Calgary Children’s Choir Blog

  • 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…

  • Welcome to 2016-2017!

    Welcome to our 2016-2017 Singing Season! We are thrilled to welcome returning and new choristers to another year of wonderful music with the CCC! There are many wonderful events in store this year, including the celebration of our 30th Anniversary! September 16th-18th, 2016 – Choir Camp December 10th, 2016 – Christmas Concert @ St. Giles…

  • 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…

  • 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…