Canadian Choral Music

Canada has produced many internationally-known talents in the arts, but Canada has produced so much more than Celine Dion and William Shatner. These choral CDs, from both children's and adult ensembles, have sounds that range from "charming" to "breathtaking." In particular, Canada produces exquisite children's choirs. If you have a young singer in your life, or simply have an appreciation for the pure tones only a child's voice can create, look no further.

Chor Leoni

Since its creation in 1992 by conductor Diane Loomer, Chor Leoni has become a fixture in the upper echelons of the Canadian choral world. A combination of riveting stage presence, imaginative and eclectic programming, quality a cappella singing, and a willingness to "try anything once" has captivated audiences across Canada and guaranteed wildly enthusiastic sell-out crowds wherever the lions appear. Chor Leoni was a triple winner in the biennial 2002 CBC Radio National Competition For Amateur Choirs, winning first place honours in the Men's Category, a competition-wide prize for the Best Performance of a Canadian Work, and the first time that a male choir has won this distinction - the top prize in the Contemporary Category. The choir had previously won top honours in the Men's Category in 1994 and 2000.

Diane Loomer, one of Canada's best-known musicians, has achieved international recognition as a choral conductor, teacher, and musician. An honours graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of British Columbia's School of Music, she is founder and conductor of the prize-winning men's choir, Chor Leoni, co-founder and co-director of the outstanding Elektra Women's Choir, and taught on the music faculty at the University of British Columbia for six years. Her choral compositions have been published, performed, and recorded internationally, and she has frequently appeared on CBC national radio as a commentator on and champion of the classical arts in Canada. She is the only woman to have conducted the prestigious National Youth Choir of Canada. Recordings


The Elektra Woman's Choir

The Elektra Woman's Choir was founded by co-directors Morna Edmundson and Diane Loomer in 1987 and is now regarded as a leader in the classical women's choir movement worldwide. The choir is known for its adventurous programming, seeking out music written specifically for women and frequently commissioning new works. The singers are selected by audition and share an enthusiasm for challenging repertoire. Elektra was awarded first prize for women's choirs in four consecutive rounds of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's National Choral Competition, as well as several major prizes for performance of contemporary music. In August 1996, Elektra represented Canada at the Fourth World Symposium on Choral Music in Sydney, Australia. In March 1997, Elektra was one of the highlighted choirs at the National Convention of the American Choral Directors' Association. In July 2000, it performed in Edmonton at both "Podium," the biennial convention of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors and the ISME - International Society for Music Education's conference. Elektra is frequently heard on CBC Radio across Canada and on National Public Radio in the United States. Recordings


Calgary Girls Choir

Calgary Girls Choir is one of Canada's most dynamic and celebrated choirs. Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Elaine Quilichini, the Choir, a collection of six choral ensembles, offers exceptional choral music education and performance opportunities for girls and young women ages four to twenty-five years. Although the choirs frequently perform in public venues across Calgary, they have also brought their gift of music to many audiences throughout North America and Europe. The Artistic Director is its founder, Elaine Quilichini, recognized as one of North America's outstanding choral leaders.

Dedicated to assisting girls as they develop into young women, the Calgary Girls Choir, through its commitment to the highest standards of choral music achievement, produces young women who are confident leaders. Their skills reach far beyond musical expertise - their expression of self-confidence, sense of self-worth and scholastic achievement are demonstrable outgrowths of their choir experience.The Calgary Girls Choir inspires the hearts and minds of girls and young women to experience the world through music. This special program for singers ages four to twenty-five years, was developed by Elaine Quilichini, a master teacher who emphasizes the musical and personal growth of the individual. Today, the Calgary Girls Choir is recognized nationally and internationally, renowned for dazzling audiences with their exceptional performances. Their repertoire encompasses the full spectrum of music styles from classical, traditional folk and jazz to more extraordinary pieces from the many diverse cultures around the world. Six levels comprise the Calgary Girls Choir program, building increasingly complex musical skills in melody, rhythm, harmony, and improvisation. Recordings


Bach Childrens Choir

The Bach Children’s Chorus (also known as BCC or the Choir) is a vibrant group of 200 young people aged 6 and up who love to sing. Founded in 1987, the BCC has developed a reputation throughout Greater Toronto for the beautiful, musical sound and professional approach of its four choirs. The organization consists of three treble voice choirs and an SATB youth choir. The objective of the Choir is to develop a love of singing through enjoyable learning and performance experiences. Each of the choirs regularly participates in weekend excursions involving festivals, workshops and concerts with other children’s choirs and world-renowned clinicians and conductors.

