The Choirs

The Toronto Children’s Chorus consists of six choirs: five Training Choirs and the Main Choir which comprises the Choral Scholars, A Cappella Choir, the Chamber Choir, and Cantare.

The Training Choirs

While the Chorus has five training choirs, there are four levels within the Training Choir programme:

  • Preparatory
  • Training Choir I
  • Training Choir II
  • Training Choir III

The fifth choir, the West End Training Choir (WETC), encompasses both the Training Choir I (“WETC 1st Year”) and the Training Choir II (“WETC 2nd Year”) curriculum.

These five choirs provide a program of sequentially developed skills which prepare choristers for admission into the Main Choir. The Artistic Director and Associate Conductors determine the appropriate placement of each chorister through auditions held each spring.

The Training Choirs perform in the annual Christmas and Spring concerts together with the Main Choir, present their own Training Choir concerts each term, and participate in all fundraising activities. The Training Choirs occasionally have other opportunities to perform and will join the Main Choir for seasonal concerts and special events. Choristers in Training Choir II, III, and the 2nd-year choristers in West End Training Choir go on a weekend overnight camp in the fall, while Prep, TCI and the 1st-year choristers in West End Training Choir will join together for a one-day workshop.

The Main Choir

The Main Choir is the highest level choir and is the main performing choir of the organization. The choristers in the Main Choir present their own annual concert series, perform with the Training Choirs in the winter and spring concerts, travel, record, host visiting choirs, and are active ambassadors of Toronto in local, national and international communities. They perform as guest artists with professional groups and sing at special events, including charitable fundraisers and high-level media events.

The Main Choir has approximately 125 choristers.

The Main Choir is made up of several levels, designed to help choristers acquire the skills necessary for high-level performances:

  • Cantare
  • Chorale
  • Chamber
  • Choral Scholars

Choristers who join the Main Choir start as part of Cantare (40-50 choristers), the freshman level of Main Choir. As choristers develop their musical and social skills, they progress to the other levels – Chorale (35-40 choristers) and Chamber (20-30 choristers) – where they will learn more challenging repertoire, have the opportunity to go on tour, and perform as guest artists with professional groups. The highest level of Main Choir choristers are part of a small group (15 – 20) called the Choral Scholars who take on very challenging pieces. Main Choir choristers who show dedication to their art and to the choir are invited to take on leadership opportunities, such as Head Chorister or Deputy Head Chorister.

Music Camp

All Main Choir choristers are required to attend a week-long music camp held the last week of August. This is an important time for the Main Choir to learn the repertoire for the season, begin to work on their musicianship (vocal technique, theory, ear training, sight-singing), and to bond with each other. Many Chorus alumni tell us that camp is their favourite memory of their time as choristers.

Graduating to the Main Choir

It is the goal of the training choir program (its raison d’etre) to prepare choristers for admission into the Main Choir. The Artistic Director and Associate Conductors determine the appropriate placement of each chorister through auditions held each spring. The conductors invite choristers who have developed socially and musically to become part of the Main Choir.

Main Choir is a big commitment on the part of the child and the parents – Main Choir is the only choir that rehearses twice a week; all Main Choir choristers are required to attend a week-long Music Camp; Main Choir choristers are expected to not only attend all workshops, dress rehearsals, and concerts, but also recording sessions and extra rehearsals for guest appearances. Choristers need to be able to handle this level of responsibility and have the musical skills necessary before they are invited to be part of Main Choir.

Roles in the Chorus

The Toronto Children’s Chorus is committed to developing the leadership and social skills of all choristers. Once choristers have reached the Main Choir, there are several leadership opportunities to further develop their character and independence.

Apprentice Trainers – selected for their leadership skills and musicianship; they shepherd apprentices (graduates who come from Training Choir II) and senior apprentices (graduates who come from Training Choir III).

Section Leaders – chosen for their sense of responsibility, leadership qualities, and care of music; section leaders are responsible for rehearsal set-up, rehearsal strike, refreshments coordination, uniforms assistance, and schedule assistants.

Deputy and Head Choristers – Section Leaders who have shown exceptional leadership qualities and have made an outstanding contribution to the Chorus. Duties include representing the Chorus publicly, including speaking at events and meeting guests/VIPs as required; leading the organization and execution of yearbook production, special event decoration, caroling, chorister-led fundraising; acting as Music Leaders for their sections within the choir, and organizing social events during the year.