On June 4th, 2022, our junior and senior choirs took to the stage with guest performer Marcelle Boisjoli. Directed by Kristine Dandavino, and artfully accompanied by Alanna Kurt, this performance was one for the record books. After navigating two years of pandemic-related restrictions our young singers handled the spotlight with confidence, premiered an original commission by Shannon Linton, and truly celebrated ‘Women in Song’. Concert day was once again packed full of activities, rehearsals, and friendship — just the way it should be.
On Saturday, June 4th, Durham Girls’ Choir will present an end-of-season concert, celebrating the success of a one-year $21,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The one-year grant, which was awarded in 2021, enabled the choir to develop agile responses to the changing COVID-19 landscape in Durham Region by restructuring its service model to bridge in-person and virtual activities — eliminating service interruptions with the support of technology and new software.
“We are so grateful for the opportunities this funding has provided for our organization! It is wonderful to see the return of regular rehearsal activities, and promote healthy, stable, and inclusive social connections once again,” says Choir Manager Wendy Capkun.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation developed the Resilient Communities Fund to help non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The grant has helped the choir to launch its hybrid live/virtual season last September with a modified curriculum. It’s helped with access to ‘Soundtrap for Education’ digital recording software for all choir members. It’s also helped with costs for a large rehearsal facility, providing a stabilized rehearsal schedule for members (and also providing that in-person social connection). It’s also helped with staffing for a professional director and a collaborative pianist, and enabled the choir to increase its digital marketing footprint, resulting in a 53 per cent membership increase coinciding with resumption of in-person activities.
Pride in their collective accomplishments has inspired the young singers of Durham Girls’ Choir to push themselves musically, while Artistic Director Kristine Dandavino and Collaborative Pianist Alanna Kurt guided them to strive for new musical goals. Founded in 1972, Durham Girls’ Choir will be marking their 50th Anniversary at their end-of-season concert, honouring the role of women singers and songwriters throughout history.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Choir project moves away from ‘singing heads’ presentation style
Durham Girls Choir has produced a cover of ‘Light A Candle for Peace’ in a virtual and physically distanced environment to honour Canada’s veterans for Remembrance Day. The choristers wanted their first recording of the season to be dedicated to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to bring us freedom.
Twenty-six young singers from across the region recorded audio tracks individually, under the mentorship of Director Kristine Dandavino. Moving away from the standard ‘singing heads’ presentation style for virtual ensembles, the video was shot on location in a physically-distanced outdoor environment, and presented in true concert style during the production process.
Composed by Shelly Murley, this song reminds us of the importance of peace, love, friendship, and compassion during isolation. To our veterans, we are thinking of you and send this song as a gift to you. We shall always remember.
