CANARY PAGESMASTERWORKS OF OAKVILLE CHORUS & ORCHESTRAtheWholeNote 2015/16 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY● La Jeunesse ChoirsLa Jeunesse Choirs is comprised of four performinggroups: Senior Choir (12 to 19), Children’s Choir (7to 12), Young Men’s Choir (12 to 19) and the MusicalTheatre Intensive program for those who like to danceand act with their singing! For over 25 years, La JeunesseChoirs has provided its members with the highestpossible caliber of musical experience and training.Our choirs are ably and creatively led by our artisticdirector Markus Howard and accompanist/assistantdirector Debbie Fingas. The Choirs perform at ourown fall and spring concerts plus extras like ourrecent performance with Liona Boyd, the JuniorTreble Festival in Oakville and our character educationmusical!DEBBIE FINGAS905-372-1114ljchoirs@eagle.calajeunessechoirs.com● Lawrence Park CommunityChurch ChoirLawrence Park Community Church Choir singsweekly at Sunday worship services from Septemberthrough June, with Thursday evening rehearsals.With 25 members, including a professional quartet,the choir presents special musical offerings atChristmas and during Holy Week, and is featuredannually in Lawrence Park’s Fridays @ 8 concertseries. The choir has commissioned a number ofanthems from composers including Bob Chilcott,Ruth Watson Henderson and Paul Halley. CD recordingsinclude Awake, my soul, & sing, Peace for a NewMillennium and a Christmas CD, Beauty, Peace and Joy,available through the church office. In addition thereis a youth music program on Sundays with KennyKirkwood as well as the Lawrence Park HandbellRingers who rehearse on Friday mornings.MARK TOEWS416-489-1551mark@lawrenceparkchurch.calawrenceparkchurch.ca● Leaside United ChurchChancel ChoirUnder the direction of Sharon L. Beckstead, theChancel Choir of Leaside United Church presentsan eclectic mix of music for weekly servicesof worship from September to June. The annual“Lessons and Carols” presentation is a highlight forthe Leaside Community. Other special presentationsduring the year may include hymn festivals and/orsecular presentations.SHARON L. BECKSTEAD416-425-1253sharon.beckstead@sympatico.caleasideunited.org● Lyrica Chamber Choir of BarrieFounded in 2000 by the late Natalyia Gurinand directed since 2005 by Steve Winfield, LyricaChamber Choir of Barrie strives to present eclecticand evocative programs of excellent choral chambermusic. The 34 singers of Lyrica demonstrate a strongdesire to present artistically varied choral programswith a high degree of musicianship to the communityof Barrie and surrounding area. Recent highlightsinclude performances of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’sMesse de Minuit de Noel, Benjamin Britten’s Ceremonyof Carols and Ola Gjeilo’s Dark Night of the Soul.Professional soloists and instrumental musicians regularlyjoin Lyrica for performances. Our accompanist,Brent Mayhew, enhances the choir’s performanceswith extraordinary skill and sensitivity.STEVE WINFIELD705-722-0271steve.winfield@sympatico.calyricachoir.ca● Metropolitan United Church ChoirThe auditioned 35-member Metropolitan UnitedChurch Choir has eight lead singers, rehearsesThursday evenings and sings on Sunday morningsand special occasions, September through June.Repertoire is medieval through 21st-century. Singersmust have sight-singing ability. A waiting list exists;contact our director in late spring or early fall to join.The Festival Choir adds 10 to 15 singers to the corechoir and rehearses Sunday afternoons for six weeksprior to Good Friday. Past concerts have featuredBach, Mozart, Fauré, Duruflé, Gilles and others.The Metropolitan Sparklers (ages 4 to 6), Choristers(7 to 11), Great Heart Ensemble (vocal and instrumental,ages 12 and up) and Metropolitan Handbellsare groups open to all.DR. PATRICIA WRIGHT416-363-0331 x26patriciaw@metunited.orgmetunited.org● Masterworks of OakvilleChorus & OrchestraWe are a community-based group, dedicated toperforming the great works of the Western classicaltradition, particularly sacred works for choir andorchestra. We have a strong commitment to artisticexcellence and are proud to preserve and continuea great musical tradition. Masterworks is an extraordinarycommunity group, with a chorus of over100 voices and a commitment to performing themost challenging choral works. Masterworks existswith the enthusiasm of its choristers and orchestraplayers, which is the hallmark of its performances.Please join us for a Masterworks concert! You willenjoy a concert experience of the highest qualitywith compositions seldom performed outside majormetropolitan centres.CHARLES DEMUYNCK, artistic director905-399-9732info@masterworksofoakville.camasterworksofoakville.ca● MCS ChorusMCS Chorus is a chamber choir of 30 auditionedvoices, performing a wide variety of choral music,with an emphasis on classical repertoire. Choristersare committed to musical excellence, dedicatedto bringing the choral arts into the community andengaged in improving their vocal skills under theexpert leadership of Artistic Director Mervin WilliamFick. MCS Chorus also brings an Arts Educationprogram into elementary schools and offers a ChoralScholars program for older students.MARILYN MASON905-278-7059info@mcschorus.camcschorus.ca● Menno SingersFounded in 1955, Menno Singers is a 40-voice,auditioned community choir based in Kitchener-Waterloo. While rooted in the thriving Mennonitecommunity of KW, membership is open to all interestedsingers. Four regular concerts are offered eachseason with repertoire ranging from the Renaissancethrough the present day. Menno Singers alsoC10
