Volume 23 Issue 8 - May 2018

CANARY PAGES ●●Grand

CANARY PAGES ●●Grand Philharmonic Choir ●●Harbourfront Chorus ●●Healey Willan Singers theWholeNote 2018/19 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY The Grand Philharmonic Choir, based in Kitchener, includes four choirs in one organization: an adult choir, a chamber adult choir, a youth choir and a children’s choir. We perform in large concert halls, at free public gatherings and in small, intimate settings. Under the direction of Mark Vuorinen, it is our mandate to present choral repertoire of the highest standard, to share our love of music with the public through varied outreach programs and to provide music education to our members and enlightenment to our audiences. We are one of a few large choirs in Canada, outside the major metropolitan areas, with the resources and community support to deliver a full choral season with professional musicians. AMY DALE, ADMINISTRATOR 519-578-5660 x5290 info@grandphilchoir.com www.grandphilchoir.com ●The ● Grand River Chorus The Grand River Chorus is an auditioned 65-voice community choir, serving Brantford and the surrounding area. The choir provides the opportunity, through four major concerts each season, for choristers to participate in the preparation and performance of high quality choral music. The GRC was founded in 1999, and is looking forward to its upcoming 20th anniversary. As well as these four concerts, the choir participates in local celebrations, and collaborates with other organizations. The Cathedral Bluffs, Cambridge, Brantford and the Guelph Symphony Orchestras have all partnered with the GRC in recent memory. To conclude the 2017/18 season, the GRC performs Handel’s Israel and Egypt with the Bach Elgar Choir from Hamilton, at St. Pius Catholic Church, 9 Waverly Street in Brantford on Sunday May 27th at 3pm. JOHN HOWE 519-753-6758 johnhowe100@gmail.com www.grandriverchorus.com ●●Guelph Youth Singers Guelph Youth Singers, formed in 1991, has become a high profile representative of the City of Guelph in the field of choral music. Under artistic director, Markus Howard, GYS has four treble choirs of youth and children aged six to 18+. In 2014, GYS introduced a new SATB choir for young men and women. Choristers are placed in each of the choirs based on age and skill level. Weekly rehearsals at Guelph Youth Music Centre include vocal technique, theory and sight singing. The GYS season, includes three or more major concerts; choir tours and exchanges; as well as workshop, festival, community and guest performances. Auditions are held throughout the year for entry into this awardwinning choir. We love to sing! CATHY MEGGISON 519-821-8574 admin@guelphyouthsingers.com www.guelphyouthsingers.com You are invited to join Harbourfront Chorus, a non-auditioned community choir. We perform a wide range of music that spans from early Renaissance music to contemporary popular songs. Rehearsals run Tuesdays from 7:45pm to 9:15pm at the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, located at the south-east corner of Queens Quay W. and Bathurst St. Our season runs September through May. The 2018/19 season begins Tuesday, September 11, 2018. CATHERINE NETHERSOLE 416-458-2530 harbourfrontchorus@gmail.com www.facebook.com/harbourfrontchorus ●●Harbourtown Sound We are an award-winning, volunteer-based auditioned men’s chorus, offering a wide range of a capella music---barbershop, inspirational, jazz, pop, soft rock---all designed to both bring back fond memories and to create memorable new ones. Representing the Hamilton chapter of the Ontario District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, we have been entertaining at home and abroad since 2003. As a not-for-profit community group, we seek to promote a love of singing and an appreciation for choral music. Under the direction of Jordan Travis we are always eager to support our community by, volunteering to perform at district events as well as presenting our own concerts in the Burlington Performing Arts Centre several times a year. To learn more about our professional a cappella chorus of amateur singers please visit our website: harbourtownsound.ca. SANDY BELL 519-822-6153 president@harbourtownsound.ca www.harbourtownsound.ca ●The ● Harmony Singers Under conductor Harvey Patterson, this dynamic 35-voice women’s chorus memorizes, stages and performs a sparkling repertoire of pop, show, folk, jazz and light classical music. Our accompanist is the renowned pianist Bruce Harvey. The group proudly presents “As Long as I Have Music” on May 