Founded in 1978 by Jean Ashworth Bartle,C.M. , O.Ont., the Toronto Children's Chorus has existed for thirty years and is established as one of the world's premiere choral ensembles for children, whose artistry has inspired audiences, critics and children's choirs everywhere. Over 300 Toronto-area voices (ages 6–17) learn to sing each year with heart and mind. Offering its children unique musical and educational experiences through the musical repertoire - especially Canadian works and world premiere commissions - the Toronto Children's Chorus stands as an international role model in the children's choir movement. It has a long history of touring, recording and live performances. Pianist and composer Ruth Watson Henderson served as the ensemble's accompanist from its inception until 2007.
The choir first walked onto the international stage in 1982, winning first prize at the International Eisteddfod in Wales. Other awards followed, including first place in the prestigious Let the Peoples Sing Competition in 1993 and numerous 1st places in the CBC choral competition.
Over the course of its history, the Toronto Children's Chorus has performed throughout the world, including debuts at Carnegie Hall (1994), the Kennedy Center (1995), the Kimmel Center (2002), Royal Albert Hall (2002), Sydney Opera House (1999), Salzburg Cathedral (2006) and the Stephansdom (2006). 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).
In July 2003, the TCC participated with choirs from Romania and Estonia at Newfoundland's Festival 500. In 2004, the TCC 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 Hepner, 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 of the Mahler 8th Symphony.
The choir's vast repertoire embraces diverse cultures and traditions and covers an extensive range of musical genres. This includes sacred Renaissance works to challenging contemporary pieces. In fulfilling its mandate to celebrate the composers of its own country, Canada, the TCC has commissioned many new Canadian works that have greatly influenced the treble voice repertoire.
The choir has also performed with many internationally known conductors such as Sir Andrew Davis, Charles Dutoit, Michael Lankester, Sir Simon Rattle, Helmuth Rilling, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Bramwell Tovey, and Sir David Willcocks, who is featured as guest conductor on one of the choir's CDs, A Song for All Seasons recently released by Marquis Classics. The choir can also be heard on a dozen compact discs and performs frequently on radio and television.
In August 2007, Elise Bradley, a New Zealand conductor and teacher previously based in Auckland, became the new Artistic Director of the organization. Bradley is a former director of the Westlake Girls High School choir "Key Cygnetures" and the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir.
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The TCC consists of 6 main groups: Preparatory Choir, Training Choir I, II and III, the West End Choir, and the Toronto Children's Chorus (main choir). Children as young as 5 or 6 can audition for the youngest choir, then begin moving up in the training choir levels until they reach the main choir. In the main choir, there are also several subgroups, including the Cantare and Chorale ensembles. Within Cantare is Apprentice, Senior Apprentice, and main Cantare. Within the Chorale choir are main Chorale, Chamber (the touring choir), and the Choral Scholars.