Cantus Firmus Choral Lab
About
Cantus Firmus Choral Lab is a professional choral laboratory created to give conductors and composers meaningful, hands-on experience working with professional singers.
Meeting monthly at the Vancouver Academy of Music, the 2026–2027 season brings together 8–9 professional singers, a professional pianist for accompanied repertoire, and conducting mentorship from Kari Turunen, DMA.
Conductors receive substantial podium time to rehearse repertoire, develop rehearsal technique, experiment with musical ideas, and receive professional feedback.
Composers may use the lab to hear and rehearse their own choral works with experienced singers.
Season 1 explores 15 works spanning different periods and styles of Western classical music alongside musical traditions and voices from around the world. The season culminates in a live recital at Koerner Recital Hall on April 30, 2027, with selected guest-conducting opportunities available by approval of the artistic leadership.
The name Cantus Firmus comes from the historical practice of using a “fixed melody” as the foundation around which other musical voices develop. In the same spirit, the Lab provides a strong musical foundation from which conductors, composers, and singers can explore, collaborate, and grow.
Founded and artistically directed by choral conductor Trésor Otshudi, Cantus Firmus combines sustained podium experience with mentorship from Kari Turunen, DMA, Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
Kari Turunen, DMA
Conducting Mentor
Kari Turunen is a distinguished conductor and educator based in Vancouver and Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir. An internationally experienced choral conductor, he is recognized for his artistry, musicianship, and commitment to the development of choral music and conductors.
As Conducting Mentor for Cantus Firmus Choral Lab, Kari provides artistic guidance, professional insight, and mentorship to support the development of participating conductors. His role strengthens the Lab’s commitment to thoughtful score study, effective rehearsal practice, artistic growth, and high-level choral conducting.
Rehearsal Sessions
Sundays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
September 13, 2026 — Season Launch
October 11, 2026
November 15, 2026 — Yeung Ensemble Room (YER)
December 13, 2026 — Yeung Ensemble Room (YER)
January 17, 2027
February 7, 2027
March 14, 2027
April 11, 2027
April 25, 2027
Rehearsals take place at the Vancouver Academy of Music, primarily in Mary Olson Hall.
Season 1 Final Recital
Friday, April 30, 2027
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Koerner Recital Hall
Vancouver Academy of Music
Season 1
Venues
Vancouver Academy of Music
1270 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC
Cantus Firmus Choral Lab Season 1 takes place across three spaces at the Vancouver Academy of Music:
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Mary Olson Hall — Primary rehearsal venue
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Yeung Ensemble Room (YER) — Selected rehearsal sessions
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Koerner Recital Hall — Season 1 Final Recital, April 30, 2027
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Conductor Program — $2,750
4 Hours on the Podium.
A Season to Study.
A Performance to Lead.
A season-long professional development opportunity for conductors seeking sustained podium experience, mentorship, and the opportunity to take repertoire from score study through rehearsal to performance with professional singers.
The 2026–2027 program includes:
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4 hours of podium time with the Cantus Firmus professional ensemble, scheduled across the season
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Access to all remaining Cantus Firmus Season 1 rehearsal sessions
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Ongoing conducting feedback and mentorship
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Preparation and rehearsal of selected repertoire with the ensemble
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Conducting one approved work in the Season 1 Final Recital on April 30, 2027, at Koerner Recital Hall, upon successful completion of the program
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Professional video of the conductor’s final recital performance
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Conductor biography and profile featured in the Season 1 Final Recital program
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Professional announcement introducing the selected Conductor Program participant through Cantus Firmus and Trésor Music communications
Tuition: $2,750
Admission to the Conductor Program is by application and approval of the artistic leadership. The program is intended for conductors who demonstrate sufficient preparation, musicianship, professionalism, and potential to benefit from sustained work with the ensemble.
Once admitted, participants work toward the preparation and performance of one approved work in the Season 1 Final Recital at Koerner Recital Hall, subject to successful completion of the program requirements.
Join us
Season 1 of Cantus Firmus Choral Lab is now underway at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and conductors and composers are invited to join us during the 2026–2027 season.
For conductors, the Lab offers meaningful podium time with professional singers, opportunities to develop rehearsal technique and gesture, explore repertoire, test musical ideas, and receive feedback in a focused professional environment.
For composers, Cantus Firmus provides the opportunity to hear a choral work rehearsed by experienced singers, make discoveries in real time, and better understand how the music functions practically in rehearsal and performance.
Participants may join for a single session, observe first, rehearse a work with the ensemble, or pursue a more substantial conducting experience. Selected conductors may also be considered for the April 30 final recital, subject to approval by the artistic leadership of Cantus Firmus Choral Lab.
Cantus Firmus is designed for artists who want more than theory alone: it is a place to conduct, create, experiment, refine, and grow through direct work with professional choral musicians.
