Choral Art 2027 (Banff Centre)

Application Deadline: December 9, 2026
Program Dates: June 12 to 20, 2027
For more information and to apply.

Choral Art is a launch pad for ensemble singers, offering a unique opportunity to learn from and sing alongside Chanticleer’s esteemed members. Participants will leave feeling inspired and ready to tackle the flourishing and exciting world of vocal chamber music.

Twelve residency participants will rehearse side by side with Chanticleer, exploring repertoire that spans Renaissance polyphony, popular arrangements, and contemporary commissions.

The residency culminates in a three-day Choral Art Festival weekend, where participants will be joined by an additional 40 singers for final concerts, workshops, and opportunities for artistic exchange.

Description

Choral Art is a nine-day intensive program for pre-professional young artists dedicated to the art of a cappella vocal chamber music. Twelve participants will study, rehearse, and perform alongside members of Chanticleer through a focused series of workshops, rehearsals, and performances, culminating in the three-day Choral Art Festival.

Additional faculty include soprano Andrea Haines and composer Sarah Quartel.

Workshop topics will include:

• Vocal techniques for small ensemble singers: Explore when and how to blend voices and how to utilize the unique personality of every individual voice to achieve a common sound.
• Musicianship for vocal performers: Develop skills in score study, preparation, and sight singing repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to vocal jazz.
• Ensemble techniques: Performing without a conductor.
• Building a career as a professional singer: Explore auditioning, working as a freelance ensemble singer, and starting and managing your own vocal chamber ensemble.
• Physical and mental well-being: Explore mindfulness, healthy vocal practices, and approaches to self-guided artistic and vocal development.
• Working with composers: Engage with the creative process of developing and performing new work, including a new commission by Sarah Quartel.

Requirements

This program is open to individual pre-professional sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses of all genders with experience in vocal ensemble performance and a strong interest in a cappella vocal chamber music.

Participants must be available to attend the program and elements for its entire duration; variable participation dates will not be considered.