Hart House Singers
7 Hart House Circle Toronto, ON, Canada

NEW INFO POSTED Sept. 12: Hart House Singers 2020-2021 Online Rehearsals for September and possibly the entire first term are on Mondays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. (or maybe up to 9:30 p.m., tba) To Go Online for the First Rehearsal, Monday, Sept. 14, 7:30-9:00 p.m.:... 1) Please go to this link for the Zoom meeting/rehearsal on Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86910430873 2) Please also email [email protected] to register and receive a password for this first Zoom rehearsal. If possible, please state in your email if you are soprano, alto, tenor, or bass. If you are not certain, please write not certain of voice part. Repertoire: various pieces from the European and American university/college choir circuits; some examples will be shown at the first rehearsal, and members are encouraged to vote yes or no for these pieces. J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion (Johannes-Passion); to be sung in the original German. It is hoped that we will perform this work, with orchestra, when it is safe to do so. Registration: Please note that the first two rehearsals (Sept. 14 and 21) are open online rehearsals; you may try these two rehearsals and then decide later if you would like to stay with the choir. If you would like to stay with the choir for at least the first term (i.e.: until the end of November), please email [email protected] by Sept. 28 to state your intention. Fees: $0 (zero) for students currently enrolled at University of Toronto $50 for non-students, community members, alumni; $30 if 65 or older. PLEASE NOTE: Registration fees for non-students will not be collected for at least two weeks (i.e.: after the two open rehearsals of Sept. 14 and 21). We will tell you when the payment system is ready. Online Guests: We have several wonderful guests who will appear at some point during most rehearsals, to talk about such subjects as: vocal warmup tips and exercises for home singing J.S. Bach’s influence on choral music The role of the chorus in Bach’s St. John Passion Our guest include (in alphabetical order): David Fallis, conductor, Music Director of Opera Atelier, past director of Toronto Consort; tenor; historical music producer of The Tudors and The Borgias J. Thomas D. Gonder, Music Director, Christ Church Cathedral (Fredericton); concert organist; professional accompanist Dr. Robert Hall, Professor of Music, Laurentian University; Director of Music at St. Andrew's United Church in Sudbury; baritone soloist; professional piano accompanist Ariel Harwood-Jones, soprano soloist, Artistic Director of Kammerchor London Matthew Larkin, concert organist, conductor, Founding Director of Caelis Academy Ensemble Stephanie Martin, Associate Professor of Music, York University; composer, conductor; conductor emeritus of Pax Christi Chorale; past director of music at the historic church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Toronto Questions? Please ask through our Facebook page.

HH Singers, and those who would like to join us: Here are some updates, as of Sept. 8... 1) We will be rehearsing online for September, and possibly for the full first term (i.e.: Sept.-early Dec.); updates about this will be given. Definitely all of Sept. will be online. 2) If we are able to rehearse in-person later in the year, it will be with strict safety protocols. NOTE: You may continue to rehearse on-line throughout the year, if you prefer, even if rehearsals move to a...n in-person format. We will set up cameras with a live-feed to enable you to follow the rehearsals from home. 3) The first online rehearsal will be on Monday, September. 14, 7:39-9:00 pm; links will be posted, soon. There will be NO rehearsal on Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 12. 4) We will have guest artists/speakers who will appear at some point in the on-line rehearsals. They will give their tips about home voice exercises, insights into the repertoire we will be studying (especially the Bach), and more. Names of these artists will be posted by Sept. 12. (We’re still confirming some of them; several have already been booked.) 5) We will be using a music-learning platform (either "My Choral Coach or SmartMusic); these help you learn your music during rehearsals and anytime at your home. Parts of the first two rehearsals will include descriptions on how to load and use the chosen platform. 6) Repertoire: we will learn various selections used in the U.S. and European university/college circuit, and J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion (to be sung in the original German); we hope to perform the Bach with orchestra either in the spring or the following season, when it is safe to do so. A full repertoire list will be posted by Sept. 12. 7) Fees: For the first term, the fee will be $0 (zero) for students who are enrolled at the university, and $50 for community members (alumni, staff, and all others who may no longer be students). We are awaiting to hear if there will be a further discount for those who are over 65. 8 ) Keep checking for updates! ( The next will be in September 12.) The music we are choosing is wonderful, and we hope to see you on Sept. 14! See more

MESSAGE FOR HART HOUSE SINGERS, August 14, 2020: Hello Hart House Singers, and anyone who would like to join the Singers, A directive sent from University of Toronto today (August 14) has stated that, due to the pandemic, extra-curricular music groups on campus, including those at Hart House, are to convene only online (i.e.: virtually) for September, 2020. It is possible we will be able to meet in person (with strict health and safety protocols) later in the term, but it is ...also possible we will need to remain online for all of the fall term. Updates will be given later in September. For September (and possibly for all the fall term), we are offering the following program: 1) We will convene online once a week, Monday evenings, 7:30-9:00 pm, using either Zoom or Google Meet. The first rehearsal will probably be Monday, September 14. 2) Vocal warmups and rehearsals of the music will be given online. Details of how this will work will be given at the start of Sept. 3) Music will be made available online for downloading. The music will include: a) various university-level pieces made available through SmartMusic software; this software will be made available for free, and allows one to hear each part (i.e.: soprano, alto, tenor, or bass) individually or in any combination, with piano accompaniment. Descriptions and lessons on how to work the software will be given in September, possibly during one of our rehearsals. b) J.S. Bach’s "St. John Passion" (to be learned in the original German); music and recordings of each voice part will be made available online for free. It is hoped we will one day perform this work with an orchestra. 4) It is probable that student fees and community fees for joining the Singers will be greatly reduced (or possibly even eliminated) while we are online. This is to be confirmed. 5) No audition is necessary. 6) Methods on how to register for the Singers will be announced early in September. 7) While it is preferable that you attend the online rehearsals for the entire rehearsal, you may also join and leave as you see fit. 8 ) We hope to have guests who are professional musicians join us during the rehearsal. These guests will be given a 15-30 minute slot to offer advice on how to warm-up, sing with a round tone, increase your range, and how to interpret music with the voice. Details on our guests will be available early in September. 9) When it is safe to do so, we will start rehearsals in person, with small groups, lots of air ventilation, masks, big spacing, etc. You may still visit these rehearsals online, if you are uncomfortable attending in person. In-person rehearsals times will be announced when the university feels it is safe to have them. As mentioned above, however, we may be on-line for the entire fall term. We hope you will consider joining us online, until it is safe to sing in person again!