A choral gem in Sandy Hill helps kids shine

Nancy Simmons-Wright

Sandy Hill is a community endowed with many jewels. One of these is the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir that for 42 years has been based in another Sandy Hill jewel, St. Joseph’s Parish, on Wilbrod Street.Ê

For the last 12 years, Jamie Loback has been the Artistic Director of the ORYC, one of the few youth choirs in the region for young people aged 15Ð25 that has the full range of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices. Although the musical emphasis is on the western classical symphonic choral canon, the choir regularly features works of contemporary young Canadian composers, including those of ORYC choristers.

One of the key tenets of the ORYC is accessibility. To potential choristers this means that, regardless of their choral experience, training, and ability to pay the annual fees, they are not only welcomed into the choir, but they are also given training and support in the form of mentorship, sight reading, ear training etc., as well as financial support to help them on their musical journey. This support applies not only to choristers without choral training but also to choristers who are studying music in high school or university for whom the training may translate into opportunities to sing solos, be a mentor, and to take part in the various intern programs that the ORYC offers Ð vocal mentorship, conducting, collaborative piano, and music composition.

Three neighbourhood children Hannah, Lucinda and Ray Lechasseur have been members of the ORYC over the years. In a recent interview, their mother Camille spoke passionately of the “blossoming of the children,” their becoming more confident and having a growing and enduring love for song in such an open, inclusive and safe space.

The ORYC welcomes new members at any time. So, if you or someone you know would like to join the choir, please check out the website: www.oryc.ca

In addition to its concerts, the ORYC supports St. Joseph’s Supper Table by coordinating and performing in an annual multi-choir concert. All proceeds from this inspiring, collaborative concert go directly to the much needed and used program. This concert will be on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3 p.m.

This year’s ORYC choral season includes four performances, all of them at St. Joseph’s Parish.  The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra of professional musicians organized by Adam Nelson, a local violinist. Repertoire for the December concert is an eclectic mix of seasonal music highlighting multiple cultural and religious traditions.

The ORYC has a ‘pay what you can’ policy to encourage attendance at its concerts.

Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 3 p.m.—Mozart’s Requiem
Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.—Holiday Concert
Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 3 p.m.—INTERN Concert
Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 3 p.m.—Monteverdi’s Orfeo