Volume 17 Issue 8 - May 2012

Canary PagestheWholeNote CHOIR LISTINGS | 2012-2013●●Cantemus SingersCantemus Singers, conducted by MichaelErdman, perform mainly renaissance and earlybaroque repertoire. Our 16-voice group givesequal time to religious and secular compositionsof the period in a variety of languages.We present three programs a year, in March,June and late November. Although we are primarilyan a cappella ensemble, we occasionallyjoin forces with ensembles/players of periodinstruments. Our choristers are a mix of enthusiastic,well-trained amateurs and semi-professionals,all sharing a common interest inearly music. Rehearsals are Wednesday eveningsthrough the season at Morningside-HighPark Presbyterian Church in the west end.Membership is by audition.Michael Erdman, conductor416-578-6602cantemus.ca@gmail.comwww.cantemus.ca●●Cantores CelestesCantores Celestes is an auditioned women’schoir celebrating its 24th season. Perform withthe best instrumental musicians in Toronto!Repertoire includes medieval, baroque, romantic,classical-contemporary, Celtic, gospel, bluegrassand Eastern European music. The choirhas released six CDs, has performed live on CBCRadio, has donated over $30,000 to charitiesand was featured in three films. It has touredNew Brunswick and Ontario and attended theColours of Music Festival, Festival 500 and theToronto Vocal Arts Festival. Season concerts includeJune 2, 2012; December 1, 2012; and April 20,2013, as well as a tour to Manitoba. Auditions areheld in May, June and August.Kelly Galbraith, director416-236-1522kelly.galbraith@sympatico.cawww.cantorescelestes.com●●Caribbean Chorale of TorontoThe Caribbean Chorale of Toronto, a registerednon-profit group established in 1993, has a membershipof 40, representing several Caribbeanislands. Our repertoire covers the range ofmusical styles. We have performed at a numberof venues in the GTA, including benefitsfor charitable organizations and fundraisingevents. We sponsor the Caribbean Children’sFoundation and the Sickle Cell Association ofOntario, as well as the Rosetta Batson Bursarywhich assists students of Caribbean descent inpursuing tertiary education.The chorale welcomes new members as well assponsors of its work and ministry.caribbeanchorale@yahoo.ca●●Cathedral Church of St. JamesThe Cathedral Church of St. James is hometo two choirs which enhance weekly worship.The Parish Choir, a group of volunteers assistedby four section leads, sings at the 9am SungEucharist and rehearses Thursday evenings from7pm–8pm and at 8:30am on Sundays prior to theservice. A children’s choir also sings occasionallyat the 9am Sung Eucharist. It rehearses Thursdayevenings from 6pm–6:45pm. Singers interestedin volunteering in either choir are invited tocontact Andrew Adair. The Cathedral Choir isa professional ensemble that sings at the 11amSung Eucharist and 4:30pm Choral Evensongevery Sunday to a high standard.Andrew Adair, interim director of musicadair@stjamescathedral.on.cawww.stjamescathedral.on.ca●●Celebration ChoirAre you a senior looking for a fun, energetic andeclectic choir? The Celebration Choir is one youshould consider! Founded in 2007 within theToronto Singing Studio and directed by LindaEyman, this choir of over 50 voices featuressongs to suit every musical taste. Repertoirespans popular to classical to folk, with appealingmusical arrangements. The CelebrationChoir rehearses from September through Mayon Thursday afternoons, 2pm–4pm, in the gymnasiumat Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, 427Bloor St. W. Two formal concerts are presentedeach season along with community outreachconcerts when possible. Rehearsals are very sociableand no audition is necessary. A seasonmembership is paid.Linda Eyman, music director416-455-9238linda@thetorontosingingstudio.cawww.thetorontosingingstudio.ca●●Cellar SingersThe Cellar Singers perform exceptional choralmusic throughout Simcoe County and theMuskoka district. The Singers share their passionwith enthusiastic audiences and exemplifythe tradition and mastery of choral music intheir yearly concert series.Albert Greer will retire from conducting thechoir in May 2012 after providing outstandingartistic leadership for the past 38 years. TheCellar Singers welcome Mitchell Pady, who picksup the baton in September 2012. Mitchell willbe conducting auditions and is developing theprogram for the coming season. Everyone eagerlyanticipates the new relationship and the ongoingenjoyment of making music together!noble8280@rogers.comwww.thecellarsingers.com●●Choirs Ontarioand the Ontario Youth ChoirChoirs Ontario is a not-for-profit arts service organizationdedicated to the support, promotionand celebration of choral music throughoutOntario. Membership benefits include free concertlistings and borrowing privileges from ourextensive choral library as well as reduced ratesfor workshops and VOCAL, our choir camp foradult choristers.Our key program, the Ontario Youth Choir,provides a unique opportunity for 40 talentedyoung singers from across Ontario to participatein OYC’s exceptional choral experience. Thechoristers are challenged with the finest choralrepertoire while enjoying an exciting programof performances, rehearsals, masterclasses andvoice lessons.416-923-1144 or 866-935-1144info@choirsontario.orgwww.choirsontario.org●●Choralairs ChoirFounded in 1962, the Choralairs Choir performsmonthly for seniors’ residences in the GTA. TheChoralairs is a non-profit, 40-member, four-partchoir of adults who sing a variety of popularsongs, Broadway show tunes and folk songs, ledby our experienced music director Judith Ross.No auditions are required, just a love of singing.Rehearsals take place every Tuesday eveningfrom 7:15pm–9:45pm at Earl Bales CommunityCentre, 4169 Bathurst St., south of Sheppard Ave.We also present an annual Sunday afternoonconcert for the community at Earl Bales Park(this year on Sunday, June 3 at 1:30pm).Martha905-884-8370Sally416-636-8247sallyl@sympatico.cawww.thechoralairs.com●●Chorus NiagaraChorus Niagara’s mission is to entertain, inspireand educate through the performance offine choral music. As Niagara Region’s premiersymphonic chorus, Chorus Niagara performsboth the beloved as well as seldom heard choralmasterpieces, provides a showcase for emergingCanadian talent and attracts singers of allages through its Children’s Choir and Side bySide High School Chorale. Chorus Niagara celebratesits 50th Anniversary in the 2012/13 season!Concerts include “Best of Broadway,” Handel’sMessiah, the premiere of a new Canadian compositioncommemorating the War of 1812, “AMighty Cry” and Verdi’s Requiem, all under thedirection of Robert Cooper.Diana McAdorey, managing director905-934-5575Pam Gilmore, auditions905-357-1616Lyn Hibbitt, Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir905-945-2049cnadmin@becon.orgwww.chorusniagara.ca●●Choir of Christ Church Deer ParkChoir of Christ Church Deer Park is an auditionedmixed-voice choir that rehearsesThursday evenings and sings on Sunday morningsand special occasions from Septemberthrough June. Repertoire is medieval through21st century.The Christ Church Summer Singers is a non-auditionedmixed-voice choir that rehearses andsings on Sunday mornings through July andAugust. If you would like to join us, please contactour music director.Eric N. Robertson, organistand director of music416-920-5211 x25erobertson@thereslifehere.orgwww.christchurchdeerpark.org● ● Concert Opera GroupThis ensemble was formed to bring operas andopera excerpts to a wider public, in concertformat, and to help emerging and establishedprofessional singers develop new repertoire inperformance. Some of the performance proceedsare used to further the training of suchsingers at the Centre for Opera in Sulmona,Italy (C.O.S.I.). This is a Canadian-based programin which advanced singers learn the Italian