Camrose Camerata is an auditioned, community-based chamber choir, whose mandate is to perform high quality choral music that is as fun and enlightening as it is inspiring and challenging for both the singers and the audience. Performances have run the gamut from Irish folk songs to Estonian art music, from a cappella Spirituals to works with small orchestra. The choir came into existence in the Fall of 2003, with an initial membership of 18 singers, and has continued to perform and grow throughout its history. Our membership has included singers from Camrose and outlying communities as far away as Wetaskiwin, Stettler, Beaumont and Leduc.
Throughout our almost twenty years of singing and performing together, our mission has been threefold:
- to take advantage of the high level of musicianship that already exists within the greater Camrose community, giving singers of a variety of levels of experience and ability the opportunity to expand their choral horizons
- to bring high calibre choral music from all styles and eras, languages and cultures to our members and our audience in the greater Camrose community
- to teach and learn about great choral music and artistic expression both within our choir and within the community at large.
The name Camerata is an Italian word first used in the Renaissance to describe a group of individuals who share a strong passion for a particular art form - in this case, choral music - and who get together (often in a chamber or “camera”) to share that loved art form.
In 2022, this seems even more vital as we come out of more than two years of deeply missing our ability to sing and perform together!
Upcoming Camerata plans
We look forward to returning to as close to “normal” in 2022-2023 as possible! Right now we intend to meet for rehearsals in September, aiming for our usual Lessons and Carols in December, and concerts in January and April. Look for themes of resilience, community, and the joy of singing…
If you are interested in joining us, please drop us a line! Auditions are informal and fairly low-key, and usually held in August/September of each year. Singers will be asked to perform a known piece “a cappella” (can be a folk song, hymn, Christmas carol, or art song), sing some warm-ups to demonstrate range, and read an unfamiliar piece at sight OR sing it back after one or two play-throughs. This gives the director an idea of range and colour of each voice, how quickly each singer learns, and what their learning style is.
Membership rates are currently $100 per term, for a total of $200 for the season. Bursaries available.
Updated: August 2022