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Volume 31 Issue 2 - November & December 2025

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  • Music
  • Wholenote
  • Toronto
  • Classical
  • Jazz
  • Live music
  • Music theatre
  • Orchestra
  • Opera
  • Choral
  • Film
  • Canadian
  • Ontario
  • Arts
  • November
  • December
  • Christmas
  • Holiday
  • Winter
November and December combined for the first time in our history, with January and February likewise joined at the hip up next. Window-shop the 2025/26 Blue Pages (ten new members since last issue). "Critical mass" is the flavour of the issue, with "A Mass for the Endangered" leading the way, and a feast of Music Theatre, serious and not, close behind. Choral Scene looks at choirs augmenting their year-ending offerings with instrumental forces, and orchestras likewise augmenting their offerings with massed human voice. And masses of new recordings to discover and listen to. ALL THIS AND MORE.

LIVE OR ONLINE | Nov 1

LIVE OR ONLINE | Nov 1 to Jan 7, 2024416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticketinformation. Also Dec 4(7:30pm), 6(2pm &7:30pm), 7(2pm).● Dec 05 7:30: Upper Canada Choristers/Cantemos. This Little Child. Grace Churchon-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. www.uppercanadachoristers.orgor info@uppercanadachoristers.org.; Free(under 16 whenaccompanied by an adult). LIVE & STREAMED.● Dec 05 8:00: Live Nation. Jessie Reyez: PaidIn Memories Tour. Massey Hall, 178 VictoriaSt. www.ticketmaster.ca/jessie-reyez-paid-inmemories-tour-toronto-ontario-12-05-2025/event. From . Also Dec 6.Saturday December 6● Dec 06 11:00am: Xenia Concerts/TOLive. ASD Band with Phoenix the Fire. MeridianHall, 1 Front St. E. Rory McLeod at 437-441-7543 or Paolo Griffin at paolo.griffin@xeniaconcerts.com. Registration fee . Toeliminate financial barriers, we will refundyour tickets when you attend the event. Ifyou wish to donate your tickets, please let usknow when you check in.● Dec 06 2:00: Festival Wind Orchestra.Gather ‘Round the Piano. Salvation ArmyScarborough Citadel Community Church,2021 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough. www.festivalwindorchestra.ca. ; (sr/st);Free(ages 12 & under).● Dec 06 2:00: Sinfonia Ancaster. Home forthe Holidays. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre- Peller Hall, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster.905-304-3232 or www.memorialarts.ca/classical-music/home-for-the-holidays. .Also 7:30pm.•THE ANNUAL•CityCAROLSINGIn collaborationwithSaturday, Dec. 6, 2:00 pmYORKMINSTER PARK BAPTIST CHURCHWITH SPECIAL GUESTSBARBARA LICAJEFF LILLICODEVO BROWNFREE ADMISSION● Dec 06 2:00: Yorkminster Park BaptistChurch/City TV. City Carol Sing. YorkminsterPark Baptist Church (Toronto), 1585 YongeSt. www.yorkminsterpark.com. Free. Foodand cash donations welcome. In support ofChurches on-the-Hill Food Bank.● Dec 06 2:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Home Alone in Concert. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Dec 4(7:30pm), 5(7:30pm),6(7:30pm), 7(2pm).● Dec 06 2:30: Bel Canto Singers. Garlandsand Bows. Scarborough Bluffs UnitedChurch, 3739 Kingston Rd., Scarborough.www.belcantosingers.ca. ; (child). Also7:30pm.