Canary Pages 2017

The Elora Singers, under the direction of acclaimed conductor Noel Edison, is an all-professional Grammy and JUNO-nominated chamber choir. Celebrated for its rich, warm sound and clarity of texture, the choir is renowned for its diverse styles, commitment to Canadian repertoire, and collaboration with other artists.
Through its regular concert series, recordings, and touring, the Elora Singers has become known as one of the finest chamber choirs in Canada and beyond, contributing to the musical life of the local community – and on the international stage – with year-round programs in education, health and outreach. The choir is the principal choral ensemble of the Elora Festival and the professional core of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

Esther Farrell
519-846-0331
info@elorasingers.ca
www.elorasingers.ca

Elmer Iseler Singers is a 20-voice professional chamber choir based in Toronto and founded in 1979 by Dr. Elmer Iseler. Directed by the acclaimed Lydia Adams, the Singers are known for tonal beauty and interpretive range, and valued for their contributions to masterclasses and workshops by schools and community choirs. Their unique “Get Music! Educational Outreach Initiative” mentors conductors, music educators and students. Inspired by conductor Lydia Adams, EIS has recorded over a dozen CDs featuring Canadian music, and was a JUNO award nominee in 2017. Touring of both Western and Eastern Canada is a major part of the Elmer Iseler Singers’ activities, offering both concerts and workshops to Canadian audiences. Weekly rehearsals are held on Mondays and Tuesdays, with annual auditions in May.

Jessie Iseler, general manager
416-217-0537
info@elmeriselersingers.com
www.elmeriselersingers.com

Celebrating its 25th year, Echo is a 60-voice community choir open to women from all walks of life. Echo rehearses each Tuesday night at the Church of the Holy Trinity (beside the Eaton Centre), performs at city-wide grassroots events, and holds December and April concerts. Echo, a non-auditioned choir co-led by Becca Whitla and Alan Gasser, aims to build a strong, varied and vibrant culture and community through song. Repertoire includes music from village singing traditions around the world and newly-commissioned music. Echo aims to keep membership fees and concert tickets accessible to all. To join Echo, register on our website to begin singing with us in September. Winter concert December 10, 2017, 7:30pm at Holy Trinity with special guest, artist-in-residence Annabelle Chvostek.

Alan Gasser
416-779-5554
info.echo@gmail.com
www.echowomenschoir.ca

The Durham Girls’ Choir welcomes girls from all over Durham region. Consisting of two choirs, the non-auditioned junior choir (ages 7 to 11) and the auditioned senior choir (ages 11 to 18), this dynamic and active touring choir performs several times a year at a variety of concerts and events. Notable recent performances include singing with Liona Boyd, The Tenors, Durham Turf Dogs and The Oshawa Generals. In addition to weekly practices, the choir makes a point of having a lot of fun! A fall camp experience, afternoon workshops, plus social events like movies and painting encourage choristers to build leadership skills and friendships. We are always looking for new members, and we’d love to see you!

Laurie Stapley, choir manager
info@durhamgirlschoir.org
www.durhamgirlschoir.org

Duly Noted is Toronto's all-treble, a cappella ensemble. We sing everything from madrigals to Justin Bieber and have a lot of fun doing it! We sing in two self-produced concerts per year and 2+ charity, festival or paid gigs as opportunities arise. All of the profits raised from our concerts go to charity. To date we have donated over $6K to local Toronto charities.

Jennifer Kirner
416-629-7554
dulynotedTO@gmail.com
www.dulynotedTO.com

The 24-voice DaCapo Chamber Choir was founded in 1998 in Kitchener-Waterloo under the direction of Leonard Enns. The mission of the choir is to identify, study, rehearse and present outstanding choral chamber works of the past 100 years and to champion music of Canadian and local composers. In 2010, DaCapo received Choral Canada’s National Choral Recording of the Year award for ShadowLand; in 2011 it received first and second prizes in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. DaCapo also annually offers NewWorks, a national choral composition competition. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @DaCapoChoir!

Sara Martin
519-725-7549
info@dacapochamberchoir.ca
www.dacapochamberchoir.ca

Cummer Avenue United Church Chancel Choir consists of a group of volunteer singers supported by a number of professional section leaders. The choir sings classical and contemporary repertoire and provides strong musical leadership for Sunday worship services 12 months of the year. In addition to full choir anthems, various ensembles and solos are presented by members of the chancel choir. On selected Sundays the choir presents extra choral music such as traditional carols at Christmas and a cantata at Easter. Choral music from all parts of the globe is regularly featured in the choir’s offerings. Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings from early fall to early spring and on Sunday mornings all year.

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

We are a 75-voice mixed adult community choir from Durham Region within the GTA, started in 1967. Our motto is “We sing for the love of it.” We present a varied repertoire with many musical styles, though little classical. We practise on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm to 10pm from January to May and September to December, presenting full shows in early May and December. In addition, we perform two or three smaller shows for community groups and charities. We have travelled extensively over our nearly 50 years of existence, most recently to the United Nations in NYC. Informal, easygoing auditions take place in early January and December. Yearly fees are reasonable. For additional info please visit our website or call/text John Van Hoof at 647-981-2205.

John Van Hoof
647-981-2205
javh1947@gmail.com
www.countytownsingers.com

Common Thread Community Chorus is a secular, non-auditioned SATB choir that sings folk music reflecting the languages and cultures of Toronto. Common Thread is for anyone who believes that social justice and community can be built through music. One of our main goals is to help community groups raise funds for, or awareness about, social justice issues. We believe everyone can sing and strive to meet all accessibility needs. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings from September to June at Cecil Community Centre in downtown Toronto. All voices are welcome!

Leanne Piller, administrator
info@commonthreadchorus.ca
www.commonthreadchorus.ca

Steeped in musical heritage and assisted by a generous acoustic, St. Mary Magdalene offers a music program strongly rooted in the tradition established by Healey Willan. Every Sunday at the 11am Solemn Mass, the Gallery Choir sings a mass and motet from the west gallery, while the Ritual Choir sings the Gregorian propers from the east end. Both choirs rehearse on Thursdays.
At the 9:30am Sung Mass, the SMM Singers sing a motet and lead congregational singing.  Membership is informal: rehearsals are at 9am directly before the service; regular attendance is not mandatory.
One Sunday per month at 4:30pm, the meditative Solemn Evensong and Benediction is sung, preceded by an organ recital at 4pm.
For information, please contact the director of music, Andrew Adair.

Andrew Adair
416-531-7955
andrew.timothy.adair@gmail.com
www.stmarymagdalene.ca