6th. Special guest is vocalist Emily Parker, winner of the 2017 scholarship presented by The Harmony Singers each year to an outstanding graduate of the music theatre program at Etobicoke School of the Arts. The group has sung at a Blue Jays game and were part of a recent Festival of Friends choral concert in Mississauga. There are a few openings for new members who will receive a warm welcome! Rehearsals are Monday evenings from September to June at Martin Grove United Church. HARVEY PATTERSON 416-239-5821 theharmonysingers@ca.inter.net www.harmonysingers.ca HWS was originally formed as a youth choir to celebrate Dr. Willan’s 125th anniversary in 2005. Since 2007, the choir has reinvented itself into one of the finest women’s ensembles in the city. Rehearsals are Saturdays from 10:15am to 12:30pm, from September to April. This coming season, the choir will perform a late November program titled “Carols and Lullabies” and at the end of April a concert of music transformed from other repertoire into music for women’s choir, featuring Mozart’s Missa in C “Spatzenmesse” with orchestra. The choir performs repertoire from Gregorian chants to contemporary new works, especially by women and Canadian composers. Auditions are held year-round. Rehearsals and concerts are held at the Church of St. Martin in-the-Fields, 151 Glenlake Ave. in the Keele and Bloor St. W. area. RON CHEUNG 416-519-0528 healeywillansingers@yahoo.ca www.healeywillansingers.com ●●Hillcrest Village Choir Since 2003, this SATB non-auditioned teaching choir has enabled adult amateur singers to improve their singing technique and performance skills in full choir, small-group and solo settings. In an open and engaging atmosphere, members enjoy an eclectic repertoire that evolves with their interests, and have the opportunity to sing solos at our cabarets, choral concerts, and annual composer study performance. The director/conductor, Ben D’Cunha, trains members in vocal technique, sight-reading, theory and improvisation, and writes the arrangements for the choir. Rehearsals are held September to June on Tuesdays (7pm to 9pm), with sectionals on Mondays (7pm to 9pm). Registration for the 2018/19 season starts on June 1. BEN D’CUNHA 647-688-7765 hillcrestvillagechoir@gmail.com ●●Incontra Vocal Ensemble One of Toronto’s newest chamber choirs, Incontra Vocal Ensemble is a project-based, professional-level group of vocal artists founded and conducted by Matthew Otto. Entering its fifth season, Incontra (Latin for “encounter”) is dedicated to promoting excellence in choral music by presenting innovative performances, AND introducing audiences to new Canadian and international choral compositions whilst celebrating choral masterworks. Conceived as a space for emerging singers and conductors to showcase their artistry, Incontra is committed to authentic interpretation and clarity of expression, offering profound choral experiences for members and audiences alike. The ensemble has performed at a number of concerts, fundraisers and other special events across Toronto, and enjoys a longstanding collaboration with Regis College, University of Toronto. MATTHEW OTTO 647-241-3623 C8

matthew.otto@gmail.com www.incontravocalensemble.com ●●Islington United Church Choirs The extensive and active music program at Islington, under the direction of Jason Locke and assisted by many talented and committed musicians including two music associates, includes the Junior (grades 1 to 6), Youth (grades 7 to 12), and Senior choirs, along with two handbell choirs, chimes, string and brass ensembles. Supported by a magnificent Schoenstein organ and grand piano, music rings through the neo-Gothic sanctuary for two morning services each Sunday and numerous special services, events and concerts. The accomplished Senior choir, with 25 to 30 talented singers enriched by section leaders, is attentive to musical detail and expressiveness to enhance worship, singing Renaissance to 21st century, a cappella to orchestral accompaniment, spirituals to Bach cantatas. JASON LOCKE 416-239-1131 jason@islingtonunited.org www.islingtonunited.org ●●Jubilate Singers The Jubilate Singers will be 50 years old in 2018/19, and we plan a special year. Those who like to sing Canadian and World music are welcome to join our large chorus, or to audition for our chamber group. