Welcome to VOCA Chorus of Toronto
Welcome to our home on the web! Here you will find information about upcoming concerts and events, as well as details about our artistic staff, guest artists, and past concerts. If you haven’t already done so, please join our mailing list so you’ll be the first to know when we have something new to share.
VOCA’s First Virtual Choir Recording!
MAY 2021: Like so many choirs across the globe, VOCA has had a challenging year. We deeply miss singing together in-person. But we’ve been very fortunate to hold weekly sessions on Zoom all season, keep our choral community strong, learn new musical skills, do a ‘deep dive’ into some of our repertoire, enjoy a myriad mix of invaluable warm-ups provided by our 6 wonderful leads … and more.
At our recent (and first online) Spring Cabaret, we presented a wide array of roots, jazz, classical, pop & musical theatre selections to an audience of almost 300 people.
We also featured a very special finale that night, and a first for VOCA: our choir’s virtual choir recording of Morten Lauridsen’s “Sure On This Shining Night”, his stunning setting of James Agee’s exquisite poetry. We spent many weeks working on this ‘choral adventure’, and are very proud of the results. (We currently have over 6,200 views!) Heartfelt thanks to 60 choristers, all of VOCA’s professional staff (artistic director Jenny Crober, accompanist Elizabeth Acker and our 6 section leads), and Jamie Drake (Opus 32 Design) for his superb technical production work.
We hope you enjoy our choir’s first virtual choir recording!
What people are saying about us…
— Donald Patriquin (2011)
— Stephen Hatfield (2012)
— Larry Beckwith (2014)
2024 – 2025 SEASON
FALL 2024
“SEASON SONGS”: Sat., Dec. 14
The VOCA Chorus of Toronto will present “SEASON SONGS” on Saturday, December 14.
VOCA’s “Season Songs”, the first of three performances celebrating Jenny Crober’s 20th Anniversary Season as Artistic Director, will feature a mix of choir favourites and new works, including two premieres – the world premiere of Penticton, B.C. composer Nicholas Ryan Kelly‘s evocative “Birds in a Looking-Glass”, and an Ontario premiere of Kitchener-based composer Matthew Emery‘s heartwarming “The Garden of Dreams”. Other selections will include London, Ontario’s Sarah Quartel‘s newly-published reworking of the Huron Carol, her moving “Iesous ahatonnia'”, renamed to reflect its origins, and featuring texts by Wendat poet Andrée Levesque Sioui; Jenny Crober‘s stirring arrangement of Joni Mitchell‘s iconic “River”; two glorious works by Ola Gjeilo, including his much-loved “Ubi Caritas”, accompanied by transcribed, improvised piano; and two exuberant versions of “In Dulci Jubilo”, including a soprano/alto setting by Edmonton’s Laura Hawley.
We’ll also be featuring a longtime choir favourite, Guelph singer/songwriter James Gordon‘s poignant “Frobisher Bay”; a serene tenor/bass setting of the 15th Century text “Lullay My Liking” by Vancouver’s Gerda Blok-Wilson; Jenny Crober’s joyous “Winter’s Round”; and a bouncy “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind” by renowned jazz pianist George Shearing.
Two fabulous and versatile guest artists will be joining us: JUNO Award-winning guitarist MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI and East Coast Music Awards-winning, Dora-nominated percussionist / drummer GREGORY HARRISON.
Our annual carol sing, scrumptious bake sale and raffle will perfectly round out the evening.
Artistic Director: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianist: Dakota Scott-Digout
Professional Leads: Soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo Amanda Weatherall, tenors David Walsh, Jeremy Scinocca, & Carlo Cormier, baritones Parker Clements & James Coole-Stevenson (*Find out more about our artistic staff here: VOCAChorusofToronto/ArtisticStaff.)
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Eastminster United, 310 Danforth Ave. at Jackman (near Chester subway; fully accessible)
Tickets (EVENTBRITE: “Season Songs”): $30; $15 Students
More info.: 416-947-8487; https://www.vocachorus.ca
Photo; Flyer Design: Jenny Crober
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The VOCA Chorus of Toronto is a registered charitable organization. If you are unable to attend our concert (or even if you’re able to attend), please consider donating to VOCA using this link: https://www.vocachorus.ca/support. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt and recognition in our concert programmes.
