Author: Paige Fitzpatrick

Modern Sound Collective (artistic director: Kai Leung) is pleased to announce its second Call for Scores.

MSC is a fast growing GTA-based choral arts organization, comprising 4 choirs. Since 2015, it has aimed to foster a nurturing community that inspires young artists through accessible opportunities for growth and collaboration, and to share its love of contemporary choral music through sincere and passionate performances. MSC was recently a featured performer at Podium (Canada’s national choir conference), where its new music choir Concreamus performed the world premieres of seven fantastic new works by emerging composers from the GTA. 

From last year’s inaugural MSC Call for Scores we were thrilled to form new connections and perform new works by emerging Canadian composers Pari Bahrami, Mari Alice Conrad, H. Zack Ferns, Rasa Ghaedi, Nicholas Ryan Kelly, Clara Moniz, and Rémi St-Jacques. Today, are thrilled to begin accepting submissions from across the country for consideration in our 2025-26 season.

Requirements:

• Any Canadian citizen or resident self-identifying as a young/early career composer is eligible to submit.
• All styles of choral/vocal ensemble music will be considered, of any voicing, at any difficulty level, in any language.
• Scores may have multiple movements.
• Scores need not be unmarked/anonymous.
• Composers may submit up to 2 scores for this call.
• The score need not be previously unperformed (ie. it can be premiered or not yet premiered), but the composer should currently hold copyright (ie. the piece is self-published or unpublished).
• Composers using texts not in the public domain must provide written permission from the poet(s)/author(s) for MSC to perform the text(s) at a ticketed concert event.
• Timeline : Submissions due September 7th, 11:59pm EST
• There is no required entry fee for this Call for Scores. At the composer’s discretion, a donation (suggested $5 per submission) to help Modern Sound Collective’s administration costs may be made here: donate.modernsoundcollective.ca . A donation will not affect the chances of a submission being selected. MSC is a registered charitable organization. A tax receipt will be issued for all donations of $20 or more.

If selected:

• Scores may be selected for consideration for any combination of the following: reading session, recording, live performance, and/or publication (through MSC’s online publishing platform MSC Presents).
• Multiple scores, from multiple composers, will likely be selected. 
• There will be no prize money awarded for selected participants.
• Selected composers will be notified a minimum of 30 days in advance of an intended performance.
• Selected composers are encouraged to communicate with MSC to attend a rehearsal for workshop, collaboration, and input. Rehearsals and live performances will be hosted within the GTA.
• At least one full rehearsal recording and/or performance recording will be provided to the composer.
• Travel and accommodations will not be provided to the composer for the purposes of rehearsal/workshop/concert attendance.
• 2 complimentary tickets will be provided to the composer for the concert at the composer’s request.

Submission guidelines:

• All submissions must be sent via email to [email protected]
• Email must include (attach) a score in PDF format and an audio mockup or recording (mp3) sent over google drive or a cloud based file sharing service.
• Any questions regarding the call for scores may be sent to [email protected]

Check out recordings of Concreamus Chamber Choir on all streaming platforms to get an idea of the ensemble!

For more information on Modern Sound Collective, visit modernsoundcollective.ca and follow us on Instagram and Facebook

Modern Sound Collective is searching for talented choral musicians to take part in our conducting intern programs.

Application Deadline: April 29, 2025

Term: September 2025 to May 2026

Compensation: $1000

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Datsuzoku rehearses on Wednesday evenings at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.

Concreamus rehearses on Friday afternoons at Trinity St Paul’s Church.

About the Modern Sound Collective

MSC is committed to fostering a nurturing community that inspires young artists through accessible opportunities for growth and collaboration, and to sharing our love of contemporary choral music through sincere and passionate performances. They have four choral programs focused on providing the next generation of choral singers, composers, and leaders with opportunities to advance their skills and grow their artistic network.

Datsuzoku is MSC’s 80 voice young adult choir, which focuses on providing singers with a welcoming creative community where they can meet like-minded singers and sing amazing choral music from around the world.

Concreamus is MSC’s 32 voice new music choir. They enjoy performing amazing music by living composers, and frequently collaborate with a diverse array of talented artists. They have premiered over 50 new works in the past 5 years.

