Choral Directors’ Top 10: Jackie Hawley – Beginner to Intermediate Children’s Choirs

Jackie Hawley graduated from University of Toronto with an honors degree in Music Education and from University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Education. She has conducted and toured internationally with adult, youth and children’s choirs and has been a clinician for choirs and schools throughout Ontario for more than twenty five years. In November of 2009, Ms. Hawley was the guest conductor for the CBC/McGill Youth Gala Concert in Montreal.

She is currently the Artistic Director of the Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa, which she founded in 2003 and which grew to include a Training Choir in 2006. Cantiamo is known for its commitment to nurturing local composers and commissioning new Canadian repertoire.

In January 2008, Ms. Hawley was appointed Artistic Director of the Ottawa Children’s Choir and Music Director of its Chamber Choir. Under her artistic leadership, the choir co-produced Kaleid-on-the-Road in 2010, bringing acclaimed international artists Rajaton to Ottawa for educational and performance events that involved more than 500 people of all ages.

Ms. Hawley was also a teacher with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, where she opened and designed the music curriculum for a new school and continues to give music leadership workshops to Board staff.

Jackie Hawley Recommends Repertoire for Beginner and Intermediate Children’s Choirs

Al Shlosha
Alan E. Naplan

This is a beautiful 2-part piece in partner song style, nice key for young voices, timeless message.

On the Back of an Eagle
Nancy Telfer

Unison, lovely melody, great for working on phrasing, good text, a pleasure to sing and to listen to.

My Heart Soars
Ruth Watson Henderson

A good combination of First Nations and Christian spirituality, wonderful 2-part harmony which is not difficult but is very effective and exciting to sing.