The HVC was started in 2003 by Ben D’Cunha, in order to help students learn at a better pace, and more effectively. Ben had a children’s choir at the time, made up of some of his piano students. He was finding great success in their progress, and the children were having a great time!
Eventually, some of the parents of the students asked if Ben would start a choir in the same model for adults. So the HVC was born! Ben put together the starting group from interested parents of his students, as well as his private voice students.
Selling it on the fact that the membership of the group costs about the same as two voice lessons a month, however with the HVC membership, you get a whole lot more. Many more hours of instruction, practice aids, performances to work towards, and you get to learn with a community of other singers in a fun and supportive group setting!
Some of the topics covered in instruction are: singing technique, music theory, ear training, improvisation (Scat Singing!), and performance techniques.
New compositions and arrangements for the choir are published in an ongoing basis. As the group accomplishes goals on one piece, another piece is introduced. In this manner, the repertoire will grow to include 12-15 new pieces by the end of season concert. Ben records all of the arrangements, and makes practice files available for the HVC members.
Singers in the HVC get the chance to perform in concerts and cabarets. Performances become the motivation to practice.
In concerts, members perform the repertoire from the season with the choir, and are also given the choice to sing a solo piece with a professional band. Concerts are set in larger performance spaces such as church sanctuaries or halls. There are two concerts each season. This season they are scheduled for January 27th, 2024, and June 15th 2024.
Cabarets are held in club or bar settings, and members may choose and prepare two songs for performance. Preparation for solo songs is being offered to all group members this year with no extra fees, on Saturday mornings from 10am-noon. For a full schedule, contact us!
Some of the musicians hired in the past include Mitch Lewis, Daniel Barnes, Mike McClelland, Al Cross, Frank Falco, Don Thompson, Jordan O’Connor, Neil Swainson, Norm Amadio, John Johnson, Meirion Kelly, Dave Restivo, Mark Kieswetter, Artie Roth, Jack McFadden, Ian Copeland and many more.
Does it sound good? Well, it gets even better.
We also bring in two guest clinicians each season, that work with us on technique and preparation of our material. Past clinicians include Lisa Martinelli, Suba Sankaran, Shannon Gunn, Micah Barnes, Anne Bourne, Ali Garrison, Orville Heyne to name a few. This Season we have brought in Ali Garrison once more, on November 12th, and she taught the group about resonance in the body & dynamics. Our second clinic will be in 2025, with Hannah Burge. Hannah will be teaching improvisation.
Does it work? Yes it does! Past members who had little to no singing experience have gone on to study in the Humber College music program, to sing with groups such as The Mendelssohn Choir, The Heart House Singers, and even to a career in music performance. The aim is to help improve not only your singing voice, but overall musicality as well!
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