Harmonia is now a choir for all! Harmonia is thrilled to announce its new youth choirs for all children and young adults ages 10-20. 

In past seasons, Harmonia provided singing opportunities for female students, but this year, it is pleased to open its programming to all young people. Artistic Director, Kelsea McLean says, “We have felt for a number of years that we wished we were able to work with more singers regardless of their gender identity. Sirens Choral Association is dedicated to fostering the choral community on PEI, and the next step is to open up our youth programming to anyone who wants to sing. Now we feel like we are truly offering a safe and inclusive space for singing and community music making!”

Now in its 9th season, Harmonia is Sirens Choral Association’s principal educational program striving for musical excellence. Having fun, making new friends, and discovering the joys of singing in a group setting, Harmonia is a community where everyone can feel safe to find their voices through music.

Under the leadership of Kelsea McLean, artistic director, and Andrea Ellis, assistant director and pianist, Harmonia’s programming includes two choirs: Harmonia Junior for ages 10-14 or unchanged treble voices, and Harmonia Senior for ages 14-20 for treble and changed voices. 

In past seasons, Harmonia has participated in local music festivals, earning the Community Youth Choir Award in 2017 and 2018 at the Queen’s County Music Festival, and Connie and Bud Ings Award for Youth Choir at the PEI Kiwanis Music Festival in 2018. Harmonia has collaborated with Sirens and the PEI Symphony Orchestra, and has performed at Province House, Music Monday, and PEI Junior Honour Choir events. Most recently, Harmonia was featured in the official choral recording of “Music is our Medicine” in honour of Music Monday, a national event produced by The Coalition for Music Education.

ENSEMBLE INFORMATION

• Location: Park Royal United Church, Charlottetown;
• Harmonia’s programming includes two choirs: Harmonia Junior for ages 10-14 or unchanged treble voices, and Harmonia Senior for ages 14-20 for treble and changed voices;
• Rehearsals are weekly on Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:45 PM for Harmonia Junior, and 7:30-9:00 PM for Harmonia Senior, ensembles rehearse together from 7:30-7:45 PM;
  • A day-long ensemble retreat will also be planned for winter 2024
  • Regular rehearsals begin on September 19, and will run until April 23;
• Harmonia is planning to produce two concerts this season: Saturday, December 9, 7pm and Sunday, April 28th, 2:30pm;
• Early Bird Registration (until September 8) $150; Regular Registration $175;
  • There are bursaries available to those families who may find the registration fee a deterrent to participation. CLICK HERE to learn more;
• The Athena Mentorship Programming provides senior treble singers with the opportunity to rehearse and perform with Sirens;
• Community Service Bursary hours are awarded to participating high school students.

Email Kelsea McLean (kelsea@sirenschoir.com) to register your child!

Sirens is a dynamic choral ensemble dedicated to fostering a high-level of choral artistry. Are you an experienced musician looking for a challenge? Are you passionate about choral singing? Do you have a keen interest in the choral art form? Sirens is currently auditioning soprano and alto voices for the 2023-24 season! 

Interested singers must be experienced musicians with substantial choral experience. They must possess strong score reading and sight reading skills and must be comfortable singing independently within a small ensemble setting.  We are seeking members that can commit to a demanding rehearsal and performance schedule. Not only are we auditioning for a permanent position, but we are also auditioning for our substitute roster.

Recommended Qualifications:

• A degree or diploma focused in Music
• A minimum of 2 years chamber choir or small choral ensemble experience with an ability to sing one-to-a-part
• Advanced musicianship skills; the ability to navigate different styles and languages.

Acceptance into the ensemble is dependent on a successful audition and a commitment to our full season. If enlisted to our substitute roster, the prospective singer should be willing to learn music quickly. 

Audition requirements:

• Perform one piece that showcases range and timbre. Singers should expect to sing a cappella.
• Prepare a selection of standard choral repertoire provided by the Artistic Director.
• Sing with members from our current ensemble.
• Sight-read a passage provided.
• Partake in a brief interview.

Please follow the link below to apply to audition; you will be contacted if you are invited to audition. Auditions will be held in August. Further inquiries may be sent to our Artistic Director Kelsea McLean.