● Dec 06 2:30: Kingsview United Church(Oshawa). Durham County Town Singers:Christmas Concert Two. 505 AdelaideAve. E., Oshawa. 905-436-2000. . AlsoDec 5(7:30pm).● Dec 06 3:00: Brott Music Festival.Musical Magic of Christmas. McMaster University- L.R. Wilson Concert Hall, 1280 MainSt. W. , Hamilton. 905-525-7664. From .Also 7pm.● Dec 06 3:00: Hamilton PhilharmonicOrchestra. Handel’s Messiah (Singalong).Central Presbyterian Church (Hamilton),165 Charlton Ave. W., Hamilton. www.hpo.org/event/handels-messiah-december-6-at-300-pm. From .● Dec 06 4:00: Pax Christi Chorale. ChristmasThrough the Ages. Eglinton St. George’sUnited Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. www.paxchristichorale.org.Choose your price: , , or. Also Dec 3(7:30pm).● Dec 06 5:00: Diapente RenaissanceVocal Quintet. The Diapente Book of Carols3. Grace United Church (Niagara-on-the-Lake), 222 Victoria St., Niagara-on-the-Lake.514-378-2558 or www.eventbrite.ca/e/thediapente-book-of-carols-3-niagara-on-thelake-tickets-1549130213169.(Regular);(Discounted). Also Dec 12(7:30pm) at St.Thomas’s Anglican Church, Toronto.● Dec 06 7:00: Brampton On Stage. This IsBrampton: Crate Clash. Rose Theatre, The(Brampton), 1 Theatre Ln., Brampton. 905-874-2800 https://tickets.brampton.ca. .● Dec 06 7:00: Brott Music Festival. MusicalMagic of Christmas. McMaster University- L.R. Wilson Concert Hall, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton. 905-525-7664. From . Also3pm.● Dec 06 7:00: Mississauga ChamberSingers. Christmas Joy. Christ First UnitedChurch, 151 Lakeshore Rd. W., Mississauga.www.mcsingers.ca or 647-549-4524. ;(under age 18).● Dec 06 7:30: Bel Canto Singers. Garlandsand Bows. Scarborough Bluffs UnitedChurch, 3739 Kingston Rd., Scarborough.www.belcantosingers.ca. ; (child). Also2:30pm.● Dec 06 7:30: Brampton On Stage. BramptonConcert Band: Christmas at The Rose.Rose Theatre, The (Brampton), 1 Theatre Ln.,Brampton. 905-874-2800 https://tickets.brampton.ca. From .● Dec 06 7:30: Counterpoint CommunityOrchestra. Winter Mosaic. East End/Eastminster United Church (Toronto),310 Danforth Ave. www.ccorchestra.org/kilts-clarinets. ; (youth).A Ceremony ofChristmaswithEricaGoodmanSat, Dec 67:30 pmRunnymede United Church● Dec 06 7:30: Etobicoke Centennial Choir.A Ceremony of Christmas. Runnymede UnitedChurch, 432 Runnymede Rd. 416-779-2258or www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca. ;Free(12 and under when accompanied byan adult).● Dec 06 7:30: Sinfonia Ancaster. Home forthe Holidays. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre- Peller Hall, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. 905-304-3232 or www.memorialarts.ca/classicalmusic/home-for-the-holidays.. Also 2pm.● Dec 06 7:30: Toronto Chamber Choir.Toronto Classical Singers withDr. John Holland, Artistic DirectorPresents:Magnificats in DFeaturing:Allison Arends, SopranoGrace Quinsey, SopranoAlexandra Beley, Mezzo-SopranoDavid Walsh, TenorChristopher Dunham, BaritoneToronto Classical Orchestra4:00 PM DECEMBER 7thCHRIST CHURCH DEER PARK1570 YONGE STFor tickets: TorontoClassicalSingers.ca/tickets32 | November & December 2025 thewholenote.com

