Choristers    

~ Mission Statement~ About the Singers~2007 - 2008 Season ~



~Annual Auditions~FAQ~About Cody Obst~ Past Concerts ~

"Singing with passion. Performing with fire."

 

Correspondence:
4928A 20th Ave NW
Calgary, AB
CANADA
T3B 0V5

Phone or Fax:
(403) 288-0096 		General Information:
info@firebirdchambersingers.ca

Secretary:
secretary@firebirdchambersingers.ca

Artistic Director:
cody@firebirdchambersingers.ca

 


Upcoming Events
The Firebird Chamber Singers is very pleased to be presenting a concert called "A Firebird Choral Christmas." This is an evening of traditional choral music, carols, and instrumentals of the finest calibre. The event will feature Elinor Remick Warren's 1930's work: "The Harp Weaver" where the Singers will be joined by baritone soloist, Gene Wu; harpist, Tisha Murvihill; and pianist, Kathleen van Mourik. This rare, yet breathtaking major choral work has most likely never been performed in Alberta nor Canada before! Click here for more details.


Listening Station
Listen to new audio files of our last two major concerts: "Voice of the Elements" and "A Choral Christmas."

       
This text will be replaced by the flash music player.
       


Our Mission Statement
The Firebird Chamber Singers is a women's choir which strives to provide talented youth and young adults an advanced choral music experience. This unique choir allows youth to work with mentors to develop, enhance, and instill character, cultural awareness, respect, and a commitment to excellence through the love of music. Choristers experience both innovative and traditional choral music (a cappella and accompanied) of the highest standard. A key component of the choir is working with experienced choral musicians including opportunities to collaborate with other professional musicians and conductors. Come join in the life-enriching qualities of making and performing great choral music. Join us now!



About the Singers
Our singers are women from all walks of life. From high school to adult members, the Firebird Chamber Singers are a group of empowered musicians with one common aim: making great music. The singers represent the best in choral music Calgary has to offer. Many of them are leaders in other choirs or vocal studios in the city and others are versatile musicians who are proficient on other instruments as well.

The choir evolves every year. In our first year we had 14 singers and we would like to see that grow to a choir of 20 to 24 women.

The singers are chosen based on choral experience, vocal abilities, mentorship potential, personality, and compatibility with the group. They are generally University/College students or adult musicians with years of choral experience. Younger singers with exceptional talent may also be accepted and work with older mentor singers and further develop their skills.

New singers are usually added in September, but an audition can happen any time during the year.


2007 - 2008 Season
"A Firebird Choral Christmas"
Saturday, December 15th, 2007 at 8:00 PM
Anglican Cathedral Church of the Redeemer
Corner of 7th Ave and 1st Street SE

Tickets are available at any Rideau Music location or at the door
Adults $20, Student/Senior $15, Child $5
Rush Seating

Featuring the Firebird Chamber Singers and also:
Gene Wu, baritone soloist
Tisha Murvihill, harp
Kathleen van Mourik, piano
Chellan Hoffman, organ
Elisa Sereno-Janz, violin
and Laura Reid, violin

Choral Christmas 2007 .pdf
Choral Christmas 2007 .jpg

Repertoire will include:
O Come O Come Emmanuel arr. David Willcocks
A Virgin Most Pure by John Rutter
The Snow by Edward Elgar
Congregational Carols:
(Angels From the Realms of Glory) and
(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
Tentative: Harp Solo performed by Tisha Murvihill
Seven Joys of Christmas by Kirke Mecham

  1. The Joy of Love: This is the truth
  2. The Joy of Bells: Din don! merrily on high
  3. The Joy of Mary: Joseph dearest, Joseph mine
  4. The Joy of Children: Patapan
  5. The Joy of the New Year: New Year Song
  6. The Joy of Dance: Fum, fum, fum!
  7. The Joy of Song: God bless the master of this house

~ INTERMISSION ~

The Harp Weaver Elinor Remick Warren
Organ Solo performed by Chellan Hoffman, organ
In the Bleak Midwinter by Harold Darke
Unto Us is Born a Son by David Willcocks
Congregational Carol: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Silent Night arr. John Rutter

Click here to see our past concerts.



Annual Auditions
Auditions are ongoing.

Who: Female choristers from ages 16 and up. Singers younger than 16 may qualify, provided they have exceptional talent.

What: Be prepared to sing a voice check, sight reading test, and solo (unaccompanied, O Canada will suffice if nothing else.)

