April 2013 - Kiwanis Music Festival

The OCSB Children’s Choir, directed by MaryAnn Dunn, won Gold in two categories at the recent Kiwanis Music Festival in Ottawa. The Children’s Choir has participated in the Kiwanis Music Festival since 1992. They scored 87 this year, earning them the Ken Little Memorial Trophy (S/A Choir 16 years and under) for the seventh year running. They also claimed the Luella Barrigar Trophy (Elementary Folk Song Chorus) for a remarkable 15th time, with a mark of 88. Read more >>

March 2013 - Choral Workshop

The Children’s, Boy’s and Chamber Choir held their annual choral workshop on Saturday, March 2nd, led by St. Michael’s Choir School (Toronto) Elementary Conductor, Teri Dunn. Ms. Dunn is currently the Assistant Artistic Director of the acclaimed Toronto Children’s Chorus. She has also held conducting positions with the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus, Royal Conservatory of Music, Hart House Chorus, and at St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Choirs Ontario’s Children’s Choir Camp. Read more >>

February 2013 - Tim Horton's Choir Camp Retreat

Members of the Children’s Choir shone their light at the Tim Horton’s Choir Camp Retreat, held on February 2nd and 3rd, 2013.  With rehearsals, indoor games, outdoor skating, snowshoeing, campfire and a treasure hunt, children bonded through singing and music.  The weekend was topped off with a beautiful prayer service, “Visions of Light,” re-capping the many exciting thoughts and ideas shared. View the photos >>

May 2012 - OCSB Children's Choir at the Education Week Mass

The Ottawa Catholic School Board Children's Choir shared their ministry of music by leading the congregation in song at the Education Week Mass, held at Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. The choir was directed by its founder, MaryAnn Dunn and by guest conductor Angela Grant-Saunders. Wonderful support at the piano was provided by the choir's accompanist, Tony Dunn.   View the photos >>   

Children's Choir

Consists of 80 students in Grades 4 through 8. Director: MaryAnn Dunn; Accompanist: Tony Dunn; Assistant: Angela Grant-Saunders; Manager: Kirstin Davidson

The Ottawa Catholic School Board Children’s Choir was founded by MaryAnn Dunn in 1991 with the goal of providing an opportunity for the musical children of the Board to sing in an Honours group. The goal remains the same today – emphasis is placed on performance. The Choir is made up of 80 students in grades 4-8, who are chosen by audition. The Choir performs 10-15 engagements around our city each year, including annual concerts both at Christmas and in the spring. The Children's Choir rehearses weekly on Monday evenings, and one Saturday per month. 

Chamber Choir

Consists of 40 students in Grades 7 through 12. Director: Jamie Loback; Accompanist: Tony Dunn; Assistant: MaryAnn Dunn; Manager: Judy Masson

In 1996, the Chamber Choir was founded by MaryAnn Dunn as an extension of the Board Children’s Choir to provide an opportunity for Senior Choir Members to continue studying and to perform more advanced choral repertoire. Since that time, this group of young people has enjoyed a reputation for fine ensemble work in a wide variety of styles. They have sung at various Board functions, and at several community events such as the Olympic Torch Relay, the opening of the National War Museum, the 60th Anniversary Celebration of D Day, and in the Senate Chamber of the Houses of Parliament. They have traveled to Moncton in a musical exchange with Les Petits Chanteurs d’Acadie and have participated annually in the Kiwanis Festival. Senior choir members from the Children's choir are invited to the Chamber choir by audition. The choir rehearses once a week. 

Boys' Choir

Consists of approximately 25 students in Grades 4 through 12. Director: Tony Dunn; Accompanist: Jamie Loback; Manager: Ursula Wandeler

All boys who sing in the Children’s and Chamber Choirs participate in our Boys' Choir. This group was created to encourage music enjoyment among boys and to explore the wonderful sound of an all male ensemble. The Boys' Choir rehearses twice monthly on Monday evenings following the Children’s Choir rehearsal, and one Saturday per month prior to the Children’s Choir’s monthly Saturday rehearsal. The Boys' Choir has had the pleasure of singing at an Ottawa 67’s Game, where they had an opportunity to wear their distinctive Choir hockey jerseys. 

Young Voices Choir

Consists of approximately 50 students in Grades 4 through 8. Director: Patricia Kaiser; Accompanist: Lillian Lalonde-McKennirey; Manager: Susan McGahey

Our training choir, the Young Voices, is comprised of singers selected from our elementary schools based on their natural singing ability and desire to participate in a Board-based choir. They sustain a membership of 40-50 singers, rehearse weekly, and present their own Christmas and Spring concerts twice yearly. In June, they are invited guests at the Annual Children’s, Chamber and Boy’s Choirs’ Spring Concert. They have performed at various functions, including the Annual Meeting of our Board of Education.