Volume 23 Issue 8 - May 2018

CANARY PAGES

CANARY PAGES theWholeNote 2018/19 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY SHARON L BECKSTEAD 416-425-1253 sharon.beckstead@sympatico.ca www.leasideunited.org ●●Lirit Women’s Chamber Choir Founded by soprano and conductor, Renée Bouthot, Lirit Women’s Chamber Choir is a Toronto-based group of experienced choral singers. Committed to exploring the joy and vast range of Jewish music, whether through Jewish texts, themes, or composers, they perform one major concert per year, as well as smaller community events. 2018 marks the first Lirit New Composition Award, funded by the Judy Dan Arts and Education Award. Lirit welcomes singers of all backgrounds and interests. Rehearsals take place Mondays evenings at Temple Emanu-El, from October to June, with a two-month winter hiatus. Lirit is always looking for more altos and sopranos to join this lively and welcoming group. Please call to arrange a stress-free meeting and audition. RENÉE BOUTHOT 416-577-6513 reneebouthot@gmail.com www.lirit.ca ●The ● London Pro Musica Choir London Pro Musica is an auditioned, mixedvoice choir based in London, Ontario, Canada. LPMC is an inclusive and multi-generational, member-managed adult choral organization under professional leadership, dedicated to engaging audiences by providing and promoting artistic excellence in the London area and beyond, through education, outreach and high quality performances of choral music. We perform an extensive range of classical music– from the medieval to the contemporary–both for accompanied and unaccompanied voices, currently under the direction of Dr. Charlene Pauls. MELANIE VANDENBORRE, PRESIDENT 519-859-5188 melanie.vandenborre@gmail.com www.londonpromusica.ca ●●Lyrica Chamber Choir Founded in 2000 by the late Natalyia Gurin and directed since 2005 by Steve Winfield, Lyrica Chamber Choir of Barrie strives to present eclectic and evocative programs of excellent choral chamber music. The 40 singers of Lyrica demonstrate a strong desire to present artistically varied choral programs with a high degree of musicianship to the community of Barrie and surrounding area. Recent highlights include performances of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël, Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Ola Gjeilo’s Dark Night of the Soul and Josef Rheinberger’s Missa in G “St. Crucis” Op. 151. Professional soloists and instrumental musicians regularly join Lyrica for performances. Our accompanist, Brent Mayhew, enhances the choir’s performances with extraordinary skill and sensitivity STEVE WINFIELD 705-722-0271 steve.winfield@sympatico.ca www.lyricachoir.ca ●●Masterworks of Oakville Chorus & Orchestra We are a community-based group, dedicated to performing the great works of the Western Classical tradition, particularly sacred works for choir and orchestra. We pride ourselves on performing the most challenging choral works; works seldom performed outside of metropolitan centres. We distinguish ourselves in our community by always performing with a full orchestra. CHARLES DEMUYNCK 905-399-9732 info@masterworksofoakville.ca www.masterworksofoakville.ca ●●MCS Chorus MCS Chorus is a chamber choir of 35 auditioned voices, performing a wide variety of choral music, with an emphasis on classical repertoire. Choristers are committed to creating a unified ensemble sound, dedicated to bringing the choral arts into the community, and engaged in improving their vocal skills under the expert leadership of artistic director Mervin William Fick. 905-278-7059 info@mcschorus.ca www.mcschorus.ca ●●Menno Singers Founded in 1955, Menno Singers is a 50-voice, auditioned community choir based in Kitchener- Waterloo. While rooted in the thriving Mennonite community of KW, membership is open to all interested singers. Four regular concerts are offered each season with repertoire ranging from the Renaissance through the present day. Menno Singers also sponsors Mennonite Mass Choir every two years. Mass choir alternates performances of the Messiah at Centre in the Square with other works of the oratorio repertoire. Our current artistic director is Brandon Leis who brings wonderful energy and vision to the choir. BRANDON LEIS 519-568-8086 bleis@wlu.ca www.mennosingers.com ●●Metropolitan United Church Choirs The auditioned 32-member Metropolitan United Church Choir has eight lead singers, rehearses Thursday evenings and sings on Sunday mornings and special occasions, September through June. Repertoire is Medieval through 21st-century. Singers must 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 core choir and rehearses Sunday afternoons for six weeks prior to Good Friday. Past concerts have featured Bach, 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 Handbells are groups open to all. DR. PATRICIA WRIGHT 416-363-0331 x26 patriciaw@metunited.org www.metunited.org ●●Milton Choristers As we enter our 50th anniversary year, this dynamic four-part community choir has entertained audiences in Halton Region and beyond. The 50-member choir performs two major concerts annually, often including premier guest soloists and musicians. We also enjoy performing at numerous local events. Our director, Rachel Cleland, is expanding our already varied repertoire. From classical to contemporary, sacred to secular, we sing it all. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9:30pm, from September to June. A love of singing, some sight reading and a sense of humour are all you need to become a Milton Chorister. BILL MCLEAN 905-875-1730 info@miltonchoristers.com www.miltonchoristers.com ●●Mississauga Festival Choir Founded in 1984, Mississauga Festival Choir (MFC) is a 150-member non-auditioned community choir whose mission is to enrich lives through music by performance, education and outreach to the people of Mississauga. Led by artistic director David Ambrose, MFC also hosts three subsidiary choirs: Mississauga Festival Chamber Choir, an auditioned group which explores intimate and challenging works; Raising Voices: an intergenerational choir of music lovers to provide the therapeutic value of music to people with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers; and Resonance (resonance.mfchoir.com), a non-auditioned choir for youth and young adults aged 15 to 25, directed by Bob Anderson. For more information about joining any of our four choirs, visit our website at www.mfchoir.com. JENNY JOHNSTON 416-986-5537 choiradmin@mississaugafestivalchoir.com www.mfchoir.com ●●MNjcc Adult Daytime Choir Love to sing? Prefer rehearsing during the day? Join us and fill your life with the joy of singing in harmony! A fun-filled, relaxed environment. No experience or sight-reading necessary. Meets Tuesday afternoons, 1pm to 2:30pm. Learn vocal technique, sing a wide variety of musical styles, stretch yourself. Includes a spring concert. Runs all year long. Register for the year, or pay as you go. Conductor: Gillian Stecyk. Conveniently located near Spadina TTC station. Registration GRETCHEN PAXSON-ABBERGER C10

