OUR PROGRAMS
45th ANNIVERSARY CONDUCTOR PROGRAMS
For our 45th anniversary season, Exultate is offering two pathways:
-
Young Apprentice Conductor Program — for high school and undergraduate students who are beginning to explore choral conducting.
-
Emerging Apprentice Conductor Program — for early-career conductors seeking meaningful professional conducting experience.
HOW IT WORKS
Next deadline: October 4, 2026
One conductor is selected following an application process. The selection committee is composed of members from within the choir who are established conductors and music educators in the community.
The conductor will join the choir in Tuesday evening rehearsals (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.) for one concert cycle and will have the opportunity to conduct the choir in at least one piece during the concert. 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.
Scroll down for eligibility and process details.
ELIGIBILITY
Apprentice Conductor Program
-
Exultate’s 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, adult chamber choir in rehearsal and performance.
-
The program provides mentorship, a video recording of the final performance, and a $500 honorarium.
Emerging Conductor Program
-
Exultate’s Emerging Conductor Program is designed to support early career choral conductors seeking additional professional conducting experience and mentorship. This program offers those selected the opportunity to conduct a high-level, adult chamber choir in rehearsal and performance.
-
This program is not open to those eligible for the Apprentice Conductor Program and those who have previously participated in our Apprentice Conductor Program.
-
The program provides mentorship, a video recording of the final performance, and a $750 honorarium.
Conductors who are currently members of the choir and/or board of directors are not eligible.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application includes:
A statement describing the applicant's interest in this program, future musical goals, and how this program aligns with those goals (250 words max).
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.
Next deadline: October 4, 2026
Please use the form below to submit your application.
Questions?: info@exultate.net.
OUR FORMER APPRENTICE CONDUCTORS
April 2026
Anindyo
Das
DEC 2024
Ania
Suri
MAY 2023
Gillian Wang
MAY 2024
Celeste Thordarson
OCT 2022
Manishya Jayasundera
April 2025
Karen
Hu
.jpeg)
DEC 2023
Jonathan
Alter
MAY 2022
Michael Denomme
“Exultate is a welcoming community of people. There is a culture of comradery and it’s wonderful to be amongst musicians who feel so passionately about the repertoire. The group is very detail-oriented and they do exceptional work, which makes it so enjoyable to conduct and rehearse with them. Mark and Exultate are very supportive as well. Mark is a great teacher for conducting; he is very accommodating and he’s precise. I learn a lot just by watching Mark and Exultate work and it has been enriching for me to hear his feedback as well as feedback from the singers.”
– Manishya Jayasundera, former Apprentice Conductor
NEW-MUSIC READING SESSIONS FOR YOUNG COMPOSERS
HOW IT WORKS
Next deadline: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Exultate Chamber Singers invites young Canadian composers (30 and under) to submit their choral works for consideration to be included as part of a new-music reading session. Up to four choral works will be selected by a jury.
Each selected applicant is invited to attend the reading session, virtually or in person (St. Thomas's Anglican Church, Parish Hall, 383 Huron Street), from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The works will be recorded, and the audio recording will be available to the composers for archival use. Select composers, conductors, and singers from the choir will provide feedback upon request.
Scroll down for eligibility and process details.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must:
Be under 30 years of age and under
Currently living, working, or studying in Canada.
APPLICATION PROCESS
There is no fee to apply.
A maximum of two entries per composer will be considered.
Submissions must be unperformed original SATB work (no arrangements of pre-existing work).
Pieces can be a cappella or with piano accompaniment. A cappella works should have a piano reduction.
The text may be in any language and should be in the public domain or the composer must be able to prove that they have secured the right to use the text.
Composer’s name must be removed from score and file names before submitting.
The pieces will be assessed based on artistic merit, as well as how much they will benefit from a reading session with the choirs.
Submitted scores may be considered for performance after the reading session.
Next deadline: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m.