Canary PagestheWholeNote CHOIR LISTINGS | 2012-2013performing on an international stage. EFS isrenowned for diverse styles, commitment toCanadian repertoire, collaborations with otherCanadian artists and its rich, warm sound.Kevin Bradshaw, developmentand marketing519-846-0331www.elorafestival.com●●Ensemble TrypTychChamber ChoirEnsemble TrypTych Chamber Choir (ETCC) is anauditioned amateur mixed-voice choir. Four annualconcerts feature diverse, unique and challengingrepertoire, including oratorio, opera,smaller works, cabaret and Canadian compositions.Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays from7:15pm–9:15pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church,2737 Bayview Ave (just south of Highway 401)from September to May. If you enjoy learningand performing beautiful and interestingmusic, contact ETCC to set up an appointmentfor an audition.Lenard Whiting, artistic director416-763-5066 x3etcc@tryptych.orgwww.tryptych.org●●Etobicoke Centennial ChoirFounded for Canada’s centennial celebration in1967, the Etobicoke Centennial Choir is an SATBchoir with a strong tradition of choral excellencewhich also offers a warm and welcoming communityfor singers. Under music director HenryRenglich, the choir is committed to innovativeprogramming and collaboration with other artsgroups. Our three-concert season encompassesa varied repertoire of classical and contemporaryworks, both sacred and secular.Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7:30pm–10pm atHumber Valley United Church in Etobicoke.Membership is by audition. Interested singersare invited to attend any rehearsal, includingour Open House in early September.Lindsay Dodge, president416-622-6923info@etobicokecentennialchoir.cawww.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca●●Etobicoke Youth ChoirMusic director Louise Jardine provides excellenttutelage and artistic inspiration. Choristersaged 7–17 enjoy singing, gaining life skills, sharingtalents and developing musical abilities.Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at HumbervaleUnited Church, 1447 Royal York Road, Septemberthrough May. Auditions are simple and fees arereasonable. Repertoire includes contemporary,theatre, classical and sacred music. Our seasonfeatures two concerts, community performances,a cabaret featuring individual choristersand fall and spring workshop weekends.Highlight events for the choir include participationin a sold-out 2009 concert at Carnegie Hall,the 2011 Festival of the Aegean in Greece and theupcoming 2013 International Children’s ChoirFestival in England.George416-231-9120eyc.secretary@sympatico.ca●●Exultate Chamber ChoirFor more than 30 years, Exultate has garneredpraise as a precise, passionate ensemble witha wide-ranging repertoire. Established by conductorJohn Tuttle and now under the leadershipof Dr. Karen Grylls, a chamber choir specialistand international clinician from New Zealand,Exultate is enriched by the musicianship andvaried backgrounds of its members. Exultatepresents a four-concert subscription series inToronto and contributes to the developmentof the choral community through outreach initiatives.Auditions are held as required to fillvacancies. Rehearsals are typically on Tuesdaynights from 5:30pm–7pm.416-971-9229exultate@exultate.netwww.exultate.net●●Georgetown Bach ChoraleSince its inception in the year 2000, theGeorgetown Bach Chorale has been enthrallingaudiences in the Halton Hills area with outstandingchoral concerts. The chorale consists of approximately20 singers devoted largely to theperformance of baroque music. Under the directionof artistic director Ron Greidanus, thegroup is committed to musical excellence andis recognized by many Toronto musicians as adiscerning group with outstanding authenticsound. Audiences have been astounded by thelevel of performance achieved by the chorale,but it is not this musical prowess alone that hasmany citizens admiring the group: the choir hasalso maintained a positive involvement withinthe community.Ron Greidanus905-873-9909ronaldgreidanus@hotmail.comwww.georgetownbachchorale.com●●Grace Church on-the-Hill ChoirsThere is no sound like the soaring tone oftrebles, boys and girls, trained in the Englishcathedral tradition and singing in the superbacoustics of Grace Church on-the-Hill. The Choirof Gentlemen and Boys and the St. Cecilia Choirof Women and Girls sing the best choral repertoire(15th to 21st century) each week in worship,in concerts and on tour. Girls and boys aged fiveand up are welcome to participate. Prior musicaltraining is not required for children. There isno membership fee and children receive a smallstipend for singing. Interested adult choir