Session descriptions
A COLLECTIVE WISDOM: PROBLEM SOLVING THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCES
Breakout session for conductors with Diana Clark
What challenges do you face as a conductor, choral leader, educator, or artist? In this interactive session, we’ll create a safe, anonymous space to share our struggles—whether they involve leadership, creativity, pedagogy, or personal growth. Participants will write down their biggest challenges, and together we’ll engage in collaborative problem-solving, drawing on the collective insight and experience of the group. No one has to face these issues alone; through open discussion and shared wisdom, we’ll explore practical solutions and fresh perspectives. Come ready to support, reflect, and grow with fellow music leaders navigating similar challenges.
Breakout session for conductors with Diana Clark
What challenges do you face as a conductor, choral leader, educator, or artist? In this interactive session, we’ll create a safe, anonymous space to share our struggles—whether they involve leadership, creativity, pedagogy, or personal growth. Participants will write down their biggest challenges, and together we’ll engage in collaborative problem-solving, drawing on the collective insight and experience of the group. No one has to face these issues alone; through open discussion and shared wisdom, we’ll explore practical solutions and fresh perspectives. Come ready to support, reflect, and grow with fellow music leaders navigating similar challenges.
A PITCH FOR SUPPORT: FUND DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY BASED CHOIRS
Roundtable for offstage leaders with Brendan Lord
Building and sustaining a vibrant community choir takes more than passion—it takes resources. This session offers practical strategies for developing funding streams, engaging donors, and creating sustainable support for your ensemble. We’ll explore approaches that work for choirs of all sizes, from grant writing and sponsorships to creative fundraising campaigns and community partnerships. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your existing funding efforts, you’ll leave with actionable ideas to help your choir thrive.
Roundtable for offstage leaders with Brendan Lord
Building and sustaining a vibrant community choir takes more than passion—it takes resources. This session offers practical strategies for developing funding streams, engaging donors, and creating sustainable support for your ensemble. We’ll explore approaches that work for choirs of all sizes, from grant writing and sponsorships to creative fundraising campaigns and community partnerships. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your existing funding efforts, you’ll leave with actionable ideas to help your choir thrive.
ADVOCACY TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Roundtable for offstage leaders with Diana Clark
Choirs and singing groups can be the heart and soul of a community. This session equips offstage leaders—managers, board members, and advocates—with practical tools to amplify your choir’s impact. Receive Advocacy resources, practice crafting compelling messages, share successes for how to engage stakeholders, and position your ensemble as an essential voice in your community. Whether you're fundraising, building partnerships, or growing visibility, walk away with actionable tools and strategies to make your choir not just heard, but truly felt in your community.
Roundtable for offstage leaders with Diana Clark
Choirs and singing groups can be the heart and soul of a community. This session equips offstage leaders—managers, board members, and advocates—with practical tools to amplify your choir’s impact. Receive Advocacy resources, practice crafting compelling messages, share successes for how to engage stakeholders, and position your ensemble as an essential voice in your community. Whether you're fundraising, building partnerships, or growing visibility, walk away with actionable tools and strategies to make your choir not just heard, but truly felt in your community.
BEYOND INCLUSION: UNCOVERING BIASES AND BUILDING RESPECTFUL INDIGENOUS-SETTLER ARTISTIC RELATIONSHIPS IN CHORAL MUSIC
Roundtable for conductors with Sherryl Sewepagaham
This roundtable discussion delves into a hands-on conversation about moving choral music beyond simple inclusion toward truly joyful and respectful collaborations with Indigenous artists. We’ll uncover common blind spots, biases, and misconceptions of Indigenous peoples and their music, then share practical strategies for composers, directors, and music educators. We will discuss ways to foster creative partnerships based on mutual respect, genuine relationship-building, and a shared love for music. Join Sherryl to help create a more equitable and connected choral community where everyone can thrive.
Roundtable for conductors with Sherryl Sewepagaham
This roundtable discussion delves into a hands-on conversation about moving choral music beyond simple inclusion toward truly joyful and respectful collaborations with Indigenous artists. We’ll uncover common blind spots, biases, and misconceptions of Indigenous peoples and their music, then share practical strategies for composers, directors, and music educators. We will discuss ways to foster creative partnerships based on mutual respect, genuine relationship-building, and a shared love for music. Join Sherryl to help create a more equitable and connected choral community where everyone can thrive.
