Near North Voices begins their 12th season

Near North Voices – North Bay’s University-Community Choir – is pleased to announce their 12th season of choral innovation in North Bay.

Established in 2007 as an advanced choir on the Nipissing University Campus, their broad repertoire is focused on art (‘classical’) – much of it contemporary, and has included a number of Canadian and Northern Ontario premieres. Their principal project for this season will be a performance of Handel’s oratorio The Messiah with guest soloists and members of the North Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Weekly rehearsals begin September 5 and run to early April. Membership is open to students, faculty and staff at Nipissing University and Canadore College, and to adults and high school students from North Bay and area and beyond. Near North Voices offers Student Choral Scholarships for qualified high school students who, over the course of the season, demonstrate substantial musical growth and an exemplary contribution to the ensemble.

Near North Voices’ first rehearsal is on Wednesday, September 5, in the Vittorio Fedeli Business Centre (room F210). Paid parking is available in the central Visitor’s Lot beside the library. Meet-and-greet and orientation with refreshments begins at 6 p.m. and the rehearsal starts at 7p.m. New members are welcome. Some previous choir experience and music reading is helpful, but not required if you are motivated and enthusiastic. A brief pitching and voice placement check will be available for singers who are new to the ensemble. Everyone is invited to bring a pencil, a water bottle, and a sense of humour.

For further information, go to www.nearnorthvoices.com, or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nnvoices or Twitter @NNVoices.