On February 1, the University of Toronto Choral Studies presents an afternoon choral workshop with Blake Morgan of VOCES8 and choral artist Justin Jalea. After performances focused on two of Blake’s compositions, Caledonia and Shall We Gather at the River? Workshop participants will sing both works, exploring the text and musical language, along with expression, in a collaborative spirit.
The session will be rounded out by an informal facilitated conversation about life as a professional choral musician. Morgan and Jalea will offer insights on the choral music realm of today, along with their careers as 21st century choral artists.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Blake Morgan studied both classical and jazz singing in that city. He has sung with a number of American a cappella ensembles, including Chanticleer and Cantus. Blake was a member of Conspirare when the ensemble won its GRAMMY for Best Choral Performance in 2015.
He moved to the UK to become a member of VOCES8, and has recorded with the ensemble on the Decca Classics label. He has also recorded as a studio session singer on pop albums for artists such as Bon Iver, Sid Sriram, and Paul Simon.
Along with his work with VOCES8, he writes and records his own music, and plays both guitar and drums. As a composer and arranger, his music has been performed internationally, including at the Sydney Opera House and BC Proms Festival. His works have been commissioned by The King’s Singers, Take 6, Chanticleer, VOCES8, The U.S. Airforce, Conspirare, and The Manhattan Transfer.
Blake is also a music educator, and teaches choir, private voice, guitar, and percussion.
Justin Julea is a Canadian human rights activist, conductor, and JUNO-nominated tenor. As both musician and activist, he has worked with organizations such as Americans for the Arts, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, Musicians for Human Rights, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, and the United Nations.
Justin has performed with professional choirs throughout North America, including the Canadian Chamber Choir, Pro Coro Canada, Luminous Voices, and the Choir of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York.
As an experienced conductor, he has won the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Scholarship from Yale University’s School of Music twice, along with the CIBC Emerging Artist Scholarship in choral arts. Justin has founded organizations such as the New York City-based ensemble Inspire: A Choir for Unity, which combines choral arts and community building.
Currently, Justin practices Labour, Employment, and Human Rights law at Hicks Morley in Ottawa while remaining active in the choral music community. He performs frequently with with the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, La Chappelle de Québec, and the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montréal.
The interactive choral workshop with Blake Morgan and Justin Jalea takes place on February 1 at Emmanuel College, Toronto from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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