Outreach
OUR PROGRAMS
APPRENTICE CONDUCTOR PROGRAM
The Apprentice Conductor Program is designed to provide young choral conductors at the high school or undergraduate level with the opportunity to conduct a high-level, amateur, adult chamber choir in rehearsal and performance.
We are delighted
to welcome our first two apprentice conductors!
MAY 2022
Michael Denomme
Michael is a fourth year student at the University of Toronto. Studying music education at the faculty of music, he studies piano with Brian McDonagh, choral conducting with Dr. Jamie Hillman, and historical keyboards with Dr. Kevin Komasarik. Following his final year of Undergraduate education, Michael hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in choral conducting. Michael is passionate about working to inspire the next generation of musicians, while currently working as a teaching assistant at VIVA communities choirs in their Every Voice Matters chorus and previously teaching piano privately.
Michael has completed two years as a Student Choral Scholar in the Near North Voices choir under the direction of Dr. Adam Adler (Nipissing University). He also studied conducting and pedagogy with Dr. Adler, and was the assistant conductor for the 2018 season. Additionally Michael is the assistant conductor of SKULE choir at UofT, and has had the honor of conducting U of T’s MacMillan singers during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Michael also has a great passion for organ music working as an organist at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption (North Bay).
OCTOBER 2022
Manishya Jayasundera
Manishya Jayasundera is a fourth-year Classical Voice Music Education student at the University of Toronto. Her first experiences learning music at a young age, were through piano lessons. She completed her ARCT diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM).
Manishya fell in love with singing and choral music when she joined the Mississauga Children’s Choir at age 12. She continued her studies in vocal music during high school through RCM and the Regional Arts Program at St. Roch C.S.S.
Since the start of her time at UofT, she has become very passionate about choral conducting. In her first year she was the recipient of the Lobodowsky Choral Scholarship. Now in her fourth-year, she is enjoying her experiences in conducting courses under the instruction of Kathleen Allan and Uri Mayer.
She is excited and grateful for this opportunity to work with the Exultate Chamber Singers!
HOW IT WORKS
One conductor is selected following an application process. The selection committee is composed of four members from within the choir who are also established conductors in the community.
The conductor will join the choir in Tuesday evening rehearsals (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.) for six to eight weeks, and will have the opportunity to conduct at least one piece at the concert at the conclusion of the apprenticeship period. The conductor will receive feedback from both the artistic director and choir members. At the completion of the rehearsal period, the conductor will have compiled both rehearsal and performance video footage and will receive a $500 honorarium for future studies.
Where words fail,
Music speaks.
– HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
ELIGIBILITY
The conductor must:
Be currently enrolled in a high school or undergraduate program.
Have a basic understanding of conducting gestures, score study, and rehearsal strategies.
Be able to attend all relevant rehearsals and performances.
Conductors who are currently members of the choir and/or board of directors are not eligible.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The conductor must submit:
A one-page letter outlining their interest in this program, future musical goals, and how this program aligns with those goals.
A resume that includes information related to musical training, vocal/choral experience, and conducting experience.
Contact information for two references.
A short 2–5 minute video that shows the applicant conducting. Please provide a link to the video. Do not submit the video as a file attachment.
Next deadline: February 14, 2023, midnight
All application materials must be submitted via email to info@exultate.net.
