Ottawa Catholic School Board 
 Choirs

Welcome to 2010-2011

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Ottawa School Board Children's Choir. In 1991, the Choir was founded to provide an opportunity for the musical children of the Board to sing in an Honours group.

Today, our goal remains the same. Emphasis is placed on performance. The Choir gives two annual concerts (Christmas and Spring), sings for Board celebrations and at least ten other functions per year.

Many new and exciting opportunities are in store for this year. We invite everyone to come and hear the award-winning voices of our Choir. We are sure you will enjoy it.

In 1996, the Chamber Choir was founded as an extension of the Board Children’s Choir to provide an opportunity for Senior Choir Members to continue studying and to perform more advanced choral repertoire. (more)

Who we are and what we do...

MaryAnn Dunn, the choir's founder, directs the choir and chairs a Choir Council which manages the Choir. Mrs. Dunn is a former Music Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher with the Board.

The Children's Choir's accompanist is Tony Dunn, and the Children’s Choir Assistant is Angela Grant-Saunders. The Choir Council consists of a Choir Manager, Choir Mom, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Uniform Mistress,  a Hospitality Mistress, a Board Liason and several members at large. Together they oversee the successful operation of the Choir.

The Children's Choir maintains a membership of about 80 students, grades 4 to 8, who are chosen by audition.

Senior choir members are invited to the Chamber Choir by audition.

We rehearse once weekly with additional practices one Saturday morning per month.

What we learn...

During rehearsals, the children learn:

  • choral technique
  • breath support
  • voice projection
  • tone blending
  • sight singing
  • ear training
  • phrasing and diction
  • performance styles

Our repertoire includes classical works for children’s chorus, folk songs of many lands sung in many languages, works of Canadian composers, and some contemporary music.

What we offer

In addition to its annual concerts, the Choir receives invitations to perform in various venues such as the N.A.C., the National Gallery, the House of Commons, the National Library, the National War Museum, the National Military Cemetery, many area churches, as well as fund raisers throughout the city.

The Choir has travelled to Festivals in Niagara Falls, Kingston, Moncton and Montreal. Our Choirs compete in the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival every year, many times winning the Luella Barrigar Trophy for Folk Song Chorus and the Ken Little Memorial Trophy as well as Choral Scholarships.

Our Registration fees..

The Children's Choir members pay an annual fee of $75.  The Chamber Choir fee is $50. The rest of the expenses of the Choirs are covered by Board Support, proceeds from performances and fund raising.

For more information

Request for audition letters are sent to all Board Junior students every June. Auditions are held in June.

Requests for performances may be obtained by calling MaryAnn Dunn at the Student Success Department at (613) 224-4455 x2245, or by sending an email  to Maryann.Dunn@ottawacatholicschools.ca   (please note the "." in MaryAnn.Dunn)


 
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