Conducting a Silent Choir: Marg Stubington

Marg Stubington is a leading choir conductor in the Ottawa region. She is a writer, an arranger, a researcher, a teacher, and a passionate visionary.

Originally from Montréal, Québec, Marg received her Bachelor of Music from McGill University and her Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa.

Marg has directed many choirs such as Musica Viva Singers, Tone Cluster Choir, Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus, St. James United Church Choir, and the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir. She even founded the Vox Femina Choir in Ottawa, an all-women chorus.

Marg has worked in many important Canadian musical organizations, such as Suzuki Summer Institute in Montreal, where she taught music theory and led mass choirs workshops. Marg instructed music theory and choir with the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy. Most notably, she developed and lead the KidSinger’s choir program alongside the Ottawa OrKidstra non-for-profit organization that helps children become immersed in the world of group classical music and provides education opportunities and the instruments needed to participate. Among many other career accomplishments, Marg has worked with Canterbury High School, CAMMAC, Carleton University, Ottawa Brahms Choir, Musica Ebraica, Arnprior Community Chorus, and the Amadeus Choir in Toronto.

Currently, Marg is the music and choir leader at the First United Church in Ottawa and The Canadian Centennial Choir. Additionally, she has been organizing workshops for her choir members and the public and continuing private piano lessons, either on Zoom or in-person (social distanced).

As an introvert, Marg has enjoyed her time in nature during the pandemic with her beloved cat, Quinn. She feels fortunate that she lives near nature and can enjoy long walks where Quinn follows close behind.

Her days have been taken over by zoom. Zoom calls to choir practices, zoom calls for workshops, private lessons over zoom, and meetings over zoom. But Marg is still thankful. She is thankful to connect with her loved ones, colleagues, board members, and the choir members under her care.

When I spoke to her about daily life during COVID, I explained that nature and outdoor time were fundamental in getting through the beginning of the pandemic. Marg agreed and added that being near water also helped her feel calmer about the events that came from the pandemic.

As it is with many of us, we’ve had to learn to be at peace with the goings-on that we cannot control. Going back to March, the choirs of Ottawa decided it was time to go remote. Although she understood the risks, Marg admits that she was distraught at the notion of losing the part of her job that she loved the most, conducting and experiencing the music she helped create.

Marg found herself planning repertoire, researching composers, and hoping for a quick resolution, but that did not happen. Quickly, she understood that it was most important to make the absolute best of the time her choirs would be spending online. No matter how long it would be, Marg understands that community involvement and her choir members' needs are of utmost importance.

Although she misses conducting and hearing her choir members' voices, Marg explained to me that it doesn’t matter what she feels or thinks. It doesn’t matter how bored or exhausted she may be from leading activities online. What matters is that her choir members feel fulfilled, both socially and musically.

Marg is thankful for the opportunities she has had to think outside of the box during this pandemic. Optimism for the future is essential, but she also understands that her choir may not be singing together for a year or two.

I believe that Marg’s exemplary leadership during this time changed the lives of those under her direction. She could have just given up, canceled choir, or done the bare minimum. Instead, Marg works hard to keep her choirs engaged and keep their lives brimming with music.