by Ruby J. and Kyra W. The Cantiamo Girls Choir and the Training Choir recently spent a morning together at a workshop which included lots of singing, mentoring and leadership—the three key parts of the Choir's mission. Training Choir member Ruby J. and Cantiamo chorister Kyra W. share their thoughts below on this great workshop.… Continue reading Reflections from our Joint Choir Workshop
Jen Chandler interviews Stephen Eisenhauer: Composer and Cantiamo Parent Welcome to the conversation I had with Ottawa composer Stephen Eisenhauer, whose new piece "Respira" will see its World Premiere at the June 4th Cantiamo Choir concert. "Respira" is a meditative, inspiring work for treble choir, piano and string quartet. His work in teaching music to… Continue reading Interview with Stephen Eisenhauer
By Kyra W. This fall, Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa went to Bonnenfant Y Camp. This trip was very worthwhile to new choristers like myself, because it gave us a chance to make new friends, and to learn and rehearse more music than we do at regular rehearsals. During the first part of rehearsal, we… Continue reading A look back at our Fall Retreat Weekend
By Maya H. On November 27th, Cantiamo participated in our annual Advent Carol Service at St. John’s Anglican Church. This was the second time I’ve been a part of this service and it’s one of my favourite concerts for many reasons. As a member of the congregation of St. John’s, I love that… Continue reading Advent Carol Service
By Jen C As the first snows of winter blew through Ottawa this week, Jackie and Laura were far north on a music-filled trip to Iqaluit. With the incredibly beautiful snowy lands of Nunavut as a backdrop, the founding Artistic Director of the Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa, Jackie Hawley and its accompanist and composer-in-residence,… Continue reading NKVU: Connecting Canadians through the power of song!
By Anna C - Chorister This is my second year in Cantiamo's Training Choir. It's been a wonderful experience so far. Jackie and Laura choose (and even compose) lots of interesting music for us to sing, in different languages sometimes. We sang Klee Wyck, a song about Emily Carr who is one of my favorite… Continue reading Cantiamo Training Choir – a chorister’s perspective
At the beginning of February 2015, the Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa went on an overnight retreat to the Bonnenfant YMCA camp. The camp is located right beside the Ottawa River, with woods and nature surrounding it. At that time of year, the snow blanketed everything. The setting alone was enough to bring us closer… Continue reading Cantiamo Winter Retreat
The atrium of the Royale Retirement Residence in Kanata (Ottawa) was festively decorated and glittering with Christmas lights on December 8, 2014. Many of the residents were gathered waiting. In this annual event, the Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa had come to sing Christmas carols for - and with - the residents. This special night brought beautiful,… Continue reading Christmas at Royale Retirement Home
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: food, decorations, music, concerts, caroling, Santa, and of course, Christmas movies. There are few things I can think of that I love more. All year, I look forward to this special time but - without a doubt - the thing I look forward to most at Christmas… Continue reading Holly Jolly Christmas Concert
Lying on the floor at the yoga studio one day, I found myself (rather than focusing on my breathing) wishing I could invite my “yoga friend” Marilyn to a Cantiamo concert. Marilyn, a woman perhaps in her 60s, attends yoga class regularly, and we often exchange a few friendly words of conversation or at least… Continue reading Sharing the Music