Music director Linda Beaupré received her Bachelor of Music degree with a major in music education and concentrations in piano and voice from the State University of New York at Potsdam, and her Master of Music degree with a major in vocal performance form the University of Western Ontario. She has taught school music and school choirs in Australia and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and for several years she was a soprano with the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Torronto Mendelssohn Choir. She has been director of the Bach Children’s Chorus since she founded it in 1987. Since 1991 she has also conducted the Guelph Youth Singers, founded in that year, which includes four choirs at differing levels of training. Recordings


Amabile Choirs

The Amabile Choirs of London, Canada is a not-for-profit organization with the purpose of bringing together young singers from London and surrounding areas. This family of choirs began in 1985 with the founding of the Amabile Youth Singers and has since grown to seven choirs under the direction of eight conductors. The Junior Amabile Singers followed in 1989, and the Amabile Boys Choirs were established in 1990. The Amabile Chamber Choir, comprising of the oldest tenors and basses from the ABCs, and the oldest singers in the AYS was founded in 1993. Their mandate is to develop the musical talents of our singers and give them high calibre musical experiences while singing a wide range of repertoire. As a further endeavour, The Amabile Choirs of London, Canada will be promoting composers' works under the Amabile Choral Series with John Barron as editor. Over the years, the choirs have entertained audiences in the Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to this, they have presented renowned international talent to the London community by hosting various musical ensembles from the United States, Europe and Japan. Recordings


St. Marys Children's Choir

Founded in 1981, the St. Marys Children's Choir has become one of Canada's finest! The choir was created over two decades ago by Mrs. Baldwin and three other schoolteachers. They saw the need for a community children's choir that could offer the experience of fine choral music making, and also focus on musicianship, personal growth and the encouragement of a lifelong love of choral music. Eileen Baldwin is the Artistic Director and only remaining founder of a choir that has seen over 400 children participate, in a span of 20 years.

Ranging in age from six to twenty years, the choristers are divided into four choirs. Piccolo is a preparatory choir for children as young as six. Brio is a choir for children learning to sing in parts and read music more fluently. Presto is the senior treble choir, performing advanced-level repertoire and touring widely. In addition to choral techniques and a large repertoire, basic music theory is taught and vocal coaching is offered. These programs continue through all the treble choirs. Festival Youth Singers allows boys with changed or changing voices and girls over 16 to perform challenging SA. Recordings


Toronto Children's Chorus

Recognized as one of the world's leading choral ensembles for children, the 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 TCC 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 TCC - 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 TCC offers children unique musical, educational and social experiences through the learning and performance of fine repertoire.

Founded in 1978 by Jean Ashworth Bartle, C.M., O.Ont., the Toronto Children's Chorus has flourished over twenty-two 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 7-17 and placed by level of training in the Toronto Children's Chorus and Training Choirs I, II & III, 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. Recordings


Guelph Youth Singers

Guelph Youth Singers (GYS) has become a high profile representative of the City of Guelph in the field of choral music. Founded in 1991 as Guelph Children Singers, this organization was formed to provide children and youth with an opportunity to experience a professional level of musicianship. The four treble choirs in the organization are: Choir I, a training choir of children aged 6 and up; Choir II, a more advanced training choir of children and youth aged 9 and up; Choir III, a choir for singers who have superior singing and music reading skills, aged 11 and up; and Choir IV, an advanced ensemble for young women aged 16 and up. Weekly instruction includes vocal technique, theory and sight singing, and is augmented with workshops by guest clinicians in drama, movement and voice throughout the year. GYS performs up to five major concerts per season as well as workshop, festival, corporate, community and guest performances. Recordings



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