Tafelmusik Vocal Competition - A Talk with the 2016 Winners

 You've had a job interview at some point in your life, right? Actually, you probably had way more than one. Then one magical day, you were offered a job, you accepted it, and now you're set. You'll keep this job for years to come, before you get promoted or before you decide to move on to something else. It's pretty much how it goes.

Now think about this. Classical singers go through these steps, multiple times a year. Each job lasts a few weeks, and is seperated by intensive training and travelling. Auditions are the same as job interviews.  And these job interviews are fierce competitions. I took a deeper look in the inaugural Tafelmusik Vocal Competition and asked the three winners how they get ready for those job interviews and what this competition means to them. 

What you need to know. The Vocal Competition is the newest addition to Tafelmusik's artist training programmes for professional musicians. The Baroque ensemble believes in the importance of not only mentoring emerging artists in the art of period performance, but also of giving them the unique opportunity of performing on their stage. Now the actual competition took place in January, but! The winners will be performing the solo roles in Tafelmusik  Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir's upcoming concert Zelenka & Bach, alonside German soprano Dorothee Mields.

Why should you go? "These young singers are poised to establish important international careers, and it's exciting for the audience to be among the very first in Toronto to bear witness to their debuts with one of Canada's most successful cultural ambassadors abroad." Tafelmusik has 9 Juno Awards. Just saying. #bigshot

Zelenka & Bach is presented at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall, from Thursday April 28 to Sunday May 1st 2016. If you like Q&As with the artists, you go on Thursday night. If you are 35 and under, tickets start at 15$ and you should go on Saturday night for the Intermission Party. Yes, concert AND party! 

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I need a ticket now

Meet the 2016 Tafelmusik Vocal Competition Winners

Jacques-Olivier Chartier, Tenor

On our way to TO ! @Tafelmusik @DomoneyArtists pic.twitter.com/es8WGEWR1l

— Jacques-Olivier C. (@JoucksC) April 24, 2016

What makes you special?
I'm a funny, loyal, cheerful guy who likes good things in life!

How did you prepare on the day of an audition?
I like to wake up pretty early and just do something normal during the day, without talking a lot. I also need to find a gym and do weight lifting, spinning, etc. It gives me more confidence, energy and focus. For the competition, I sang some Bach and Handel, that suits me well for now.

How confident were you about winning?
We always doubt a little bit and this is normal. But you have to choose a repertoire that suits you nicely, show your strenghts and be sure you are as much prepared as possible. It is normal not to win..that's part of the game. Competitions are always exciting experiences, no matter who makes it or not. The most important thing is to learn a lot out of this experience.

What does winning this competition mean to you?
It means a lot. Since I began in the Quebec boy choir, I always admired Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, listening to their recordings etc. Having the opportunity to sing with this organisation at 28 years old is such an honour. Tafelmusik is making a huge effort to help young singers to start their careers. It is also an opportunity to see new up and coming talented young artists. 

Oh and btw...
Just before going on stage, I always have a little cross in my pocket... My 105 years old grandmother gave me that little holy cross one day and it became a ritual to have it in my jacket, just before singing...I am still pretty sure it helps, who knows !? :) 

Jonathan Woody, Bass-Baritone 

My first passion has been early music - vocal and instrumental. As I've gotten older I'm feeling more passionate about social justice as well. I'm so happy to join Tafelmusik for this concert and spend time in Toronto. I love the city and the friendly people who live here!

How did you get ready for the audition?
I function best when busy, and the audition was no exception. I had a performance in New York the night before, and traveled very early the day of to Toronto. I didn't have much time to worry because I could just focus on getting from point A to point B. I had to travel back to New York that evening, also! I felt good about it. I sang pieces that I feel comfortable with, excerpts from Handel's Messiah and the St. Matthew Passion of Bach.

Fun Fact!
My only ritual besides slow careful vocal warm-ups is wearing my lucky socks!

What does winning this competition mean to you?
It helps me feel secure that I've chosen the right path, and that I have something to say that my colleagues and peers are responsive to.

Inspiration Point, NYC

Une photo publiée par Jonathan Woody (@jonathanjwoody) le 31 Mars 2016 à 14h18 PDT

Kim Leeds, Mezzo-Soprano

What is your passion?
I am super passionate about oratorio music, in particular, the music of the Baroque. As a singer, I feel that Baroque music allows the singer to use their voice more similar to a stringed or wind instrument which, in turn, gives the singer a larger variety of colors and timbers to use when interpreting the music and text. 

How did you get ready for the audition?
A lot of work goes into prepping for a competition. There's a lot of strategy that goes into the process of choosing the right repertoire.  Once I selected my pieces, I worked on them for about 2 hours a day for the month prior to the competition in addition to multiple voice lessons and vocal coachings so that by the time the competition came about, I felt like I was singing these pieces to the best of my ability.

What does winning this competition mean to you?
Any win is definitely a self-esteem booster! However, Tafelmusik is a very well known and respected organization so it really stands out on your resume when you're being considered to sing for other Baroque ensembles.

How confident were you about winning?
I think no matter how well you sing, there's always going to be that voice of doubt in the back of your head. It's hard not to take it personally, but I always try to remind myself that a loss doesn't mean you're not as good, you just might not have been the right fit for the part. In our field, you have to deal with a lot of rejection and you just have to take it in stride.

Bet you didn't know this!
April tend to be performance heavy month for singers so I'm really looking forward to having some down time in May to spend time with my husband and our birds (we have two parakeets and a cockatiel who likes to whistle along to Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)!

Check out Tafelmusik's 2016/2017 Season!
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