Student Workshops
Our inter-generational Youth Workshop is a GCC partnership with local high schools and Wellington Child and Family Services bringing choral singing to youth in ways that are not being offered through the typical curriculum.
These day-long workshops gather students from across the city to join GCC singers as we explore music from other cultural traditions, create group compositions, and develop musicianship skills under the leadership of renowned guest clinicians.
Each workshop day culminates in an informal, public performance of the music that has been workshopped over the course of the afternoon.
Music is taught through methods that address different learning styles beyond the traditional score-reading approach, encouraging all to participate, regardless of musical background or training.
For many students, this is their first exposure to group singing and choral music.
These workshops also offer leadership opportunities for the youth in our Emerging Artist program.
In addition, some of the youth we encounter through SingOUT are also invited to participate in our annual Messiah concert.
The 2026 Youth Workshop is generously supported by beloved Canadian author, Robert Munsch.
High School Workshop with Tracy Wong
February 6, 2026
We were delighted to welcome students from high schools around Guelph for an afternoon of choral music led by our 2026 guest clinician, Dr. Tracy Wong.
Tracy is a Malaysian-Canadian choral conductor, music educator, composer, vocalist, and pianist. She is an Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music, where she also directs the Laurier Singers and Concert Choir.
Tracy is a passionate choral conductor and music educator who aims to provide diverse artistic content and sound music education that allows students to explore and perform a balanced and diverse choral repertoire that reflects the diversity in choral membership and the Canadian community at large.
We are very grateful to Tracy for an exceptional 2026 workshop, which was graciously supported by author Robert Munsch.
The workshop was featured in an article by Robin George in the Wellington Advertiser
High School Workshop with Jamie Hillman
February 23, 2024
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural youth workshop combining youth singers from local high school choral programs and members of GCC, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Jamie Hillman as our 2024 Clinician.
Jamie is a Canadian and American musician, active as a conductor, singer, pianist, music educator, and composer-arranger. He holds the endowed Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting at the University of Toronto where he is Director of Choral Studies and an Associate Professor. He conducts the U of T MacMillan Singers and leads the master’s and doctoral degree programs in Choral Conducting, as well as the annual summer Choral Conducting Symposium.
Jamie is a dynamic musical force and we are fortunate to have him as part of this workshop.
High School Workshop with Waleed Abdulhamid
February 24, 2023
GCC welcomed Sudanese guest artist Waleed Abdulhamid, Director of City Choir, in an exciting workshop and performance.
Combining youth singers from local high school choral programs and members of GCC, Waleed led the group in the creation of a new choral work.
This project provided:
- an opportunity to learn about North African musical traditions, instruments, melodies, rhythms, and philosophy
- teach a different style of learning than the traditional score-reading music through improvisation and aural instruction
- musicianship development for talented youth musicians
- creation and premiere of a new cross-cultural work, expanding the choral experience in Canada.
The day also included a new work from our Emerging Composer-in-Residence, Silas Chinsen, developed in collaboration with Guelph students.
