Village Voices
Village Voices, a diverse, mixed-voice 70-voice community choir based in Markham, enters its 30th season in September 2018. Directed by Oksana Vignan, the choir presents two major concerts annually and sings at seniors’ residences and special community events, performing repertoire from the great standard classics to contemporary music. Village Voices has collaborated with other Ontario choirs and as guest artists of instrumental ensembles such as the Markham Concert Band and the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. The choir’s musical skills are honed regularly through special workshops with outstanding choral musicians. Features of the choir’s May 12, 2018 concert, “Celebrate Love,” include a medley from Les Miserables, along with superb, contemporary worksby Ola Gjeilo, Olaf Christensen and Kim Andre Arnesen. The 2018-2019 season will end with a May concert celebrating our 30th anniversary.
Ellen Dowswell
905-763-4172
info@villagevoiceschoir.com
www.villagevoices.ca
VIVA!’s six choirs include three children’s choirs for ages four to 16; the Everyone Can Sing Choir for teens and adults with disabilities; an SATB Community Choir providing singing opportunity for adult beginners and retirees; and an SATB adult chamber choir. Diverse programming features age-appropriate choral training through instruction in vocal technique, private vocal instruction and music theory. VIVA!’s TD Bank Group Inclusion Program offers support for people with disabilities and transgendered singers who are finding their voices. Singers from the Main Chorus and Chamber Choir may choose to perform with VIVA! in the National Ballet of Canada’s Nutcracker. VIVA!’s staff of fine musicians and the members of the Choral Mentoring and Leadership Program deliver authentic music-making in a supportive, singer-centred choral community.
The VOCA Chorus of Toronto is a dynamic, auditioned ensemble that performs eclectic repertoire (including premieres of arrangements by our artistic director) in collaboration with some of Canada’s finest artists. Each season consists of two major concerts, a cabaret fundraiser, two retreats (including one with guest clinician) and community performances. Rehearsals are Monday evenings at Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave., Toronto. On Saturday, May 5, 7:30pm at Eastminster, we present “Dreamsongs,” featuring the Canadian premiere of 
Beautiful melodies, rocking sax solos, edgy new jazz arrangements of Handel’s Messiah– if any of this appeals to you, read on. The Waterloo-based Wayne Gilpin Singers is an auditioned (a singer-friendly audition, we promise!) chamber choir that sings a wide variety of music, including contemporary Christian, gospel, show tunes, spirituals and more. Resident composer/accompanist Andrew Gilpin pens unique arrangements for an ever-expanding Jazz Messiah, an annual event that twins Handel’s beautiful melodies with modern rhythms and musical styles. Also featured in concert are talented guest artists on bass, drums and saxophone, providing an unforgettable musical experience for both audience and choir.