SPRING 2025
15th ANNUAL CABARET: Sat., Mar. 1
Join VOCA on Sat., Mar. 1 for our 15th Annual Cabaret / Silent Auction – an evening full of fabulous music, fun & fundraising!
Our CABARET will present a wide variety of wonderful acts (solos, duos, ensembles) and instruments (voice, piano, flute, guitar, bass and more) featuring jazz, musical theatre, opera, folk and pop selections – both serious and silly. Numerous, multi-talented VOCA choristers will be performing, along with most of our professional staff, including artistic director and co-pianist Jenny Crober, pianist Dakota Scott-Digout, soprano Noelle Slaney, tenor Alain Paquette and baritones Parker Clements and James Coole-Stevenson. (*VOCAChorusofToronto/ArtisticStaff.)
Host Emily Vick Agnew will masterfully lead us through a magical evening of music-making and camaraderie in a spacious venue with cabaret seating, stage, sound and lighting.
Savoury appetizers and a cash bar will be ‘on the menu’!
VOCA’s SILENT AUCTION will feature an eclectic array of items, including tickets & passes to arts events, a house concert featuring violin & piano , one-of-a-kind artwork & crafts, gift cards, scrumptious home-baking, fine wine… & much more. *Payments can be made using cash, credit, cheques or e-transfers.
Tickets ($40): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/voca-15th-annual-spring-cabaret-silent-auction-tickets-1230499239349. Tickets will also be available via choristers and at the door.
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm (*Doors will open at 7:00 pm.)
Venue: RIGA HALL, Latvian Canadian Centre (just S. of Eglinton), 4 Credit Union Drive, Toronto (*FREE PARKING!)
Artistic Director / Event Coordinator: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianists / Coaches: Jenny Crober & Dakota Scott-Digout
Host: Emily Vick Agnew
Riga Hall Coordinator: Tom Roedding
Sound: Fabio Migotto
Tickets: Naomi Shewchuk & Jenny Crober w. Shen Plum (TPH); Tom Roedding
Flyer Design: Naomi Shewchuk & Jenny Crober w. Shen Plum (TPH)
Promo; Eventbrite: Jenny Crober
“CARMINA BURANA”: Sat., May 10
Join the VOCA Chorus of Toronto for Carl Orff’s monumental “CARMINA BURANA” & other selections on Sat., May 10, 2025.
VOCA’s May 10th concert, our final performance celebrating Jenny Crober’s 20th Anniversary Season as Artistic Director will open with selections by Andrew Balfour, Brian Tate, Mark Sirett and others, and include choir favourites from past seasons. Our first set will finish with an opera chorus featuring our special guest, tenor Andrew Haji. A former professional lead with VOCA, Andrew is now one of Canada’s most celebrated operatic and concert soloists (Andrew Haji).
We will close our Season ‘with a bang’ when we launch into a performance of Carl Orff‘s epic, electrifying and goosebump-inducing “CARMINA BURANA“! The ancient 11th and 12th Century texts (written in Latin, Middle High German and Old French), which are as relevant today as ever, speak of the often fleeting nature of life, the fickleness of fortune, the joy of love and Spring’s return, and the perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and lust. The iconic opening and closing chorus, “O Fortuna“, needs to be heard live in order to experience just how truly thrilling and riveting it is! You may think that you’ve never heard this spine-tingling selection, but you very likely have: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6TvKJxsjho.
We’ll be performing the “Chamber Version” (Soloists, Chorus, Two Pianos & Percussion), featuring a superb cast of musicians:
Special guest: Andrew Haji, tenor
Soprano: Noelle Slaney
Baritone: Parker Clements
Guest Pianist: Shawn Grenke
Percussionists: Jamie Drake & Richard Burrows (founding members of TorQ Percussion) with Michelle Colton & Timothy Francom
Clarinetist: Martin Van de Ven
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Artistic Director: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianist: Dakota Scott-Digout
Professional Leads: soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo Amanda Weatherall, tenors Jeremy Scinocca, Alain Paquette & Evan Morin and baritones Parker Clements, James Coole-Stevenson & Sean Pentinga (*Find out more about our artistic staff here: VOCAChorusofToronto/ArtisticStaff.)
