Windsor Choral Festival: Planning a Choral Festival through the Opening Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Choral singing has significant social and health benefits (Carr, 2006; Davids & LaTour, 2022; Parkinson, 2020). Provincial guidelines have placed substantial restrictions on singing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of singing has resulted in negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of both choristers and choral directors (Evison, forthcoming; Youngblood et al., 2021). As the province begins to recover from various organizational, economic, and social hardships due to the pandemic, choirs are returning to their previous program of rehearsals and performances. The objective of this Mitacs project is to revive the Windsor Choral Festival, supporting local choral music learning, social activity, and performance.
The WCF serves approximately 350 singers annually and is completely free of charge for participants. The mandates are 1) provide ongoing vocal training and education with expert clinicians; 2) promote community building through collaborative singing; and 3) encourage the creation and performance of Canadian music. WCF 2022 (virtual) will include a Conductor’s Circle to discuss re-opening strategies; a public vocal workshop with three clinicians, Dr. Melissa Morgan (University of Regina), Dr. Tim Shantz (University of Alberta), and Prof. Karen Burke (York University); and a streamed concert featuring Windsor-Essex choirs. The engagement of these clinicians is in alignment with the WCF commitment to EDI. WCF 2023 (in person) will include a Conductor’s Circle; choral clinics for approximately 8 choirs with a clinician (Dr. Joel Tranquilla, Trinity Western University); a public workshop; and a live, in-person concert featuring participating choirs, including the premiere of a commissioned work.

Faculty Supervisor:

Danielle Sirek

Student:

Partner:

Windsor Classic Chorale

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation

University:

University of Windsor

Program: