Conductor Mentorship Program 2010

Objective

To provide a training environment for choral conductors under the director of Elektra Women’s Choir’s Artistic Director, Morna Edmundson. In creating the mentorship program within the context of Elektra, it is hoped that the participating conductors will become more familiar with both the repertoire and sound of a women’s choir and be inspired to work in this genre.

Level A – Active Participant Level

Program Structure
Two Active Participants will be chosen from applications received by December 14, 2009. They will take part in five types of activities in January and February 2010:

1) first week of January: initial meeting to identify areas of interest and specific goals for the 2010 participants

2) Saturday, January 16 10am – 1pm: public workshop at Ryerson United Church, Vancouver, for conductors. Topics: warm-ups, vocal ranges, conducting technique, repertoire selection, and score preparation. The January 16 session is open to other interested conductors for $30 plus GST. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. This session is included in the fee paid by Level A Active Participants. Please bring a bag lunch.

3) Edmundson will attend a regular rehearsal of the participants’ choir(s), after which she will give private feedback on conducting and rehearsal technique. Participants are encouraged to video these rehearsals using their own equipment.

4) Level A participants and all interested applicants will be invited to attend regular Monday night rehearsals of Elektra Women’s Choir in January/February. Pre-or post-rehearsal conversations will be arranged.

5) Level A participants will lead a portion of a rehearsal with Elektra Women’s Choir on Monday evening, March 1. Repertoire will be chosen and discussed in advance. This session is open to the public and will be videotaped by Elektra.

Cost to Level A participants: $425 plus GST includes instruction, scores and one video
Payment by cheque or Visa/Mastercard through the Elektra office: 604.739.1255

Level B –Saturday Workshop participant

Conductors and Soon-to-be-Conductors are warmly encouraged to participate in the 3-hour workshop on Saturday, January 16th. See 2) above. If possible, please preregister by contacting Elektra's General Manager by Wednesday  January 13 to assist us in planning. If preregistration is not possible for you, you can register on site with cash, a cheque, Visa, or Mastercard. Please arrive by 9:45am if registering on site.

Cost to Level B participants: $30 plus GST

Level A – Active Participating Level (two individuals selected)
Requirements:
1. Participating conductors must presently be conducting a choir regularly in the Lower Mainland and be available to attend all scheduled sessions
2. Bachelor of Music or equivalent training or experience.
3. Passionate about leading choirs.

Send an email to Elektra's General Manager with Conductor Mentorship Application in the subject line. In the body of the email, provide the following information in no more than 250 words: 1) Your name, email address and phone number, 2) describe the choir(s) you currently conduct and some of their challenges, 3) describe two or three areas of choir leadership that most interest you for this mentorship process.

Two participants will be chosen from applications received by the deadline of December 14, 2009. All applicants will be advised of their status by December 18.

All applications are held in strict confidence.
 

Questions? Please contact Morna Edmundson, Artistic Director of Elektra Women’s Choir at Morna Edmundson or phone 604.739.1255.

Thank you for your interest in participating in Elektra’s 2010 Conductor Mentorship Program.