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Eastminster United, 310 Danforth Ave. at Jackman (near Chester subway; *fully accessible)
Tickets: $35 Gen. Adm.; $15 Students – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voca-chorus-of-toronto-carmina-burana-saturday-may-10-2025-tickets-1286995932479
More info.: 416-947-8487; https://www.vocachorus.ca
Flyer, Promo Design: Jenny Crober
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The VOCA Chorus of Toronto is a registered charitable organization. If you are unable to attend our concert (or even if you’re able to attend), please consider donating to VOCA using this link: https://www.vocachorus.ca/support. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt and recognition in our concert programmes.
RECENT EVENTS
Fall 2024
On Sunday, October 27 at 8:00 pm, co-producers Jenny Crober (artistic director/ pianist) & Emily Vick Agnew (host / soprano) presented “Family Ties “, our Fall Cabaret / VOCA Chorus of Toronto fundraiser.
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This annual event featured several of VOCA’s professional section leads and a special guest, performing selections from opera and musical theatre ‘partner productions’ which shared the same titles and/or themes.
Our audience heard gems from La bohème and Rent; Roméo & Juliette and West Side Story; La Traviata and Moulin Rouge… and much more!
The intimate setting included cabaret tables, twinkly lights and a bar in the back. Also ‘on the menu’ that evening: a 50-50 draw and brain-testing musical quizzes!
Sincere thanks to all of our performers for their superb singing, and to our audience members for their warm and generous support!
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Co-producers: Jenny Crober and Emily Vick Agnew
Artistic Director; Pianist: Jenny Crober
Host; Soprano: Emily Vick Agnew
Soloists: Noelle Slaney, soprano; Amanda Weatherall, mezzo; Carlo Cormier, tenor; Parker Clements and James Coole-Stevenson, baritones; Liam Crober-Best, guest tenor
Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024
Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: SoCap Comedy Theatre (Social Capital Theatre), 154 Danforth Ave., 2nd Floor (above the Black Swan Tavern, just E. of Broadview); Artistic Director / Owner: Ralph MacLeod
Tickets: $25.00 (Eventbrite) If you prefer to e-transfer, contact artistic director Jenny Crober at https://www.vocachorus.ca/contact. Your paid tickets will be held at the door.
Sound: Rob Bartlett
Flyer; Promo Design: Jenny Crober
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If you’re unable to attend a VOCA event, and even if you can make it and would like to make a direct donation to the VOCA Chorus of Toronto, a charitable organization, we would be very grateful. You can make payments by visiting our “Support Us” page on this website: https://www.vocachorus.ca/support. * Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt, as well as recognition in our concert programmes.
2023 – 2024 SEASON
WINTER / SPRING 2024
14th Cabaret/Silent Auction: March 2
Join the VOCA Chorus of Toronto on Sat., Mar. 2 for our 14th Annual Cabaret / Silent Auction!
Our CABARET presented a wide variety of wonderful acts (solos, duos and ensembles) and instruments (voice, piano, flute, guitar and harmonica) featuring jazz, musical theatre, opera, folk and pop selections. Numerous, multi-talented VOCA choristers performed that evening, along with most of our professional staff, including artistic director/pianist/coach Jenny Crober, soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo Amanda Weatherall, tenors David Walsh, Evan Morin and Adam Wicks, and baritone Lachlan Mason.
Host Emily Vick Agnew will masterfully led us through a magical evening of music-making & camaraderie in a spacious venue with cabaret seating, stage, sound, lighting & cash bar.
VOCA’s SILENT AUCTION featured an eclectic array of items, including music coaching sessions, tickets & passes to museums, galleries & concerts (including an opening night gala), a house concert, a day in the wood shop, a sailing trip, one-of-a-kind artwork & crafts, toy store gift card, flower arranging workshop, scrumptious home-baking, fine wine… & much more. *Payments were made using cash, credit, cheques or e-transfers.
Savoury appetizers were presented at each table, along with sweet treats from the wonderful DOUGH Bakeshop (https://www.doughbakeshop.ca).
Tickets ($35) were available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vocas-14th-annual-cabaretsilent-auction-tickets-821735201107 and at the door.
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm {*Doors will open at 7:00 pm.}
Venue: RIGA HALL, Latvian Canadian Centre (just S. of Eglinton), 4 Credit Union Drive, Toronto (*FREE PARKING!)
