2022 CHORAL DIRECTORY

Welcome to The Canary Pages - The WholeNote’s 20th annual directory of Ontario choirs.

We hope you’ll enjoy browsing these profiles where choirs introduce themselves, in their own words. Are you new to the region, maybe a lapsed chorister looking to sing again, a chorister on the hunt for new challenges? Are you secretly thinking of joining a choir for the very first time? This is the perfect place to start your search. There are choirs that have been around for decades, and groups new to the scene. There are choruses of hundreds of voices, small chamber ensembles, children’s and youth choirs, auditioned choirs and those open to all, for every level of skill and commitment. Whether you want to sing or listen, there’s a rich world of choral music just waiting for you to discover and enjoy. At time of writing, mid-pandemic as we still are, the profiles found here do not represent the full scope of our rich choral community. Profiles will be added on an ongoing basis as more choirs figure out their plans for the future, so please check back frequently for additions and updates.

For information on how choirs can join, contact canary@thewholenote.com or phone Karen Ages at 416-323-2232 x26.

canary sitelinkGail MacLennan
905-857-2737
g_maclennan@yahoo.ca
www.achill.ca

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Achill Choral Society 2022Achill is a welcoming community choir, which strives to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. We perform quality choral music, with a repertoire that includes classical, contemporary, and traditional works. This year we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary.

Our artistic director, Shawn Grenke, is also director of music at Eglinton St. George’s United Church and accompanist to the Elmer Iseler Singers. In September 2022, we will be welcoming Jenny Crober, artistic director and conductor of the VOCA Chorus of Toronto, as our guest conductor while Shawn is on a leave of absence. We continue to work with our talented collaborative pianist, Nancy Sicsic.

Achill performs in Orangeville, Bolton and Alliston. New members are always welcome. To join Achill and learn more about us, please visit our website.

canary sitelinkKathleen Allan
416-446-0188
info@amadeuschoir.com
www.amadeuschoir.com

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Enlivening Toronto’s arts community for 47 years, the award-winning Amadeus Choir is a semi-professional choir of auditioned voices from Toronto and the surrounding areas. The Choir champions the best of choral music and premieres works of Canadian and international composers through a self-produced Toronto concert series, guest performances, and special events. Known well beyond Toronto through tours, festivals, recordings, and national and international radio broadcasts, the Choir collaborates with many professional performing arts organizations in the GTA. In 2019, after the 35-year leadership of Lydia Adams, the Choir welcomed Kathleen Allan as artistic director and conductor.

 

canary sitelinkJoanne Eidinger
416-458-4434
joeidinger@gmail.com
www.annexsingers.com

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Annex SingersNow in its 43rd year, The Annex Singers is a spirited 60-voice auditioned choir with an eclectic repertoire spanning seven centuries. Under the dynamic and creative leadership of artistic director Maria Case, the choir performs three concerts annually, collaborating with an array of professional soloists and ensembles. Recently performed large-scale works include Poulenc’s Gloria, Dobrogosz’s Jazz Mass, and Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor. The Annex Chamber Choir, an ensemble drawn from the main choir, is dedicated to presenting gems from the chamber repertoire.

We provide ongoing professional development to choir members and encourage young singers with a sponsorship program. Rehearsals are Monday evenings at St. Thomas’s Anglican Church. Experienced singers welcome! Please visit our website to arrange an audition.

canary sitelinkMeriel
belcantoms371@gmail.com
www.belcantosingers.ca

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Bel Canto Singers is a four-part community choir with singers of various ages. Under the guidance of our accomplished music director, Michael Morgan, members enjoy the rewards and challenges of a varied repertoire including classical masters, Broadway and movie tunes, opera choruses and pop songs. The choir meets on Tuesday evenings, from 7pm to 9:30pm, from early September through May at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, 3739 Kingston Road. Membership in Bel Canto Singers provides choristers the opportunity to develop musically, build lasting friendships and enjoy the benefits that choral singing brings. We invite experienced and committed choristers to contact us about auditions and membership. Please visit our website.

