Canary PagesWelcome to The WholeNote’sninth annual Canary Pages,published annually in our Maymagazine, and available yearround at www.thewholenote.com.Here in the Canary Pagesis an astonishing spectrumof Southern Ontario’s vocalensembles, from professionalchoirs to groups of friendsunited purely by the dynamicsof the human voice. Everycolour in the choral rainbow isrepresented – music from thecourts of medieval patrons; OldWorld prayers on New Worldconsecrated ground; operaticofferings; broadway, gospel andjazz. And if you want musicfrom another culture? Brushup your Hungarian, Latin andSwedish (yes really) and visitthe corners of our communityislington United Church choirthat are forever Italian, Chinese,Caribbean.Online you can search thisdirectory by geography, genre,audition type, gender, agerange, skill level and more. So ifyou are a lapsed chorister, newto the region, looking for newchoral challenges, or maybethinking of taking the plunge forthe first time, then this is theplace to start your search!• THE 2011 CANARY PAGES TEAMProject Manager Karen AgesProject Editor Michael SchwartzLayout & Design Uno RamatWebsite Bryson WinchesterSurveys & Mapping Patrick SlimmonFor more information contactcanary@thewholenote.comor phone Karen at 416-323-2232 ext 26• The Accolades of Toronto/Accolades of HarmonyAdd some harmony to your life! Come sing withus! The Accolades of Harmony Inc. is a women’sfour-part a cappella chorus. Most of our membersare not trained singers – but we all love tosing! There is ample opportunity for membersto advance their singing through vocal coachingwhile enjoying the camaraderie of women of allages. Our repertoire includes wonderful standards,swing numbers, toe-tapping up tunesand modern selections. The chorus rehearsesfor competitions and regularly performs inthe community. We meet Thursday evenings,7:00pm, at Earl Bales Community Centre in theBathurst and Sheppard area.Lynn Robertson 416-223-5508Marlene Parker 416-960-3171thetorontoaccolades@gmail.comwww.torontoaccolades.com• Achill Choral SocietyAchill Choral Society (ACS) is a mixed choirof accomplished amateur singers under foundingdirector Dale Wood. It has been delightingaudiences for over 25 years. ACS performs inAlliston, Beeton, Bolton, Caledon, Orangeville,Shelburne and Tottenham. The choir attractshigh calibre soloists and accompanists using anextensive and varied repertoire of classical andcontemporary music. It has toured in Ireland,England and Holland, and has also sung at RoyThomson Hall, Toronto. Concerts in spring andat Christmas. Rehearsals: Wednesday eveningsin Hockley. Auditions twice annually.Mark Whitcombe 519-941-9966mwhitcombe@sympatico.cawww.achill.catheWholeNote CHOIR LISTINGS | 2011-2012• Alexander Singers & PlayersThe Alexander Singers present fully stagedproductions of broadway musicals and operettas.The group began 24 years ago as a summerchoir, under the enthusiastic direction ofAngela Hawaleshka. It has an educational mandateand supports charitable causes. The 2011-2012 season includes: May2011, the musical MyFair Lady; November 2011, the play The Diaryof Anne Frank; December 2011, a seasonal concert,performing a variety of musical styles anda sing-along including the Hallelujah Chorus;May 2012, the musical The Wizard of Oz. Allperformances are held at York Woods LibraryTheatre.Angela Hawaleshka 416-324-1259info@alexandersingers.comwww.alexandersingers.com• All the King’s VoicesAll The King's Voices is a mixed-voice, semiprofessionalvocal ensemble that performs awide variety of music from classical to contemporary.They have performed at RoyThomson Hall, Glenn Gould Studio,TorontoCentre for the Arts, Palais Royale and Black
Creek Pioneer Village, and were featured onCBCRadio, JAZZFM and Citytv. The chorushas presented several great classical workswith Mooredale Orchestra, Talisker Players andSymphony Orchestra of Canada, and appearedwith soprano Measha Bruggergosman, tenorBen Heppner and jazz singer Salome Bey. Vocaltechnique and sight-singing workshops andlessons are also offered throughout the year.David J. King, founder, conductor &managing artistic director, 416-225-2255king44@sympatico.cawww.allthekingsvoices.ca• Amabile Choirs of London, CanadaAmabile Choirs of London, Canada is an awardwinningchoral educational program with over300 choristers (Amabile is pronounced Ah-MAH-bee-lay). Active since 1985, there are now8 auditioned choirs and 2 ensembles, practisingweekly on Tuesdays in London. The Da CapoChoir is for new girls ages 8 to 11. The JuniorAmabile Singers is for girls 9 to 15. The AmabileYouth Singers is for females 12 to 18, and Prima isthe women’s choir. The Treble Training Choir isfor new boys ages 8 and