Artistic Director / Event Coordinator: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianist / Coach: Jenny Crober
Host: Emily Vick Agnew
Riga Hall Coordinator: Tom Roedding {w. Mara Berzins}
Silent Auction Organizers: Betsy Wimbs, Leslie Sinclair, Chrissy Doig, Holly LeClair, Emily Vick Agnew
Sound: Fabio Migotto, Jack Tassé
Stage Manager: Jack Tassé
Tickets: John Meadows
Flyer Design: Naomi Shewchuk, w. Jenny Crober
Eventbrite, Other Promo & Publicity: Jenny Crober
This was a key fundraising event for the VOCA Chorus of Toronto. If you were unable to attend our Cabaret / Silent Auction (or even if you were able to attend), please consider donating using this link: https://www.vocachorus.ca/support. (Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt and recognition in our concert programmes.)
“Earth, Sea & Sky III”: May 11
⭐️ On Saturday, May 11, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto presented “Earth, Sea & Sky III”, a vibrant choral & instrumental celebration. ⭐️
Our concert featured stunning selections by JUNO-nominated Cree composer Andrew Balfour, including *“Anang (A Star)” (commissioned and premiered by VOCA and recently published by Cypress Music); glorious works, including “Tundra“ and “Across the Vast, Eternal Sky” by Ola Gjeilo for chorus, string quartet and piano; Cree Dene composer Sherryl Sewepagaham‘s compelling “Waniska (Wake Up!)“; London, Ontario’s Sarah Quartel‘s joyous soprano/alto “Songbird”; and Peter Schickele‘s exuberant tenor/bass sea shanty, “Jonah’s Song“.
Other works included Canadian singer/songwriter Wade Hemsworth‘s classic, the “Log Driver’s Waltz“; a powerful and evocative setting by David Dickau of Canadian poet Archibald Lampman‘s “Voices of Earth“; and spellbinding, sea-themed selections by two Nova Scotians: an excerpt from Scott Macmillan‘s “The Celtic Mass for the Sea” and Donna Rhodenizer‘s “The Love of the Sea”.
(*We were thrilled that the international choral Facebook page ‘The Choir Project’ posted “Anang (A Star)“, featuring VOCA’s April 2022 world premiere and background information by Artistic Director Jenny Crober: https://www.facebook.com/TheChoirProject/posts/Anang/AStar.)
Our fabulous, versatile guest artists were Alex Cheung, violin/fiddle, Suhashini Arulanandam, violin, Laurence Schaufele, viola, mandolin, Sybil Shanahan, cello, and Jamie Drake, percussion. *They also performed lively reels arranged for string quartet by Alex Cheung.
Artistic Director: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianist: Dakota Scott-Digout
Professional Leads: Soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo Amanda Weatherall, tenors Evan Morin, Adam Wicks & Carlo Cormier & baritones Parker Clements & Lachlan Mason (*Find out more about our artistic staff here: VOCAChorusofToronto/ArtisticStaff.)
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Eastminster United, 310 Danforth Ave. at Jackman (near Chester subway; fully accessible)
Tickets (Eventbrite and from choristers): $30; $15 Students
More info.: 416-947-8487; https://www.vocachorus.ca
Flyer, Promo Design: Jenny Crober
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The VOCA Chorus of Toronto is a registered charitable organization. If you are unable to attend our concert (or even if you’re able to attend), please consider donating to VOCA using this link: https://www.vocachorus.ca/support. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt and recognition in our concert programmes.
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We would like to express our appreciation to the Ontario Arts Council and The Rotary Club of Toronto for their invaluable support of ‘VOCA SiX’, an outreach and community engagement initiative involving our choir’s professional leads.
FALL 2023
“It’s About Time” Cabaret: Oct. 29
On Sunday, October 29 at 7:30 pm, join co-producers Jenny Crober and Emily Vick Agnew for “It’s About Time”, our Fall Cabaret / VOCA Chorus of Toronto Fundraiser.
This annual event will feature VOCA’s professional section leads along with a special guest, performing a wide variety of musical theatre, pop, folk and classical selections about time.
