With the founding of Nova Voce in 2004, a new and distinctive
voice was added to Nova Scotia's choral landscape. In January of
that year, Terry Hurrell and Giuseppe Renzi, Nova Voce's founding fathers,
became the inaugural Artistic and Associate Artistic Directors . They auditioned singers from around the province with the goal
of generating performance of the highest possible caliber for men’s voices. In Wolfville that June, the choir performed in public
for the first time. The following year Stephen Pederson writing for the Halifax Herald reviewed a concert given at Neptune
Theatre. He wrote: "they astonished me with their
opening chord, a sound as soft as velvet and as deep as midnight..."
In 2005, the choir represented Nova Scotia at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, performing at the National
Arts Centre, the Rotunda of the Parliament buildings, and in Christ Church Cathedral. The choir successfully auditioned for Festival
500 in St. John’s NL in 2007. This internationally highly regarded festival occurs at two year intervals. Nova Voce was one of thirty one
choirs from around the world that year and benefited from the cosmopolitan exposure and choral workshops. Nova Voce appeared at Podium
2008 in Sackville, NB, the annual meeting of Canada’s choral conductors.
Nova Voce’s sound and repertoire have grown and matured as it continues to fulfill its mandate as a provincial choir, with spring and fall
tours to Nova Scotian communities. We may say now that there are very few provincial towns that have not had an opportunity to experience our music.
As well, our choir has delighted audiences with joint performances with Symphony Nova Scotia, SNS Chorus, the Aeolean Singers, the Stadacona Band,
the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir, The Halifax Boys’ Honour Choir, Soundtrax, Nova Sinfonia, and the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir.
As each season rolls around, our Music Committee proposes spring and fall concert tours around Nova Scotia. They always keep an eye open for
opportunities outside Nova Scotia, as seen in our history of out of province visits. A performance in Charlottetown is scheduled for April, 2011. A possible
European tour to Italy in 2012 has become a worthy goal.
Our first CD was produced in 2008 and our second will be released in October, 2010, called ‘Making Waves’.
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