The Halifax Queer Ensemble is holding its first event since 2020! Join us for a full day workshop on July 22nd where we will rehearse, socialize, talk, and explore the future of the ensemble.
The Halifax Queer Ensemble is a Queer artist-led ensemble in Mi’kma’ki,
the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We advocate for the
artistic interests and needs of Queer musicians of all ages,
expressions, and abilities. Our mandate is to promote the work of Queer
musicians, composers, and artists by programming Queer music. Our
mandate is to build an inclusive community of Queer musicians and to
promote the work of Queer composers and artists by programming Queer
music.
Generally, most people in the ensemble play a string (violin, viola, cello, bass), wind (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone), brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba), or percussion instrument. If you play something other than those instruments, we will find a way to include you! No one will be turned away from playing with the group!
Location Info: Dalhousie Arts Centre (6101 University Ave.) room 121. The room is two floors below street level. It is accessible, however the elevator to the bottom floor requires some assistance as it is very old - there will be people available! The room will have chairs, music stands, and any other gear we may need. Washrooms are just around the corner on the same floor. There are also single stall washrooms on the ground level in the new wing of the Arts Centre.
Schedule:
930-10 - Arrival and set up - passing out of music - snacks and coffee
10-1015 - Welcome, meet and greet, and discussion
1015-1130 - Rehearse Queer Music
1130-1145 - Break and leg stretch
1145-1 - Rehearse Queer Music
1-130 - Light Lunch and Chat with whoever would like to stay
What you need to bring: We will have all music printed and ready for you. You will need an instrument to play for this workshop day. In the future, there may be options to rent an instrument. If you need to rent one for this workshop, Long and McQuade rents by the week for quite reasonable rates. Otherwise, there is nothing you need to bring other than your instrument and yourself!
About the conductors:
Justin Amador (They/Them) - A graduate of UPEI's Bachelor of Music program, Justin is currently active as a hornist, singer, and songwriter based out of Halifax, NS. Born in the Philippines and raised in Charlottetown, PE, they quickly became immersed in the music culture of the island. In 2016, Justin competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival, and went on to represent PEI at the National Music Festival of Canada, also performing at the Indian River Music Festival. In 2019, they competed again in the Kiwanis Music Festival, receiving the Suzanne Brenton Award and being invited to play with the PEI Symphony Orchestra in the following season, as well as being selected again to represent PEI at the National festival.
With experience in classical, contemporary, and popular music, Justin has performed with a variety of ensembles, including the PEI Symphony Orchestra, the Confederation Brass, the Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble, and the UPEI Wind Ensemble. They've sung with the Luminos Ensemble, the UPEI Concert Choir, the UPEI Chamber Singers, as well as the East Coast Carolling group, and the vocal group A Tempo.
Jacob Caines (He/Him) is a conductor,
musicologist, and clarinetist based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Jacob is a professor
of musicology, theory, aural skills, and wind music at the Fountain School of
Performing Arts at Dalhousie University. He is presently a PhD Fellow in Queer
Geographies and the ontology of Queer+ classical music at Concordia University
in Montr
éal. He is the
recipient of a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council doctoral grant
for his research which relates classical music performance to the urban
scenography of gaybourhoods and community structures.
Jacob is the founder of
ClassicalQueer.com, an online publication which features interviews with Queer+
performers from around the world. He created the Canadian Database of Queer+
Classical Musicians, a digital directory and resource for Queer+ classical
music in Canada. He presently co-hosts the monthly CQ podcast with trans astrophysicist Sammi Jane Smith.