Host/soprano Emily Vick Agnew and artistic director/collaborative pianist Jenny Crober will be joined by soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo Zoitsa Gotziaman, tenors David Walsh and Carlo Cormier, and baritone Lachlan Mason, as well as special guest, tenor Kevin Mulligan. Some of the myriad mix of selections will include songs by Kurt Weill, Claude Debussy, Jason Robert Brown, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Gaetano Donizetti, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein, along with Newfoundland and Acadian folk songs.
*Test your luck with our 50-50 draw! *Challenge your mind with our musical quizzes!
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Co-producers: Jenny Crober & Emily Vick Agnew
Artistic Director / Collaborative Pianist: Jenny Crober
Host / Soprano: Emily Vick Agnew
Date: Sunday, October 29, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: SoCap Comedy Theatre (Social Capital Theatre), 154 Danforth Ave., 2nd Floor (above Black Swan Tavern, just E. of Broadview); Artistic Director/Owner: Ralph MacLeod
Sound: Rob Bartlett
Tickets: $25.00 at Eventbrite
Flyer, Promo Design: Jenny Crober
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If you are unable to attend this special fundraising event, and even if you can make it and would like to make a direct donation to the VOCA Chorus of Toronto, we would be very grateful. You can make payments by visiting our “Support Us” page on this website: https://www.vocachorus.ca/support.
*All donors will receive a charitable tax receipt, as well as recognition in our concert programmes.*
*We were thrilled that our “Songs for a Winter’s Night” concert was officially SOLD OUT! A huge thank you to the many people who purchased tickets for what was a wonderful evening of seasonal music!
“Songs for a Winter’s Night”: Dec. 16
On Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 pm at Eastminster United Church, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto presented “Songs for a Winter’s Night”, a vibrant, warm and eclectic winter celebration.
We were thrilled to introduce Dakota Scott-Digout, a highly in-demand pianist, coach and clinician, who is also the principal and touring pianist with the Toronto Children’s Chorus, in his concert debut as VOCA’s collaborative pianist.
Our programme included a tribute to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot: artistic director Jenny Crober‘s choral arrangement of his heartwarming Song for a Winter’s Night, featuring guitarist Jason Fowler (https://jasonfowler.ca/bio), a highly regarded singer/songwriter, session/touring guitarist and producer, who also performed solo selections by this iconic Canadian musician along with other works with our choir. Frequent VOCA guest Jamie Drake (https://jamiedrake.ca/bio), a renowned percussionist, drummer and composer who is now Assistant Professor of Percussion at Queen’s University, also joined us that evening.
We presented a variety of winter-themed music, including traditional tunes and selections evoking the Northern Lights, star-laden skies, travelling carollers and songs about peace by composers Ola Gjeilo, Mark Sirett, Don MacDonald, Morten Lauridsen, Ed Henderson, Jake Runestad, Donald Patriquin and Conrad Susa.
Our carol sing with audience rounded out the evening – a perfect way to welcome the holiday season!
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Artistic Director/Conductor: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianist: Dakota Scott-Digout
Guest Artists: Jason Fowler, guitar; Jamie Drake, percussion
Section leads: soprano Noelle Slaney; mezzo soprano Zoitsa (Zoë) Gotziaman; tenors David Walsh & Carlo Cormier; baritones James Coole-Stevenson & Lachlan Mason
Tickets ($30 Gen. Adm., $15 Students): Eventbrite
Flyer, Promo Design: Jenny Crober
2022 – 2023 SEASON
Exciting News: “Anang (A Star)”!
During the summer of 2019, I spoke with the renowned (now JUNO-nominated) Cree composer Andrew Balfour about an Algonquin legend which I’d found very moving – about stars representing grandmothers offering their earthly families love and protection – then asked if he would compose a work for VOCA’s upcoming (Spring 2020) “Star Songs” concert. Andrew enthusiastically agreed… and his exquisite, moving and reflective Anang (A Star) was the result. We were thrilled and honoured to present the World Premiere of this stunning work at our rescheduled April 2022 “Star Songs” concert, featuring Elizabeth Acker, piano and Jamie Drake, percussion.
Following communications between VOCA’s artistic director Jenny Crober and both composer Andrew Balfour and Cypress Music Publishing’s Larry Nickel, Anang (A Star), along with VOCA’s recording from its world premiere in Apr. 2022, has now been published on the Cypress Music website: https://cypresschoral.com/…/andrew-balfour/anang-a-star/!
