The Toronto Children’s Chorus embraces diverse cultures and traditions and covers an extensive range of musical genres. Choristers learn music written in a number of languages throughout each season, including songs in French, English, Hebrew, Spanish and more. Training Choirs focus on choral pieces that are accessible to young children and drawn from sacred music, folk traditions and children’s choral repertoire often written specifically for the Toronto Children’s Chorus by Canadian composers. Main Choir repertoire represents a wide diversity of world music, sacred music, folk, spirituals, jazz and iconic choral pieces from the Western classical canon. 

Tuition can be paid in three installments at the time of registration. We offer bursaries of up to half of tuition costs to applicants with demonstrated financial need. A bursary application form must be submitted in order for your child to be considered and will be made available to those who are offered a place in the choir.

Yes! The TCC holds auditions in early September for children aged six to 12. Unfortunately, we do not offer fall auditions to young people aged 13 to 16 because of early season commitments that choristers in our Main Choir (the senior part of our core program) must attend.

1. Each child is invited to sing ONE piece of their own choosing for the conductors. It could be a favourite song learned at school or a well-known piece such as the Canadian national anthem or ‘Happy Birthday’.  We recommend avoiding pop songs or copying interpretations by popular artists. Your child should select a piece that best displays the quality of their voice.
2. The audition may also include: singing back several intervals as played on the keyboard, reading a brief section from an age-appropriate book and other exercises.
3. We invite children to bring their instruments and play a short piece for the conductors as part of their audition. Bringing an instrument is totally optional. If the child wishes to play the piano, there will be one available in the audition room.

Complete the online audition registration form during the specified times of the season. Typically, spring registration opens in mid-February and fall registration opens in the summer. The TCC does not accept audition appointments over the phone or by email.

Auditions occur in May for ages 6 to 16. Auditions for children aged 6 to 12 also occur in early September.

There are no discounts for siblings participating in the TCC. However, you can pay your fees in three installments at the time of registration.

Program fees are comparable to competitive sports and dance programs. More information about tuition fees is available during the auditions process.

Our season runs from September to May. The most senior choirs (mainly Chorale and Youth Choir) may have performance commitments in June and may have a summer touring schedule.

The number of concert performances each year will depend on the season schedule for your child’s choir. Typically, there are about six season concerts. However, not all choirs perform at all season concerts. In addition, our choirs perform community concerts and special appearances with other arts organizations in Toronto.

Please note that the following information is within the context of a “normal” operating season. Information about our upcoming season is forthcoming.

Rehearsals are held at Calvin Presbyterian Church (26 Delisle Avenue) and at Christ Church Deer Park (1570 Yonge Street) in the Yonge and St. Clair neighbourhood. The location and time of rehearsals depends on the ensemble your child is enrolled in. Regular rehearsal hours are scheduled after school.

Below is a breakdown of approximate weekly preparation and rehearsal time commitments for each choir. Please note that more rehearsal time may be booked to prepare for an upcoming performance; this will be communicated to choristers and parents well in advance.

• Training Choirs (includes Preparatory Choir): 1-3 hours per week, once a week
• Main Choir: 3-5 hours per week, twice a week

Core choirs average in size between 30-50 children. KinderNotes can welcome a maximum of 15 singers. Youth Choir comprises about 60 singers.

No, we are an education program and welcome children who show the basic skill and interest in participating in our choirs. Children are placed in the ensemble most suited to their age and skill level, as determined by the conductors assessing the audition. Our graduated system of choirs ensures there is a suitable placement for children at different levels.

Young people between the ages of six and 16 are invited to audition for TCC’s core program.

The TCC offers a KinderNotes program (no audition required!) for kids three to six.

Young people between the ages of 16 and 30 can also audition to sing in our Youth Choir!

KinderNotes fees are generally paid in a single payment. You may contact our office if you would like to discuss alternative monthly payment arrangements. No financial assistance is available for KinderNotes fees.

You may register your child for KinderNotes on our website’s Registration Page during our registration period, typically open from June to September. Registration is limited to 10 children per class. Please note we do not accept registration over the phone or by email.

The TCC season begins in September and runs until the spring. Parents may enrol their children in the second half of our season, starting January, if spots are available.

Each class is 45 minutes long.

Each session is once a week for 45 minutes. Classes are divided by ages 3-4 and 5-6.

• Midtown classes are located at Calvin Presbyterian Church (26 Delisle Avenue).
• North York classes are located at Lansing United Church (49 Bogert Avenue).

KinderNotes is primarily a music education program. Children in KinderNotes 2 have the opportunity to perform in the Toronto Children’s Chorus’ final season concert towards the end of the season.

There is no audition required for admittance into KinderNotes.

Children in the KinderNotes program do not need to have had any previous musical experience. Classes incorporate singing, movement, music reading, rhythmic skill development, listening games and more to develop their musical skills.

KinderNotes is the Toronto Children’s Chorus’ introductory music education program, for Junior and Senior Kindergarten aged children. To join KinderNotes 1, children must be turning 4 by December 2020. To join KinderNotes 2, children must be turning 5 by December 2020.

The TYC consists of youth and young adults ages 18 to 30. If you are a soprano or an alto, you must be at least 18 years of age to join. If you are a tenor or a bass, you must be 14 years or older.

As a part of the Toronto Children’s Chorus, a charitable organization, the TYC has exclusive access to many special workshops and experts through the organization’s larger program. All choristers across the Chorus participate in an annual fundraising campaign called Sing Loo! to support our world-renowned program. TYC choristers are part of this campaign and are expected to individually fundraise for the Chorus every fall. Funds from this campaign benefit every singer at the Chorus.

The TYC choir season begins in September and runs until late May or early June.

Yes, you can still audition! The TYC is open to all youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 30 (sopranos/altos 16+ and tenors/basses 14+) with a passion for singing.

While it is not mandatory, previous choral experience is an asset. The ability to read music is a must.

All candidates are encouraged to prepare a short solo. In addition, you can expect to be taken through vocal exercises, including a range check, so that the artistic staff can hear your vocal tone.

Yes! Potential choristers must audition for the TYC. All returning choristers must also re-audition each year. Auditions and re-auditions take place every September, or at a mutually agreeable time.

The TYC sings a variety of music, in contrasting styles and genres. While the TYC predominantly focuses on repertoire from the Western choral canon, they also perform contemporary choral music, pop, jazz and gospel.

The TYC’s performance schedule depends on the season. Typically, the choir will perform at several Toronto Children’s Chorus’ season concerts and community concerts, in addition to their own holiday concert in December and end-of-season concert in May. The TYC also performs at festivals and special events, especially during the holidays.