Volume 17 Issue 8 - May 2012

different to concert-goers and singers alike.The choir has a four-concert season, plus occasionalguest performances, including collaborationsoutside the Toronto area. Under theenergetic leadership of Robert Cooper, repertoireis both sacred and secular, from a cappellato full orchestral accompaniment, and includesmany new or less well-known works. The choiralso provides opportunities for young singers togain experience as soloists through its SidgwickScholarship positions. Rehearsals are Tuesdayevenings at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church.Admission is by audition in May/June and periodicallythroughout the year.Helen Coxon, 416-420-9660orpheuschoir@sympatico.cawww.orpheuschoirtoronto.com●●Oxford ChurchmusicAfter 23 programs in 18 years, OxfordChurchmusic has become the ultimate summerchoral experience in Europe. We offer a twoweeksinging vacation in Oxford for adults ofvarying vocal abilities who sing, or have sung,in an amateur choir.We sing weekday mornings, 9am–noon, inBalliol College Chapel, covering choral musicfrom Gregorian chant to gospel. Three conductorswork with participants daily and our stayconcludes with a farewell concert in the historicchurch of St. Michael-at-the-North-Gate. Contactus for details of this year’s program, September 6to 20. Cost: $2500 (single) or $2000 (per personin a twin room). Flight not included.Tim or Mary Elia416-961-6136oxfordchurchmusic@rogers.comwww.oxfordchurchmusic.ca●●Pax Christi ChoraleEntering its 26th season, Pax Christi Chorale isa 90-voice auditioned oratorio choir attractingsingers from across the GTA. Artistic directorStephanie Martin is known for programminggreat works on the fringe of popularity, revivingmasterpieces ignored or forgotten by themainstream of choral practitioners. Concertsfeature outstanding soloists and orchestra.Our 2012/13 season includes great works by Bach,Rheinberger, Willan and Handel. Paid positionsexist for choral scholars. Rehearsals take placeMonday nights at Yonge and Sheppard, with auditionsin May and September.Jennifer Collins, general managerjennifer.collins@paxchristichorale.orgDaniel Norman, assistantconductor/auditionsdaniel.norman@paxchristichorale.orgwww.paxchristichorale.org●●Pax Christi Youth ChoirPax Christi Youth Choir is the only opportunityin Toronto for young people to sing choralmasterworks with orchestra and be mentoredby an experienced adult choir in addition to performingtheir own chamber works in concert.Singers aged 12–21 receive a rich choral educationand rewarding performance opportunitiesboth with Pax Christi Chorale and in informalperformances of repertoire that draws fromthe best of classical and contemporary musicaltraditions. Rehearsals take place MondayAUDITION THE CHOIRThinking about joining? Visit thewholenote.com/canarynights at Yonge and Sheppard, with auditionsin May and September. All young people are welcomedto grow musically with us in a supportiveatmosphere.Jennifer Collins, general managerjennifer.collins@paxchristichorale.orgwww.paxchristichorale.org●●Penthelia SingersPenthelia Singers is a vibrant ensemble ofwomen performing culturally diverse andmusically sophisticated choral repertoire.Led by artistic director Alice Malach, the choiris committed to musical excellence and concertsof professional quality. Penthelia Singersstrives to connect with its audience throughinnovative and accessible programming presentedin a variety of venues. In addition to givingtwo major concerts per season, PentheliaSingers performs in collaboration with otherchoirs, at festivals and at community events.Rehearsals are at Rosedale Presbyterian Church,Wednesdays 7:30pm–9:30pm. Membership inthis welcoming group is by audition in June,August and January.Alice Malach416-579-7464alice_malach@hotmail.comwww.penthelia.com●●Peterborough SingersThe Peterborough Singers, under the energeticand creative leadership of founder and musicdirector Syd Birrell, is an auditioned 100-voicechoir of all ages. The annual five-concert seasonincludes a diverse musical repertoire, from classicsby Handel and Bach to commissioned worksby Canadian composers, and regularly featuresemerging solo artists. This award-winning grouphas a reputation for surprising, delighting andchallenging its audiences. The year (2012/13) willbe the Peterborough Singers’ 20th anniversaryseason. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:30pm–9:30pm at Murray St. Baptist Church, 175 MurraySt., Peterborough.Peg McCracken, office contact705-745-1820singers@peterboroughsingers.comwww.peterboroughsingers.com●●Queensmen of TorontoMale ChorusThe Queensmen of Toronto Male Chorus is adynamic community chorus and musicallyrelevant group in Etobicoke and Mississauga.The music is contemporary and fun. We are inneed of more singers, especially tenors, andmeet Tuesday evenings at 7pm from Septemberthrough May. Join us at our weekly rehearsalsand experience teaching by our outstandingmusical director and enjoy our special camaraderie.You will also appreciate our outreachprogram with schools, encouraging musical developmentfor young students.416-234-0951 or 905-876-1477www.queensmen.net●●Rainbow ChorusRainbow Chorus, the Waterloo-Wellington chorusof gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenderedindividuals and friends, is a vibrant non-auditionedchorus of 40 adult singers who performthe choral arts with a diverse repertoire.Our 2012 spring concert, “The Rainbow ChorusPictures Show,” features songs from the movies.Performances will be in Guelph at HarcourtUnited Church, May 26 at 8pm, and in Waterlooat Knox Presbyterian Church, June 3 at 2pm.Winter concerts will be held January 19 and 27,2013. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays 7:30pm–9:30pm at Guelph Youth Music Centre, 25Cardigan St., Guelph.Sue Seniorsue.rcww@gmail.comwww.rainbowchorus.ca●●Renaissance SingersThe Renaissance Singers was founded in 1972 inKitchener-Waterloo. Currently under the directionof Gordon Burnett, the choir is an auditioned30-voice choir whose early reputationwas based on its polished performance of renaissancea cappella literature. Today, the choir singsmusic from the masters of all centuries. ThePax Christi Youth ChoirtheWholeNote CHOIR LISTINGS | 2012-2013