Director / Accompanist

• Marg Stubington, Music Director
• Tom Sear, Accompanist

Marg Stubington, Music Director

Marg Stubington became the music director for Musica Viva Singers in September 2008. Marg, a native of Montreal, received a Bachelor of Music from McGill University (1984) where she studied piano performance with Tom Plaunt, choral arranging with Donald Patriquin, song interpretation with Jan Simons, and conducting. She held several church positions in Montreal as organist and choir director, taught piano, worked as accompanist, led a 100-voice children's school choir, and taught music theory and choir at the Suzuki Summer Institute.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa in 1991, she spent several years teaching English As A Second Language, Workplace Education, and Adult Literacy. In 1995 Marg founded Vox Femina, a 40-voice woman's choir. She has been the Artistic Director of Tone Cluster Chamber Choir and the Ottawa Gay Men's Chorus, and an instructor of music history and choir at the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy. Marg was Music Director at Glebe-St. James United Church from 2001-2007.

In Vancouver (2005), Marg was invited to be one of six guest conductors with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, under director Jon Washburn. She was Festival Women's Chorus Conductor for GALA Chorus Festivals in Montreal (2004), Vancouver (2006) and Winnipeg (2010). In January 2008 she was Assistant Conductor for The Ewashko Singers for A Cole Porter Valentine: NAC Pops Concert.

Marg developed the KidSingers program, now a thriving children's choir which is part of the Leading Note Foundation's Orkidstra program. She was Director from June of 2007 to May 2010. Marg is also currently the Music Director of the Canadian Centennial Choir. Aside from her regular conducting duties, Marg is a busy piano teacher, composer and arranger.

Marg is also Director of the Centennial Choir and was recently appointed Director of Carleton University Choir.

Tom Sear, Accompanist 

Tom Sear is a local pianist working as a teacher and accompanist in the Ottawa area. He enjoys working with large ensembles, small groups and solo musicians. He is also a dedicated piano and theory teacher preparing students of all ages and levels for exams and music festivals. Tom studied under Andrew Tunis and Jean-Paul Sevilla at the University of Ottawa, earning a Masters degree in piano performance. His undergraduate degree was in both performance and theory. In addition to the piano, Tom is also a competent percussionist. Tom became the accompanist for Musica Viva Singers in September 2008.

Sponsored by the City of Ottawa

Last update: 15 April 2012.

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