COMPOSING WITH PEDAGOGIAL PURPOSE
Breakout session for composers with Laura Hawley
This session explores the critical need for high-quality repertoire designed specifically for developing singers. Drawing on top recommendations from leading conductors, we’ll uncover what makes certain pieces powerful teaching tools. Through a walk-through of one of my own pieces, we’ll “think like the teacher,” breaking down the creative choices that embed essential teachable elements, from vocal technique and musicality to rhythmic and harmonic concepts. Come discover how every rehearsal can become more than singing—it can be a moment of meaningful and lasting learning.
Breakout session for composers with Laura Hawley
This session explores the critical need for high-quality repertoire designed specifically for developing singers. Drawing on top recommendations from leading conductors, we’ll uncover what makes certain pieces powerful teaching tools. Through a walk-through of one of my own pieces, we’ll “think like the teacher,” breaking down the creative choices that embed essential teachable elements, from vocal technique and musicality to rhythmic and harmonic concepts. Come discover how every rehearsal can become more than singing—it can be a moment of meaningful and lasting learning.
CONCERT PROGRAMMING IDEA LAB
Roundtable for conductors with Mark Ramsay
Bring your ideas for effective, creative, stellar, earth-shattering programming and get ready to share them in lightning speed. If we put our heads together, what can we dream up in an hour?! Challenge accepted!
Roundtable for conductors with Mark Ramsay
Bring your ideas for effective, creative, stellar, earth-shattering programming and get ready to share them in lightning speed. If we put our heads together, what can we dream up in an hour?! Challenge accepted!
EMBRACING CHANGE
Plenary session for all attendees with Mark Ramsay.
Without question, the last five years have been a rollercoaster ride for our choral field and regardless of the role we each play in that field, we have been required to face change. The goal of this session is to hit pause and consider how embracing change can help us all move forward. We will explore themes of adaptability and flexibility while investigating current research and reflecting on our own personal experiences.
Plenary session for all attendees with Mark Ramsay.
Without question, the last five years have been a rollercoaster ride for our choral field and regardless of the role we each play in that field, we have been required to face change. The goal of this session is to hit pause and consider how embracing change can help us all move forward. We will explore themes of adaptability and flexibility while investigating current research and reflecting on our own personal experiences.
FIRESIDE CHAT
Hosted by Nicole Hounjet with Diana Clark, Mark Ramsay, and Sherryl Sewepagaham
Settle in with your afternoon coffee for a warm, informal conversation with our faculty. Guided by our host Nicole Hounjet, the discussion will move through important and timely topics, with each faculty member contributing their own perspective and experiences. Questions, stories, and reflections from the floor will also be encouraged—this is about gathering insight and learning from one another in ways that spark new ideas and strengthen the work we each do as choral leaders.
Hosted by Nicole Hounjet with Diana Clark, Mark Ramsay, and Sherryl Sewepagaham
Settle in with your afternoon coffee for a warm, informal conversation with our faculty. Guided by our host Nicole Hounjet, the discussion will move through important and timely topics, with each faculty member contributing their own perspective and experiences. Questions, stories, and reflections from the floor will also be encouraged—this is about gathering insight and learning from one another in ways that spark new ideas and strengthen the work we each do as choral leaders.
MARKETING, TICKETING, AND AUDIENCE CONNECTION
Breakout session for offstage leaders with Mark Ramsay
Regardless of our individual roles and job titles, we are all promoters of choral music. But who are we promoting choral music to and are they buying what we are selling? We will investigate trends we are seeing across the choral field, recent data regarding audience engagement, and strategies for how we might continue to connect with listeners and lovers of choral music. Time will be included for idea sharing and personal reflection.
Breakout session for offstage leaders with Mark Ramsay
Regardless of our individual roles and job titles, we are all promoters of choral music. But who are we promoting choral music to and are they buying what we are selling? We will investigate trends we are seeing across the choral field, recent data regarding audience engagement, and strategies for how we might continue to connect with listeners and lovers of choral music. Time will be included for idea sharing and personal reflection.