 

canary sitelinkZoe Henderson
647-667-0182
heyzoehend@gmail.com
www.cavolochoir.ca

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Cabbagetown Community Choir 2022A non-auditioned adult mixed-voice choir rehearsing weekly Saturday evenings (7pm to 8:30pm) in partnership with the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre. No prior choral singing experience necessary. The ability to read music is an asset, but not required. In our inaugural 2022/23 season, we will sing two-, three-, and four-part arrangements of traditional and contemporary folk music from around the world.

canary sitelinkIan Davies
519-319-5847
celticchoir@iandavies.com
www.celticchoir.ca

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20200325213630 ccc 2017 crop tightFounded in 1996, the Canadian Celtic Choir is a London-based SATB choir that has built a solid reputation as one of the most in-demand choirs in SW Ontario. Our artistic director and conductor is Paul Grambo, BMus, MMus and we are accompanied by Jean Willadsen, ARCT, AMus, BA.

Our repertoire features songs primarily from Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, and the Maritimes. Recipients of the Mayor’s Award from the City of London for our cultural contributions to the city, we won the Most Popular Classical Choir at the Forest City London Music Awards in 2015 and were nominated in 2021. Tours are planned every three to four years. Our two most recent CDs are: A Celtic Noel (2013), and Celtic Inspiration (2014) and are available from our website. More recent recordings are available on our YouTube channel.

canary sitelinkKatherine Semcesen
416-366-0467 x108
katherine@canadianchildrensopera.com
www.canadianchildrensopera.com

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Canadian Childrens Opera Company 2022The Canadian Children's Opera Company has empowered young voices through opera, music, singing, drama, and storytelling, for over half a century. Spread across six choirs, young people in JK to grade 11 learn how to sing with healthy vocal techniques and develop their dramatic performance skills through weekly rehearsals, special partnerships, and by presenting operas annually. Members of our main chorus, the Principal Chorus, have the opportunity to audition for the Canadian Opera Company, when their productions call for young voices or a children's chorus.

The experiences offered by the CCOC make a lasting impression on singers, instilling in them the belief that their voice has meaning and power in this world and that their opportunities for their success, through music, connection, and community, are abundant.

canary sitelinkCheryll Chung
cantabilechambersingers@gmail.com
www.cantabilechambersingers.com

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Cantabile Chamber SingersWith an emphasis on fostering new talent and an inclusive choral community, Cantabile Chamber Singers is a choir committed to enlightening audiences and attracting a new generation of Canadians to the resonance and enrichment of choral music through a combination of informed interpretation, bringing light to social causes, engaging audiences and innovative programming. Three concerts are held each year and we frequently collaborate with musical groups in the GTA.

We believe in setting high artistic standards amongst our singers, engaging in cultural diversity through our programming, and to promote music written by living and young composers of the present.

Auditions for: low basses, altos and tenors. 
Rehearsals: Tuesday Evening, Downtown Toronto

canary sitelinkMartha
905-884-8370
choralairs@gmail.com
www.choralairschoir.com

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Choralairs Choir of North YorkThe Choralairs is a non-profit, charitable, multi-part harmony, adult choir who sing a variety of popular, jazz, folk, broadway show tunes and seasonal songs. Directed by our talented team of Peter Ness as conductor and Asher Farber on keyboard, the choir requires no auditions, just a love of singing and the ability to carry a tune!

Our rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from September to June at Edithvale Community Centre on Finch Ave. West. We have been singing for seniors for 58 years and perform regularly at senior citizens’ residences in the GTA.

For more information please visit our website. Guests and members are welcome to join us in September 2022.

canary sitelinkBruce Morrow
905-884-7922
info@chorusyork.ca
www.chorusyork.ca

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Chorus York is a mixed voice adult community choir for young and old, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Led by our passion for singing, we are setting out to inspire the growth of choral music in our community through the performance of a variety of choral music ranging from Bach to Broadway, Show Tunes to Classical. We are a sought-after community choir recognized for performance excellence and strong community ties. Singers who are interested in joining Chorus York may email for additional information.

canary sitelinkArianne Schaffer
647-296-9775
member@citychoir.ca
www.citychoir.ca

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Launched in 2010, City Choir is an exciting non-auditioned SATB choir. Our five well-known directors have worked with us since then - Waleed Abdulhamid, John Millard, Patricia O’Callaghan, Greg Oh, and Suba Sankaran.

Open to all who love to sing, we perform music of many styles, as well as original compositions. The choir has continued to meet virtually ‘live’ through Jamulus and Zoom throughout 2020 and 2021. During this time we have presented two concerts and a coffee house and look forward to meeting together in person as soon as possible.