About the Role

The intern conductors will work closely with the Conductor and Assistant Conductor to assist with implementing and delivering the choral programme of vocal technique, performance skills and musicianship, including weekly rehearsals and leading sectionals. They will receive 10 minutes of podium time per rehearsal, and will receive conducting and rehearsal feedback from the artistic staff. The intern conductor will have the opportunity to conduct at least one choral piece per concert, to be determined by the conductor. The intern conductor will receive rehearsal and concert footage of their conducting.

This role is geared towards advanced undergraduate students who are considering pursuing conducting and are looking for an opportunity to advance their musical leadership skills with a skilled choir.

The ideal candidate will possess these traits:

• A passion for choral music and a strong desire to learn the skills necessary to be a choral conductor
• Ability to work collaboratively and take direction
• Basic proficiency in piano
• Experience singing in choirs
• Demonstrated interest in musical education and musical programming

How to Apply:

Applicants are asked to submit the following:

• A resume/CV and a short video introduction of who you are and why you are applying to [email protected].
• Contact information for two references who can speak to their musical skills and work ethic.

Selected candidates will be asked to participate in an interview (virtual or in-person) with the Search Committee.

The Search Committee will conduct reference checks for the final candidates before making an offer.

July 13, 2024

Modern Sound Collective (artistic director: Kai Leung) is pleased to announce its inaugural Call for Scores.

MSC is a fast growing GTA-based choral arts organization, comprising six choirs. Since 2015, it has aimed to foster a nurturing community that inspires young artists through accessible opportunities for growth and collaboration, and to share its love of contemporary choral music through sincere and passionate performances. MSC was recently a featured performer at Podium (Canada’s national choir conference), where its new music choir “Concreamus” performed the world premieres of seven fantastic new works by young composers from the GTA. As we embark on planning our programming for our tenth anniversary season, we are now thrilled to begin accepting submissions from across the country for consideration in our 2024-25 season.

Requirements:

• Any Canadian citizen or resident self-identifying as a young/early career composer is eligible to submit.
• All styles of choral/vocal ensemble music will be considered, of any voicing, at any difficulty level, in any language.
• Scores may have multiple movements.
• Scores need not be unmarked/anonymous.
• Composers may submit up to 2 scores for this call.
• The score need not be previously unperformed (ie. it can be premiered or not yet premiered), but the composer should currently hold copyright (ie. the piece is self-published or unpublished).
• Composers using texts not in the public domain must provide written permission from the poet(s)/author(s) for MSC to perform the text(s) at a ticketed concert event.
• Timeline : Submissions due August 5th 2024, 11:59pm EST
• There is no required entry fee for this Call for Scores. At the composer’s discretion, a donation (suggested $5 per submission) to help Modern Sound Collective’s administration costs may be made here: donate.modernsoundcollective.ca . A donation will not affect the chances of a submission being selected. MSC is a registered charitable organization. A tax receipt will be issued for all donations of $20 or more.

If selected:

• Scores may be selected for consideration for any combination of the following: reading session, recording, live performance, and/or publication (through MSC’s online publishing platform MSC Presents).
• Multiple scores, from multiple composers, will likely be selected. 
• There will be no prize money awarded for selected participants.
• Selected composers will be notified a minimum of 60 days in advance of an intended performance.
• Selected composers are encouraged to communicate with MSC to attend a rehearsal for workshop, collaboration, and input. Rehearsals and live performances will be hosted within the GTA.
• Rehearsal recordings will be provided to the composer.
• Travel and accommodations will not be provided to the composer for the purposes of rehearsal/workshop/concert attendance.
• 2 complimentary tickets will be provided to the composer for the concert at the composer’s request.

Submission guidelines:

• All submissions must be sent via email to [email protected]
• Email must include (attach) a score in PDF format and an audio mockup or recording (mp3) sent over google drive or a cloud based file sharing service.
• Any questions regarding the call for scores may be sent to [email protected]

Check out recordings of Concreamus Chamber Choir on all streaming platforms to get an idea of the ensemble!

For more information on Modern Sound Collective, visit modernsoundcollective.ca and follow us on Instagram and Facebook

“Our Love in Song”

On May 4th, we invite you to join Datsuzoku for “Our Love in Song”. We will celebrate our community, our aspirations, our partners, and our mothers with contemporary choral music that spans many genres, continents, and cultures. The concert will feature two world premieres of pieces written by our amazing composers in residence: Francesca Hauser and Sami Anguaya.

