Canary Pages 2013

Read Profile

The Bach Elgar Choir is Hamilton’s renowned concert choir. The ensemble performed its first concert in 1905 and has become essential to musical life in the region. The BEC has several firsts to its credit, including the North American premiere of Verdi’s Requiem and the Canadian premiere of Mahler’s “Symphony No. 2”. The BEC’s concert season features works for choir and orchestra, its cherished annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah, as well as programs of diverse vocal repertoire from opera to pops. We feature the very best Canadian talent in its soloists, and work together with top orchestras including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Now entering its 114th year, the Bach Elgar Choir invites interested singers from all sections to join us under the leadership of our dedicated artistic director Alexander Cann.

Read Profile

Bach Children’s Chorus is an award-winning organization of three performance-oriented treble choirs (ages 7-16), one mixed-voice choir (Bach Chamber Youth Choir – see separate listing), and two Preparatory Choirs for children aged 4-7.

BCC members experience a positive and focused learning environment as they explore a broad range of musical styles. BCC proudly continues to set the highest standards of musical literacy and education for community choirs across Canada with private vocal coaching, sight-singing groups, and a choral-focused theory curriculum.

BCC rehearses once per week in Scarborough, performs as a Company-in-Residence at the Toronto Centre for the Arts and appears regularly at Toronto events. Each choir participates in retreats, festivals, workshops and concerts with other choirs and conductors.

Read Profile

The Bach Chamber Youth Choir (BCYC) is an award-winning SATB choir for ages 16- 24 (or boys with changed/changing voices). BCYC also includes a fabulous a cappella vocal ensemble comprised of talented university students.

As part of the Bach Children’s Chorus organization, the BCYC is a highlight at the organization’s twice-yearly concerts at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Additional performances include a coffee-house, a gala fundraiser, benefit concerts and collaborations with the other top youth choirs in the city. BCYC rehearses Sunday evenings on the Danforth, across from Chester Station. Auditions are held in May or by request (music background is strongly recommended). Interested youth are welcome to observe a Sunday evening rehearsal.

Read Profile

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 a wide array of professional soloists and ensembles. Recently performed large-scale works include Fauré’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor. The Annex Chamber Singers, a smaller ensemble drawn from the main choir, is dedicated to presenting gems from the chamber repertoire. We provide ongoing professional development to all choir members and encourage young singers with a sponsorship program. Rehearsals are held Monday evenings at St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron Street. Please visit our website to arrange your audition.

Read Profile

The Amadeus Choir, following 35 years under the leadership of Lydia Adams, welcomes Kathleen Allan as artistic director and conductor in the 2019/20 season. The choir performs diverse programmes featuring Canadian and international composers through a self-produced concert series, guest performances and special events at various venues in Toronto and beyond.

The Amadeus Choir actively engages in educational and community outreach through choral workshops for students, music educators, composers and conductors. Regular rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights in the Don Mills and Lawrence area. The choir’s membership comprises singers from across the GTA. Annual auditions for all voice parts are held in May and June. Please call or email the choir office for more information.

Read Profile

All Saints Kingsway Choir provides musical leadership at weekly Sunday morning Eucharists, Festival Evensongs, community outreach projects and concerts year-round. The choir is made up of paid section leads and volunteer participants and welcomes new singers throughout the year. Recent performances include Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, festal celebrations with the drumming ensemble Beyond Sound Empijah, the Michael Occhipinti Jazz Quartet, Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s The Atonement, both with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale. Jazz Vespers and lunchtime organ recitals round out the regular musical offerings. New members are always welcome to the Music at All Saints Kingsway family. Come and be a part of a fantastic choral and instrumental creative community.

Read Profile

Now in its 36th season, ACHILL is a mixed, auditioned, 75-voice community choir established in 1982. ACHILL concerts are performed twice yearly in the surrounding communities of Orangeville, Alliston, Caledon and Bolton.

Auditions take place in September and in January. Rehearsals are held each Wednesday at 7pm at St. John’s Anglican Church (6km east of Orangeville on Hwy 9). Tenors and Basses are encouraged to audition.

ACHILL has flourished under the expert leadership of our musical conductor, Mr. Shawn Grenke, who has also been accompanist to several of Canada’s leading professional choirs, including the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Amadeus Choir.

For more information, contact us at info@achill.ca or visit our website www.achill.ca

Read Profile

Formerly the Upper Canada Chordsmen Chorus, A Cappella York is now a mixed chorus – men and women. Experience the joy of singing four-part a cappella harmony in the company of your newest friends while supporting our local community through various artistic and musical events. We sing in the “barbershop” style and are totally dedicated to pursuing excellence in entertaining our audiences. We are based in Newmarket and Sharon, Ontario, serving York Region and surrounding communities. Guests are welcome at weekly rehearsals.

As a chorus member you will also enjoy membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society (an international organization) and its Ontario District. Opportunities for performing, quartetting, workshops and competitions abound.