The days are getting shorter, and the nights have a hint of fall in the air.
In addition to enjoying some summer time off themselves, the Capella Regalis leadership team has been busily preparing for the upcoming season. Here’s a quick look at the upcoming season:
Choir Camp: August 26-30 at St Ann’s Camp on Gibson’s Lake.
Choir camp is hugely popular with the boys and there is nothing like it for boosting camaraderie and getting some quality rehearsal time at the start of the season. We stay at the rustic but lovely St Anne’s Camp in West Dalhousie, Annapolis Valley.
Camp chaperones are staff and volunteers, including a lifeguard. Read the day-by-day account of our first annual summer camp held in August 2012.
Regular rehearsals and weekly Evensongs begin in the University of King’s College Chapel on Tuesday, September 10th.
Capella Regalis Open House!
Saturday September 14th, 10.00-11.30 am in the Chapel.
Come watch a rehearsal, hear Nick talk about the choir, meet current choristers and parents, and others involved with the organization.
10:00 a.m. – Welcome
10:15 a.m. – Open rehearsal
10:30 a.m. – Director’s remarks
10:45 a.m. – Refreshments and mingling
“Visiting Choir Evensongs”
Sunday September 29th, 4.oopm at St John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg, NS
Friday November 1, 3.00pm at Christ Church Anglican in Windsor, NS.
Investiture Service Tuesday November 5, 5.00pm in the King’s Chapel.
Benjamin Britten’s St Nicolas Friday December 6th, 7.00pm St Mary’s Basilica
A cantata for chorus, boys choir, orchestra (including piano duet), and tenor soloist, and featuring wonderful solo opportunities for the boys. To be performed on the Feast of St Nicolas (December 6) at St Mary’s Basilica, Halifax, with the King’s Chorus, directed by Nick Halley.
To Bethlehem With Kings: Our annual Christmas concert programme, which has developed into an annual mini-tour, with performances in Lunenburg and Windsor in addition to Halifax. These popular concerts feature carols both ancient and modern, and opportunities for audience participation in the hymns. We are joined by Paul Halley on organ and the Maritime Brass Quintet. Concerts this year will be in Windsor on December 20, Lunenburg on December 21, and Halifax on December 22.
Bach’s St Matthew Passion: April 5 &6, 2014 with the King’s College Chapel Choir.
One of Bach’s masterworks – the story of the Passion according to Matthew performed by soloists, double orchestra, and double choir. The Capella Regalis boys will sing the ripieno part in the opening and closing choruses of the first half, as well as joining the choir on other chorales and choruses. This performance of the St Matthew Passion will be in German. To be performed on April 5 & 6, 2014 (Passion Sunday) with the King’s College Chapel Choir and Ensemble Regale, directed by Paul Halley. This is an unparalleled music-making opportunity for the boys – the last performance three years ago was a transforming experience for the then-choristers.
Summer 2014: The Prince and the Pauper – a musical by Paul Halley
A musical written by Paul Halley based on a novel by Mark Twain, for performance by a cast of children, with some adult roles. The musical is set in Tudor England (1547), and is the story about Tom, a pauper living in Offal Court, and Prince Edward, son of King Henry VIII. The prince and the pauper discover they are identical in appearance and secretly change places, causing much drama and upheaval in both the slums and the Royal Court. Of course, significant life lessons are learned along the way.
This exciting project is still being finalized, but we hope for 4 performances, and the opportunity to work with a guest director!