When: Auditions are scheduled as applications are received. A mutual time will be agreed upon between the conductor and chorister, but most auditions will be held in the spring and early fall.

Where: To be determined when you arrange your audition with Cody.

Why: Auditions are held to ensure that the group maintains a high standard of musicianship and caters to those singers in the city who want to join a choir which strives to excellence in music making. The purpose of the choir is to provide Calgary with a high calibre women's choir, and involve several adult singers to participate as mentors to foster musicianship/professionalism.

How: Please call Cody at 288-0096 or email cody@firebirdchambersingers.ca to set up an audition or get more information about the singers.

Audition Poster.pdf - Click here
Audition Poster.jpg - Click here


FAQ
 How much does it cost to be in the choir?
Because this is only the second year this choir is in operation, the fees have been kept very low. It costs $50, twice yearly (September, January) to be in the choir. The cost is a non-refundable music rental fee. In exchange for such a low operating fee, choristers are required to sell a certain number of tickets for every concert and meet a minimum fundraising requirement. Please inquire for more information.

When do the Singers rehearse?
The choir practices Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 PM..

Where do the Singers rehearse?
Practices are held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 703 Heritage Dr. SW.


Cody Obst,
Artistic Director / Conductor
Cody ObstCody Obst (MMus, BMus, BEd) has recently completed his Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Calgary under the supervision of Professor Charles Foreman. While at the University of Calgary he received many awards to pursue his studies including a Province of Alberta Graduate Scholarship, a graduate assistantship, and three graduate research scholarships. During this time, he also had the priviledge of accompanying and occasionally conducting the University of Calgary Chamber Choir under the direction of Janos Horvath. His other primary study has been with Dr. Joan Miller at Brandon University and Marilyn Engle in Calgary.

Cody has used his academic studies to become a better musician, and to this end, has not limited himself solely as a piano performer. Known for his diverse interests and talents: he is equally at home on the piano, organ, or conducting. Most of his strides in the latter area are thanks to his conducting mentor, Dr. Earl Davey from Brandon University (where he was allowed to study conducting at the Graduate level while still completing his undergraduate degrees!) He has recently conducted the Calgary Centennial Singers in a concert for choir, organ, and brass with Altius Brass. Another highlight was in 2004, when he formed his own advanced ensemble, by organizing and establishing the Calgary Choir of Peace for a special Remembrance Day Concert which included the John Rutter Requiem.

As a pianist, Cody has won the Manitoba provincial championship in Senior Piano, was a finalist in the Saskatchewan Concerto Competition, and has competed in two national piano competitions: the National Music Festival and the Canadian Registered Music Teachers National Piano Competition. He is 2nd Prizewinner of the Snjolaug Sigurdson Memorial Scholarship Competition and has participated in two International Festivals: the Académie Internationale "Barbara Krakauer" in France and twice in the Mountain View International Festival of Song in Calgary. He has performed in masterclasses for many notable pianists including Paul Badura-Skoda (Austria), Henri Barda (France), Deirdre Irons (New Zealand), Rudolf Jansen (Netherlands), Andre Laplante (Canada), Louis-Philippe Pelletier (Canada), Ricardo Perez Miro (Argentina), and Alexander Tselyakov (Russia/Canada). This summer he also had the priviledge of performing in a series of masterclasses for world-renowned Dutch soprano Elly Ameling.

Cody is currently Music Director at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Co-Director and Pianist of the Calgary Multicultural Choir Society, and he teaches private students piano and theory lessons. Besides this, he performs as a solo and collaborative pianist and plans to continue his series Concerts with Commentary this season! Music is definitely his love and Cody tackles it with true “joie de vivre.”

Marilyn Engle writes about him, “Cody has remarkable enthusiasm, a joy in learning, and a marvelous attitude in the presence of new ideas.” And former teacher Dr. Joan Miller writes, “ In addition to his ability as a top notch pianist Cody has shown a great aptitude for teaching. … His cheerful, up beat, outgoing and generous personality will stand him in good stead as a Canadian performer and I would surmise will facilitate his outreach to bring art to the people in our society.”

More photos:


Other Information
Sponsorship/Volunteer Opportunities
A sponsorship program is currently being set up. If you would like to help the group out in any way from volunteering to private or corporate sponsorship, let us know! We are always looking for supporters and ways to outreach into the community.

 

 

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