Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus

The Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus was founded in 2001 under the leadership of conductor Jeff Joudrey to provide a highly trained symphonic chorus for performances with Symphony Nova Scotia. Chorus membership includes the Halifax Camerata Singers as the core choir and auditioned singers from around the province who have committed to rehearsals for upcoming Symphony Nova Scotia concerts.

Stephen Pedersen of the Chronicle Herald described the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus as "one of the glories of the performance…their detailed work on the giddy sixteenth note runs sparkling with clarity and energy."

For information or auditions for the Symphony Nova Scotia Chorus, contact Chorus Master Jeff Joudrey here.

Want to get more involved with choral music in Nova Scotia? Contact the Nova Scotia Choral Federation.

Jeff Joudrey, Chorus Master

Jeff Joudrey, founder and artistic director of the Halifax Camerata Singers and Truro’s First Baptist Girls’ Choir, is highly regarded for his vision, musical leadership and standards of excellence.

After graduating from Acadia University in organ performance in 1977, the Nova Scotia native studied at the International Academy in Haarlem, The Netherlands, and at McGill University with organists John Grew and Raymond Daveluy. He studied choral music with acclaimed Canadian conductors Elmer Iseler and Wayne Riddell, and with German conductor Helmuth Rilling through master classes at the 1993 Oregon Bach Festival.

Since 1981 Jeff has made his home in Truro where he is director of music at First Baptist Church. He founded the Halifax Camerata Singers in 1986, correctly envisioning that a high-calibre chamber ensemble would attract singers from all over the province. He also founded and conducts the nationally-acclaimed First Baptist Girls’ Choir, and in his spare time is in demand as a teacher, adjudicator and workshop clinician. He has been assistant master conductor at the Institute of Choral Conducting for the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, and has served on the faculties of Dalhousie and Acadia universities.

For many years Jeff has prepared choirs for performances with Symphony Nova Scotia, and he has conducted the symphony musicians in performances of numerous major choral works, including "an unforgettable performance" of Bach’s Mass in B minor in 1998. He was appointed chorus master by Symphony Nova Scotia in 2001. In September 2005, Jeff was honoured by the invitation to be guest conductor for the 15th anniversary tour of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir.

Jeff is a past member of the board of directors of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors and a past president of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. He has served on juries for the Junos, the East Coast Music Awards, and the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors. In 1993 he was awarded a Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation for his contribution to the arts in Nova Scotia.

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