up. The Treble ConcertChoir is for experienced boys with unchangedvoices. The Amabile Young Men’s Ensemble isfor high school age, and Primus is the men’schoir. Auditions are in May and June.519-641-6795info@amabile.comwww.amabile.com• Amadeus Choir of Greater TorontoFounded 36 years ago, the Amadeus Choir isthe 80-voice choir-in-residence at the TorontoCentre for the Arts. Under the inspired directionof conductor Lydia Adams, the choir hasevolved into one of Canada’s pre-eminent choralgroups. Rehearsals take place Tuesday eveningsin Don Mills; performances are throughoutthe city. Membership is by audition, held inMay/June – please phone or email the choiro≠ice. The choir’s 2011/12 season includes runoutsin addition to its annual 4-concert series.Collaborations with the TSO, the HannafordStreet Silver Band and the Elmer Iseler Singerswill make this an unforgettable season of music!416-446-0188amachoir@idirect.comwww.amadeuschoir.com• The Annex Singers of TorontoThe Annex Singers of Toronto is a vibrant communitychoir that delivers an eclectic repertoirewith spirit and sophistication. Now inits 32nd season, the sixty-voice choir performshighlights from the classical and contemporaryrepertoire, including premieres of Canadianworks. The Annex Chamber Choir, a twentyvoiceensemble drawn from the larger group,was formed this year. Director Maria Case’s dynamicleadership and programing continues toinvigorate the choir, attracting new membersAUDITION THE CHOIRThinking about joining? Visit thewholenote.com/canaryand wider audiences. We present two formalconcerts each year and close the season with acabaret. Singers with vocal experience are welcomein September. We rehearse Monday eveningsat St Thomas’s Church, 383 Huron Street.Richard Partington 416-968-7747arpart85@hotmail.comwww.annexsingers.com• Bach Children’s Chorus andBach Chamber Youth ChoirBCC is an auditioned choir of 180 singers,founded in 1987 by artistic director LindaBeaupré, an award-winning Toronto conductorand clinician. BCC has four choirs – threetreble choirs for ages 6–16 and an SATB choirfor changed voices and girls aged 16 and up.All choirs rehearse weekly in east Scarborough,perform as a company-in-residence at theToronto Centre for the Arts, and appear regularlyat Toronto events. Each choir participatesin weekend festivals, workshops and concertswith other youth choirs and world-renownedclinicians. BCC has released five solo CDs andhas won provincial and national choral awards.Jane Greenwood 416-431-0790bachchildrenschorus@bellnet.cawww.bachorus.org• Bel Canto SingersDirected by Linda Meyer, The Bel Canto Singersis a 30-voice community-based SATB choirwhich provides good music, fun and fellowship.Audition, to determine voice range, required.We perform 2 concerts per year, falland spring. We also sing for seniors’ residencesand in fund-raisers for other organizations.Repertoire is varied, and includes folk, movies,swing, spirituals, broadway, and classicalselections. Rehearsals are 7:30–10pm, Tuesdaysat St Nicholas Anglican Church, Warden andKingston, Birchcli≠.Elaine 416-699-4585www.belcantosingers.com• The Bell’Arte SingersThe Bell’Arte Singers celebrate their 24th seasonin 2011-12 under the direction of Dr Gerard Yun.The choir enjoys a diverse repertoire of worksranging from Western classical traditions, jazz,popular, and global fusion. The Bell’Arte Singershas established itself as both an accomplishedand forward-looking choir through concerts,recordings, tours and broadcasts. Bell’Arte is acommunity that aspires to the finest music-makingpossible. Rehearsals are held on Saturdaymornings at 1774 Queen St E in Toronto. As thegroup approaches its 25th year it invites the participationof aspiring and accomplished musiciansfrom all age groups and across a varietyof styles.Janice Lewis 416-927-8752bas_board@yahoogroups.comwww.Bellartesingers.ca• Blue Bridge Festival ChoirThe Blue Bridge Festival Choir is an unauditionedgroup based in York Region. We welcomesingers of all ages who are interested inperforming major works. Workshops are presentedby guest soloists. Performances are withthe Blue Bridge Festival Orchestra and membersof Ardeleana Music. Rehearsals, conducted byCatherine Maguire, are at Ravenshoe UnitedChurch just north of Newmarket, on Sundayafternoons from 2:30–4:30pm. Our upcomingperformance presents Haydn’s Missa SanctiNicolai and Brahms’ Schicksalslied on Saturday,June 4 at Trinity United Church in Newmarketat the Blue Bridge Festival Gala with guest conductorWilliam Shooko≠.Brenda Muller 289-470-1099www.bluebridgefestival.com• Bravado Show ChoirBravado!, Barrie’s Show Choir, founded in 1996,bravado! show choirtheWholeNote CHOIR LISTINGS | 2011-2012
