Category: Music

  • The Benefit of Sectionals

    We spend a lot of time discussing how important it is to sing as a group, to listen to the other parts, and to blend seamlessly, but it’s just as important for sections of the choir to break off sometimes and have their own time in a sectional, separate from the rest of the choir:…

  • Atmospheric Music

    Happy Halloween! In honour of this spooktacular day, we thought we would discuss how important music can be in the creation of atmosphere! #1. Creating tension: Try watching a scary movie without the sound, and suddenly, it becomes significantly less terrifying. This is because music and sound are used to great effect, in enhancing tension.…

  • Discipline In Singing

    One of the most important aspects of learning music, is the discipline that it requires. Studying music is not like many other pursuits; it  requires continual and dedicated time, patience, and discipline. #1. Little by little: Music, like learning a new language, is best done in small, but consistent portions of time. The repetition required…

  • The Importance of Early Music Education

    Every day we learn more about the many benefits of music education. There have been numerous studies in recent years highlighting the myriad ways in which learning music can benefit people in both mind, and body! Nowhere is this more evident than in early childhood: #1. Sound is natural: Sound is everywhere. It is as…

  • Present Focused Performance

    Performing is a unique aspect of singing with a group. By the time a performance rolls around, the basic necessities of learning a piece of music are already accomplished. The notes, and rhythms have been learned, the words have been memorized. Performance evokes something completely different in musicians. It makes demands of your present self:…

  • Growth In Singing

    Since many of us start singing at quite a young age (our Music Makers program starts at 3!) We can experience a lot of growth in our time as singers. This manifests both physically (our voices often don’t mature fully until we’re ~30 years old), but it also manifests in our state of mind. Here…

  • Self-Awareness In Singing

    Singing is different than playing any other instrument. Because a singer’s body is their instrument, singers must make an extra effort, not just to take care of their instrument, but to conceptualize that instrument from the inside out: #1. Self-visualization: Singers are not able to open up their body and view their instrument, to have…

  • Spring Concert 2016 Roundup!

    Our concert took place at the Rosza Centre on Saturday, May 14, and featured the incomparable Jonathan Love as host and collaborator.  Much of our music fit loosely into a theme of nature, and more specifically birds – as we performed pieces such as “The Bluebird”, by C.V. Stanford, “Be Like A Bird” by Sheila…

  • Musical Professions: Audio Engineer

    This is the sixth post in our series, Musical Professions, in which we will be taking a closer look at the myriad of careers available to those with a background in, and a passion for music! Many musicians chose to pursue a combination of these musical professions, making them incredibly versatile and well-rounded! Audio Engineer…

  • Musical Professions: Musicologist

    This is the sixth post in our series, Musical Professions, in which we will be taking a closer look at the myriad of careers available to those with a background in, and a passion for music! Many musicians chose to pursue a combination of these musical professions, making them incredibly versatile and well-rounded! Musicologist Musicology…

  • Musical Professions: Performer

    This is the fourth post in our series, Musical Professions, in which we will be taking a closer look at the myriad of careers available to those with a background in, and a passion for music! Many musicians chose to pursue a combination of these musical professions, making them incredibly versatile and well-rounded! Performer There…

  • Musical Professions: Music Therapy

    This is the third post in our series, Musical Professions, in which we will be taking a closer look at the myriad of careers available to those with a background in, and a passion for music! Many musicians chose to pursue a combination of these musical professions, making them incredibly versatile and well-rounded! Music Therapy…

  • Musical Professions: Composer

    This is the second post in our series, Musical Professions, in which we will be taking a closer look at the myriad of careers available to those with a background in, and a passion for music! Many musicians chose to pursue a combination of these musical professions, making them incredibly versatile and well-rounded! Composers There…

  • Musical Professions – Music Teacher

    This is the first post in our newest series, Musical Professions, in which we will be taking a closer look at the myriad of careers available to those with a background in, and a passion for music! Many musicians chose to pursue a combination of these musical professions, making them incredibly versatile and well-rounded! Music…

  • Studying Music At University

    Many of our choristers have gone on to study music, or arts related programs at University, and there are a variety of different career paths you can take to make music an even larger part of your life. We’ll discuss musical careers in greater detail in an upcoming series. Many of our choristers have also…

  • 3 Ways In Which Music Makes You a Better Problem-Solver

    Music has untold benefits for those who study it, and one of those great benefits is the ability to solve problems in creative and unique ways: #1. Perspective Shift: Music, and in particular singing, demands the ability to understand things from other perspectives. The ability to approach a problem from multiple perspectives is essential. Creative…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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 – 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…