“All the colors of the rainbow hidden 'neath my skin
Hearts have colors, don't we all know? Red runs through our veins.
Feel the fire burning up. Inspire me with blood of blue and green
I have hope. Inside is not a heart, but a kaleidoscope.”
~ Sarah Bareilles
Join the Canta Mara Youth Choirs (formerly Annapolis Valley Honour Choirs) as they sing you into the season at their annual winter concert, “Colours of the Heart” on Saturday, December 6 & Sunday December 7 at Horton High Performance Centre.
The theme for the 2025-26 season for the choirs is Kaleidoscope Heart. The music, activities and performances of the year focus on celebrating diversity, authenticity, and acceptance through the metaphor of colour - from seeing subtly in shades of grey, to sparkling rainbows. What are the patterns, the frequencies that make up a full spectrum of light? And a full spectrum of ourselves? The music is poignant, relevant, and heartfelt that builds connection through messages centred around respecting differences, acceptance, resilience, unconditional love and empathy.
The upcoming Winter Concert, “Colours of the Heart”, will warm you up in our season of giving. Showcasing the landscape of the tundra, the northern lights, and the colourful houses that brighten up the season.
We are so excited to welcome the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus (HGMC) as special guests at our December 6 evening show with the intermediate and senior choirs only. The HGMC is known for their heartfelt, high energy performances and this season is the perfect occasion to host them in their first ever performance in the valley.
“Kaleidoscope: Colours of the Heart”, will be held Saturday, December 6, 2:00pm & 7:00pm, and Sunday December 7, 2:00pm at the Horton High School Performance Centre.
Tickets: $25 (adults) and $5 (students). $15 for Livestream. Available online at www.cantamara.ca or at the door if available. (This concert always sells out, so get your tickets early!)
Annapolis Valley, NS – The Canta Mara Youth Choirs of the Annapolis Valley are ushering in an exciting new chapter for this beloved program. Formerly known as the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir, a thoughtful new vision honours the choir’s rich 35-year legacy while embracing a renewed mission to inspire artistry, community, and joy through the highest quality of music education for the valley’s youth.
The new name “Canta Mara”, meaning “Sing the Sea,” reflects the choir’s deep connection to Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage and the transformative power of singing together in community - much like the sea’s ability to inspire, connect, and move people. With this name, the choir celebrates its identity as a vibrant part of Nova Scotia's cultural fabric while charting a fresh course for future generations of singers.
The choir is nationally recognized for its mission is to give children and youth extraordinary choral experiences and musical education grounded in artistry, community and personal growth. Expanding over the past 10 years, the organization has four choirs empowering young voices in Grades 2 to 12 from Annapolis Royal to the Kempt Shore.
Canta Mara is the biggest community youth choir program in the Maritimes, offering a program that nurtures vocal development, musicianship skills, and leadership abilities. Choristers work with professionally trained faculty in fun, engaging rehearsals, workshops with professional artists, performances, community engagement, cultural exchanges, and leadership opportunities that inspire them to sing throughout their lives. Accessible and inclusive, young people are welcomed into a supportive, accepting culture rooted in teamwork and common vision. They are provided a safe space to be themselves, build their confidence and find their unique voice.
Meet & Greet Events in June!
To welcome new singers into the Canta Mara family for next year, the choir will host our annual “Meet & Greet” placement interviews in June at schools and community locations between Berwick and Windsor. These sessions are casual and friendly, and ensure every child finds their perfect fit. No prior experience is required for younger choirs. You can book your time on the brand new Canta Mara website: www.cantamara.ca/sing-with-us
For more information about the Choir, Meet & Greets and Registration, please contact us at:
Canta Mara Youth Choirs
Lise Rand, Operations Manager operations@avhc.ca
Heather Fraser, Artistic Director conductor@avhc.ca
“Can You Imagine That?” - Flights of Fancy at Annapolis Valley Honour Choir’s Spring Concert!