membersshould contact the director of music. Welook forward to hearing from you!Stephen Fraser, director of musicsfraser@gracechurchonthehill.cawww.gracechurchonthehill.ca●●GRAND PHILHARMONIC CHOIRThe Grand Philharmonic Choir (GPC), based inKitchener, is one of this country’s leading choralinstitutions. The GPC consists of four choirs: a100-voice main choir; a 35-voice chamber choir;a youth choir; and a children’s choir. Under theartistic direction of Mark Vuorinen, the choirs offer20+ concerts a year, often with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and top soloists. The choirssing in Kitchener’s acoustically superb CentreIn The Square and in local churches. Repertoireis a rich blend of traditional masterworks andinnovative works by contemporary composers.Auditions are held in May and September.Luisa D’Amato, president519-578-6885president@grandphilchoir.comwww.grandphilchoir.com●●Grand River ChorusThe Grand River Chorus is a Brantford-area auditioned70-voice SATB community choir. Wepresent four main concerts per year and also performat various community events and in concertshosted by other organizations. Our 2012/13season opens October 27 with “Great Momentsfrom Opera,” followed by “Handel’s Messiah”on December 23. We then present “HappyValentine’s Day” on February 17 and concludewith “A Coronation for Our Generations” onJune 1 and 2, our special concert in honour ofQueen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne. Ourchorus sings works of the great masters and contemporarycomposers. Rehearsals are Mondaysat 7:30pm from September to June.Richard Cunningham519-841-9708grandriverchorus@rogers.comwww.grandriverchorus.com●●Guelph Youth SingersGuelph Youth Singers, founded in 1991, is enteringits 22nd year this season and is led byartistic director Linda Beaupré. GYS has fourtreble choirs of youth and children aged 6–18.Choristers are placed in each of the choirsbased on age and skill level. Weekly rehearsalsat Guelph Youth Music Centre include vocal technique,theory and sight singing. GYS performsup to three major concerts per season as well asworkshop, festival, community and guest performances.Auditions are held in April and Mayfor entry in September and in November for alimited number of positions in January.Cathy Meggison, administrator519-821-8574admin@guelphyouthsingers.comwww.guelphyouthsingers.com●●Hamilton Children’s ChoirCome Sing With Us! The award-winningHamilton Children’s Choir offers performancesthat go far beyond technical excellence whiledazzling audiences with a focused sound, brilliantrepertoire and captivating stage presence.Guided by world renowned Zimfira Poloz, whobelieves “if you can speak, you can sing,” and atalented artistic team, the HCC offers four differentchoir programs to approximately 150 youngsingers ranging in age from 4–18 years who livein Hamilton and surrounding areas. The HCCpresents an unmatched opportunity for personalgrowth, challenging work and rewardingexperiences accomplished through choircamp, rehearsals, workshops, recording, performancesand touring.Tricia LeClair, executive director905-527-1618info@hamiltonchildrenschoir.comwww.hamiltonchildrenschoir.com● ● Harbourfront ChorusYou’re invited to join the Harbourfront Chorus,a non-auditioned choir performing a diverse
epertoire for a diverse city. We rehearseTuesdays, 7:45pm–9:15pm, at HarbourfrontCommunity Centre, 627 Queen’s Quay W. (atBathurst), in the dance studio. Our seasonruns September through May. All levels of experienceare welcome. Observe a rehearsal anyTuesday evening through the end of May. Westart September 11 and continue in the fall untilDecember 11, 2012.Dwight Griffin416-977-6448dgriffin680@yahoo.ca●●Harbourtown Sound ChorusCreated in 2003, Harbourtown Sound is the premiermen’s chorus in the Golden Horseshoe!Harbourtown Sound offers a wide range ofsounds and professional a cappella entertainmentstyles to bring back fond memories or createnew ones. From singing telegrams to largechoral performances, Harbourtown Sound deliversmemorable a cappella jazz, swing, soft rock,pop, traditional and inspirational music performancesfor any occasion, all in glorious fourpartharmony! Join us on Wednesday nights,7:30pm at the Millgrove Community Centre, 855Millgrove Sideroad, Millgrove, ON. Guests are alwayswelcome and we’re always looking for newmembers to sing and perform with us!905-592-1449www.HarbourtownSound.ca●●Harmony SingersUnder conductor Harvey Patterson, this dynamic35-voice women’s chorus memorizes, stagesand performs a sparkling repertoire of popular,show and light classical pieces. Our accompanistis the renowned pianist Bruce Harvey. TheSingers perform a yearly Christmas concert