NITOHTAMOK ASKÎY: LAND-BASED THEMES IN CHORAL COMPOSITION
Roundtable for composers with Sherryl Sewepagaham
This breakout session explores the integration of Cree song and language into Western choral composition. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Cree vocal pedagogy, focusing on authentic, cultural sound production and the phonetics of the Cree language using Standard Roman Orthography (SRO). This session addresses the unique compositional challenges of weaving Cree linguistic rhythms, oral traditions, and storying into choral compositional frameworks, moving beyond direct translation to honour the music inherent in the language itself.
Roundtable for composers with Sherryl Sewepagaham
This breakout session explores the integration of Cree song and language into Western choral composition. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Cree vocal pedagogy, focusing on authentic, cultural sound production and the phonetics of the Cree language using Standard Roman Orthography (SRO). This session addresses the unique compositional challenges of weaving Cree linguistic rhythms, oral traditions, and storying into choral compositional frameworks, moving beyond direct translation to honour the music inherent in the language itself.
OPENING TO CREATIVITY
Plenary session for all attendees with Diana Clark
Inspired by our surroundings, this hands-on session invites you to play, explore, and stretch your imagination through guided activities that spark divergent thinking and joyful experimentation. Reconnect with your innate creativity in a supportive, energizing environment. Alongside the fun, you’ll gain practical tips and strategies to deepen your own creative practice—tools you can carry into your professional work as an artist, educator, or leader. Come ready to play, reflect, and unlock new pathways to creative expression and inspiration.
Plenary session for all attendees with Diana Clark
Inspired by our surroundings, this hands-on session invites you to play, explore, and stretch your imagination through guided activities that spark divergent thinking and joyful experimentation. Reconnect with your innate creativity in a supportive, energizing environment. Alongside the fun, you’ll gain practical tips and strategies to deepen your own creative practice—tools you can carry into your professional work as an artist, educator, or leader. Come ready to play, reflect, and unlock new pathways to creative expression and inspiration.
OPENING TO CREATIVITY
Plenary session for all attendees with Diana Clark
Inspired by our surroundings, this hands-on session invites you to play, explore, and stretch your imagination through guided activities that spark divergent thinking and joyful experimentation. Reconnect with your innate creativity in a supportive, energizing environment. Alongside the fun, you’ll gain practical tips and strategies to deepen your own creative practice—tools you can carry into your professional work as an artist, educator, or leader. Come ready to play, reflect, and unlock new pathways to creative expression and inspiration.
Plenary session for all attendees with Diana Clark
Inspired by our surroundings, this hands-on session invites you to play, explore, and stretch your imagination through guided activities that spark divergent thinking and joyful experimentation. Reconnect with your innate creativity in a supportive, energizing environment. Alongside the fun, you’ll gain practical tips and strategies to deepen your own creative practice—tools you can carry into your professional work as an artist, educator, or leader. Come ready to play, reflect, and unlock new pathways to creative expression and inspiration.
RECKONING AND REIMAGINING: CHORAL MUSIC, RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL LEGACIES, AND THE SACRED WORK OF RECONCILIATION
Plenary session for all attendees with Sherryl Sewepagaham
This plenary session confronts the complex role of choral and sacred music within Canada’s colonial history, specifically its use in residential schools as a tool of assimilation and colonial indoctrination. We will examine this difficult legacy, including historical denigration of First Nations and Inuit music by Western composers. The session then focuses on the path forward: how the choral community can actively engage in truth-telling and reconciliation. This sacred work involves building respectful, equitable relationships with Indigenous artists, centering Indigenous voices, and reimagining the art form as a space for healing, collaboration, and meaningful understanding.
Plenary session for all attendees with Sherryl Sewepagaham
This plenary session confronts the complex role of choral and sacred music within Canada’s colonial history, specifically its use in residential schools as a tool of assimilation and colonial indoctrination. We will examine this difficult legacy, including historical denigration of First Nations and Inuit music by Western composers. The session then focuses on the path forward: how the choral community can actively engage in truth-telling and reconciliation. This sacred work involves building respectful, equitable relationships with Indigenous artists, centering Indigenous voices, and reimagining the art form as a space for healing, collaboration, and meaningful understanding.
