Volume 21 Issue 8 - May 2016

CANARY PAGES
theWholeNote 2016/17 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY
● DaCapo Chamber Choir
The 24-voice DaCapo Chamber Choir was
founded in 1998 in Kitchener-Waterloo under
the direction of Leonard Enns. The mission
of the choir is to identify, study, rehearse and
present outstanding choral chamber works
of the past 100 years and to champion music
of Canadian and local composers. In 2010,
DaCapo received Choral Canada’s National
Choral Recording of the Year award for
ShadowLand; in 2011 it received first and
second prizes in the National Competition for
Canadian Amateur Choirs. DaCapo also annually
offers NewWorks, a national choral composition
competition. Our 2016/17 “O, Canada!”
season will feature guests Lottie Enns Braun
(organ) and Allen Harrington (saxophone) in
November and pianist Catherine Robertson
and violinist TBC in March. Like us on Facebook
or follow us on Twitter @DaCapoChoir!
SARA MARTIN, manager
519-725-7549
info@dacapochamberchoir.ca
www.dacapochamberchoir.ca
● DCAT Chorus
The DCAT Chorus, under the direction
of Wyatt Gill, is an amateur vocal ensemble
of more than 40 men and women singing a
cappella in six- and eight-part harmony. Our
repertoire ranges from Broadway to folk, pop
to traditional, patriotic to devotional. Music is
performed with showmanship and a passion
for entertaining. We perform without music
books, no programmed accompaniments to tie
us down and no set musical forms. We sometimes
use live brass, percussion, choreography
or dance elements. We rehearse Wednesday
evenings from 7:30pm to 10pm at the Estonian
House, 958 Broadview Ave. in Toronto. We are
currently accepting new members and you are
welcome to join us.
JOHN FOX, business manager
905-853-9214
SANDY HALE, membership director
416-286-5191
WYATT GILL
905-683-2790
wyattgill@rogers.com
www.dcatchorus.ca
● Durham Girls’ Choir
The Durham Girls’ Choir, based in Courtice,
Ontario, welcomes girls from all over Durham
region. Consisting of two choirs, the non-auditioned
junior choir (ages 7-11) and the auditioned
senior choir (ages 11-18), this dynamic
and active touring choir performs several times
a year, including two in-house concerts. In the
summer of 2016, the choir is participating in a
performance tour to Greece and Italy for 12 days.
Notable recent performances include singing
with Liona Boyd, The Tenors, Durham Turf
Dogs and The Oshawa Generals. In addition to
weekly practices, the choir makes a point of having
a lot of fun! A fall weekend camp, two fun afternoon
workshops, plus social events like movie afternoons
and bowling bring choristers together and are
always enjoyed by all. We are always looking for new
members, and we’d love to see you!
LAURIE STAPLEY
info@durhamgirlschoir.org
www.durhamgirlschoir.org
● East York Barbershoppers
We are a 40+ man chapter of the Barbershop
Harmony Society that sings close four-part a cappella
harmony in the barbershop style. We compete, as a
chorus and in quartets, in provincial and international
competitions. But it’s not all about competition. We
sing to support Harmonize for Speech (visit www.
harmonize4speech.org) and other charities, shows
and community events. But, most of all, we sing for
the fun of it! We’re looking to grow! If you enjoy
singing, drop by and visit us at any Tuesday night
rehearsal. You don’t need to know what part you sing,
how to read music, or have choral experience. Or
come and see us at one of our shows. They’re listed
on our “Events” page on our website, at www.eybs.ca
BARRY TRIPP
416-410-CHAT (2428)
info@eybs.ca
www.eybs.ca
● Eastminster United Church Choir
Directed by Hilary Seraph Donaldson and Scott
Pietrangelo, the choir of Eastminster United Church
is a 30-voice SATB ensemble with a lively mix of
amateur singers and professional soloist/section
leaders. Our main focus is singing during Sunday
and special services; we also perform at fundraising
events and theatrical performances such as the Brickworks
outdoor Christmas plays or at Riverdale Share.
Our repertoire includes classical, gospel, global music
and rock/pop. The choir has also presented Canadian
premieres of new music and original compositions.
Come sing in an accepting and friendly atmosphere.
Rehearsals are Thursday evenings 7:30pm to 9:30pm,
310 Danforth Ave., near Chester subway station. For
more info, find Eastminster United Church on Facebook
or check out our YouTube channel.
HILARY SERAPH DONALDSON
416-463-2179
music.eastminster@bellnet.ca
www.eastminsteruc.org/euc-choirs
● ECHO Women’s Choir
Celebrating its 25th year, ECHO is an 80-voice
community choir open to women from all walks of
life. ECHO sings each Tuesday night at the Church of
the Holy Trinity (beside the Eaton Centre), performs
at city-wide grassroots events and holds December
and May concerts. ECHO, a non-auditioned choir
co-led by Becca Whitla and Alan Gasser, aims
to build a strong, varied and vibrant culture and
community through song. Repertoire includes music
from village singing traditions around the world and
newly-commissioned music. ECHO aims to keep
membership fees and concert tickets accessible to
all. While membership is open, there is a six-month
waiting list. Spring Concert 2016: “Songs of Hope &
Resistance” May 1, 3pm at Holy Trinity, with special
guest Ewelina Ferenc.
ALAN GASSER
416-779-5554
info.echo@gmail.com
www.echowomenschoir.ca
● Eglinton St. George’s
United Church Choir
Our 45-voice choir meets Thursday evenings and
Sunday mornings for worship, preparing music
ranging from renaissance to jazz and from chant to
oratorio. Past performances have featured the brilliant
Mark Hayes Requiem, Rutter’s Gloria, Whitbourn’s
Requiem Canticorum, Ruth Watson Henderson’s
Darkness to Light, Primadonna Choralis, and more.
Outreach and benefit concerts are regular fare. We
have worked with artists such as the Trillium Brass,
Brian Barlow, Mary Lou Fallis, Peter Tiefenbach and
the Woodstock Fanshawe Singers. We are delighted
to have eight paid leads. As well, we are excited about
the start of our new youth choir Vox, a community
choir lead by Emily Taub, a member of the artistic
team with the Hamilton Children’s Choir.
SHAWN GRENKE
416-481-1141
shawn@esgunited.org
www.esgunited.org
● Elmer Iseler Singers
Elmer Iseler Singers is a 20-voice professional
chamber choir based in Toronto and founded in
1979 by Dr. Elmer Iseler. Directed by the acclaimed
Lydia Adams, the Singers are known for tonal beauty
and interpretive range, and valued for their contributions
to masterclasses and workshops by schools and
community choirs. The unique “Get Music! Educational
Outreach Initiative” mentors conductors, music
educators and students. In salute to the Canadian
composer, EIS has recorded 12 CDs in ten years with
Lydia Adams, one of 50 Canadian Music Centre
ambassadors! Annual auditions are in May/June.
Weekly rehearsals, a Toronto concert series, touring
and recording put the Elmer Iseler Singers among
Canada’s illustrious choral ensembles.
JESSIE ISELER, general manager
416-217-0537
info@elmeriselersingers.com
www.elmeriselersingers.com
● Etobicoke Centennial Choir
The Etobicoke Centennial Choir proudly celebrates
its 50th anniversary season in 2016/17! Under music
director Henry Renglich, ECC provides a diverse,
high-calibre choral music experience for singers
and audiences. Our season of celebration begins
December 13 with “Sacred Traditions,” including
Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols and music of
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