In a show that will capture hearts and ignite your imagination, the Annapolis Valley Honour Choirs present their final spring concert, “Can You Imagine That?” on Saturday, May 13, 2:00pm and 7:00pm at Horton High Performance Centre.
This fun, colourful concert will burst with the energy of 150 singers determined not to grow up! Release your inner child and laugh along with us in silly songs, dream with us of magical kingdoms, and help us make the IMpossible, possible!
Tickets: $20 and $5 (students). Available online at www.avhc.ca with Eventbrite, or at the door.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2185915971640?fbclid=IwAR1MWSgOLEyQaH8YBz0GSLqy4AYmOw8Q22d0O64IoGAwKBEkGNL9-xvTlko
Media Release
March 14, 2023
New York City Bound - AVHC to sing at Carnegie Hall!
Kentville - The Annapolis Valley Honour Choir is about to embark on an experience of a lifetime - to sing at one of the world’s most famous concert venues, Carnegie Hall, New York City.
“Canada at Carnegie” is an event produced by National Concerts. Over three days, the program will welcome six youth choirs (over 200 voices) from across Canada to rehearse together under the direction of Dr. Jamie Hillman (University of Toronto) and Carrie Tennant (Vancouver Youth Choir), culminating in a final performance on April 1 in Carnegie Hall.
The AVHC senior choir have been preparing for an incredible program that proudly features all Canadian composers, including music by Marie-Claire Saindon (Quebec), and a piece by Tracy Wong (Ontario based, Malaysian Canadian) that was commissioned in part by the AVHC Artistic Director, Heather Fraser. They will sing music by the revered African Canadian composer Nathaniel Dett, who brought spirituals to the concert stage and to their celebrated place in the choral canon. They will perform the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by Ontario composer Sarah Quartel, and will learn from and perform with Mattagami First Nation artist Corey Payette with a song from his musical about residential school survivors.
Perhaps the most moving moment for the AVHC singers and parents in the audience, will take place when the choirs sing the Cape Breton anthem “We Rise Again” by Leon Dubinsky, who just passed away earlier this year. Artistic Director Heather Fraser says of this moment, “To bring a song that is so meaningful to us as Nova Scotians to such a famous stage, with a chorus over 200 voices strong, will be unbelievably special and a remarkable feeling that will stay with us forever I have no doubt. It’s a song that has lifted communities up in hard times for almost 40 years - what an incredible way to celebrate the resilience of all these young people and our choral community through the pandemic. I get teary just thinking about it!”
48 singers and 19 adults will travel on March 28th, with other family and community members heading to New York to take in this performance. While in New York the choir will also perform at a friendship concert for all the participating choirs, and will pay their respects with music at the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. They will soak in the sites from street level at Times Square and from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Other visits to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and seeing multiple Broadway shows will make this an overall unforgettable experience.
After the last 3 years of Covid struggles, this cultural and performance opportunity is the perfect way to revive, reconnect, and reimagine what’s possible for these youth, as well as the future of AVHC .
As a final event before they go, the singers will showcase what they have learned in a casual performance for friends and family. “In a New York Minute” will be Saturday, March 25th, at 4:00pm at Wolfville Baptist Church. Free Will Offering at the door with proceeds going to the trip.
If anyone would like to support the choir in this experience, final donations can be made by visiting www.avhc.ca.
When Covid struck last March, the AVHC quickly pivoted to an online program. All through the spring, singers met regularly to continue sharing their love of choral music with each other and with the community. Their spring “virtual concert” has reached over 11,000 people.
The theme of this season, “Hope Lingers Here” is a line taken from a song by Lissa Schneckenburger. With no singing in the schools, the AVHC aims to be a place where any young singers can gather to continue using their voices. In what will be an important year in all children's lives as they navigate the societal effects of Covid-19, the AVHC is fostering a feeling of hope, and of resilience with a season of joyful learning, inspiration and connection where young people will continue to build self-confidence, self-expression and grow in their artistry.