“The Notebooks of Leonardo DaVinci”

On May 11th, join Concreamus and the Orpheus choir of Toronto at Eglinton st. George church for “The Notebooks of Leonardo DaVinci.” The titular piece is a 40 minute work for choir, orchestra, and projected film that employs newly developed technology wherein the video elements (created in tandem with the music) are able to be slowed down or sped up with the ensemble’s rubato. This will be the Canadian premiere of this phenomenal work. Tickets are available at https://orpheuschoiroftoronto.ticketspice.com/c4-the-notebooks-of-leonardo-davinci?t=xconcreamus 

Concreamus is invited to Podium!

Concreamus is especially excited to have been invited to perform in a featured concert at PODIUM Choral Conference and Festival in Montreal. They have commissioned 6 new works by amazing composers in the MSC community, which will be premiered at the festival. Their travel to Montreal is partially supported by the Canadian Arts Council. If you would like a to hear the amazing repertoire they are singing, join them on May 12th at 8:15pm at St. Mary Magdalene church, 477 Manning Ave. Entry to this “sneak preview” event is by donation.

Call for Billet Volunteers

This summer, the MSC has been offered a unique and exciting opportunity to collaborate with two international choral ensembles. The Young Woman’s Choral Project, directed by Matthew Otto, is a world-class choral organization. At YWCP, girls experience the joy of music and find their voices as singers and as artists—empowering them to achieve artistic and personal excellence. The Manado state university choir, directed by Andre De Quadros, represents not only the country of Indonesia but in a more complex sense, new directions in choral music worldwide. MSC is delighted to be hosting these amazing choirs this June, and are searching for members of our community who are interested in billeting visiting choristers between June 25th and 28th. Billet families will be provided with complimentary tickets to our amazing collaboration concert on June 27th. This is an incredible opportunity to develop our international choral network and host two amazing choirs in Toronto. If you are interested in hosting some choristers, please fill out this form to express interest and get more details about hosting.

Concreamus is hiring an excellent choral conductor for next season.

Application Deadline: May 11th, 2024

Term: September 2024 to June 2025

Compensation: $2500

Location: Toronto, Ontario.

Rehearsals occur on Friday afternoons, 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Occasional extra rehearsals and up to 5 concerts per year.

About the Modern Sound Collective:

MSC is committed to fostering a nurturing community that inspires young artists through accessible opportunities for growth and collaboration, and to sharing their love of contemporary choral music through sincere and passionate performances. They have four choral programs focused on providing the next generation of choral singers, composers, and leaders with opportunities to advance their skills and grow their artistic network.

Concreamus is MSC’s 40 voice new music choir dedicated to innovation in the choral arts and the creation and performance of excellent new works by young composers. The group is made up of young singers, composers, and educators from around the GTA.  Concreamus, Latin for “we create together,” encourages a creative dialogue between composers and performers through which both groups can offer their insight and be inspired in new ways. It is committed to creating opportunities for new vocal music to be developed and presented, as well as exploring new sounds and vocal textures through improvisation and collaborative exploration.

To date, the choir has commissioned more than 15 new works and premiered over 40 choral works by young composers. Many of their premiere performances can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. Concreamus has collaborated with various musical organisations, including appearing in concert with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Exultate Chamber Singers, the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, the Amadeus choir of Greater Toronto, the University of Toronto MacMillan Singers, and at SING! Festival Toronto. This May, they have been invited to perform at PODIUM, Canada’s largest choral festival.

About the Role:

The assistant conductor of Concreamus will work closely with the conductor to assist with implementing and delivering the choral program, including programming music, rehearsing the choir, and conducting the choir in select pieces in performance. The approximate time commitment is about 4 hours per week, including rehearsal time, preparation time, and communications.

This role is geared towards advanced level conductors who have post-secondary training or some professional experience and are looking to continue developing their skills with a high level ensemble.

The ideal candidate will possess these traits:

• A passion for choral music
• The ability to work collaboratively
• Commitment to musical education
• Creative musical programming
• Strong rehearsal techniques
• Excellent communication skills
• Compelling artistic vision

How to Apply:

Applicants are asked to submit the following:

A resume/CV and a short video or written introduction of who you are and why you are applying to [email protected].

Contact information for two references who can speak to their conducting abilities, musical skills, artistic vision, and work ethic.

Conducting footage from a rehearsal (up to 5 minutes) and performance (one choral piece, approximately 3-5 minutes). Footage can be up to 3 years old, and should ideally be with an SATB choir.

Selected candidates will be asked to participate in a virtual interview with the search committee.

The Search Committee will conduct reference checks for the final candidates before making an offer.