If you are a conductor or composer looking for a serious, supportive, and practical choral development opportunity in Vancouver, we invite you to join us this season.
Participation
Options & Rates
Observer / Auditor — $100
Attend and observe one complete 2-hour rehearsal session.
Composer Lab — $300
Receive 30 minutes with the professional ensemble to rehearse, hear, and explore one choral work.
Conducting Lab — 30 Minutes — $300
Receive 30 minutes of podium and rehearsal time with the ensemble.
Conducting Lab — 1 Hour — $550
Receive 60 minutes of podium and rehearsal time with the ensemble.
Conducting Lab — Full Session — $950
Conduct and rehearse the ensemble for the full 2-hour session.
Final Recital — Guest Conductor — $350
Conduct one prepared work during the April 30 final recital.
Approved conductors may add the $350 recital opportunity.
Final Recital Participation
Guest conducting in the April 30 recital is not guaranteed and is subject to approval by the artistic leadership of Cantus Firmus Choral Lab, based on preparation, repertoire suitability, and performance readiness.
How to Apply
For conductors and Composers
Application Requirements
Conductor Lab — Submission Requirements:
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Résumé or CV
A current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining conducting experience, musical training, ensembles, education, and other relevant professional experience. -
Two Conducting Videos — Contrasting Repertoire
Two video samples demonstrating the applicant's conducting through contrasting repertoire. Whenever possible, videos should show the applicant actively rehearsing or conducting singers rather than conducting to a recording. Contrast may be demonstrated through style, period, tempo, character, or technical demands. -
Statement of Interest — Written or Video
A short written statement (250–400 words) or a brief video statement addressing:
Why do you want to participate in Cantus Firmus Choral Lab? What do you hope to develop or gain from the experience? -
Conducting Interests & Development Goals
A brief description of the areas the applicant would particularly like to develop during the season. These may include gesture, rehearsal technique, score preparation, communication, interpretation, repertoire development, contemporary music, early music, or other areas of interest.
Applications are reviewed by the artistic leadership of Cantus Firmus Choral Lab. Selection is based on musical preparation, conducting potential, professionalism, clarity of artistic goals, and readiness to benefit from sustained work with the professional ensemble.
Application: infos@tresormusic.ca
Subject: Conductor Program — Application
Composer Lab — Submission Requirements
Composers interested in working with Cantus Firmus Choral Lab are asked to submit:
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Résumé or CV
A current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining musical training, composition experience, education, performances, and other relevant artistic experience. -
Choral Score
A complete PDF score of the work the composer would like to explore with Cantus Firmus. The score should be clearly notated and sufficiently prepared for rehearsal with professional singers. -
Audio or MIDI Recording — Optional
If available, composers may submit a recording, demo, or MIDI realization of the work. This is helpful but not required. -
Statement of Interest — Written or Video
A short written statement (250–400 words) or brief video explaining:
Why would you like to work with Cantus Firmus Choral Lab, and what do you hope to learn or discover by hearing your work rehearsed by professional singers? -
Goals for the Lab Session
A brief description of what the composer would particularly like to explore during the session—for example, vocal writing, balance, texture, range, diction, notation, pacing, ensemble feasibility, interpretation, or specific passages in the score.
Submissions are reviewed by the artistic leadership of Cantus Firmus Choral Lab. Acceptance is based on the suitability and readiness of the work, the practical requirements of the score, and the potential benefit of working on the piece with the ensemble.
Submit: infos@tresormusic.ca
Subject: Composer Lab — Submission
repertoire
Throughout Season 1, Cantus Firmus Choral Lab explores repertoire spanning the historical choral canon alongside contemporary, Canadian, and global voices.
Medieval & Renaissance
Hildegard von Bingen — O virtus Sapientiae
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — Sicut cervus
Baroque & Classical
J. S. Bach — Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 — “Gute Nacht, o Wesen”
W. A. Mozart — Ave verum corpus, K. 618 *
Romantic & French Repertoire
Felix Mendelssohn — Verleih uns Frieden
Gabriel Fauré — Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11 *
20th-Century, Contemporary & Global Voices
Traditional, arr. Donald Patriquin — Ah! si mon moine voulait danser
Morten Lauridsen — Dirait-on
Sherryl Sewepagaham — okâwîmâw askîy (Mother Earth)
Reena Esmail — TaReKiTa
arr. Ralf Schmitt & Michael Barrett — Indodana
Rosephanye Powell — The Word Was God
Traditional, arr. William L. Dawson — Ain’-a That Good News
Richard Smallwood, arr. Keith Christopher — Total Praise
Congolese-Canadian / Contemporary
Trésor Otshudi — Minimalist Sebene
* Ave verum corpus and Cantique de Jean Racine may be performed with string quartet, offering participating conductors the opportunity to work with both the professional vocal ensemble and instrumentalists.