Toronto Children's Chorus
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Founded in 1978 by Jean Ashworth Bartle(who is retiring in 07-08 season and will be replaced) , C.M., O.Ont., the Toronto Children's Chorus has flourished twenty-nine years and has become one of the world's premiere choral ensembles for children, whose exceptional artistry inspires audiences, critics and children's choirs everywhere. Over 300 Toronto-area voices, ages 6-17 and placed by level of training in the Toronto Children's Chorus and Preparatory Choir, Training Choirs I, II & III and the recently created West End Training Choir, learn to sing each year with heart, mind and one shared aspiration: choral excellence. Offering its children unique musical, educational and life-enhancing experiences through the finest repertoire - especially Canadian works and world premiere commissions, the Toronto Children's Chorus stands at the threshold of the new millennium as an international role model in the children's choir movement and celebrates a rich tradition of touring, recording and award-winning performances.
Recognized as one of the world's leading choral ensembles for children, the Toronto Children's Chorus performs with an artistry that inspires audiences and critics alike. Providing life-enhancing experiences through the study and performance of the choral art, The Toronto Children's Chorus stands as a model in the international children's choir movement. Over 300 Toronto-area children, aged 7-17, perform with the choir annually. There are five choir levels in the Toronto Children's Chorus - Preparatory, Training Choirs I, II, and III and the main choir. Up to 65 children with superior vocal and musical skills are accepted each year to the choir's touring and recording ensemble, the Chamber Choir. The Toronto Children's Chorus offers children unique musical, educational and social experiences through the learning and performance of fine repertoire
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[edit] International
The young Toronto Children's Chorus first walked onto the international stage in 1982, winning the coveted first prize at the International Eisteddfod in Wales. Other accolades were to follow, including first place in the prestigious Let the Peoples Sing Competition in 1993. Over the course of its history, the Toronto Children's Chorus has performed throughout the world, including triumphant debuts at Carnegie Hall (1994), the Kennedy Center (1995), and Royal Albert Hall (2002). The Chorus was also honoured to serve as Artist-in-Residence for international children's choir festivals in Tuscany, Italy (1995) and Sydney, Australia (1999). Tours to Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Finland, South Africa, and at home in North America have brought the children's music to the world--and the music of the world to the children.
In July 2003, the Toronto Children's Chorus participated with choirs from Romania and Estonia at Newfoundland's Festival 500. In 2004, the Toronto Chidlren's Chorus choirs were joined by a large alumni choir, guest conductors Sir Andrew Davis, Sir David Willcocks, and numerous special guest artists, including Stuart Laughton, trumpet, Russel Hartenberger, percussion, Ben Heppner, tenor, Catherine Robbin, mezzo-soprano and members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in a Great Gala, 25th Anniversary Concert held in Roy Thomson Hall. Another highlight in spring 2004 was the invitation for the TCC to go to Birmingham at the request of Sir Simon Rattle, to perform in a recorded performance by EMI of the Mahler 8th Symphony.
[edit] Head Choristers
- 2006 - 2007 Joe Osborne, Julia Raffaghello, Claire Renouf, Lauren Saunders
- 2005 - 2006 Mabel Fulford (left in March 2006), Kyrie Vala-Webb, Alexandra Rolland
- 2004 - 2005 Shannon Chun, Cassandra Luftspring, Alexandra Rolland
- 2003 - 2004 Rena Ashton, Alexandra Mealia, Hannah Renglich, Kate Van Buskirk, Laura Cameron, Michael Saunders
- 2002 - 2003 Laura Cameron, Michael Saunders
- 2001 - 2002 Aleha Aziz, Katie Mann, Emily Shepard, Heather Hurst
- 2000 - 2001 Heather Hurst, Gabi Epstein (replaced by Jenny Morgan)
- 1999 - 2000 Laura Kishimoto
- 1998 - 1999 Lauren Simmons, Vanessa Wiley-Anderson, Christina Chabot, Naomi Shin
- 1997 - 1998 Valerie Kostyniuk, Katie Wylde, Naomi Shin
- 1996 - 1997 Naomi Shin, Alessandra Nosko
- 1995 - 1996 David Stewart, Alessandra Nosko
- 1994 - 1995 Fiona Shand, Giles Tomkins
- 1993 - 1994
- 1992 - 1993
- 1991 - 1992
- 1990 - 1991 Gillian Howard
- 1989 - 1990 Sharon Berger
- 1988 - 1989
- 1987 - 1988
- 1986 - 1987
- 1985 - 1986 Loriann Simpson
- 1984 - 1985 Darleen Hubley
- 1983 - 1984 Maureen Price
If a name is in bold, that means that the chorister was Head Chorister Emerita or Head Chorister Emeritus.
[edit] Guest conductors
The Toronto Children's Chorus' vast repertoire embraces diverse cultures and traditions and covers an extensive range of musical genres - from sacred Renaissance works to challenging contemporary pieces. In fulfilling its mandate to celebrate the composers of its own country, the TCC has commissioned many new Canadian works that have greatly enriched the treble voice repertoire. The choir has also performed with such internationally known conductors as Sir Andrew Davis, Charles Dutoit, Michael Lankester, Sir Simon Rattle, Helmuth Rilling, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Bramwell Tovey, Bob Chilcott and Sir David Willcocks, who is featured as guest conductor on the choir's CD, A Song for All Seasons released by Marquis Classics. The choir can also be heard on a dozen compact discs and performs frequently on radio and television.
