Under the direction of Sharon L. Beckstead, the Chancel Choir of Leaside United Church presents an eclectic mix of music for weekly services of worship from September to June. The annual “Lessons and Carols” presentation is a highlight for the Leaside community. Other special presentations during the year may include hymn festivals and/or secular presentations.
Sharon L. Beckstead
416-425-1253
sharon.beckstead@sympatico.ca
www.leasideunited.org
Lawrence Park Community Church Choir sings at weekly Sunday worship services from September through June with rehearsals on Thursday evenings. Consisting of 25 members, including professional section leads, the choir presents special seasonal musical offerings – this year Fauré’s Requiem was performed on Good Friday. On May 12 at 8pm the choir will present a choral concert in celebration of Canada’s 150th. The choir has commissioned anthems from composers including Bob Chilcott, Ruth Watson Henderson and Paul Halley. CD recordings include Awake, My Soul, and Sing, Peace for a New Millennium, Lawrence Park Sings! and a Christmas CD Beauty, Peace and Joy. There is a youth music program on Sundays with Kenny Kirkwood and a youth choir conducted by Kimberley Briggs. The Lawrence Park Handbell Ringers rehearse on Friday mornings.
Mark Toews
416-489-1551 x28
mark@lawrenceparkchurch.ca
www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca
Venturing outside the bounds of traditional choir training, the Kingsway Children’s Choir & Drum Ensemble is a unique, liberating choral experience for children aged 7 and up. Directed by a professional music educator with extensive choral conducting experience, the choir explores a vast repertoire spanning world music, folk songs and classic choral works. Weekly rehearsals at the Kingsway Conservatory of Music are an invigorating musical workout encompassing voice and body warm-ups, vocal technique, singing skills and drum circle (each chorister receives an African Djembé drum to keep). For more experienced singers, the auditioned Kingsway Chamber Singers offers an enriched, multi-part, challenging choral experience. Throughout a 30-week season, both choirs take their music to various stages including festivals, recitals, and corporate and community events.
Carolyn McGee
416-234-0121
carolynkcm@bellnet.ca
www.kingswayconservatory.ca
Founded in 1952, Barrie's King Edward Choir began as a ladies' choir, taking its name from the school in which they practised. Under the direction of Jean Dobson, it blossomed into a group encompassing all voices. Past directors include Charles Woodrow, Morley Calvert and Barbara McCann. Today, under the direction of Floydd Ricketts, it is a dedicated group of 40 musicians willing to tackle any repertoire from Les Mis choruses to Orff, from gospel to Rossini. To joyfully mark the end of its 65th season, the choir will re-enact King Edward VII's coronation. Rehearsals for our three annual performances take place each Monday night. New members may audition with Floydd any time throughout the year; “Bring a Friend Night” is the third Monday in September. Hope to see you there!
Peter Sullivan
705-739-7281
kitandpeter@sympatico.ca
www.kingedwardchoir.ca
The Jubilate Singers is a mixed-voice community choir that now features both a non-auditioned main choir and an auditioned chamber choir. Under the gifted direction of Isabel Bernaus, we specialize in choral world music reflecting the cultural diversity of Toronto. Recent concerts have highlighted music from Africa, Latin America, Spain and Catalonia, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia, as well as Canada. Our 2017/18 season includes music from around the world on themes of world harmony and building bridges, with one concert devoted to Latin American music. We rehearse Tuesday nights near Yonge and Lawrence. Interested singers are encouraged to sit in on a rehearsal. A welcoming, friendly experience, and music you won’t hear anywhere else.
Pauline McKenzie
416-223-7690
paulinemckenzie@rogers.com
www.jubilatesingers.ca
The extensive and active music program at Islington, under the direction of Dr. Fred Graham and assisted by many talented and committed musicians including two music associates, includes the Junior (grades 1 to 6), Youth (grades 7 to 12), and Senior choirs, along with two handbell choirs, chimes, string and brass ensembles. Supported by a magnificent Schoenstein organ and grand piano, music rings through the neo-Gothic sanctuary for two morning services each Sunday and numerous special services, events and concerts. The accomplished Senior choir, with 25 to 30 talented singers enriched by section leaders, is attentive to musical detail and expressiveness to enhance worship, singing Renaissance to 21st century, a cappella to orchestral accompaniment, spirituals to Bach cantatas.
Dr. Fred Graham
416-239-1131 x26
fred@islingtonunited.org
www.islingtonunited.org