andwill present “The Sound of Swing” with gueststhe Canadian Singers and Priscilla Taylor onMay 25 and 26. The group recently sang the nationalanthem at a Blue Jays game and appearedin a music video with the group Down WithWebster. There are a few openings for new members.Rehearsals are Mondays, 7:30pm–9:45pm atMartin Grove United Church.Harvey Patterson416-239-5821theharmonysingers@ca.inter.netwww.harmonysingers.ca●●Hart House ChorusOne of Toronto’s premier large choirs, the HartHouse Chorus is a 50-member auditioned choircomprising musically talented students, facultyand alumni of the University of Toronto. Sinceits inception in 1972, the chorus has maintaineda reputation for the highest standard of performancelocally, nationally and also abroad,on the occasion of tours to Scandinavia (1999)and Eastern Europe (2003). Rehearsals are heldat 7pm every Tuesday evening and free concertstake place biannually in the Great Hall at HartHouse at the University of Toronto. An ensemblegroup is available for special performances.Brad Ratzlaff, music directorhhchorus@gmail.comwww.hhchorus.sa.utoronto.caAUDITION THE CHOIRThinking about joining? Visit thewholenote.com/canary●●Healey Willan SingersFrom Hildegard of Bingen to contemporaryCanadian composers, the Healey Willan Singersperform a challenging range of choral musicfor women’s voices that spans styles and centuries.The choir presents two concerts in a season,with an emphasis on performing works bywomen composers and poets. Rehearsals areheld on Saturday mornings,10:15am–12:15pm, inToronto’s High Park neighbourhood. Auditionsare held throughout the season.Ron Cheung, artistic director/conductor416-519-0528healeywillansingers@yahoo.cawww.healeywillansingers.com●●High Park Choirs of TorontoUnder artistic director Zimfira Poloz, the choristersof the High Park Choirs of Toronto createa beautiful and rich sound! We offer fiveskills-based divisions for youth aged 5–18 anda new Boys Choir starting in September 2012.Weekly rehearsals, held in Bloor West Village,include music theory and ear training; regularactivities include concerts, community engagements,workshops, retreats and tours. The HighPark Choirs are the official Children’s Choir inResidence for the University of Toronto’s Facultyof Music. We are now accepting choristers forthe 2012/13 season.Helen Nestor, manager416-762-0657info@highparkchoirs.orgwww.highparkchoirs.org●●Hillcrest Village ChoirSince 2003, this SATB non-auditioned teachingchoir has enabled amateur singers to improvetheir singing technique and performance skillsin full choir, small-group and solo settings. In anopen and engaging atmosphere, members enjoyan eclectic repertoire that evolves with the interestsof the membership.The director/conductor, Ben D’Cunha, trainsmembers in vocal technique, sight reading,theory and improvisation, and writes the arrangementsfor the choir.Choir rehearsals are held September to June,Tuesdays (7pm–9pm) at the Artscape WychwoodBarns, 601 Christie St. Optional sectionals areheld Mondays (6:30pm–8:30pm) at Ellington’sMusic and Café, 805 St. Clair Ave. W.hillcrestchoir@gmail.comwww.hillcrestvillagechoir.ca●●Irish Choral Society of CanadaThe Irish Choral Society of Canada is a communitySATB choir performing secular, sacred,folk and popular works centred on Irish andCanadian themes. We perform at concerts andspecial events within the GTA and Irish community,often accompanied by brilliant traditionalIrish musicians. We are seeking experiencedsingers of all voice types to join us as we grow. Weare launching our second annual Boat Cruise onJune 24, with Celtic bands and a brief performanceby the Irish Choral Society. We are planningan East Coast tour (July 2013) and a tour ofIreland (September 2015). Rehearsals: Tuesdayevenings from 7pm–9pm in downtown Toronto.Shannon416-759-2124info@irishchoralsociety.comwww.irishchoralsociety.com●●Islington United Church ChoirsThe extensive and active music program atIslington, under the direction of Dr. JohnDerksen and assisted by many talented andcommitted musicians, includes the junior (ages6–12), youth and senior choirs, along with fourhandbell choirs, chimes, string and brass ensemblesand evening worship band. Supportedby a magnificent Schoenstein organ and grandpiano, music rings through the neo-Gothic sanctuaryfor two morning services each Sunday,monthly Taizé and evening contemporary services,and numerous special services, events andconcerts. The accomplished senior choir, with 25to 30 talented singers enriched by section leads,is attentive to musical detail and expressivenessto enhance worship.John Derksen416-239-1131 x26Guelph Youth SingerstheWholeNote CHOIR LISTINGS | 2012-2013
