Who We Are
Led by Artistic Director Kellie Walsh, the Shallaway family is comprised of over 400 choristers, ranging from ages 4 to 22 years, in seven developmentally-sequenced ensembles and a team of over 15 music educators. From pre-school, where choristers first begin to express themselves through music, start to develop healthy vocal production, and commence learning the musical basics, through to high school, where they have the opportunity to apply their advanced musical skills to demanding repertoire and engage in the transformative power of world-class music-making.
Founded in 1992 by Susan Knight, Shallaway Youth Choir, formally know as SHALLAWAY - Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus, is a cultural and educational agency that expresses itself through choral music. Its focus is on growing the capacity for commitment, initiative, innovation and contribution amongst its members and alumni.
Our Mission
Dedicated to the bright future of this province and its young people who will continually lead us into the future, Shallaway accomplishes its mandate by developing independent choral musicianship and cultural awareness in its membership, connecting the province with the wider artistic world through choral excellence, promotion, preservation and transmission of the rich folk culture of Newfoundland and Labrador while celebrating cultural diversity and connection in this nation and around the globe. Shallaway also develops its young choristers as leaders for the future in and for Newfoundland and Labrador through the establishment of new and ongoing educational opportunities.
The choir also has a major focus on mentorship as a critical path for the encouragement of its learners and the transmission of the culture. This mentorship takes many conscious forms within the organization: a formal philosophy of peer coaching and encouragement, reflective teaching practice, the advance placement Enrichment Program for junior choristers, para-professional Apprenticeship Programs for senior choristers, research, partnering with Memorial University through its degree programs in the School of Music and Faculty of Education, the Choral/Instrumental Scholarship Program of mentored leadership for senior university students and a wide network of partnering with community agencies.
Our Goals
We continue to fulfill and redefine our cultural and educational mandate. We continue to reach out to composers of different cultures to write for Shallaway as we continue to explore multi-media and pan-artistic projects. Through a commitment to excellence, our leadership curriculum is delivered through a wide range of programs that:
Develop independent choral musicianship and cultural awareness in its membership;
Instill a strong sense of responsibility for members’ self-initiated and lifelong contribution;
Connect the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador with the wider artistic world;
Promote, preserve, transmit and expand the rich folk culture of the place; and,
Celebrate cultural diversity and connection within Canada and around the globe.
Our Programs
Choral Program Structure – Shallaway’s music learning is facilitated through the framework of developmentally sequenced auditioned ensembles. The organization is structured through a number of opportunities.
Children’s Chorus – The Children’s Chorus is the entry-level experience for young choristers in Shallaway. Children must be 5 years old by December 31st of their entering year. This ensemble learning setting is designed to foster continuous choral development through 12 years of age. Children’s Chorus members learn in a multi-grade (grades K-7) setting where peer mentoring is organized and encouraged. In addition to musical development, there is a strong emphasis on the building of community and awareness of cultural issues. The children experience a day camp during the year and a day tour in the spring which involves a performance and cultural experience. Members are eligible for election to their own student government, the Junior Chorister Council.
Jubilate Advanced Placed– The Jubilate Advanced Placed Program is an enriched learning opportunity for Children’s Chorus members in grades 5 or higher. This program is designed to provide those Children’s Chorus members who seek greater musical challenges and are assessed as ready through an audition to have an advanced experience within a supportive setting. Jubilate Advanced Placed members attend Jubilate rehearsals and learn Jubilate music in addition to their full Children’s Chorus commitment.
Jubilate – Jubilate represents the younger members of the Youth Choir with an average age of 13 years. With guidance from the faculty, in addition to their general choral development, Jubilate members are expected to continue improving their ear and voice training and sight-reading. Also emphasized and facilitated is the forging of community within the group, the importance of conscientious independence of each chorister and a growing awareness and reflective ability with regard to cultural issues. Jubilate tours provincially every spring. Jubilate members are eligible for election to their own student government, the Jubilate Chorister Council.
Camerata Advanced Placed – At the commencement of the winter term, yearly, Jubilate members may audition to become Camerata Advanced Placed members. This means that they must attend both Jubilate and Camerata rehearsals every week and learn the repertoire of both ensembles.
Camerata – Camerata is the national/international touring ensemble of Shallaway. Members admitted to this ensemble are expected to tour bi-annually, typically nationally and/or internationally as opportunities arise. Members are expected to continue to improve their sight singing and aural abilities fairly independently, while continuing their choral development. There is an increased emphasis on the responsibilities of the older, more experienced signers to act as mentors to younger, developing choristers through sensitivity, encouragement and demonstrated leadership. The previous emphasis on community, independence and culture is broadened and deepened. All Camerata members are eligible for election to their own student government, the Camerata Chorister Council.
Exsultate – Exsultate is the competition-focused ensemble of Shallaway for youth aged 12 and older. Members admitted to this ensemble are expected have busier practice and tour schedule as they will be competing more frequently on an international level. They will rehearse twice a week, one 3 hour Camerata rehearsal and one, separate, 2.5 hour rehearsal. They will include elements of vocal coaching, all while continuing to grow and compete on a global scale.
Youth Choir – The Youth Choir is comprised of Jubilate and Camerata ensembles combined and meets regularly every three weeks, although the repertoire for this ensemble is rehearsed within Jubilate and Camerata weekly. The repertoire is chosen of an intermediate level of difficult, such that Jubilate generally as to stretch to master it, but are mentored by the more senior member of Camerata. Youth Choir is a real opportunity for Camerata members to strengthen their mentoring skills. Another important aspect of Youth Choir is the forging and strengthening of relationships amongst all of our membership in the 12-18 year bracket.
Graduates – Graduates are choristers who remain in the choir through their final year of high school.
Associates – When Camerata choristers reach the age of 18 and graduate from both high school and the choir, they may choose to remain as Associates and sing with the choir while pursuing post-secondary studies. Associates may choose to sing on a term-only basis.
Alumni – Choristers who leave the organization after spending at least one full season as members of the Youth Choir become Alumni. Shallaway has an active alumni association and each year the choir works to further the participation of alumni in the organization, keeping them in touch with the current activities and projects of the choir. The Alumni are an important component of the mentor program.
Choral Scholars – As part of its education vision, Shallaway partners with both the Faculty of Education and the School of Music at Memorial University in the development of young music educators. The centre piece of this liaison is the program of annual choral scholarships awarded to promising young conductors, who then apprentice with the Youth Choir and the Children’s Chorus for a year of mentored study and development. They work as para-professionals with the conductors and in learning all aspects of choir life, provide fresh insights through the lens they bring to the experience. There are seven scholars – five choral and two instrumental.
Apprenticeships – Shallaway offers annual apprenticeships for interested members. Apprentices work with the Jubilate and Children’s Chorus ensembles of Shallaway, learning many aspects of musicianship and administration from a leadership perspective. Interested choristers may apply and are appointed at the Director’s discretion. This is an opportunity for musicians, who are particularly interested in vocal/choral music to share their expertise, contribute to the growth of our intermediate and entry-level ensembles and in so doing, increase their own skill and knowledge base. There are seven apprenticeships available.
Chorister Councils – Every season, each ensemble elects its own branch of the Chorister Council to run its affairs. Similar to a school student council, the Chorister Council is involved in helping develop good relationships between choristers by organizing social events and other activities for all members of the Shallaway family. Their liaison with faculty, staff and volunteers is a critical communicative link in the transformative life of the choir. The Chorister Council is an important part of the Shallaway family. In addition to organizing social activities, they are a link to express concerns, ideas or any other comments choristers may have. The Councils have structured responsibilities.