Canary Pages 2013

Cantemus Singers was established in 2008 by our conductor, Michael Erdman, to help expand Toronto’s exposure to and appreciation of Renaissance and early Baroque secular vocal music. Our 12-voice a cappella ensemble focuses mainly on the interesting and evocative madrigals, lieder, chansons and villancicos of the 16th century. We also perform religious works, often the 5- to 8-part compositions less frequently heard by Toronto audiences. We present three programs a year, in late fall, mid-winter and spring. Our choristers are a mix of enthusiastic, well-trained amateurs and semi-professionals, all sharing a common interest in early music. We rehearse Wednesday evenings through the season. Membership is by audition. Our main performance venue is the historic and acoustically lively Church of the Holy Trinity, Eaton Centre.

Michael Erdman, conductor
416-578-6602
cantemus.ca@gmail.com
www.cantemus.ca

Since 1996, the Cantabile Choirs of Kingston, under the leadership of acclaimed composer/conductor Dr. Mark Sirett, have won over audiences with performances of a diverse range of choral music. Known for joyful concerts featuring non-traditional staging and diverse repertoire sung with skill and enthusiasm, Cantabile’s 300 singers engage and entertain at every event.
Our 2017/18 season: Sing! Nov 4: “The Poet Sings” – a concert of music based on texts by our greatest poets. Dec 22/23: “When the Angels Sing” – candlelit concerts of beautiful holiday music. Mar 3: “Sing Me to Heaven” – featuring guest conductor Jonathan Willcocks. Apr 14: “Sing Me a Rainbow” – Cantabile’s youngest singers performing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. May 26: “Sing with Heart and Soul” – opera/operetta creatively reimagined by special guests, the Bicycle Opera Project.

Hollie Stewart
613-549-0099
info@cantabilechoirs.net
www.cantabilechoirs.ca

Cantabile Chamber Singers is an auditioned choir of 16 to 20 voices, formed in 2006 by artistic director Cheryll J. Chung. We perform eclectic and challenging repertoire spanning six centuries. We especially strive to bring Canadian music to audiences while attracting a new generation to choral music. In addition to our concert season we have participated in choral festivals and other events. Contact us for an audition as a singer, as a soloist or to submit a newly written choral work. Check out our recordings on YouTube, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CantabileTO. Auditions are held in June and September.

Cheryll Chung
cantabilechambersingers@gmail.com
www.cantabilechambersingers.com

The Canadian Orpheus Male Choir is a TTBB choral ensemble of some 36 members known as the men who love to sing. Founded in 1977, this Hamilton-based not-for-profit corporation has a 40-year tradition of performing concerts for the benefit of charitable organizations. Covering pop, traditional and folk songs, spirituals, jazz numbers and hits from musicals, we’ve sung in Roy Thomson Hall, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and Hamilton Place, among others, and helped raise some $800,000 for charities. Book us to perform at your next special event: COMC.marcom@gmail.com. ‘Like’ Canadian Orpheus Male Choir on Facebook. Subscribe to the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir YouTube channel. Follow @CanadianOrpheus on Twitter!

Rod Roberts, president
905-648-4456
rroberts17@cogeco.ca
www.comc.ca

Completing its seventh season, the Canadian Men's Chorus, under the artistic direction of Greg Rainville, is a highly accomplished men’s chamber choir, performing from the classical repertoire and other genres. The Canadian Men's Chorus is noted for its beautiful sound, exciting and varied performances and the ability to take audiences on an emotional journey.  This auditioned ensemble presents an annual concert season. Commissioning new Canadian music is a major focus, with over 40 new choral works premiered since the CMC was co-founded in 2010 by Greg Rainville and Arlene Jillard. Regional concerts include Stratford Summer Music, CentreSpace for the Arts in London, ON, the Stratford Symphony Orchestra and Gravenhurst and Lindsay. For more information, please visit our website.

Arlene Jillard, executive director
519-305-1351
ajillard@canadianmenschorus.ca
www.canadianmenschorus.ca

Celebrating its 50th season, the CCOC consists of six choruses for ages 3 to 19 and is the only permanent children’s opera company in Canada to regularly commission and produce operas for children. Opera is simply storytelling with music, and those are two things that kids and youth love! A unique experience, members receive unparalleled performance opportunities and life skills through age-appropriate vocal and dramatic training. Members regularly perform with the Canadian Opera Company and other major professional arts organizations. Rehearsals are weekdays after school in the downtown area. Auditions are held April to June. A non-auditioned in- and after-school workshop program was launched in 2008 as part of the OPERAtion KIDS outreach arm of the CCOC.

Ken Hall
416-366-0467
info@canadianchildrensopera.com
www.canadianchildrensopera.com

The Canadian Celtic Choir was founded in 1996 to sing and promote Celtic choral music. Since then the CCC has played many of Ontario’s most popular music festivals, and also has toured Hawaii, England and Scotland. In June 2017 the CCC will tour the Maritimes for 12 days. The CCC has opened for the Men of the Deeps, The Irish Descendants, John McDermott, Lighthouse, John Tesh, and others. In 2010 the CCC was inducted into the London Music Awards Hall of Fame. In 2015 the CCC won the Jack Richardson London Music Award for Most Popular Classical Choir. The choir is conducted by William W. Zadorsky and accompanied by Jean Willadsen. Our vocal coach and emcee is Paul Grambo.

Ian Davies
519-319-5847
info@celticchoir.ca
www.celticchoir.ca

Bel Canto Singers is an SATB community choir with singers of various ages and abilities directed by Linda Meyer and Michael Gomiega. Each week we meet to sing, laugh and grow. Members share a love of choral singing and enjoy the challenges of a widely varied repertoire, mixed with friendship and fun. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at St. Nicholas Anglican Church in Scarborough. New members are welcome and we are especially looking to strengthen our tenor and bass sections. If you have ever wanted to participate in a group that values music, fun and fellowship please consider joining us. Auditions will take place in the first two weeks of September 2017 or January 2018, during our regular Tuesday night practices.

Yolanda
416-283-1402
juliapeck70@gmail.com
www.belcantosingers.ca

The Bach Elgar Choir is Hamilton’s renowned concert choir and a leader in Canadian choral music. The ensemble performed its first concert in 1905 and has several firsts to its credit, including the North American premiere of Verdi’s Requiem. The BEC presents magnificent classical works for choir and orchestra, its cherished annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah and programs of varied vocal repertoire from opera to folksong. Featuring the very best Canadian talent in its roster of soloists and working together with top orchestras, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the BEC has a reputation for excellence. Interested singers from all sections are invited to join us under the leadership of our artistic director Alexander Cann. For an audition, please call 905-527-5995 or email bachelgar@gmail.com.

Alexander Cann
905-527-5995
bachelgar@gmail.com
www.bachelgar.com

Bach Children’s Chorus is an award-winning organization of four treble-voice choirs and one mixed voice choir (Bach Chamber Youth Choir – see separate listing) for children and youth aged 5 and up. Training is offered in vocal technique, sight-singing and theory. This season BCC introduced a Preparatory Choir for younger children who want an introduction to choral singing and ear-training. BCC rehearses weekly 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 weekend festivals, workshops and concerts with other youth choirs and world-renowned clinicians. BCC has released six CDs and has won provincial and national choral awards. Auditions are held in May for September entry.

Jane Greenwood
416-431-0790
jgreenwood@bellnet.ca
www.bachchildrenschorus.ca