This enriching and innovative program makes the most of new opportunities to focus on individual development for the children and to broaden their horizons by exploring other genres of music and art forms through exciting workshops with local and internationally renowned guest artists, and choirs across the country.
Singers will engage in weekly online rehearsals for singing and a variety of activities, as well the older choirs will receive small group vocal coaching with voice teachers Paula Rockwell and Michael Donavan. They will have customized music theory/sight singing instruction and new online programs that allow them to receive individual attention and progress at their own pace. Modular workshops for the fall term will be offered by musical experts in their field - Laura Caswell (Music Theatre), Amelia McMahon (Vocal Jazz), Ken Shorely (World Rhythms), and Holly Carr (Visual Arts).
In addition, the Senior Choir will be participating in the Bridge Choral Collective - a series of cross-Canada workshops with a focus of music and social justice, led by international stars The University of Pretoria Choir (South Africa), Moira Smiley (US folk artist) and Sherryl Sewepagaham (Canadian Indigenous Cree Artist).
For the past five months, Artistic Director Heather Fraser, as part of her Advocacy work for Choral Canada, has closely been following the science and studies, and researching what is possible and what is safe with regard to group singing and the spread of COVID 19. As many choirs across the country, and internationally, begin to open their doors once again, AVHC hopes to be able to add in-person rehearsals/activities to enhance this virtual program later this fall - following all current recommendations and best practices to ensure the safety of all singers.
With no singing in the schools at this time, any singers from Grades 3-12 from anywhere (even outside the valley!) who are looking to sing and learn in a supportive community are welcome! Entry will be open until the end of September. Visit www.avhc.ca to find out more or contact the choir at coordinator@avhc.ca.
Dear AVHC Choristers, Families, Alumni and Community Members,
We wanted to reach out and extend our heartfelt wish that you’re staying healthy during these challenging times. Although it is difficult not making music together in the same way, our primary obligation is to keep everyone in our AVHC choir family safe while still feeling connected to and supported by our organization. We aim to keep our singers learning and laughing, and we are discovering new and exciting ways to finish out our season that allow us to continue to do what we love to do together.
AVHC has suspended in-person rehearsals, and with great disappointment, we have decided to cancel our spring concert, “A Finely Woven Earth”, which was to be presented on May 9th at Wolfville Baptist Church. This concert was to be a celebration of our planet and our role in its care. The program title, and overall message, speaks to how truly connected we all are - a message now more poignant than ever. The singers still want to share this beautiful music with you. It may not be the same, but we are working behind the scenes to bring you some of this concert “virtually”, later this spring. As a non-profit organization with charitable status, we will be issuing tax receipts for the value of any pre-purchased tickets.
We are doing our best to continue operating with a full staff, are planning for the future and focusing on the positive. We would like to share some happy highlights of the last two weeks.
ZOOM! - Weekly meetups with all choirs with check-ins, vocal health sessions, literacy groups, repertoire learning, and some fun!
New Opportunities to Learn - choirs are exploring new types of activities and topics the singers are most interested in.
Discovery - New platforms for skill-building, like online theory and sight-singing programs.
Student-led learning - Our section leaders and apprentices have stepped up their leadership roles, helping with small online group music learning and directing discussions.
Ownership - Many singers are taking this time to improve their individual musicianship skills and we are assisting them in that as we are able.
Guest Artists - We have invited specialists and experts to lead sessions with the choirs
Meet Ups With Other Choirs! - A choir from Portugal that the seniors met on tour last summer surprised us when they joined our zoom call to check to make sure everyone was ok. On the day we were supposed to be in Toronto, meeting the Bach Children’s Choir, we organized a “virtual meet and greet’ instead to brighten our singers’ spirits.
Here are some more things to look out for this spring!
Video Campaigns from our choristers on social media showcasing many of their talents for a variety of purposes.
