Public Performance Opportunities for Young People
Song Circles for the September 2021 to June 2022 teaching year have been completed. Where the Song Circle program goes from here is yet to be determined. If you have any feedback you would like to provide from this new program, send your comments to the songcirclesnl@gmail.com The following information applies to the song circles that took place last spring.
All classes will offer:
- Public and peer performance opportunity in a non-competitive setting.
- Everybody is invited to take part.
- Online clinician that will provide feedback at the end of each song circle and a large screen for the audience to see.
- There will be opportunities for an online audience and in-person audience. Tickets will be $10.00. For the public audience, we will require seats to be reserved/purchased in advance. Size of the live audience will be dictated by the Covid guidelines of the day.
Things you should know:
Safe Covid protocol song circle will include proper social distancing, required mask wearing, contact tracing list, planned seating, required registration for public audience members and participants, vaxpass screening, seat sanitizing between classes, and online audience.
Whenever possible, all particpants will be organized in the same grade levels. On the occasion there are not enough participants to fill a song circle time, some particpants will be placed in other grade levels, either up or down from their grade level.
There will be a dress code of no jeans or t-shirts for the performers, except for the Musical Theatre classes, which require costumes.
Song circles will be scheduled on Saturdays between 10 am – 3 pm and Sundays between 2 pm – 10 pm. Monday from 4 pm to 10 pm will be used if there are weather disruptions or if more time is needed for addition song circles because of large registration numbers.
Participants are required to provide their own accompanists. At the time of registration the music will need to be sent to songcirclesnl@gmail.com
Song circles will be held at The Spirit Of Newfoundland Masonic Theatre, 6 Cathedral St. St. John’s.
Spirit of Newfoundand is currently operating at 50% capacity, limiting the number of tables in their dining room. They have new signage placed throughout their establishment as a friendly reminder of this measure. Employees are adhering to increased and rigorous hygiene policies including increased handwashing to protect themselves and others. You will be invited to use Spirit of Newfoundland hand sanitising stations when you enter and exit.
Spirit of NL building is equipped with a ventilation system that promotes adequate air flow and exchanges in dining, bar, and kitchen areas. Additionally, they have two building entrances that guests can avail of – one being the main entrance on Cathedral Street and the other on Willicotts Lane (off of Gower Street). These entrances will be utilised to accommodate those with accessibility needs and to promote physical distancing while arriving and leaving the building. We kindly ask that you refrain from entering the space if you are experiencing any of COVID 19 symptoms outlined by our government officials.
Song Circle Categories:
A) Folk Song Circle
Performance Dates: March 5, & 6
Registration opens Jan 15, Registration closes Feb 6 at 11:59 pm
Grades 1, 2, 3 ,4, 5, 6: $15.00 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time. Own choice (Maximum 5 minutes)
Grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, & Post-Secondary: $17.50 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time. Own Choice (Maximum 5 minutes)
The folk song class encompasses a wide range of songs within the folk idiom, including Newfoundland – both traditional and contemporary, and folk songs from other countries. This class will be adjudicated based on the effectiveness of the singers’ storytelling all while singing with good vocal technique.
B) Pop Song Circle
Performance Dates: April 2, & 3
Registration opens Jan 15, Registration closes March 5 at 11:59 pm
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: $15.00 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time. Own choice (Maximum 5 minutes)
Grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, & Post-Secondary: $17.50 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time. Own Choice (Maximum 5 minutes)
Songs belonging to this pop class should reflect the participant who is singing the song in age appropriateness and life experiences. For guidance, a list of approved songs can be viewed here.
C) Classical Concert Song Circle
Performance Dates: May 7 & 8
Registration opens Jan 15, Registration closes April 3 at 11:59 pm
Grades 1-3: $15.00 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time.
Own choice of one selection from Royal Conservatory Syllabus or Conservatory Canada Syllabus.
Grades 4-6: $20.00 registration fee, maximum of 8 performers per performance time.
Own Choice of Two Contrasting Selections from the Royal Conservatory of Music Syllabus and/or Conservatory Canada Syllabus.
Grades 7-9: $35.00 registration fee, maximum of 7 performers per performance time.
Own Choice of Three Selections (Time Limit 15 Minutes)
Performers are advised to choose repertoire that is from standard concert repertoire and the clinician is welcome to comment on programming, appropriateness, technique, interpretation and stage presence.
- Aria from an opera or oratorio OR a piece from the Baroque era
- German Lied
- Own Choice
*Folk songs with a classical piano arrangement are permitted. Movements from song cycles are permitted.
Grades 10-12, Post-Secondary: $45.00 registration fee, maximum of 6 performers per performance time.
Own Choice of Three Selections (Time Limit 20 Minutes)
Performers are advised to choose repertoire that is from standard concert repertoire and the clinician is welcome to comment on programming, appropriateness, technique, interpretation and stage presence.
- Aria from an opera or oratorio OR a piece from the Baroque era
- German Lied
- Own Choice.
*Folk songs with a classical piano arrangement are permitted. Movements from song cycles are permitted.
D) Musical Theatre Song Circle
Performance Dates May 28, 29
(Audition for the PMP Sing off)
Registration opens Jan 15, Registration closes May 1 at 11:59 pm
Duet and Solo Class
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: $15.00 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time.
Grades 7, 8, 9, 10 ,11, 12, & Post-Secondary: $17.50 registration fee, maximum of 10 performers per performance time.
This class incorporates all three elements of musical theater; acting, staging/dancing and singing. Disney songs, stand-alone musical theater songs, musical selections from a film and/or stage musical are all acceptable. Not to exceed 5 minutes including introduction, dialogue, setting up sets and props. No live props permitted. Text for scenes and dialogue must appear in the submitted score. Participants are encouraged to choose age-appropriate material.
Participants in the PMP Sing-Off (June 20, 21 & 22 ) for more information see PMP Sing-Off