Missa Pastoralis. Calvin Presbyterian Church(Toronto), 26 Delisle Ave. 416-923-9030 orwww.torontochamberchoir.ca. //.● Dec 06 7:30: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Home Alone in Concert. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Dec 4(7:30pm), 5(7:30pm), 6(2pm),7(2pm).● Dec 06 8:00: Nathaniel Dett Chorale. AnIndigo Christmas: Glory to the Newborn King.Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Rd.www.nathanieldettchorale.org. ; (sr);(st); Free(under 12).● Dec 06 8:00: Acoustic Harvest. “It’sGood to Be Canadian” Celebration withJohn Prince & A Piece of the Rock. St. Paul’sUnited Church (Scarborough), 200 McIntoshSt., Scarborough. www.ticketscene.ca/events/53315/; www.acousticharvest.ca. .● Dec 06 8:00: Caliban Arts Theatre. BlackUnderground 30th Anniversary Soul VocalsSeries: Double Tribute to Sam Cooke and BillWithers. 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture,Arts, Media and Education, 918 Bathurst St.www.tickets.contxtbytrane.com/events/contxtbytrane/1808178. All Shows Early Bird: (before Sep 10). All Shows Advance: 0(after Sep 10). Single Show Tickets: (adv);(door).● Dec 06 8:00: Continuum ContemporaryMusic. Pine Trees and Blue Sky. St. George’sGrange Park Church (formerly St. Georgethe Martyr Church), 30 Stephanie St. www.continuummusic.ca. Advance: ; (sr/arts worker); (st). Door: ; (sr/artsworker).● Dec 06 8:00: Kindred Spirits Orchestra.Sounds of the Season. Flato Markham Theatre,171 Town Centre Blvd., Markham. www.ksorchestra.ca or 905-305-7469. From .7pm: Silent Auction in support of music education& the arts. 7:10pm: Pre-concert talk.7:20pm: Prélude - Pre-concert recital. Intermissiondiscussion and Q&A with HarrisonYang Meng and Daniel Vnukowski. Post-concertreception.● Dec 06 8:00: Live Nation. Jessie Reyez:Paid In Memories Tour. Massey Hall,178 Victoria St. www.ticketmaster.ca/jessiereyez-paid-in-memories-tour-torontoontario-12-06-2025/event.From . AlsoDec 5.● Dec 06 8:00: Royal Conservatory ofMusic. TD Jazz Concerts: Echoes of an Era.Royal Conservatory of Music - TELUS Centre- Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W. 416-408-0208 or www.rcmusic.com/performance.From .Sunday December 7● Dec 07 11:00am: Aurora Cultural Centre.A Christmas Carol. Aurora Town Square- Brevik Hall, 50 Victoria St., Aurora. 365-500-3237 or www.auroraculturalcentre.ca. .● Dec 07 2:00: Toronto Choral Society.Handel”s Messiah. Royal Conservatoryof Music - TELUS Centre - Koerner Hall,273 Bloor St. W. www.torontochoralsociety.org. Visit website for tickets and information.● Dec 07 2:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra.Home Alone in Concert. Roy ThomsonHall, 60 Simcoe St. www.tso.ca or 416-598-3375. Call or visit website for ticket information.Also Dec 4(7:30pm), 5(7:30pm), 6(2pm& 7:30pm).● Dec 07 3:00: Hamilton PhilharmonicOrchestra. Handel’s Messiah. St. Catherineof Siena Roman Catholic Church, 620 RymalRd. E., Hamilton. www.hpo.org/event/handels-messiah-december-7-at-300-pm.From. Also Dec 5(7:30pm).● Dec 07 3:00: Music Toronto. MUSE Series:What Makes It Great® - Vivaldi’s Seasons. St.Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Jane MallettTheatre, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723 or www.music-toronto.com/concerts/muse2-wmigvivaldi.From .Isabella Perron● Dec 07 3:00: Orchestra Toronto. SeasonalCelebration with the Sultans of String. MeridianArts Centre - George Weston Recital Hall,5040 Yonge St. 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754 or boxoffice@tolive.com. From . Preconcertchat at 2:15pm.● Dec 07 3:30: The Edison Singers. Handel’sMessiah. Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate,28 Norfolk St., Guelph. 226-384-9300 orwww.theedisonsingers.com/performances/.; (sr); (st); (child).THE ELORA SINGERSHandel:MessiahSunday, Dec. 7 at 4:00PMSt. Joseph’s Parish760 St David St. N., FergusEloraSingers.ca519-846-0331Dec 7WHAT MAKES ITGREAT?®with Rob KapilowVIVALDI’SFOURSEASONSRob KapilowThe Canadian Chamber Orchestramusic-toronto.com● Dec 07 4:00: Elora Singers. Handel: Messiah.St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Fergus),760 St. David St. N., Fergus. 519-846-0331or www.elorasingers.ca. ; (st);(child).● Dec 07 4:00: Amadeus Choir of GreaterToronto. Christmas Oratorio: Eat, Drink,and Be Merry! The Playground, 388 CarlawAve. www.eventbrite.ca/e/js-bach-christmas-oratorio-eat-drink-be-merry-tickets-1542887430839.From .● Dec 07 4:00: St. Philip’s Recital Series. ACharlie Brown Christmas. St. Philip’s AnglicanChurch (Etobicoke), 31 St. Phillips Rd., Etobicoke.416-247-5181. .● Dec 07 4:00: Toronto Classical Singers.Magnificats in D. Christ Church Deer Park,1570 Yonge St. www.TorontoClassicalSingers.ca/Tickets. .● Dec 07 4:30: St. James Anglican Church(Kingston). Candlelight Carol Service. St.James’ Anglican Church (Kingston), 10 UnionSt. W., Kingston. Visit www.stjameskingston.caor call 613-548-7254. Free. Donationsaccepted.J.S. BACH’SCHRISTMASORATORIOA complete performance,including dinner!Sunday, December 7Kingston Road United ChurchTickets available at amadeuschoir.comthewholenote.com November & December 2025 | 33

Volumes 26-30 (2020-2025)

Volumes 21-25 (2015-2020)

Volumes 16-20 (2010-2015)

Volumes 11-15 (2004-2010)

Volumes 6 - 10 (2000 - 2006)

Volumes 1-5 (1994-2000)