Author: Rachael Mollison-Read

  • Choir As Refuge

    Choir has been touted as an excellent way to form and engage in community, but it can be even more important than that, particularly for young people. Choir is often a refuge, during confusing, lonely, and difficult times in our lives. Because of the supportive nature of choral singing, and the emotive power of music,…

  • The Music of Karl Jenkins – Concert Roundup!

    What was the highlight of Saturday night’s concert? Was it seeing Brent Van Dusen, Rob Maciak, and Bob Fenske cover six percussion parts between the three of them – often a different instrument and rhythm in hands and feet (!)? Was it the beautiful solos sung by Paul Grindlay, Jessica Lutzak and Win Hume? Was…

  • 3 Ways In Which Singing Makes Your More Empathetic

    Singing helps to hone many important characteristics. One of those essential traits is empathy. Here are three ways in which singing can make you more empathetic: #1. Listening: Singers need to listen to other singers, and musicians in a very subtle and nuanced manner, in order to perform at their best. This form of acute…

  • The Benefits of Sight Singing

    Sight-singing means taking a piece you’ve never seen, or heard before, and singing your way through it, or a section of it. This can be an intimidating process, but it can be very beneficial for singers: #1. Conquering fear: Many people don’t like sight-singing because it makes them incredibly vulnerable. The risk of singing a…

  • Winter Retreat 2016!

    Our second Winter Choir camp retreat was a lot of fun, thanks to the caring leadership of chaperones, hard-working and enthusiastic kids, and great weather! We spent much of the day Saturday rehearsing Requiem and In These Stones Horizons Sing, by Karl Jenkins, for our mass concert on February 27. Three of our chaperones are…

  • Choir As Community

    There have been many studies in recent years that describe the physical and psychological benefits of singing. Choral music is unique in that it combine the benefits of singing, with the added benefits of being part of a community: #1. Shared interests: Those people who choose to join a choir are joining for a variety…

  • The Value of Singing Acapella

    The term acapella refers to singing without any accompaniment by instruments. The word is Italian, and means, ‘of the chapel’. It refers to early sacred music, when instrumentation was not permitted inside the church, and specifically the chapel. Only human voices were permitted, and thus acapella music was created. There are many benefits to singing…

  • 5 Ways In Which Singing Makes You Happier

    #1. Endorphins: Singing releases the same chemicals in your brain that exercise does. These chemicals, called endorphins are responsible for positive feelings. The more one sings, the more our brain is flooded with these chemicals, and the happier we feel! This also serves as positive reinforcement for our behavior, and it is likely why people…

  • Welcome To 2016!

    We’re very excited to begin the second half of our 2016 singing season! Coming up on February 27th, 2016, we have a very special mass choir and orchestral performance. We will be performing two works by Karl Jenkins, In These Stones Horizons Sing, and Requiem. We are inviting any parents, friends, and our CCC alumni…

  • Music At Celebrations

    Music is a valuable element in many aspects of our lives. We’ve discussed music at sporting events before. Celebrations are another aspect of our lives at which music is an important element. Celebrations are a meaningful part of the fabric of our society. They allow us to come together as a community, and partake in…

  • A Child’s Carol 2015 – Concert Roundup!

    I think that even more important than singing well, is the camaraderie and sense of ensemble that our choristers bring to every rehearsal and performance event. The performing comes out of a deep respect and love for the music and each other. This is what is rewarding for me, in the experience of a concert,…

  • Math and Science in Music: Brain Power

    Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines. BRAIN POWER Musicians require…

  • Math and Science In Music – Engineering Instruments:

    Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines. ENGINEERING INSTRUMENTS Music is…

  • Math and Science In Music: Harmonics

    Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines. HARMONICS  Musical harmonics are…

  • Math and Science In Music: Muscle Memory

    Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines. MUSCLE MEMORY  Our bodies…

  • Math and Science In Music – Sound Waves

    Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines. Sound Waves The way…

  • Math and Science in Music – Time Signatures

    Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines. TIME SIGNATURES Time signatures…

  • 3 Ways In Which Singing Makes You More Independent

    Here are three ways in which singing can make you more independent: #1. Uncertainty: Because of the transitive nature of music, and performance, musicians must become comfortable with uncertainty. A performance will never be perfect; a piece never played the same way twice. In music, there are no absolutes, and musicians are experts at accepting…

  • Joy In Singing

    Singing has been shown to be beneficial in various ways; it improves breathing, circulation, enhances cognitive abilities, and lowers stress levels. But one of the best outcomes of singing, and particularly singing in a group is the joy and happiness #1. Good music: Music has the ability to make us feel a myriad of different…

  • The Value of Singing With Different Ages

    There are many reasons why it is valuable to sing with others, but it is especially beneficial to sing with others of different ages. Here are three reasons why: #1. Voice types: For many children, being able to sing with the full spectrum of voice types is something they have to wait until they are…

  • Choir Camp 2015 Roundup!

    This past weekend we were very excited to be out in Bragg Creek, on our annual retreat to choir camp! Camp is a great opportunity for our choristers to get to know one another better, to rehearse new music, and learn more about what it means to sing as part of an ensemble! We had…

  • 3 Ways In Which Singing Improves Communication Skills

    #1. Listening: Listening is an essential aspect of singing, and of music in general, but it is also an important aspect of communicating with others. By listening to others around us, we gain a better understanding of the complete picture, and the diverse perspectives of others. #2. Understanding Text: The ability to analyze text in…

  • Welcome to our 2015-2016 Singing Season!

    Welcome to another wonderful, musical year with the CCC! We have an exciting year lined up, with some new changes in place as our program grows and changes: – The Music Makers program has expanded to include two levels: Music Makers Level 1 is for ages 3 & 4 and is offered on Thursday from…

  • Ottawa Tour 2015 – Day 5!

    Today we started with the doors to the breakfast hall being locked, so after some confusion and some well placed phone calls by Heather Fradette we got our morning meal in lots of time. We then walked through Ottawa to get to the national arts centre and got to see some of the prep work…

  • Ottawa Tour 2015 Day 3!

    Today was a very full day, rehearsing en masse with the mind-bogglingly energetic and musically brilliant Dr Sirett. We were especially 8:30 in the morning when the rehearsal started, or six-thirty back home. We would love to learn his secrets. We were a bit bogged down this morning, too, with our formal uniforms for tonight’s…