Blue Pages 2019

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The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC), founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, offers audiences a wide range of choral music of the finest quality, performing music from all historical periods while keeping Bach’s choral œuvre as the focus of its repertoire. Through a combination of both a scholarly and emotional approach to choral music, the ensemble expands all aspects of the artistic spectrum. Joining some of Canada’s most accomplished artists and top choristers from the National Capital region and beyond, the professional choir has received national and international recognition.

Now in its 18th season, the OBC performs a large subscription concert series in Ottawa and travels extensively in Canada and abroad. In 2020 the choir has been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach. Last season, the choir released its 7th CD, Handel, Bach & Schütz, on the ATMA Classique label. Performances this season include "A Bach Christmas" on Nov. 30 (in Toronto), "The Genius of Josquin" and "Prelude-Europe 2020", several Special Events and a 5th European tour.

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The Yorkminster Park Baptist Church senior choir, under organist and music director William Maddox, enjoys a reputation as one of the best congregational choirs in the city of Toronto. Yorkminster Park presents a series of free organ recitals at 12:30pm, every Wednesday from September through June, with performers from around the world.

We have a wide variety of unique musical events throughout the year, but Yorkminster Park is renowned for its special seasonal concerts. 

The quality and dedication of the music ministry at YPBC is never more evident than during Advent and Holy Week and these services have become community traditions: “City Carol Sing,” “Carols by Candlelight,” the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” “Passiontide Devotion” during Holy Week and traditional Evensong services three times a year. Our sanctuary is frequently made available to other choral and concert groups, which draw appreciative audiences from all over Southern Ontario.

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York University’s Department of Music presents many public events each season. This year, our “Faculty Spotlight Series” showcases jazz bassist, Al Henderson; pianist Dorothy de Val; pianist/composer Michael Coghlan; and The Accolade Trio featuring clarinetist Patricia Wait and cellist Mark Chambers. 

Classical chamber concerts and performances by the York U Concert and Chamber Choirs are also offered along with electroacoustic explorations and student compositions. Our annual “World Music Festival” celebrates a wide variety of musical practices including Caribbean, West African and Celtic traditions. The “Music at Midday” series offers free lunchtime performances featuring guest artists, faculty, and student talent. 

Masterclasses by leading Canadian and international artists are frequently open to observers. Each term concludes with showcase performances by the York U Symphony Orchestra, Gospel Choir and Wind Symphony, as well as a four-day jazz festival. Performances take place in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall or in the informal setting of the Martin Family Lounge in the Accolade East Building at York’s Keele campus.

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York Region Chamber Music is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting chamber music experiences inside and outside the concert hall to inspire both seasoned concertgoers and first-time listeners. Primarily based at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, York Region Chamber Music also presents throughout York Region at venues such as the Aurora Cultural Centre.

York Region Chamber Music focuses on featuring exciting, young, professional performers and bringing new works by emerging composers to the stage. As advocates for classical music and the arts, we have strong ties with the community and local organizations through partnerships, including the City of Richmond Hill and the York Region Arts Council.