We have sung at the Tranzac Club, the Drake Underground, the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre, with the Mixed Choir in “Apocalypsis” (Luminato Festival), and in the “SING!” a Cappella Festival.

canary sitelinkTaylor Sullivan
416-222-5417
taylorsullivan@yahoo.com
www.cummeravenueuc.ca

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The Cummer Avenue United Church choir looks forward to returning to our newly renovated building at the corner of Cummer Ave. and Yonge St., in the summer of 2022 (included in the renovations will be a refurbished Casavant pipe organ). We are a group of volunteer singers, supported by professional section-leads, that provide strong musical leadership for Sunday morning worship services throughout the year. We offer a flexible program with a combination of small group ensembles and full choir. Plans are also in place for concerts and other musical events encompassing a wide range of musical styles.

canary sitelinkAlan Gasser
416-779-5554
info.echo@gmail.com
www.echochoir.ca

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Echo Womens Choir 2022Celebrating our 30th year, Echo is a 50-voice, non-auditioned community choir open to women from all walks of life. Echo performs at city-wide grassroots events, and traditionally holds Fall and Spring concerts. Echo aims to build a community with a strong, varied and vibrant singing culture. Repertoire includes music from worldwide village singing traditions and newly commissioned music. Echo keeps membership fees accessible to all.

Our next term begins on Tuesday, September 7 with a series of online mini sessions, which include open workshops with special guest artists, sectional and social breakouts, and the creation of virtual recordings. All are welcome! To join us, register on our website - “Singing with Echo”.

canary sitelinkEsther Farrell
226-638-3100
executivedirector@theedisonsingers.com
www.theedisonsingers.com

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The Edison Singers 2022When The Edison Singers, a fully professional chamber choir, started in 2019 we were immediately challenged by all the starts-and-stops that every performing arts group faced during the COVID pandemic.

So this upcoming season is literally our second new beginning.

During the 2022/23 season we will embark on two international recordings and present concerts which include the Fauré and Duruflé Requiems, the Rachmaninoff Vespers (All Night Vigil), a delightful programme of Folksongs & Spirituals, and a luminous Messiah. We will also present our popular concert of Christmas music with many of the carols appearing in our new Christmas CD for Naxos entitled The First Nowell.

We have an outstanding ensemble of singers - their energy, spirit and commitment to The Edison Singers is remarkable and truly inspiring.

canary sitelinkCatherine
evlesvoixducoeur@gmail.com
www.lesvoixducoeur.com

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Ensemble vocal Les voix du coeurLes Voix du Cœur is a vocal ensemble of more than 40 amateur singers that, for 25 years, has offered lively concerts showcasing the richness of French popular songs from Canada and abroad. Our shows present choral singing and cabaret style numbers, combining music, theatre and dance in a highly entertaining performance. The only group of this nature in the GTA, we reach an ever-growing public, and we play a dynamic role in the French-speaking cultural community in Toronto.

Please visit our website to discover who we are and what we do, all in French!

canary sitelinkLauren Mayer
416-433-5495
info@etobicokecentennialchoir.ca
www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca

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Etobicoke Centennial ChoirEtobicoke Centennial Choir (ECC) is an auditioned SATB community choir that enriches its choristers and audiences with inspired performances of diverse choral repertoire, from classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions and popular music.

ECC offers a challenging and supportive choral experience, facilitated by our music director, collaborative accompanist and section leads. Rehearsals held Tuesday from 7:30pm to 9:45pm. New singers are always welcome. Some choral experience and the ability to read music is recommended.

Our concert on December 10 features JS Bach’s stunning Magnificat with vocal soloists and baroque orchestra. On April 1, 2023 we welcome spring with an eclectic concert of show tunes, spirituals and popular music. On June 3 ‘Musica Borealis’ will showcase beautiful music from northern climes.

canary sitelinkVivian Moens
416-971-9229
info@exultate.net
www.exultate.net

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Exultate Chamber SingersExultate Chamber Singers is an auditioned group of 28 skilled singers who perform a variety of chamber choir repertoire, both a cappella and accompanied, including many works by Canadian composers. Enriched by its members’ strong musicianship, varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and academic and professional credentials, Exultate forms a passionate, committed ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire.