SHARING SPACES
A sharing session for all attendees
Sharing Spaces offer a safe, supportive, open environment where participants can speak honestly about what inspires them, challenges them, or keeps them up at night. Everyone in the space will have an opportunity to reflect on their leadership experiences, fears, and successes, and to listen and respond to the stories of others. This session is about connection, empathy, and community—offering the chance to feel seen, heard, and connected to other leaders in the choral sector.
A sharing session for all attendees
Sharing Spaces offer a safe, supportive, open environment where participants can speak honestly about what inspires them, challenges them, or keeps them up at night. Everyone in the space will have an opportunity to reflect on their leadership experiences, fears, and successes, and to listen and respond to the stories of others. This session is about connection, empathy, and community—offering the chance to feel seen, heard, and connected to other leaders in the choral sector.
SINGING IN THE KEY OF "SEE": AMPLIFYING YOUR CHOIR'S COMMUNITY PRESENCE
Breakout session for offstage leaders with Brendan Lord
A strong community presence helps your choir attract audiences, supporters, and collaborators, and ensures your music resonates beyond the stage. In this session, you’ll explore practical strategies for amplifying your choir’s profile through effective branding, storytelling, and outreach. Learn how to craft messages that reflect your choir’s unique identity, engage your community, and create meaningful, lasting connections. You’ll leave with actionable ideas to raise your visibility, strengthen relationships, and make a bigger impact in your community.
Breakout session for offstage leaders with Brendan Lord
A strong community presence helps your choir attract audiences, supporters, and collaborators, and ensures your music resonates beyond the stage. In this session, you’ll explore practical strategies for amplifying your choir’s profile through effective branding, storytelling, and outreach. Learn how to craft messages that reflect your choir’s unique identity, engage your community, and create meaningful, lasting connections. You’ll leave with actionable ideas to raise your visibility, strengthen relationships, and make a bigger impact in your community.
TAI CHI
Optional breakout session for all attendees with Julie Freedman Smith
Start your day with this beginner Tai Chi experience. Julie will guide you through simple moves to help improve your mind-body connection, while getting your energy flowing, opening you up to have a great rest of your day. Learn moves you can teach to your choristers to help them sing from a more grounded and balanced state.
Optional breakout session for all attendees with Julie Freedman Smith
Start your day with this beginner Tai Chi experience. Julie will guide you through simple moves to help improve your mind-body connection, while getting your energy flowing, opening you up to have a great rest of your day. Learn moves you can teach to your choristers to help them sing from a more grounded and balanced state.
THE THINGS I WISH I WROTE
Roundtable for composers with Laura Hawley
Every composer has encountered a passage so striking it makes you think, “I wish I’d written that.” This session creates a welcoming, generative space to share those moments and the scores behind them. Together we’ll listen, look closely, and discuss what makes these passages so powerful—whether it’s a surprising harmonic shift, an innovative texture, a clever transition, or a powerful use of sonority sonority. By celebrating the artistry of our peers, we’ll uncover new perspectives and gather fresh inspiration for our own writing.
Roundtable for composers with Laura Hawley
Every composer has encountered a passage so striking it makes you think, “I wish I’d written that.” This session creates a welcoming, generative space to share those moments and the scores behind them. Together we’ll listen, look closely, and discuss what makes these passages so powerful—whether it’s a surprising harmonic shift, an innovative texture, a clever transition, or a powerful use of sonority sonority. By celebrating the artistry of our peers, we’ll uncover new perspectives and gather fresh inspiration for our own writing.
WHAT IS CANADIAN CHORAL MUSIC TODAY?
Breakout for conductors with Mark Ramsay
Do we have a Canadian sound? What is in our “Canadian canon” of choral repertoire? Has this canon change over time? Together we will explore these questions and reflect on how the music we publish, perform, and commission today reflects our Canadian choral community.
Breakout for conductors with Mark Ramsay
Do we have a Canadian sound? What is in our “Canadian canon” of choral repertoire? Has this canon change over time? Together we will explore these questions and reflect on how the music we publish, perform, and commission today reflects our Canadian choral community.
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