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings near Yonge and Lawrence, and all are welcome to sit in and try us out. Our first concert will be on the theme of Celebration, and feature settings of Jubilate Deo, and Eric Whitacre’s Light and Gold. Our second concert is “Homes and Native Lands”: songs about home and longing for home. Our June concert will be a collaboration with the North York Concert Orchestra to present a choral-orchestral program including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Norm Martin 416-488-1571 olatunje@gmail.com www.jubilatesingers.ca ●●Just Wanna Sing! We are a new amateur choir in central Toronto. Our group formed in March 2018. We rehearse at St Paul’s Bloor Street, 227 Bloor St. E., which is nicely located and easily accessible by subway. The building is also wheelchair accessible and air-conditioned. The choir meets once a week from September through June on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Our choir welcomes everyone who has a love of singing, and sight-reading abilities are not necessary as we work slowly on all our pieces. The music is an eclectic mix. If interested in joining the choir please contact our music director, Lorienne Swales at 416-200-3218 or by email at lorienne.swales@gmail.com LORIENNE SWALES 416-200-3218 lorienne.swales@gmail.com www.lorienneswales.com ●●King Edward Choir Founded in 1952, Barrie’s King Edward Choir began as a ladies’ choir, named after the school in which they practised. Under the direction of founder, Jean Dobson, it blossomed into a group encompassing all voices. Past directors include Charles Woodrow, Morley Calvert, Barbara McCann and Floydd Ricketts. Today, under its new artistic director, Oliver Balaburski, it is a dedicated group of 40 musicians singing repertoire from Beethoven to Britten, Orlando di Lasso to Samuel Barber, Robert Schumann to Harry Freedman. King Edward Choir frequently collaborates with other artists; in March 2019 we will join with the Barrie Concert Band for a night at the pops! Rehearsals for our three annual performances take place Monday nights. Open auditions will occur in September 2018, but new members are welcome any time! PETER SULLIVAN 705-739-7281 pesullivan71@gmail.com www.kingedwardchoir.ca ●●Kingsway Children’s Choir & Drum Ensemble/Kingsway Chamber Singers Discover the joy of choral singing at the Kingsway Conservatory of Music! Venturing outside the bounds of traditional choir training, the Kingsway Children’s Choir & Drum Ensemble is a unique, liberating choral experience for children aged seven and up. Directed by a professional music educator with extensive choral conducting experience, the choir explores a vast repertoire spanning world music, folk songs and classic choral works. Weekly rehearsals are an invigorating musical work-out encompassing voice and body warm-ups, vocal technique, singing skills and drum circle. For more experienced singers, the auditioned Kingsway Chamber Singers offers an enriched, multi-part, challenging choral experience. Throughout a 30-week season, both choirs take their music to a variety of stages including festivals, recitals, and corporate and community events. SHARON OF BURLACOFF 416-234-0121 sharonkcm@bellnet.ca www.kingswayconservatory.ca ●●Lawrence Park Community Church Choir LPCCC sings at weekly Sunday worship services, September to June, and rehearse Thursday evenings. Consisting of 25 members, including professional section leads, the choir also presents special seasonal musical offerings – June 1, 2018, our Fridays@8 Concert Series presents the North York Temple Band and the LPCCC in a program including John Rutter’s Gloria; and Friday, November 9 renowned organist Ken Cowan will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the church’s Casavant organ. The choir has commissioned anthems from composers including Bob Chilcott, Ruth Watson Henderson and Paul Halley and has recorded several CDs. We also have a youth music program led by Kenny Kirkwood and DeeAnn Sagar, The Lawrence Park Youth Singers and a Sunday School Kids Choir both conducted by Kimberley Briggs, and The Lawrence Park Handbell Ringers, directed by Mark Toews. MARK TOEWS 416-489-1551 x28 416-515-8326 mark@lawrenceparkchurch.ca www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca ●●Leaside United Church Chancel Choir Under the direction of Sharon L. Beckstead, the Chancel Choir of Leaside United Church presents an eclectic mix of music for weekly services of worship from September to June. The annual “Lessons and Carols” presentation is a highlight for the Leaside community. Other special presentations during the year may include hymn festivals and/or secular presentations. ISLINGTON UNITED CHURCH CHOIRS theWholeNote 2018/19 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY C9