Welcome to the Cape Breton Chorale website!

50 years

The Cape Breton Chorale has been thrilling audiences since its formation fifty years ago. The Chorale has given more than 200 performances throughout the Maritimes, England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

The Chorale has shared the stage with a variety of musical stars, ranging from Celine Dion to Rita MacNeil and has performed before numerous visiting dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II.

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A Letter From Ryan Billington

Cheers to the Cape Breton Chorale!

On this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, I wish to welcome all members of the Chorale spanning 50 years of music making, our patrons, and guests. You have all played very important roles in the continued success of the organization whether as choristers. soloists, instrumentalists, Executive members, Board members, or supporters all in your own unique ways, whether for a short or long duration. On this significant milestone, we all gather to commemorate our collective achievements, challenges, highs and lows, and of course share in some beautiful music.

I have been honoured to serve as the director for the Cape Breton Chorale since 2017 and feel fortunate to have met Sr. Rita Clare in the 2017-2018 season. As I progressed through the rigorous audition process, I was able to spend a few moments getting to know her. I had heard of her work with the Chorale for many years before this time. Having been appointed director by Sr. Rita and the hiring committee surely counts as one of the proudest achievements of my time in Nova Scotia and my entire music career. I am pleased to join everyone in remembering her with great thanks as our founding director.

It has always been a warm and grounding experience to meet so many people in the greater circle of the Chorale and its patrons over the past 7 years. When I came to Nova Scotia in 2004 to work at StFX University, I didn't know more than one person in the entire province. Since joining the Chorale, I seem to always be meeting someone who is connected to other people through the group or through StFX over many generations and scenarios. It is wonderful to be a part of this network of educators, musicians, spiritual leaders, and professionals of all kinds.

Together as the Cape Breton Chorale family, lets salute all of those who have passed on, those who have remained steadfast to carry on singing, and those who will keep the music going into the future -- Congratulations on 50 years of singing, and here's to many more!

With Sincere admiration,

Ryan Billington

2024 Sister Rita Clare Scholarship Recipient

The Cape Breton Chorale is pleased to announce that Victoria McDougall is recipient of the 2024 Sister Rita Clare Scholarship.

Photo Credit: Warren Gordon

Coxheath resident Victoria McDougall is a recent graduate of Riverview Rural High School (French Immersion Certificate). She will be attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall where she will begin her Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance.

 

Victoria has been studying piano and theory with Katherine Fraser since the age of seven. She has also studied voice under Robyn Cathcart and Deborah Jeans. She has studied with Monica MacNeil while at Riverview, along with Joe Waye for guitar. She has been very involved with productions at local theatres and has also danced since a very young age.
Victoria has also been awarded the following:
 
- A full tuition scholarship to the Berklee College of Music
- The Helen Creighton Foundation Prize for Singing
- The Melvin J Findlay Prize for Baroque Piano
- The Dorothy Dean Wilkinson Scholarship
- The Russell LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship

The Cape Breton Chorale congratulates Victoria and extends best wishes to all applicants on their graduation. We wish all of you the best in your future endeavours!

 

Song Arrangement Competition

 

 

Cape Breton Chorale Song Arrangement Competition

 

As part of the approaching 2024-2025 concert season, the Cape Breton Chorale invites composer/arrangers to submit SATB arrangements of popular songs to a Song Arrangement Competition. The deadline for submission is September 9, 2024, and the winning arrangement will be performed in November of 2024.

 

Prize Amount: $1,500

 

About the Cape Breton Chorale

The Cape Breton Chorale has been an important choral ensemble in Nova Scotia since 1973, when Sr. Rita Clare (1933-2017) founded the choir. The choir has championed and premiered well-known SATB choral arrangements of Cape Breton songs including Song for the Mira, We Rise Again and others. For more information on our choir history and to hear our recordings, go to www.capebretonchorale.com.

 

Eligibility and Writing Guidelines

This competition is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and landed immigrants. Submissions must not be previously commissioned, performed, or published.

 

Permission/Copyright

The Cape Breton Chorale reports all performances to SOCAN, paying fees for performance rights of registered material. Arrangers are responsible for securing permission to arrange from the songwriter or publisher if the song is not in public domain. Here is a self-publishing option: www.arrangeme.com.

 

General

The submission must be an arrangement of an existing song from any of the following categories: folk song/singer-songwriter, Billboard hit, B-side, Brill Building, Canadian song, Great American Songbook, musical, film soundtrack, obscure gem; songs with interesting stories, harmony, or form elements are ideal. Carefully tailored mashups are possible contenders. Original songs written by applicants will also be considered provided they follow a distinguishable variation of a popular song format.

