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Our 2022-2023 season is underway!

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If you are interested in auditioning for the choir please contact us at canterburytrebles@gmail.com. Auditions are generally held in June, July, and August. All potential members are asked to please arrange to attend a rehearsal before the audition...it's helpful to know that the environment and the pace of the ensemble suit your needs.

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Before making arrangements for an audition, please carefully consider your schedule and ensure that you will be able to attend all rehearsals. It is expected that members are able to commit to the rehearsal schedule, which is published in April for the following season. In general, we rehearse every second Wednesday evening (7-9PM) at Glebe-St. James United Church (650 Lyon Street, South). We also hold full-day workshop sessions a couple of times per term on a Saturday.

We are looking for singers who:

• Are caring and committed;

• Are flexible and interested in supporting a caring community through music;

• Are interested in learning about music and singing through exploration;

• Are able to contribute to the ensemble musically and vocally without excessive dependence on other singers in the ensemble;

• Can read music (sight-reading is not an essential skill but will be evaluated at the audition so it is definitely an asset);

• Can produce a solid, healthy vocal tone;

• Have some level of previous choral experience.

The audition will be made up of the following elements:

• A prepared solo (this does not have to be complicated or of a certain level!)

• Sight-reading

• Ear Tests (i.e., melody sing-back, sing a note from a chord, etc.);

• Basic vocalization;

• Range testing;

• Observation during rehearsal (preferably prior to the one-on-one audition components).

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Please note that while the ensemble does sing a wide variety of styles of music, we are looking for singers with a tone that reflects a healthy vocal technique.

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About Us
The Trebles are a welcoming and accepting ensemble, aspiring to bring music for women’s voices to the Ottawa region and beyond. The choir has an eclectic repertoire ranging from Purcell and Verdi to Hatfield and Daley and are also known for making their concerts focussed fund-raisers for local charities. In addition to fundraiser concerts, the Trebles have competed in music festivals and choral competitions at local and national levels.

Past seasons have included: two public concerts (usually December and May); a Fall choral retreat with guest artists/clinicians; participation in the Kiwanis Music Festival; submission to the National Competition of Canadian Amateur Choirs; participation in church services (maximum twice per year).

Rehearsals are held every second Wednesday evening from 7-9PM. Members are expected to practise between rehearsals . There is often a request to memorize a portion of the music, too!

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It is hoped that each member of the ensemble will be an active participant in the Canterbury Treble community – fulfilling the mantra, “See a need? Fill a need!” Participation can range from being a member of the choir’s executive to assisting with the organization of upcoming concerts and associated receptions. We always welcome the assistance of non-singing members, too! The annual membership fee for the Canterbury Trebles Women's Ensemble is $160.

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The Canterbury Trebles Women's Ensemble was founded in 2005 by retired Canterbury High School vocal teacher, Robert Palmai. Originally made up of CHS music graduates from 1987 to the 2000s, the group now includes singers from a variety of backgrounds and is now directed by James Caswell.

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Thank you for your interest in the Canterbury Trebles Women's Ensemble -

we look forward to meeting you!

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