Under the direction of artistic director Mark Ramsay, the choir presents an annual four-concert series. In addition, the choir commissions and records new works, collaborates with guest artists, and supports aspiring young music professionals with singing and conducting opportunities. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings at St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St. Please contact Exultate for audition information.

canary sitelinkLaurent Thibault
647-203-7795
lthibault@cogeco.ca
www.georgetownchoral.ca

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20200407083104 Lavender 05GCS, with some 80 amateur singers in normal times, started in 1971. Our rehearsal and performance home is the Christian Reformed Church in Georgetown, Ontario. Our choral director, Christopher Dawes, is a freelance professional musician and is among Canada’s leading church musicians, concert organists and choral accompanists. He performs across a wide spectrum of the Toronto music scene.

GCS is a registered charity performing a variety of musical genres, including classical, pop and folk, and from sacred to secular. It has performed at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall, the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, and also in Holland and Ireland.

We have resumed in-person rehearsals in March 2022, and hope to perform live in late 2022. See website for recorded virtual performances, and our history.

canary sitelinkAlbert Wong
416-392-1509
harbourfrontchorus@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/harbourfrontchorus

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Choral singing contributes to health and happiness. Come sing with us! Harbourfront Chorus is a non-auditioned community choir that meets weekly. We perform a wide range of music that spans from early Renaissance music to contemporary popular songs. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 7:30pm to 9pm at the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, located at the south-east corner of Queens Quay W. and Bathurst St. from September through May. Please get in touch for more information.

canary sitelinkRon Cheung
416-519-0528
healeywillansingers@yahoo.ca
www.healeywillansingers.com

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After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this women's ensemble will return in September for a brand new season. Our biennial celebration of women’s composers and poets will be held in April, and the ensemble will celebrate our 15th season with our annual Christmas concert in early December. Auditions are available throughout the season. Ron Ka Ming Cheung, artistic director/conductor.

canary sitelinkMatthew Otto
647-241-3623
info@incontravocalensemble.com
www.incontravocalensemble.com

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Incontra Vocal Ensemble is a choral-arts collective of like minded artists comprising conductors, composers, pedagogues, professional-level singers, and emerging artists. Founded in 2013 by Matthew Otto, Incontra (Latin for “encounter”) offers exceptional performance opportunities for its members, showcasing their artistry as singers, conductors, and composers through high-level musical collaborations. Pushing the boundaries of traditional, Western choral music, Incontra is committed to innovative and diverse choral repertoires from across the globe, alongside authentic interpretation, and exceptional vocalism. Through its programs and performances, Incontra offers a profoundly unique choral ‘encounter’ for its members and audiences.

canary sitelinkPat Keating
416-485-1988
jaffa1@sympatico.ca
www.jubilatesingers.ca

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The Jubilate Singers is a mixed-voice community choir of 30-35 voices under the direction of Isabel Bernaus. The choir specializes in choral world music from the Renaissance to the present, sung in original languages and reflecting the cultural diversity of Toronto. We present three concerts a year, plus community concerts at seniors’ residences and community centres. Our 2022/23 season includes “Lux/Light”; “Roots and Intersections” (a collaboration with Denise Williams); and “Dreams.”

We rehearse Tuesday nights near Yonge and Lawrence. All interested singers are encouraged to sit in on a rehearsal; experienced singers may then book an audition. Those who are not ready to audition, may join our Choral Development program for additional training and mentorship. For details, please visit our website.

canary sitelinkMatthew Boutda
647-981-3705
matt@leasideuc.com
www.leasideunited.org

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Music is central to worship at Leaside United Church. The rich music program includes the Chancel Choir, Junior Choir and Leaside Youth String Orchestra.

The Chancel Choir consists of a group of approximately 20 voices. This includes a professional core and volunteer singers. The choir provides musical leadership at the Sunday 10:30am weekly worship services, and rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

The Junior Choir, under the leadership of Nancy Stewart, provides musical leadership and sings anthems several times a year. They rehearse on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:15pm.

The Leaside Youth String Orchestra is directed by Laura Nadine Dooley and is open to all youth. For more information please email laura@enlightenedaudio.org

canary sitelinkBrenda
905-456-3441
info@mcsingers.ca
www.mcsingers.ca

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MCS ChorusMississauga Chamber Singers celebrate the transition from the larger MCS Chorus/Mississauga to an ensemble of approximately 30 singers.

The strategic transition to chamber choir engages skilled singers performing at high levels of musicianship within the choral ensemble, creating artistically dynamic performances with a widening scope of the classical choral music.

