“Most of the children in Capella Regalis do not come from an Anglican background, or any church-going background at all. Singing in the choir is usually their first exposure to religion. Thanks to the support of the Anglican Foundation of Canada, Capella Regalis is able to have a life-long impact on the spiritual lives of our young choristers,” said Nick Halley, Founder & Director of Capella Regalis Choirs.
Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir sung a special Choral Evensong, at which Bishop Sandra Fyfe officiated and Primate Linda Nicholls preached. The choir, accompanied by organist Paul Halley, filled the Cathedral with special music for the Eve of the Ascension, including the grand Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis from the Gloucester Service by Herbert Howells, and the celebratory O Clap Your Hands by R. Vaughan Williams.
Capella Regalis Choirs was founded in 2010 by Artistic Director Nick Halley (who serves also as the Assistant Director of Music at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax) to build upon the best aspects of the centuries-old European tradition of church choirs and to revitalize this method of music training in Canada.
Capella Regalis has been the recipient of numerous grants from the Anglican Foundation of Canada. After the Evensong, at the Foundation’s AGM, Nick Halley had the opportunity to speak about the great impact this funding has had on the organization.
“The effect of your financial support is far-reaching and goes beyond touching the lives of those you saw singing this evening. Many members of our Men & Boys Choir were not able to be with us tonight: seven from our tenor section alone were absent, due to high school, work, etc. We have a whole Young Men’s program for those adolescents with recently changed voices. Then we have a Probationer’s Program for those as young as 6 years old, who are just beginning to find their voice. Finally, we have a Girls Choir, formed this past fall, comprising another 24 young singers. In total, that’s about 55 young people, ages 6-18, who benefit from our free music education program.”
“There are already so many barriers to children – and especially boys – singing, that we do not want cost to be an issue. Your generosity ensures the financial burden is not placed on those wishing to participate,” said Nick Halley.
A testimonial of one parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, speaks to the ability of the choirs to fulfill this commitment: “The choir provided our son, who has autism, with a group where he felt fully accepted and included as a part of the group. The focus on musical excellence and growth of every child as a musician gave him the opportunity to learn at his own pace in a supportive positive environment.”
And from another parent, Gina Patterson-Dietz: “I have no hesitation in saying the choir is the singular most important part of my son’s life; I cannot imagine him without it. The experience has shaped him and the friendships he has made will last his lifetime.”
For more information please visit capellaregalis.com.