 

Clichéd or ‘overdone’ songs are discouraged unless parodied or significantly restructured. If a song has been previously arranged for choir several times (e.g. Bohemian Rhapsody, When I Fall in Love), please consider choosing something else. We encourage an individual creative approach to choral writing that suits our ensemble. Treatments presenting changes to compositional style, performance style, rhythm/meter/feel, or offering reharmonization are welcome.

Song Lyric Considerations

Candidates should choose songs with lyrics carrying a theme that may tell a story; and/or may be philosophical, romantic, celebrational, universal, poetic, or humorous; and otherwise can be suitable for a multi-generational adult choir.

 

Length, Instrumentation, and Voicing

  • Submissions should be 3-5 minutes in length.

  • While there may be some a cappella sections, a notated piano accompaniment should be included.

  • Solo(s) for soprano, alto, tenor, and/or baritone may be included.

  • Voicing is for SATB choir (40-50 singers).

  • Soprano and Alto parts may include various divisi: SSA, SAA, SSAA.

  • An additional instrument part may be included.

 

Score Preparation

  • Scores must be presented using notation software and sent in pdf file format.

  • Parts should be laid out in open score, with accompaniment set below the vocal parts, and chord symbols above the piano staff. Closed score may be used for sections with homophonic textures.

  • Instrument part(s), if applicable, should be placed above the vocal parts in concert key. A separate instrument part in the correct instrument transposition must also be included.

 

Submission Instructions

There is no entry fee for this competition. Submit files on or before September 9, 2024.

 

Include the applicant’s name, contact information, and song title in the subject and body of the email.

Only the song title should be included as part of the attached files.

 

Example: Look for the Silver Lining.2024.pdf

 

The adjudication panel will see the anonymous scores. Composer identity will remain hidden from the panel until after the selection has been made. Submit the score, any applicable instrument part, and/or text sheet of the completed arrangement in PDF file format via email to the address included below. Include a letter of permission for use of the song, or the license at the bottom of the first page of the score, if applicable.

 

The inclusion of a notation software demo recording (mp3 or wav format) is appreciated but not required.

 

Please submit files to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Selection, Performance

The submissions will be adjudicated by a panel from the Cape Breton Chorale organization.

The Chorale Artistic Director will then contact the winning arranger by phone/email on or before September 16, 2024.

 

A live performance of the winning arrangement will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024, in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Assistant Director

 

The Cape Breton Chorale invites applicants for a new Assistant Director position beginning August 1, 2024, and continuing until May 1, 2025. The position reports to the Artistic Director and contributes to realising the musical goals of the organization.

The ensemble is looking forward to presenting new and exciting concert events in the 2024-2025 season including one dedicated to arrangements of popular songs for choir. Rehearsals and events take place primarily within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Remuneration: $2,500

Duties of the Assistant Director will include:

  • attendance at rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, dress rehearsals and concerts,

  • participating as a singer throughout the season,

  • service on the Chorale Music Committee,

  • preparing or gathering rehearsal aids for choir members,

  • leading sectional rehearsals,

  • conducting a piece in each concert event through the season,

  • helping to lead rehearsals in the artistic director’s absence,

  • posting score information online for choristers,

  • keeping singers well informed of instructions and performance details.

 

Desired qualifications include a music degree, basic piano skills, basic conducting skills, understanding of harmony, evidence of experience in musical leadership. Some experience in choral leadership is considered an asset.

 

 

Applicants should submit a short letter of interest and a resumé to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before July 12, 2024.

Celebrating 50 Years

 

 

Our Shining Night

Concert and Reception

When: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 7:30 pm

Where: Sacred Heart Downtown, 217 George St, Sydney NS

Tickets: $50: includes concert, reception and free drink, and entry into the door prize

New: $30: concert only

Available HERE

Read all about it in the Cape Breton Post: Our Shining Night with the Cape Breton Chorale. Published April 29, 2024.

All are welcome to this event. We anticipate a sellout crowd, so be sure to get your tickets early.

 

 

Golden Gala

Three-course Gala dinner for current and former members and their plus ones. 

When: Friday May 3, 2024. Cocktails beginning at 6 pm, Dinner at 7 pm

Where: The Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club Room at Flavor on the Water, 60 Esplanade, Sydney NS

Tickets: $75. RSVP HERE

Space is limited last day to RSVP: April 15

Read all about it in the Cape Breton Post Calling all Cape Breton Chorale Alumni. Published March 13, 2024.

Listen to our interview with The Coast 89.7 FM