sponsors Mennonite Mass Choir every two years.Mass choir alternates performances of Messiah atCentre in the Square with other monuments of theoratorio repertoire. The choir is under the directionof award-winning conductor Dr. Peter Nikiforuk.PETER NIKIFORUK519-571-8113pniki@stpeterskw.camennosingers.com● Milton ChoristersThis dynamic, auditioned, four-part communitychoir has entertained audiences in Halton Region andbeyond for 47 years. The 30-member choir performstwo concerts annually, often including premier guestsoloists and musicians. We also enjoy performing atnumerous local events. Our new director, SheenaNykolaiszyn, is expanding our already varied repertoire.From classical to contemporary, sacred tosecular, we do it all! Rehearsals are Tuesdays, 7:30pmto 10pm, from September to June. A love of singing,some sight-reading, rhythm and a sense of humourare all you need to become a Milton Chorister!HELEN DIETZ905-819-8460hkdietz@rogers.commiltonchoristers.com● Mississauga Children’s ChoirLove to Sing! The Mississauga Children’s Choiris a treble choir of children and youth aged 6 to 18including five graded ensembles: Training, Junior,Main, Concert and Boys Choir. The choirs rehearseweekly and major performances take place at theMississauga Living Arts Centre. Entering our 36thseason, MCC has been providing young singers withexceptional musical experiences through excellencein performance, music education, recording, touringand service to the community. Our artistic director Dr.Caron Daley holds a D.M.A. in Choral Conductingfrom the University of Toronto and prior degreesin choral conducting, vocal pedagogy and musiceducation. Come listen to a rehearsal or call to bookan audition. We are always delighted to meet withprospective choristers.DENISE HEGGART905-624-9704mississaugachildrenschoir@bellnet.camississaugachildrenschoir.com● Mississauga Festival ChoirMississauga Festival Choir (MFC) is a 115-voice,adult, non-auditioned community choir, whichincludes a small auditioned chamber choir (MFCC)that performs separately at the end of March. TheMississauga Festival Choir was founded in 1984 tohonour the City of Mississauga’s tenth anniversary.A true community choir, it is open to any who wishto sing, with no audition required. Led by artisticdirector David Ambrose since 2006, the choir hasbeen an integral part of the city’s arts scene, providingexemplary music education and performances to thepeople of Mississauga. Performances take place inDecember and May at the Living Arts Centre, and inFebruary, MFC hosts a benefit massed choir festival.Rehearsals are Monday nights from September toMay at the Cawthra Seniors Centre.AGNES CARLONE905-403-8415acarlone@sympatico.camfchoir.com● MNjcc Adult Daytime ChoirLove to sing? Want to sing in a choir, but preferrehearsing during the day? Join the MNjcc’s Adultdaytime choir. No experience or sight reading necessary.Join us, and fill your life with the joy of singingin harmony! A fun-filled, relaxed environment. MeetsTuesday afternoons, 1pm to 2:30pm. Runs all yearlong. Join for the whole year or “drop in” and payas you go. Conductor: Gillian Stecyk. Convenientlylocated near Spadina TTC station.HARRIET WICHIN416-924-6211 x0music@mnjcc.orgmnjcc.org● MNjcc Community ChoirTackle world, jazz, classical, Jewish, folk,Canadian, gospel and pop music. Our 70-memberauditioned SATB choir meets Wednesday evenings,September to June. Rehearsals are well-structuredand singers learn skills in different musical genres,expression, blend, vocal production and reading.A wonderful community of dedicated singers. Byaudition only. Annual Spring Concerts in the AlGreen Theatre, with other informal performances.Conductor: Harriet Wichin. Conveniently locatednear Spadina TTC station.HARRIET WICHIN416-924-6211 x0music@mnjcc.orgmnjcc.org● MNjcc Open CommunityChoir (non-auditioned)Let the joy of music inspire you. No experienceor audition required. Enjoy diverse repertoire, vocaltechnique, and train your ear to harmony. Men andwomen welcome. Conductor: Gillian Stecyk. MeetsMonday evenings, 7:30pm to 9:30pm, September toJune. Conveniently located near Spadina TTC station.HARRIET WICHIN416-924-6211 x0music@mnjcc.orgmnjcc.org● Nathaniel Dett ChoraleThe Nathaniel Dett Chorale is a 21-voice SATBprofessional choir based in Toronto, dedicated toperforming Afrocentric music of all genres, includingclassical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues.Founded by artistic director Brainerd Blyden-Taylorin 1998, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’spremier performer of Afrocentric composers anda touchstone for the education of audiences andcommunities regarding the full spectrum of Afrocentricchoral music. The mission of the choraleis to build bridges of understanding, appreciationand acceptance between communities of peoplethrough the medium of music. The chorale has athree-concert subscription series in Toronto, toursextensively each season and has released several CDsand DVDs. Membership is by audition.SARAH HICKS, ensemble coordinator416-340-7000info@nathanieldettchorale.orgnathanieldettchorale.org● newchoirUnleash your inner rock star! newchoir, Toronto’sfirst rock choir, is an SATB adult non-professionalrock/pop choir of over 150 singers with arepertoire ranging from classic rock to alternativeMNJCC CHOIRtheWholeNote 2015/16 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORYC11
