Figure 1.--Here we see one of boys from the French-tradition choirs wearing the white alb that they used with singing in the Church. This is the same costume used in several French choirs.
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Figure 1.--Here we see one of boys from the French-tradition choirs wearing the white alb that they used with singing in the Church. This is the same costume used in several French choirs. |
The following alphabetical list is available on individual Canadian choirs, including both the English and French choirs. Most of the information we have found concerns the French choirs. Our information on these choirs is very limited. Hopefully HBC readers will be able to tell us more about these choirs.
There are three choirs in the Amabile Boys' Choirs. The Treble Concert Choir, the original choir; the Tenor/Bass Concert Choir, which came about as a result of the trebles' voices changing; and the Treble Training Choir which started in September of 1996.
Founded in 1968, the British Columbia Boys Choir has won international acclaim throughout
Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States, Europe, the Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland. The British Columbia Boys Choir has three Choirs: an International Touring Choir, The Town Choir and the Choristers, with members ranging in age from 8-24 years and residing across the Greater Vancouver area. The BCBC Touring Choir is a four-part, non-liturgical boys choir, one of the few in North America. Over its 34-year history the BCBC has trained over 800 members who have represented Canada on 17 international tours, performing a demanding repertoire spanning centuries, from Gregorian chant to contemporary works. Programmes frequently include sacred and secular works, selections from musicals and opera, folk songs from around the world, and an assortment of Canadian works; many specifically composed for the Choir.
The Calgary Boys Choir has for over a quarter century, delighted music lovers with their beautiful tone and clear, pure sound, bringing the Choir critical and public acclaim as among the finest boy's choirs in North America. Since 1973 high-quality choral training and performance opportunities for boys ages three to 21 have been offered. There are five choirs: the Young Singers, the Intermediate Choir, the Performing Choir, the Touring Choir, and the Alumni Chorus. To introduce children to music and singing and prepare them to join
one of the choirs, the Early Childhood Music and Pre-Audition Training programs are offered. Increasing levels of skill in vocal technique, aural musicianship and sight-reading are developed in a supportive environment that fosters dedication and self-esteem.
Co-hosted the first UNISONG Festival for Canadian choirs, in June 28-July 2, 1997.
The Men and Boys' Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, first formed in 1891, serves as the Cathedral's primary Choir. The choir sings for all major Cathedral services, and also, for special events taking place in the Ottawa context, ranging from State funerals in the Cathedral to State receptions hosted by the Prime Minister or by the Governor General at Rideau Hall. The Gentlemen of the Choir is made up of 16 adults and up to 14 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 20 years. The teenagers receive a small stipend based on their attendance at rehearsals, services and performances, and the adults give their time and talents freely to the Glory of God. The choirboys are between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. The Choir is usually featured in one or more concerts in the annual Cathedral Concert Series.
Choir of 40 boys between age 8 to 13 years.
Co-hosted the first UNISONG Festival for Canadian choirs, in June 28-July 2, 1997. UNISONG was a choral music festival involving 475 singers, as part of Ottawa's celebration of Canada Day 1997.
The choristers at Beloeil wore light blue shirts with open collars, dark blue sweaters with the choir crest, blue shorts and white knee socks. We have little information about this choir but note an article in Le Petit chanteur (November 1989 entitled "Une tournée fantastique en Gaspésie". They went on European tours in the 1980s, but sadly the choir np longer exists.
The white alb ("L'aube blanche"), especially among French-speaking people, is the vestment worn at the time of concerts of sacred musics or of religious offices. In Quebec
the tradition is the same one as in Belgium and France. The Petits Chanteurs du Cap de la Madeleine (close to the town of Three-Rivers) wear wjite albs with a wodden cross.
The Petits Chanteurs de Granby is one of Canada's oldes choirs. The birth of the Petits Chanteurs de Granby was inspired by visits from French choirs, Les Petits Chanteurs de la Manécanterie and Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois. The Reverend Frère Julien was at the time in chanrge of a parish children's choir and in 1931 he founded a new choir. Granby is located in Quebec, The choir is composed of boys and girls from 8 to 13 years. The repertory is varied, of popular with the traditional one.
The Petits Chanteurs de Laval (Small Singers of Laval) is located in the northern suburbs of Montreal, Quebec. The choir was founded in 1981 and continues to be active. The boys in the 198-s wore a costume of blue sweaters, blue short pants, and white kneesocks. The choir like many French-language choirs wear white albs when singing religious music.
The Small Singers of Mont-Royal are located in Montreal. The Small Singer. The candidates come from all schools of metropolitan Montreal and of the surroundings, without any discrimination from familial status. After selection, 27 pupils are allowed each year. Admitted as of the 4th year of primary education, the boys can there continue their musical formation until the end of fifth secondary level . In areas located at foot of Oratory, the pupils of primary level receive three hour of musical formation per day (musical theory, song, piano, etc), integrated to academic classes led by teachers of Montreal commission school.
HBC has little information on this choir yet. We do know that the choir is located in Tracy, Quebec. I don't know about the current situation, but we have a post card with the boys wearing white turtle kneck sweaters and the younger boys wearing shorts and knee socks.
This choir gave a Christmas concert in 2000 of traditional carols (Concert de chants traditionnels de Noël).
The Winnipeg Boy's Choir wasactive in 1988.
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