Led by artistic director, Mervin William Fick, Mississauga Chamber Singers perform classical choral repertoire, from a wide range of A Capella works to timeless works for choir and orchestra.

The Mississauga Chamber Singers perform a diverse season of extensive community engagement.

 

canary sitelinkAlan Gotlib
416-500-7040
info@oasisvocaljazz.com
www.oasisvocaljazz.com

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Oasis Vocal Jazz, Toronto’s longest-running close harmony ensemble, has been making a unique contribution to the city’s artistic life since 1985. Influenced by pioneers Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and inspired by modern-day masters of the genre such as New York Voices, Take 6 and Toronto’s own Cadence, we enjoy sharing our love of vocal jazz with a wide range of audiences. Whether performing in community or corporate events and charitable fundraisers, or putting on our own concerts backed by some of the city’s top jazz instrumentalists, we have always valued both the pursuit of musical excellence and the joy of making music with each other.

canary sitelinkChoir Manager
416-346-7918
info@orianachoir.com
www.orianachoir.com

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Oriana is an auditioned ensemble of 24 amateur upper-voice singers who perform at a high artistic standard. The choir has a 50-year history, and this is our 12th season with artistic director Mitchell Pady at the helm. Oriana explores the possibilities in choral music for upper voices, collaborating with diverse artists to push the boundaries of typical musical expectations for upper-voice choirs. We foster the creation of Canadian choral music, regularly commissioning works from Canadian composers. In rehearsal we are focused but friendly, and maintain an inclusive, respectful and supportive environment. Oriana presents a three-concert series every year, and we welcome potential new singers to attend a rehearsal prior to scheduling an audition. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays, 7:30pm to 10pm in the Sheppard-Yonge corridor.

canary sitelinkCynthia Hawkins
executivedirector@paxchristichorale.org
www.paxchristichorale.org

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Pax Christi Chorale 2022Pax Christi Chorale is a vital and ambitious 85-voice community choir that champions great choral music and performs a wide range of repertoire, from great historic masterpieces to newly commissioned works. Drawing on a broad base from across the GTA, the choir has built a loyal following, and continues to broaden its community and deepen its impact as a leading arts organization in the city. Our overarching aim is to experience the deep joys of choral singing, and to communicate that joy to our audience.

Under the artistic direction of Elaine Choi, Pax Christi Chorale presents four concerts over the 2022/23 season; including “A Path to Hope”, a celebration of Canadian resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic; and “Beethoven’s Silence”, featuring Jake Runested’s A Silence Haunts Me and Beethoven’s Mass in C.

canary sitelinkAlice Malach
416-579-7464
alice_malach@hotmail.com
www.penthelia.com

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Penthelia SingersFounded in 1997, Penthelia Singers has earned a reputation for presenting high quality, innovative concerts of choral repertoire in a multitude of styles and languages. A vibrant ensemble of women, we are committed to excellence in performing culturally diverse and musically sophisticated repertoire spanning the Renaissance to the 21st-century.

The choir seeks opportunities to collaborate with special guest artists such as Suba Sankaran (world music), Raigelee Alorut (Inuit throat singing) and Steve Mancuso (Brazilian capoeira) to workshop different styles of music, as well as work with many talented instrumentalists who support our performances. Penthelia Singers is a welcoming group of women committed to high standards of music-making, diversity, community outreach and enjoyment through the learning process.

canary sitelinkCharlotte
info@serenatasingers.ca
www.serenatasingers.ca

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Serenata Singers is a 50-voice, four-part adult community choir who rehearse during the day. This fall we begin our 46th year, under the guidance of our accomplished Artistic Director, Jonathan Wong. Serenata’s repertoire covers a wide range of music, including classical, show tunes, pop, and folk. Due to COVID-19 and its variants, our rehearsals will continue in the fall in a virtual format. When it is safe to do so, we will return to choral singing in person. At that time, rehearsals will be held on Wednesday mornings at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, 3739 Kingston Rd., Scarborough. Anyone interested in joining a fun and caring choir is encouraged to visit our website for further information.

canary sitelinkLucas Harris
416-546-3312
lucasharris@live.ca
www.torontochamberchoir.ca

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Toronto Chamber ChoirToronto Chamber Choir has held a prominent place in Canada’s early music scene since 1968. An accomplished group of 30-40 auditioned singers, TCC specializes in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire, working with period instrumentalists, but also exploring music from other time periods and cultures. TCC usually gives two evening concerts and two afternoon “Kaffeemusiks” that contextualize our repertoire through narration and a multimedia component.

