Change is in the air for the Carleton University Choir (CUC). This fall the 50-member ensemble will not only change its rehearsal schedule and location, but it will also welcome Antonio Llaca as their choral conductor and newly appointed director of Choral Activities for the Carleton Music program.
The CUC has been a prominent part of the Ottawa music community for more than 40 years, with a vibrant membership that includes music students, Carleton staff, alumni and members of the community. Carleton has recently acquired the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre and, starting this fall, the CUC will hold weekly rehearsals there on Wednesday evenings.
“I am extremely excited and honoured to assume the directorship of the CUC,” says Cuban-Canadian conductor Llaca.
Llaca has been a part of the Carleton teaching staff since 2016, teaching undergraduate courses in choral and instrumental conducting. As director of Choral Activities he will serve as choral conductor for the CUC, conductor of the smaller Student Vocal Ensemble, and he will teach undergraduate courses in choral and instrumental conducting.
“Choral studies are an integral part of the training of any musician,” said Llaca. “I personally see great opportunities in Carleton’s music program and exciting prospects for collaborations with other choral and instrumental groups.”
“We anticipate great things ahead with Llaca at the helm of the CUC,” said Alexis Luko, associate professor of Music and assistant director in the School for Studies in Art and Culture. “The new energy of this dynamic conductor and the new rehearsal space at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre will showcase the talents of our Carleton music students and further strengthen our collaborative efforts within the Ottawa community.”
About the Carleton University Choir
The CUC is a large choral ensemble of as many as 90 voices. The choir is open by audition to Carleton students, members of the university community, and the public. The choir presents two major public concerts during the academic year. These events showcase a variety of large- and small-scale choral works and frequently feature orchestra and soloists.
The CUC rehearses Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (355 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0G8). The smaller Student Vocal Ensemble will meet in Carleton’s Loeb Building on Wednesdays from 2:35 p.m. to 5:35 p.m. Auditions will take place in early September. Those interested in joining the choir are encouraged to contact Llac at AntonioLlacaBuznego@cunet.carleton.ca for more information.
About the Conductor
Cuban born, Llaca is an active choral conductor, teacher, and clinician. He studied choral conducting and classical guitar both in Canada and in South America. He holds a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Université de Sherbrooke (Montreal) and has studied with masters such as Michael Zaugg, Christopher Jackson, Robert Ingari, Patrick Roux, Laurence Ewashko and Luis Zea. In addition to his work at Carleton, he is also a professor at the Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineau where he conducts the choirs and orchestra. In this position he founded and currently conducts the award-winning Choeur de Chambre du Conservatoire. Since 2009, Llaca has conducted Coro Vivo Ottawa (CVO). In addition to this, he often collaborates with numerous ensembles and prepares choruses for Canadian orchestras and artists such as The Tenors and touring international orchestras, such as the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra. His choral ensembles have performed on national and international stages including the National Arts Centre, the Tintqiao Performing Arts Centre (China) and Carnegie Hall.
Llaca is a sought-after choral clinician, having had a chance to present workshops at various Canadian and international institutions and festivals, including with the 2018 International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) in Beijing. As an instrumentalist, he has had the opportunity to perform in several festivals and instrumental ensembles across Canada including the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain.
Llaca has toured in Canada, Latin America and Asia with his ensembles. He has earned a reputation for being a passionate conductor and pedagogue who is regarded for his musicality and knowledge of the choral art. Llaca’s 2019-2020 season will include performances with visiting choral ensembles from the USA and the Czech Republic, a joint performance of the Brahms Requiem with the Orchestre Symphonique de Gatineau and he will lead a conference on Cuban choral music at the PODIUM national conference in Montreal.
Media Contact
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
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613-265-6613
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
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Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in News Releases
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