top of page

CHORALFEST

mca_choralfest_icon6.png

ABOUT

ChoralFest is an annual two-week, non-competitive festival that provides choirs and conductors an opportunity to work with choral specialists from across the continent. The festival invites all levels and styles of choral singing, including vocal jazz. Approximately 150 choirs and 6,000 singers participate each year.

ChoralFest is open to all choirs; no matter a choir’s level of experience, our clinicians work with each group at its own level. Participating choirs must be members of MCA. For more information on membership with MCA, click here.

Although ChoralFest is non-competitive, clinicians may recommend choirs to represent Manitoba at the national annual festival, MusicFest Canada.

CHORALFEST 2023

Save the date! ChoralFest 2023 will run from November 13 to 23, 2023. Venues will be announced soon!

  • November 13-17

    • Seniors Years & Middle Years Performances + Clinics

    • Early Years & Middle Years In-School Clinics

  • November 17 (evening) & November 18

    • Community Choir Performances + Clinics

  • November 20-22

    • Vocal Jazz Performances + Clinics

  • October/November (Dates TBD)

    • NEW for 2023! ChoralFest Regional Tour - Westman, Parkland, and/or Norman

2023 CLINICIANS

We are excited to announce choral and vocal jazz specialists for our 2023 program! More specialists will be added as they are confirmed, so stay tuned!

Senior & Middle Years & Community Choirs: Dr. Adam Con (Victoria, BC), Michelle Chyzyk (Virden, MB), Philip Lapatha (Winnipeg), Kristel Peters (Winnipeg)

Vocal Jazz Ensembles: Christine Guter (CA, USA). Jamond McCoy (CA, USA), Karly Epp (Winnipeg)

Early & Middle Years In-School Clinics: Nedra Francis (Winnipeg), Janna Reid (Winnipeg)

Regional Clinics: Dr. Elroy Friesen (Winnipeg), Dr. Catherine Robbins (Winnipeg)

REGISTRATION

​​Registration in ChoralFest includes:

  • Performance timeslot for 2-3 pieces

  • Written feedback from expert clinicians

  • One 30-minute clinic (Early Years, Middle Years) or two 20-minute clinics (Senior Years, Community, Vocal Jazz choirs)

  • Opportunity to listen to other choirs

  • Certificate of participation

Registration fees are posted a minimum of 2 months prior to the festival and are non-refundable. Payment may be made by Credit Card, Cheque, e-Transfer, or Invoice.

We are honoured to have so many choirs from across Manitoba join us for ChoralFest. Every effort is made to accommodate scheduling requests, but MCA cannot guarantee that all requests will be honoured. A preliminary schedule will be published approximately 4 weeks prior to the festival.

FORMAT

ChoralFest has something for everyone! Choirs of all ages will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop their singing skills and technique at ChoralFest.

Senior Years Choirs (Grades 9-12)

SY choirs will perform in the pod system (up to three choirs), and afterwards will receive two 20-min clinics (from different clinicians).

Location: ChoralFest choral venue

Middle Years Choirs (Grades 5-8)

For 2023, MY choirs will have the option of registering for:

  1. Performance in pod system + two 20-min clinics (at ChoralFest choral venue); or

  2. 30-min clinic tailored to your choir in your school. Focus on your choir's repertoire or receive a general clinic. Schools in close proximity may wish to co-host a clinic together in one location. Available to schools in Winnipeg & Surrounding areas (within 150km).

Early Years Choirs (Grades K-4)

EY choirs will receive a 30-min clinic tailored to your choir in your school. Focus on your choir's repertoire or receive a general clinic. Schools in close proximity may wish to co-host a clinic together in one location. Available to schools in Winnipeg & Surrounding areas (within 150km).

Community Choirs

Community choirs will perform in the pod system (up to three choirs), and afterwards will receive two 20-min clinics (from different clinicians). NEW for 2023, community choirs will have the option of requesting an evening or daytime slot!

Location: ChoralFest choral venue

Vocal Jazz Choirs

Vocal jazz choirs will perform in the pod system (up to three choirs), and afterwards will receive two 20-min clinics (from different clinicians).

Location: ChoralFest vocal jazz venue

NEW! Regional Clinics (Choirs in Westman, Parkland, and/or Norman)

NEW for 2023, ChoralFest will take to the road for a special pilot project! If you are located in the Westman, Parkland, or Norman regions, you may have the opportunity to experience ChoralFest in your own community. Contact info@mbchoralassociation.ca for more details!

SPONSORS

MCA is grateful to individuals, organizations, and businesses that support this flagship program. There are several ways you can partner with us to make this a success!

  • Donate directly to MCA

  • Purchase a sponsorship

  • Purchase adspace in our concert program

  • Help us promote the event to the community via social media

Contact us for more details today!

VOLUNTEERS

Want to get involved with this exciting program? We need many volunteers to make ChoralFest a success! You can volunteer for as much or as little time as you’d like.

 

Volunteer tasks include:

  • ChoralFest committee

  • Admin & materials prep

  • Emceeing

  • Choir registration

  • Selling/taking tickets 

  • Choir host/ushering

  • Clinician assistant

Please fill in MCA’s volunteer form to volunteer for ChoralFest. If you prefer one or more of the tasks listed above, you may indicate this on the form.

bottom of page