Rehearsals happen Wednesday evenings with occasional Saturday “retreats” featuring guest presenters. Adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols subject to review (vaxxed, masked, distanced), we rehearse in person at Church of the Transfiguration. We are currently seeking new members. Auditions are held anytime by arrangement with the director. We welcome diversity in our membership.

canary sitelinkSasha Anderson
416-932-8666
info@torontochildrenschorus.com
www.torontochildrenschorus.com

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Toronto Childrens Chorus 2022Entering its 45th season, the Toronto Children’s Chorus is recognized worldwide as a leading choral organization for children and youth. We are committed to offering exceptional, inclusive choral music education, while cultivating collaboration, leadership, self-discipline, and commitment to excellence. We have four distinct programs: KinderNotes, Training Choirs, Main Choir and Toronto Youth Choir. This season we are excited to welcome internationally acclaimed conductor, Zimfira Poloz, as our new artistic director.

Our season runs from September to June. Rehearsals are held on weekday afternoons and evenings. Choristers enjoy exceptional performance opportunities, and our Main and Youth Choir collaborate with esteemed arts organizations like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Auditions are held in the spring and the fall.

canary sitelinkAnne Longmore
416-598-0422
admin@tmchoir.org
https://www.tmchoir.org

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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir 2022The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is proud to be one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and best-known choral organizations. Led by Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the Choir is planning an exciting and inspirational 2022/23 season, including performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. 

Through its performances, educational programs, and community engagement, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir aspires to introduce our audiences to choral masterworks from the past and present — making both renowned and lesser-known pieces available, accessible, and inspirational to all. 

The TMC includes a core of 24 professional singers and 100+ auditioned and experienced volunteer choristers. Auditions take place in June and September. We welcome singers who identify as various races, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations.

 

canary sitelinkAlan Leonard Sadegursky
647-389-8084
alansadegursky@yahoo.ca
www.welshchoir.ca

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The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir (TWMVC) was established in 1995 by its founding member and first president, Gwyn Roberts. The choir continues to grow musically under the direction of William Woloschuk and his principal accompanist, Matthew Coons. Our blend of traditional and contemporary music, all sung off book in accordance with tradition, appeals to a broad audience. In September 2017, the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir was invited to perform at the NAFOW (North American Festival of Wales) Gala in Rochester, New York as the featured guest choir. The next travel stop was Newfoundland, in Atlantic Canada in July 2018; we performed four concerts in the east coast of this great country. The Choir is proud of its accomplishments and seeks to continue to grow by attracting new members and supporters.

canary sitelinkLaurie Evan Fraser
416-256-3809
laurieevanfraser@gmail.com
www.uppercanadachoristers.org

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20200407144724 UCC 19 cropped color adjustedThe Upper Canada Choristers is a mixed-voice community choir with a diverse membership that interweaves fun with the commitment to musical excellence and vibrant community service. Past performances have featured collaborations with international choirs, local children’s choirs, and professional instrumentalists and singers. Cantemos is an auditioned a cappella latin ensemble within UCC. Led by artistic director, Laurie Evan Fraser, the choirs perform three diverse choral programs annually. Weekly rehearsals for the Main Choir are Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. Cantemos rehearsals are generally on Saturdays. Since the pandemic, the choir has rehearsed extensively on ZOOM and has produced livestreamed concerts that are accessible on our website.

canary sitelinkNykola Parzei
416-246-9880
nykola@vesnivka.com
www.vesnivka.com

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Vesnivka ChoirVesnivka Choir, award-winning women’s ensemble established in 1965 by founding artistic director Halyna Kvitka Kondracki, has delighted audiences with its rich repertoire of Ukrainian sacred, classical and traditional folk music. Vesnivka, together with its partner Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir, are often joined by area musicians and professional soloists.

We look forward to resuming in-person concerts this fall, planning to present our regular concert season of three major concerts, including our annual Christmas concert. New singers are welcome. Rehearsals (following COVID protocols) are held Tuesday evenings.

Please view our recent online concerts at the following links: 

canary sitelinkCharlotte Burrage
416-788-8482
hello@vivayouthsingers.com
www.vivasingerstoronto.com

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VIVA Singers Toronto is a not-for-profit family of choirs with a mandate to give members, ages four through adult, the opportunity to achieve artistic excellence in a singer-centered, collaborative choral community.

