alum, choristers, composer, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlachoiristers, cantala choir, cantala women's choir, toronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, Nancy Singla, choral singing, choral sound, sacred musicComment

New Beginnings

alum, choristers, composer, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlachoiristers, cantala choir, cantala women's choir, toronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, Nancy Singla, choral singing, choral sound, sacred musicComment

Cantala and I had our first in person rehearsal in two years in February 2022. It felt like it had been both eons ago as well as just yesterday that we had been together. (Isn’t that a good indication of good friendships). What a time warp this pandemic has been for me. As I re enter the world of choral music and choral programming I feel I have many new ideas and perspectives.

Wall mural vector silhouette of a female head using musical symbols. Its innovation and creativity that is inspiring me forward.

Course: Pixals.ca.



As I was programming for the May concert with the Canadian Men’s Chorus, I initially turned to my pile of “to do sometime” pieces. These pieces have been given to me or inspired me in the past at a concert or through a recording. I initially was excited when I saw the options before me, but then noticed that everything in the pile was to the text “Ave Maria”. And if it wasn’t Ave Maria, it was Ave Verum or Alleluia.

Is it a concern that 1% of my choir attends church, and probably my audience too, but the majority of choral music is based on sacred text most of us do not understand? Cantala singers and choral lovers world wide have always loved sacred repertoire for its colorful, moving harmonies, so I am not about to turn away from the rich library of sacred music. However, I am wondering if it’s time to make the texts more relevant to my singers and my audience. Is this a radical idea?

What if we could come up with alternative words to the sacred text that has the same syllables, emphasis and feel, but that means something to our listeners today? Think about the richness this would add to our listeners.

Just to play with this idea, I brainstormed a list of word alternatives to the text “Ave Maria” that have the same syllable emphasis and consonant feel. The best equivalents of my options were:

Autumn majesty

Angel miracle (or Miracle Angel)

I realize that it is clear I am not a budding lyricist, but I am getting more and more convinced that I need to be looking for one so we can bring back meaning to the texts we are learning and performing.

It is a new beginning at this time in so many ways. So why not think outside the box and consider making sacred text more relevant for us today?

What do you think? I would really appreciate any ideas you have. Please share below in the comments.

Conductors, concerts, choristersNancy Singlacantala womens choir, cantala repertoire, cantala choir, Doreen Rao, Nancy Singla, Choral music, toronto choral scene, toronto choral, Toronto Women's Choir, Singers, Piano music, Rachmaninoff, Kabalevsky, samuel barberComment

Russian Beauty: Spring Concert Program

The final concert of our 10th Season is quickly approaching and we are celebrating in many ways, including performing Rachmaninoff’s Six Choruses for Treble voices, op. 15; a special gem from the Women’s choral literature in May. 

Conductors, concerts, choristersNancy Singlacantala womens choir, cantala repertoire, cantala choir, Doreen Rao, Nancy Singla, Choral music, toronto choral scene, toronto choral, Toronto Women's Choir, Singers, Piano music, Rachmaninoff, Kabalevsky, samuel barberComment
choristers, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala women's choir, toronto choral concerts, toronto choral scene, toronto choral singing, nancy singla, forest hill united church, toronto, toronto women's choir, francis poulenc, spring concert toronto, Spring concert, cantala choir, cantala womens choirComment

Petites Voix: 5 reasons its a Choral Gem

This past January I took out my score of Francis Poulenc’s Petite Voix,: 5 Choeurs faciles pour 3 voix d’enfants to prep for rehearsal. I quickly started feeling regret for picking such a dissonant, difficult piece. Would we survive? Surprise! This is the story of how the piece entered our hearts and dug a bore for life.

choristers, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala women's choir, toronto choral concerts, toronto choral scene, toronto choral singing, nancy singla, forest hill united church, toronto, toronto women's choir, francis poulenc, spring concert toronto, Spring concert, cantala choir, cantala womens choirComment
choristers, concerts, Conductors, composerNancy Singlacantala women's choir, toronto women's choir, toronto choir, toronto choirs, choral singing, toronto, nancy singla, john rutter, dancing day, david schotzko, david simon, roy thompson hall, choral musicComment

The Beginning of our 12th Season

The beginning of our 12th Season at Cantala has begun! If you haven’t auditioned yet for Cantala please do be in touch. We are always interested in meeting new and talented singers and musicians. Between a Fall weekend retreat to Haliburton to Banff in February and Roy Thompson Hall in May-it will be an exhilarating year in Cantala. Come and sing with us!

choristers, concerts, Conductors, composerNancy Singlacantala women's choir, toronto women's choir, toronto choir, toronto choirs, choral singing, toronto, nancy singla, john rutter, dancing day, david schotzko, david simon, roy thompson hall, choral musicComment
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My music calendar is empty, how about yours?

This is the first time in 20+ years that I haven’t had a jam packed, stressful, busy, over the top musical calendar. I usually find myself running to watching a performance of the Nutcracker, then running downtown to take in the kids’ symphony Christmas concert, then singing a Messiah performance here or there, and of course keeping up with my own performance schedule: Church services and choral concerts.

choristers, composer, concerts, Conductors, alumNancy Singlachoiristers, choir, cantala women's choir, nancy singla, choral musicComment
Conductors, composer, choristers, alumNancy Singlaalum, choiristers, choir toronto, choral community, toronto choral scene, spring 2024, toronto, nancy singla, cantala choirComment

A look forward to Spring 2024

This spring we will be learning Canadian Folk songs. I was inspired recently by the work titled Woodsmoke and Oranges (Tamblyn). (Psst…. For those that know me, don’t be surprised to also anticipate other pieces that are not Canadian folk as well).

Conductors, composer, choristers, alumNancy Singlaalum, choiristers, choir toronto, choral community, toronto choral scene, spring 2024, toronto, nancy singla, cantala choirComment