Main Choir is the senior division of the Toronto Children’s Chorus. Main Choir is further separated into three distinct choir levels: Cantare, Chorealis and Chamber Choir. Choristers in each level will have the opportunity to sing with other Main Choir ensembles throughout the season.
Cantare
- Auditions are held in the spring/summer. Online registration opens every February.
- Rehearsals take place twice a week on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:30 PM and Fridays from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Choristers must arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the rehearsal to complete sight-singing.
- All choristers are expected to attend a a week-long overnight camp at the end of August, ahead of the upcoming season.
- Additional mandatory workshops and rehearsals are scheduled throughout the season.
- Cantare runs from September to early May.
- Choristers will:
- Develop the skills needed to progress through the Main Choir: vocal technique, ear training, sight-singing and the RCM Theory Level 5/6.
- Expected to continue to apply their knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), while being introduced to new IPA phonemes.
- Perform in five (5) TCC concerts, represent the TCC at the GTA Senior Treble Festival, and take part in select run-out appearances and outreach events.
- Participate in the TCC’s annual SingLoo! fundraiser.
Chorealis
- Auditions are held in the spring/summer. Online registration opens every February.
- Rehearsals take place twice a week on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:30 PM and Fridays from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Choristers must arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the rehearsal to complete sight-singing.
- All choristers are expected to attend a a week-long overnight camp at the end of August, ahead of the upcoming season.
- Additional mandatory workshops and rehearsals are scheduled throughout the season.
- Chorealis runs from September to May.
- Choristers have opportunities for various leadership roles, including Apprentice Trainer and Chorealis Liaison to Chorus Council.
- Choristers will:
- Continue to develop the skills needed to progress through the Main Choir: vocal technique, ear training, sight-singing and the RCM Theory Level 7/8.
- Begin to independently apply their knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to repertoire, while learning new IPA phonemes.
- Learn choreography and movement for select songs.
- Perform in five (5) TCC concerts, co-represent the TCC at the GTA Senior Treble Festival, take part in select outreach events and perform with renowned organizations such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
- Participate in the TCC’s annual SingLoo! fundraiser.
Chamber Choir
As the TCC’s top-level ensemble, the Chamber Choir not only performs in an annual concert series and in many guest and outreach appearances, but also regularly represents Toronto both nationally and internationally. The Chamber Choir has toured extensively and performed in such revered venues as the Musikverein, Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Sydney Opera House. Recent tours include: South Africa (2013); Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania & Poland (2015); Boston & New York City (2016); Bahamas (2016); Spain (2017) to represent Canada at the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music hosted by the International Federation for Choral Music, and New Zealand & Australia (2019). In March 2021, the Chamber Choir was showcased in the American Choral Directors Association online Conference to critical acclaim.
- Auditions are held in the spring/summer. Online registration opens every February.
- Rehearsals take place twice a week on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:30 PM and Fridays from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Choristers must arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the rehearsal to complete sight-singing.
- Additional mandatory workshops and rehearsals are scheduled throughout the season.
- All choristers are expected to attend a a week-long overnight camp at the end of August, ahead of the upcoming season.
- Chamber runs from September to June (not including tours held in the summer).
- Choristers have opportunities for various leadership roles, including Apprentice Trainer, Section Leader and Head Chorister.
- Choristers will:
- Refine and hone their vocal and musical skills and develop the overall quality of the choir’s sound. Choristers are expected to practice independently and learn choreography for select songs.
- Represent the TCC on national and international tours.
- Participate in the TCC’s annual SingLoo! fundraiser.
- Perform in six (6) TCC concerts and take part in select media and outreach events.
- Perform at various guest appearances, including with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Opera Atelier and Tafelmusik.