Canary Pages 2013

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Founded in 1952 by Jean Dobson, Barrie’s King Edward Choir today is a group of 50 dedicated musicians encompassing all voices, striving to present a repertoire that is broad and engaging to both chorister and audience: recent years have seen performances of works by Britten, Mozart, Bernstein, Vivaldi, Mark Sirett, Stephanie Martin, Imant Raminsh and Ruth Watson Henderson, along with offerings of Renaissance motets, Spirituals, folk songs and show tunes. The choir frequently collaborates with other artists and groups, and enjoys community sing-outs. Rehearsals for our three annual performances take place Monday nights, and new members are welcome at any time. Under the direction of interim conductor, Leanne Edwards, KEC continues to plan for a new season!

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The VOCA Chorus of Toronto is a dynamic, auditioned ensemble which performs eclectic repertoire (including arrangements by our artistic director, Jenny Crober) in collaboration with some of Canada’s finest artists. Each season consists of two major concerts, cabarets and workshops with guest clinicians, as well as community performances. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at Eastminster United, near Chester subway. We hope to be presenting our "Star Songs" concert program (featuring a world premiere by Cree composer Andrew Balfour, along with works by Halley, Lauridsen, Daley and others) at both Roy Thomson Hall (part of RTH's Noon Hour Choir and Organ Series) and at Eastminster United.  Director: Jenny Crober. Accompanist: Elizabeth Acker. Guests: Colleen Allen, sax; Shawn Grenke, organ; Jamie Drake, percussion.

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Oriana Women’s Choir is an auditioned ensemble of 30 - 40 amateur upper-voice singers who perform at a high artistic standard. With artistic director Mitchell Pady, Oriana explores the possibilities in choral music for the female voice, collaborating with diverse artists to push the boundaries of typical expectations for upper-voice ensembles. We foster the creation of Canadian choral music, regularly commissioning works from Canadian composers for upper voices. In rehearsal we are focused but friendly, and maintain an inclusive, respectful and supportive environment. Oriana meets on Tuesday evenings - we are starting our season virtually, working together on musical skills and repertoire in preparation for resuming in-person rehearsals and performances once possible. We welcome potential new singers at any time.

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The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir celebrated  its 125th anniversary in 2019 and  plans to continue sharing great choral music throughout 2020/21 and the pandemic – starting with online programming and adding in-person opportunities when health and safety permit.  The 100-voice choir includes a professional core, auditioned volunteers, and apprentices (aged 17 to 22).  Spring and Fall 2020 see choristers involved in virtual choir projects and virtual choir and orchestra projects. For the 2020/21 season, the Choir is under the artistic leadership of Associate Conductor Simon Rivard. The Choir’s international search for a new artistic director is temporarily on hold during the pandemic.

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Founded in 2000 by the late Natalyia Gurin and directed since 2005 by Steve Winfield, Lyrica Chamber Choir of Barrie strives to present eclectic and evocative programs of excellent choral chamber music. The 40 singers of Lyrica demonstrate a strong desire to present artistically varied choral programs with a high degree of musicianship to the community of Barrie and surrounding area. Recent highlights include performances of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël, Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Ola Gjeilo’s Dark Night of the Soul and Josef Rheinberger’s Missa in G “St. Crucis” Op. 151. Professional soloists and instrumental musicians regularly join Lyrica for performances. Our accompanist, Brent Mayhew, enhances the choir’s performances.

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The Shevchenko Choir, with the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, constitutes the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. Although its roots lie in the Ukrainian community, through its 70-year history, the choir has evolved into a multicultural choir with a repertoire of folk songs and classical works reflecting the diversity of our society. The choir presents an annual choral concert, participates in ‘Singing Together’ with other community choirs and appears with the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra as part of the full ensemble. 

A non-audition choir, it rehearses Sunday mornings (10am to 12pm) at Borochov Centre, 272 Codsell Ave. Both choir and orchestra are under the artistic direction of Alexander Veprinskiy, graduate of the Lviv Conservatory of Ukraine.

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We have a rock choir for everyone! Started as a children's choir, VRC has grown to include 2 adult choirs, 3 children's locations, a female physician's choir and a senior's daytime program. Since March 2020, we have had a very active on-line rehearsal presence through Zoom. This has (and will) include rehearsals to tracks, musicianship classes, fun karaoke nights and creating virtual videos, one of which has gone viral. We continually monitor the pandemic situation and have 2 options moving forward for our choirs. The most heartwarming thing about our choirs is the community - we are an inclusive, warm and loving group. As a result of this, 95% of our choir re-registered for the Fall. We truly are rock choirs for the 21st Century - ages 9-99! Join Us today! Our artistic director is Anthony Bastianon.

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We’re online! St. James Town Children’s Choir (SJTCC) welcomes kids in grades 1 and up, from St. James Town and surrounding area. Additionally, we offer instruction in piano, violin, ukulele and singing. Choir and Ukulele choir is free. Private lessons fees scaled to income. ROTM artistic staff are all professional musicians, and have extensive experience working with children's choirs and instrumental instruction. Over the years, the SJTCC has enjoyed many opportunities to perform in our community and throughout the city. SJTCC has sung with professional choirs, at sports events, in senior's facilities, in schools and community events, and, recently, collaborated with The Canadian Opera Company in its Hansel & Gretel opera. The repertoire is secular, diverse, inclusive, fun and musically enriching.

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The Toronto Choral Society (TCS) was founded in 1845, to foster a positive musical environment that enables members to learn and develop both musical ability and choral repertoire. The TCS aims to be an integral part of the community, presenting works from traditional choral repertoire while exploring music of our multicultural nation. We have performed our last three Christmas Concerts to sold out audiences at Koerner Hall. Our rehearsals begin in September and continue until May on Wednesday nights 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. (Due to current conditions our 2020 season will rehearse on a virtual platform). We would, under normal conditions, be performing a minimum of three concerts a year. (Again this year TBD). If you would like more information please go to our website.

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Exultate Chamber Singers is an auditioned group of 28 skilled singers who enjoy performing a variety of chamber choir repertoire, both a cappella and accompanied, including many works by Canadian composers. The choir is under the direction of artistic director Mark Ramsay and will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this season! In addition, the choir commissions new works, collaborates with guest artists, and supports aspiring young music professionals with singing and conducting opportunities. Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays from 5:45 to 7:45 pm at St.Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St. Please contact Exultate for audition information.