christine Duncan is co-leader of the Element Choir Project, an improvising choir that she trains in her well-honed conducting system. Duncan designed her system to develop a context for dynamic group expression that is both creative and joyful. Christine is looking for singers — whether professional or enthusiastically amateur, and in any style — to participate as choir members during Chamberfest. The Element Choir Project, following Christine’s cues, will create a new music that is at once improvised and carefully structured.

On 1 August, at noon, the Ottawa Element Choir Project will perform as part of Scott Thomson’s new site-specific composition, Arcade Air, for Chamberfest in City Hall. Arcade Air will also feature a brass sextet and two creative dancers. This piece will be related to (but different from) Chamber Elements, Scott’s memorable site-specific piece for the National Gallery of Canada, which featured a Christine Duncan-led choir during its performances last year.

On 2 August, at noon, the choir will perform at Dominion-Chalmers United Church. During this concert, the choir will collaborate with exceptional instrumentalists assembled by Christine and the other co-leader of the project, Jean Martin (drums): Jim Lewis (trumpet), and Veryan Weston (church organ, from England), who will be improvising along with the choir.

To be part of this project, singers should be able to commit to the schedule below, and approach participation with a positive, supportive, collaborative, and creative attitude. Once again, especially in possession of such an attitude, singers of any skill level and experience are invited to apply to participate. We look forward to making music with you.

Schedule — singers must commit to all aspects to participate:

• Tuesday, 30 July, 7-10pm (venue tba) — first choir workshop/rehearsal with Christine Duncan
• Wednesday, 31 July, 7-10pm (venue tba) — second choir workshop/rehearsal with Christine Duncan
• Thursday, 1 August, 11am-1pm –– performance of Arcade Air by Scott Thomson, Ottawa City Hall (show starts at noon)
• Friday, 2 August, 10am-1:30pm –– Element Choir Project performance (with Jean Martin, Jim Lewis, and Veryan Weston), Dominion-Chalmers United Church (show starts at noon)

Incentives:

Choir members will receive a Chamberfest Artist Pass, good for admission to all events during the Festival except Gala shows (seating not guaranteed for any show), and a Chamberfest T-shirt.

To Apply to Participate:

Please contact Christine Duncan in an e-mail message with the subject line “Ottawa Chamberfest Choir”: thechristineduncan [at] gmail [dot] com

More information:

• Chamberfest
• Christine Duncan and The Element Choir Project
• Scott Thomson