Singer led campaigns for giving back to our communities
Instagram hand washing and solfege challenges
Bring a friend to “rehearsal” night!
Q&A’s with singers about the choir
Online Auditions for next season!
A “virtual” spring concert performance
We wish to extend our warmest wishes to everyone in our AVHC family, including audiences, artists, volunteers, staff, and of course our talented choristers. Please feel free to reach out to us through email or social media. We would love to hear from all of you.
Remember to stay positive, practice social distancing, and always keep singing!
Sincerely,
AVHC Board of Directors, Allen Chase - President
Heather Fraser - Artistic Director
Vanessa Gennette - AVHC Coordinator
$75 + fees per person
Best seating in each venue in the pass holder section
Includes discounted tickets for 3 season concerts!
Receive a tax-deductible receipt for $35
No waiting in line!
Become an AVHC Supporter Today!
Contact Vanessa at avhccoordinator@gmail.com
Click to download Priority Seating Pass brochure (PDF 4.1 MB)
THE FINE PRINT
A PSP is required for each seat needed in the special reserved seating area.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for any prepaid tickets. There are a limited number of passes available, and AVHC has the right to end this promotion if passes sell out.
Welcome to our 31st Season, and a newly expanded AVHC! We are thrilled this year to have three choirs with over 160 wonderful singers! We would love for you to join us at our season concerts this year, or one of our community performances. Music explores frosty winterscapes to celebrating earth’s most beautiful treasures… We are happy to be collaborating with the Acadia Chorus and School of Music, the Aeolian Singers, the Manning Chapel Choir, and The Dukes of Kent. The AVHC is thriving because of our amazingly supportive valley community and we can’t wait to share our music and messages with you.
AVHC and the Acadia University Chorus
Saturday, November 30 7:00pm
Sunday, December 1 2:00pm
University Hall – Acadia
All Choirs
We are combining forces for a festive celebration of the season! Join us for the debut appearance of the new AVHC Junior Choir, the other AVHC choirs as well as the Acadia Chorus to sing you with joy into a winter wonderland! And an annual extra extravagant bake sale awaits!
Saturday, December 7, 2019 2:30pm
St. George and St. Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal
All Choirs
The AVHC choirs, with guest school choirs from Annapolis area will present their winter concert again! Songs of snowy nights, frosty sleigh rides and the warmth of being together will surely get you into the holiday spirit!
Saturday, March 7, 2020 7:30pm
Wolfville Baptist Church
AVHC Senior Choir – Upper Voices, Aeolian Singers, Manning Chapel Choir
Join us for an exciting and enriching program of music for upper voices, with the combined forces of the wonderful AVHC Senior Choir, Manning Chapel Choir and the Aeolian Singers of Halifax!
Saturday, May 9 2020, 2:00 and 7:00pm
Wolfville Baptist Church
All Choirs
Join the AVHC for their final performances of the season – concerts dedicated to our environment, and the role we play in its care, protection and sustainability.
Friday, October 25 th
Dartmouth South School, Dartmouth
The Senior Choir will be taking part in the NSMEA conference this year in sessions
for teachers, working with keynote presenter Scott Jones.
Saturday, October 26, 7:30pm
Bishop’s Hall, Greenwich
AVHC Senior Choir
The Senior Choir’s Annual Fun Night and Fundraiser! Support our youth sharing their many talents in a casual, fun evening that puts them in the spotlight, up close and unplugged! Free Will Offering and snacks and drinks for purchase!
November 11 th , 10:45am
University Hall - AcadiaIntermediate Choir
Our annual offering of music at this community service.
April 1-7
Intermediate Choir
We are so excited for our Intermediate Choir to spend a week in Toronto with the Bach Children’s Choir. We will be performing as part of the Junior Treble Festival and other appearances and fun activities in the city.
$15/ $5 in advance
$20/$10 at the door (if available)
Note: *$5 student ticket for Winter Extravaganza only)
Purchase three adult concert tickets for $40 (regular $45)
