Oakville’s premier choral group – we are a community-based group, dedicated to performing the great works of the western classical tradition, particularly sacred works for choir and orchestra.
Charles Demuynck
905-399-9732
info@masterworksofoakville.ca
www.masterworksofoakville.ca
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 with extraordinary skill and sensitivity
Steve Winfield
705-722-0271
steve.winfield@sympatico.ca
www.lyricachoir.ca
London Pro Musica Choir entered our 47th season as a vibrant, mixed-voice choir of about 45 members who organize and run the choir. This year we welcomed our new artistic director, Dr. Charlene Pauls. LPMC performs an extensive range of classical and popular music, including jazz, folk, gospel, and musical theatre. The choir rehearses on Monday evenings and accepts new members by audition. From its inception, LPMC has actively sought to foster an interest in Canadian choral music, composers, and musicians. The choir regularly performs with London Symphonia, and has participated in outreach performances for El Sistema, the Huron Country Playhouse, Bishop Cronyn Church Community, and the Ken Fleet Conducting Scholarship Fund.
Dr. Charlene Pauls
519-914-5769
charlenepauls@yahoo.ca
www.londonpromusica.ca
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
One of Toronto’s newest chamber choirs, Incontra Vocal Ensemble is a project-based, professional-level group of vocal artists founded and conducted by Matthew Otto. Now in its fourth season, Incontra (Latin for “encounter”) is dedicated to promoting excellence in choral music by presenting innovative performances, introducing audiences to new Canadian and international choral compositions while celebrating choral masterworks. Conceived as a space for emerging singers and conductors to showcase their artistry, Incontra is committed to authentic interpretation and clarity of expression, offering profound choral experiences for members and audiences alike. The ensemble has performed at a number of concerts, fundraisers and other special events across Toronto, and enjoys a longstanding collaboration with Regis College, University of Toronto.
Matthew Otto
647-241-3623
matthew.otto@gmail.com
www.incontravocalensemble.com
Since 2003, this SATB non-auditioned teaching choir has enabled adult amateur singers to improve their singing technique and performance skills in full choir, small-group and solo settings. In an open and engaging atmosphere, members enjoy an eclectic repertoire that evolves with their interests, and have the opportunity to sing solos at our cabarets, choral concerts, and annual composer study performance. The director/conductor, Ben D’Cunha, trains members in vocal technique, sight-reading, theory and improvisation, and writes the arrangements for the choir. Rehearsals are held September to June on Tuesdays (7pm to 9pm), with sectionals on Mondays (7pm to 9pm). Registration for the 2017/18 season starts on June 1.
Ben D'Cunha
647-341-4117
hillcrestvillagechoir@gmail.com