VIVA offers diverse musical programming - including regular performance and international touring opportunities, chorister composition collaborations, musical literacy, Orff - based creation activities, an annual fall Performing Arts Camp and commissioned works and partnerships with distinguished musicians and composers.

We continue to advocate for all voices, and push for inclusivity to ensure that anyone who enjoys music is welcomed - and challenged - at VIVA.

canary sitelinkJenny Crober
416-931-8224
crober.best@gmail.com
www.vocachorus.ca

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VOCA Chorus of Toronto 2022The VOCA Chorus of Toronto, a dynamic, auditioned ensemble under the direction of Jenny Crober, performs a wide range of repertoire (including Canadian premieres) in collaboration with superb guest artists. Our multi-talented collaborative pianist is Elizabeth Acker. VOCA's season consists of concerts, cabaret fundraisers, outreach performances and workshops. Clinicians have included composer Ola Gjeilo, conductor Ivars Taurins and jazz vocalist Dylan Bell.

VOCA was honoured to present a world premiere by renowned Cree composer Andrew Balfour at our recent "Star Songs" concert, featuring guests Shawn Grenke, organ; Colleen Allen, sax; and Jamie Drake, percussion. We are thrilled to have been invited to perform in Roy Thomson Hall’s “Choir & Organ Series” in April 2023. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings at Eastminster.

canary sitelinkRon Cheung
416-519-0528
voiceschamberchoir@yahoo.ca
www.voiceschoir.com

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Voices DecThe choir will celebrate our 25th anniversary this season with a concert in December to kick off the celebration. Our postponed Lenten concert in 2020 will be held in April, followed by a performance of J. S. Bach’s Mass in B minor to close out the season. In addition to the regular season, the choir will also make their debut at the Noon Hour Choir and Organ Series at Roy Thomson Hall in early June. Auditions are available throughout the season. Ron Ka Ming Cheung, artistic director/conductor.

canary sitelinkTaylor Strande
647-388-3604
westtorontocommunitychoir@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/groups/westtorontocommunitychoir

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We are a mixed-voice, secular community choir serving Roncesvalles/Parkdale/Junction and surrounding communities. We perform two concerts per season as well as guest appearances at other community events, such as “Roncy Rocks" and the Roncesvalles Tree Lighting Ceremony. Music is a mix of pop, contemporary choral, folk, and musical theatre. Our vibe is fun and social, with a focus on community engagement and shared music-making. We have a mix of seasoned choristers and novices, and there are no auditions. We value diversity of gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, education, and political perspective and are open to all. Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings 7:15pm to 8:45pm at Roncesvalles United Church. Scholarships are available, with priority to equity-seeking folks.

canary sitelinkAdam Iannetta
519-737-8998
windsorclassicchorale@gmail.com
www.windsorclassicchorale.org

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Windsor Classic ChoraleFounded in 1977 by director emeritus Richard Householder, the Windsor Classic Chorale has become a core component of the local arts community, dedicated to achieving artistic excellence by maintaining a high level of musicianship with a rich palette of ambitious choral works. As with many musicians during this time of uncertainty, the WCC made the necessary transition to a completely virtual format for its 2020/21 season and has presented two virtual concerts during this time.

The WCC considers it a privilege to perform in this community. Their love for choral music is what brings them together. While unable to have audiences hear them in person, this transition to a virtual format is providing the WCC with the opportunity to extend beyond Windsor and Essex County.

canary sitelinkSandi Horwitz
416-229-9313
horwitz@rogers.com
www.theyorkminstrelsshowchoir.weebly.com

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Yorkminstrels Show ChoirThe Yorkminstrels Show Choir is an SATB choir, founded in 1974 as an arm of The Yorkminstrels musical theatre company. We sing mostly Broadway music, with oldies, contemporary and seasonal songs added to the mix. With our repertoire, costumes and movement, the Show Choir has evolved into a unique group. We take entertainment into the community, doing occasional concerts throughout the season at seniors’ residences, and for condo/church/synagogue groups and fundraisers. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at Cummer Lodge in North York, from September through June. A simple audition is required; note-reading is not essential. We are a warm, fun-loving and welcoming group, so if you enjoy singing, learning harmony and performing, we invite you to join us!

 
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