416-924-6211 x0 music@mnjcc.org www.mnjcc.org ●●MNjcc Community Choir Tackle world, jazz, classical, Jewish, folk, Canadian, gospel and pop music. Our 75-member auditioned SATB choir meets Wednesday evenings, September to June. Rehearsals are well structured and singers learn skills in different musical genres, expression, blend, vocal production, and reading. A wonderful community of dedicated singers. Annual Spring Concerts in the Al Green Theatre. Ensemble and cabaret opportunities. Good supportive learning materials. Conductor: Mark Ramsay. Conveniently located near Spadina TTC station. Registration GRETCHEN PAXSON-ABBERGER 416-924-6211 x0 music@mnjcc.org www.mnjcc.org ●●MNjcc Specialty Choirs Eight-week sessions (fall, winter, spring) devoted to different genres: Broadway, opera, and jazz. Enjoy diverse repertoire, vocal technique, and train your ear to harmony. No experience or audition required. Join any or all. Conductor: Gillian Stecyk. Meets Thursday evenings, 7pm to 8:30pm. Conveniently located near Spadina TTC station. Registration GRETCHEN PAXSON-ABBERGER 416-924-6211 x0 music@mnjcc.org www.mnjcc.org ●●Musicata - Hamilton’s Voices Musicata - Hamilton’s Voices is a 28-voice chamber choir based in Hamilton. The group was established in 1982 as the John Laing Singers by conductor John Laing. 2017/18 marks the second season of an exciting new identity for us. Since becoming artistic director in 2011, Roger Bergs has built on John Laing’s solid foundation of choral excellence, moving the choir in adventurous new directions. Musicata concerts feature excellent instrumentalists, outstanding program notes and lively conductor’s comments, all of which provide a concert experience that is both educational and delightful. Experienced singers with good musical skills and a sense of adventure are welcome to inquire about joining us at any time. PRESIDENT 905-628-5238 president@musicata.ca www.musicata.ca ●●Nathaniel Dett Chorale The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is a 21-voice SATB professional choir based in Toronto, dedicated to performing Afrocentric music of all genres, including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues. Founded by artistic director D. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor in 1998, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’s premier performer of Afrocentric composers and a touchstone for the education of audiences and communities regarding the full spectrum of Afrocentric choral music. The mission of the NDC is to build bridges of understanding, appreciation and acceptance between communities of people through the medium of music. The chorale has a three-concert season in Toronto, tours extensively each season and has released several CDs and DVDs. The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is artist-in-residence at the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas. Membership is by audition. D. BRAINERD BLYDEN-TAYLOR 416-712-7740 info@nathanieldettchorale.org www.nathanieldettchorale.org ●●newchoir newchoir is Toronto’s first adult rock and pop choir. We perform repertoire that has been arranged for an SATB choir and are accompanied by a live band. CAROLINE SURI 647-203-3408 carolinesuri@rogers.com www.newchoir.ca ●●Novi Singers Toronto Novi Singers Toronto is a SATB choir, led by accomplished musical director Matthew Jaskiewicz. Now in its fourth season, NST perform a varied and ambitious repertoire, including sacred, classical, medieval, jazz, opera and folk pieces, and sing in multiple languages. In addition to annual Christmas concerts and performances celebrating Polish Independence each November, NST are frequently invited to sing at special events, such as the commemoration of 1050 years of Polish Christianity. They continue a fruitful collaboration with Toronto Sinfonietta, distinguished soloists, guest artists and musical ensembles. NST welcome new members with a commitment to excellence, and offer opportunities to enhance musical skills at Wednesday evening practices (71 Judson St., Etobicoke), and Saturday intensive workshops. KRZYSZTOF RUMIAN 905-848-1885 torontonovisingers@gmail.com www.novisingerstoronto.ca/contact ●●Oakham House Choir Society Founded in 1984, the 80-member Oakham House Choir specializes in the large-scale masterpieces of the choral repertoire. This is one of the few Toronto choirs where amateur singers perform regularly with a professional orchestra (the Toronto Sinfonietta). The choir has a diverse membership of Ryerson University students, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as singers from outside the university; it is led by its founding music director, Matthew Jaskiewicz. Rehearsals begin in early September and take place on Monday evenings on the Ryerson campus. We give our main concerts at the end of November and April, usually at Calvin Presbyterian Church. For more details, please visit our website. Experienced choristers are invited to contact us by email for information about openings. MATTHEW JASKIEWICZ 416-578-2546 oakhamhousechoir1@gmail.com www.oakhamchoir.ca ●●Oakville Choir for Children & Youth For nearly 25 years, OCCY (formerly The Oakville Children’s Choir) has provided exceptional music education and leadership training to young people. We believe that providing a fun, safe and educational space for youth to express themselves encourages them to find their voice and use it as a force for good in this world. Currently, we offer a collaborative and comprehensive choral music education program to over 200 young people, exploring a wide range of repertoire, diverse musical programming, and high LYRICA CHAMBER CHOIR theWholeNote 2018/19 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY C11