Tools and Techniques

This workshop will delve into appropriate speeds for the singing of hymns, placing great emphasis on the importance of punctuation and grammar within the texts of any given hymn. In addition to leading “the choir of participants”, all organists in this workshop will be required to sing from the console, while playing. Registration and the use of re-harmonizations will be addressed. The repertoire of hymns will be made available 6 weeks in advance.

Norman Reintamm is the Music Director of Saint Joseph’s R.C. Church in Hamilton, ON. In addition to this, he is the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Georgian Bay Concert Choir and Conductor of the Barbados Chamber Choir (as part of the Barbados Classical Music Festival). He worked in Europe for many years, and studied with Sir David Willcocks and Sir Richard Popplewell at the Royal College of Music in London (England).

Exploring the connection between the physical function of our voice, our sense of our deepest self, and experiencing how it brings us together in community. This will be a practical workshop that will include singing, as well as conversation and reflection about vocal function to help choristers best use and care for their instruments.

Sue Crowe Connolly is a professional vocal instructor and singer who is passionate about encouraging people to “claim” and enjoy their own voice and music making. She has been teaching privately for over 23 years using the functional vocal training which had been in use before the European Golden Age of Singing. She has sung with, given vocal workshops, and/or taught students who are members of Christ’s Church Cathedral (Anglican) and Strata Vocal Ensemble, Pax Christi Chorale, Echo Women’s Choir, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Singers. All her work is to help others maintain good vocal function, healthy practices, and how to develop stamina to prevent injury.