Singers needed: Local jazz choir seeks versatile vocalists

The group's repertoire, which ranges from Gershwin to Rogers/Hart and Kirby Shaw, covers jazz and latin music standards. Choeur en Jazz's roots go back a decade to the University of Montreal, where some graduates got together to form a choir they called Sacajazz.

"When the university decided to restrict the choir to only students, I decided to start this," said France Saint-Denis, Choeur en Jazz's manager. "It's really my favourite hobby."

Choeur en Jazz is currently looking for singers — particularly tenors and basses — who are residents of Westmount. They also hope to stage a concert in December at Victoria Hall.

"We need more Westmount people," said Saint-Denis, noting they have just one member from Westmount so far. "We are right in the middle of Westmount so it would be convenient for them."

According to Saint-Denis, the group currently has more need for male voices than female ones. "That's always the case with choirs," she said. "We also accept women, but we're really missing a few guys." Applicants must be able to carry a tune during a 10-minute audition with the musical director. "If you can repeat five notes that he's playing on the piano, you're okay."

Another interesting aspect of the group is that they do not require musical reading skills. While the average age of Choeur en Jazz members is 45, some are as young as 25, while others are in their 60s.

This past summer, the ensemble announced the appointment of Philippe Bourque as their new artistic director. Bourque, who recently finished a Masters degree in choir conducting under the supervision of Julian Wachner at McGill University, also has a Bachelor's degree with distinction in performing classical piano.

Bourque's knowledge of choir direction also includes experience as assistant conductor of the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers at McGill University. In addition, he is the conductor and artistic director of the Petits-Chanteurs de la Cathédrale.

Apart from choirs, his other musical interests range from classical piano to jazz gigs, as well as teaching and arranging music. He has won the Lieutenant Governor's Prize at Montreal's renowned Vicent-d'Indy musical college, a Constance Willey Prize at McGill, and a study bursary from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Choeur en Jazz's rehearsals take place at 687 Roslyn Avenue every Wednesday evening from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For information, call 514-271-9311. Email: france.saint-denis@videotron.ca.