In the world of choral music, the leap from academic training to a professional career can feel like crossing a vast canyon without a bridge — unless you’re in Edmonton. Here, Pro Coro Canada has constructed a pathway that helps transform promising young talents into polished professionals through its emerging artists program. While aspiring choral musicians can often find themselves in a postgraduation limbo, Edmonton’s only professional choir offers a unique — and rare — opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience to help artists fulfill their potential, thanks to grant funding from Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF).
Founded in 1980 by conductor Michel Marc Gervais after studying with legendary choral conductor Eric Ericson in Stockholm, Pro Coro Canada was created to establish a professional ensemble in Edmonton based on Swedish choral culture. Since its inception, the choir has performed on stages including the Toronto International Choral Festival, toured the country numerous times and commissioned close to 100 new works, the majority by Canadian composers. For the last decade, the choir has been led by conductor Michael Zaugg, in his own words, a “passionate pedagogue”, who loves working not only with choirs but also up and coming choral artists.
Composer Jason Noble, now a professor of instrumental and electroacoustic composition at the Université de Moncton, describes his time in the program as “extremely empowering and one of the most satisfying artistic experiences” of his career. His experimental and thought-provoking piece Furiouser & Spuriouser, written during the choir’s residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in 2018, has become his most-performed work. “The program … gave me the luxury of immersing myself in composing without distractions,” Noble explains.
“Working directly with singers during the composition process allowed me to be both adventurous and practical in my work. It’s rare to find a professional choir that supports emerging composers and encourages exploration of new music the way Pro Coro Canada does.”
What sets the emerging artists program apart is its comprehensive approach. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship from professional musicians and have their performances recorded, helping them build portfolios for future opportunities. Vocalist Josiah Maxfield, another one of Pro Coro Canada’s emerging artists, remarked that being treated as a professional while still learning creates an environment where emerging artists can rise to challenges with proper support. For conductor Britney Huynh, the program provided invaluable mentorship — after singing with Pro Coro Canada a few times, Zaugg encouraged Huynh to apply to the emerging artists program, which she took part in last year. She was invited to conduct with the Grande Prairie Boys Choir and Pro Coro Canada in February of 2024. The comprehensive experience included private lessons with Zaugg, coaching on conducting techniques and postconcert debriefing sessions that helped refine her skills. The program also addresses a critical gap in the artistic ecosystem. “Between postsecondary education and professional careers, there’s often nothing,” explains Zaugg.
“Our program provides that stepping stone, giving young artists the experience and feedback they need to succeed professionally.”
Beyond individual development, the program also contributes to Edmonton’s reputation as an arts hub. “People say, ‘Oh, look what they do in Edmonton!’” Zaugg exclaims with enthusiasm. The program’s commitment to contemporary themes keeps choral music relevant in today’s world. Furiouser & Spuriouser, which will be performed at Pro Coro Canada’s June 7 concert at the Westbury Theatre, addresses modern concerns about social media and the internet. The piece — the title of which is a nod to the famous line in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, “Curiouser and curiouser!” — views the internet as Wonderland, full of both wonders and horrors, found at the bottom of the rabbit hole. This engagement with current issues reflects Pro Coro Canada’s philosophy that art must respond to contemporary challenges.
As Pro Coro Canada continues to nurture the next generation of choral music talent, the program works to ensure the vitality of choral music for the future. By providing access to professional training, mentorship and performance opportunities, the emerging artists program creates a sustainable pathway for artistic development in Edmonton and beyond, thanks in part to ECF’s continued support. “Pro Coro Canada has put in a lot of work to create and grow their own endowment funds at ECF that will support their work for years to come,” Matt Mandrusiak, ECF’s Manager, Philanthropy says. “They have been able to engage donors and patrons to get behind their long-term success and sustainability and have also had other ECF fund holders supporting their work with additional grants.” Zaugg emphasizes how this funding helps the organization offer the program for free to participants, removing the financial barrier often associated with programs like this and making world-class instruction more accessible.
“I don’t know of many other professional choirs in North America, if any, that offer a program like this for free. It’s the support of ECF that makes this all possible.”
For aspiring participants, Noble and Huynh enthusiastically recommend the emerging artists
program. “It’s such a great opportunity to make connections, learn from people like Michael Zaugg and work with professional vocalists,” says Huynh. “Whatever you learn from this experience, you’ll take to the rest of your career.”
This story comes from the Summer 2025 Edition of Thrive Magazine.
Read the full issue.
