UNIQUE CANADIAN CHAMBER CHOIR TOURS SOUTHERN ONTARIO

January often seems like a "low" time of year for the performing arts – especially for those who love choral music. The splendour of December's feast of music fades with the passing of the year and most choirs hunker down to begin learning material for the Spring.

This year, however, the darkest days of winter will not be silent. Touring Southern Ontario January 14 – 22, 2012 is the Canadian Chamber Choir. Unlike many professional touring ensembles, when the CCC tours, they reach into every size of community to educate and inspire. On top of numerous concerts, this unique choir offers up to 10 workshops per tour, connecting with singers of all ages and abilities.

What motivates the CCC to take on 14-hour days of non-stop workshops, traveling, and performing? Unlike any other choir in the country, the Canadian Chamber Choir is formed of professional level singers who donate their time to give back to the communities that nurture them. Many take unpaid leave from their work or regular ensembles and others use their vacation time to travel to all corners of the country.

"Most of us grew up being shaped by church choirs, provincial youth choirs, and the National Youth Choir," says Sandy Jasper, an alto from Manitoba. "We do this because we want to give back to our country. When 17 of us can converge on a single area for intense periods of outreach, education, and music-making, it's pretty amazing."

Amazing indeed. Each time the CCC tours, they interact with about 1000 young singers, several hundred adult musicians, and countless audience members. In addition to school workshops this January, the CCC will facilitate a full-day Winter Symposium of workshops for adult singers and conductors in cooperation with three Waterloo Region organizations. Canadian Chamber Choir members will bring their enthusiasm, warmth, and encouragement as they sit side by side with Symposium participants for a day of workshops that will embolden and inspire local singers and conductors.

The unique feel of CCC workshops and concerts is due, in no small part, to the unmatched skill and inspired leadership of Canadian Chamber Choir conductor, Dr. Julia Davids. A native of Southern Ontario, Julia grew up in the Amabile Youth Singers and went on to do graduate and post-graduate work in education, vocal pedagogy, and conducting at some of the top schools in North America. All of this training shines through with just the right mix of exceptional skill, humility, humour, and passion.

As part of the ensemble's focus on giving back to the Canadian choral community, the CCC also has extensive offerings for emerging composers and conductors. Kitchener-Waterloo area composer Jeff Enns has often been featured by the CCC. "It is an incredible feeling to hear one of my own pieces performed with such purity and integrity," says Enns. Regularly premiering new Canadian works, during this January's tour the ensemble will share with audiences a newly commissioned piece by Toronto composer Erik Ross. Called Icarus in the Sea with poetry by Lorna Crozier, this large-scale work imaginatively explores the story of Icarus' attempt at flight.

With such a focus on giving back, what is still the most amazing about the Canadian Chamber Choir is their sound. Described by critics as "beyond brilliant" with "shivering pianissimos" and "extraordinary refinements of continual dynamic shading," this choir can brighten even the darkest of winter days with their radiant singing. With stops throughout Southern Ontario, be sure not to miss the CCC.