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Andrew Balfour for creating this sublime work!
And many thanks to Larry Nickel for publishing it on his website for others to see, hear and perform!
We’ll be performing Anang (A Star) again at both of our late April “Shining Night” concerts: Apr. 28 at Roy Thomson Hall, and Apr. 29 at our main Spring concert at Eastminster. See below for more details.
FALL 2022
“Songs of Travel” Cabaret Fundraiser
On Sunday, October 16 at 7:30 pm, a full audience joined co-producers Jenny Crober & Emily Vick Agnew for “SONGS OF TRAVEL”, our Fall 2022 Cabaret / VOCA Chorus of Toronto Fundraiser.
Our fundraiser / cabaret featured a wide variety of musical theatre, pop and classical selections about travel, presented by soprano Emily Vick Agnew and and six of VOCA’s professional section leads, with Jenny Crober, music director and pianist.
Joining Emily and Jenny were Noelle Slaney, soprano; Kevin Mulligan and David Walsh, tenors; and Justin Welsh, Parker Clements and James Coole-Stevenson, baritones.
In addition to the songs presented by all of our wonderful performers, we hosted a 50-50 draw and musical quizzes.
We also featured a lovingly curated and colourful collection of vintage goodies from the owners of ‘Hodge Podge Hotel’ – Emily Vick Agnew, Amy De Wilde and Anna-Kaisa Walker – who donated a portion of their proceeds from that evening to the VOCA Chorus of Toronto.
(Eventbrite Page: https://Songs-of-travel-fall-2022-cabaret-voca-fundraiser.eventbrite.com.
Co-producers / Co-hosts: Jenny Crober & Emily Vick Agnew
Artistic Director, Collaborative Pianist: Jenny Crober
Date: Sunday, October 16, 2022
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: The Social Capital Theatre (SoCap Comedy Club) – 154 Danforth Ave. (2nd Floor, above the Black Swan Tavern)
Tickets: $25.00
Flyer Design: Jenny Crober
“A Winter’s Eve”: Sat., Dec. 17
On Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 pm at Eastminster United Church, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto performed “A WINTER’S EVE”, a vibrant and eclectic celebration of the season, including Oscar Escalada‘s choral setting of Astor Piazzolla‘s sizzling tango Invierno Porteño, Ola Gjeilo’s stunning Tundra, and Canadian composer Sarah Quartel‘s exquisite cycle, A Winter Day.
We also presented a joyful winter madrigal by Thomas Weelkes, selections by four Canadians – a world premiere of Beth Hanson‘s wistful Winter Solstice Chant, Jane Siberry‘s endearing Are You Burning, Little Candle?, Sarah Quartel‘s jazzy Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind and James Gordon‘s haunting Frobisher Bay – along with Allan Naplan‘s exuberant Hine Ma Tov featuring klezmer clarinet.
Our carol sing with audience rounded out this evening of music – a perfect way to welcome the holiday season!
Guest artists: Cellist Sybil Shanahan, percussionist Daniel Morphy and clarinetist Jonno Lightstone
Section leads: soprano Noelle Slaney; mezzo soprano Lillian Brooks; tenors Kevin Mulligan & David Walsh; and baritones Justin Welsh & James Coole-Stevenson
Tickets ($30 Gen. Adm., $15 Students) – were available from choristers and online via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-winters-eve-tickets-442814910317.
More info., including links offering a preview of our guest artists: https://mailchi.mp/2d3f93d5b1d5/voca-chorus-of-toronto-a-winters-eve-sat-dec-17-2022-5850701
*COVID-19 CONCERT PROTOCOLS
VOCA was thrilled to welcome our audience members to our live performance! Because the health and safety of our choristers, audience members and volunteers remained our highest priority, *all attendees were required to wear masks.
MARCH 2023
13th Annual Cabaret: Sat., Mar. 4
On Sat., Mar. 4, 2023, VOCA presented our 13th Annual Spring Cabaret / Silent Auction – our first live VOCA Cabaret since March 2020!
Our CABARET presented a wide variety of musical delights – solos, duos, trios, small and large ensembles – featuring jazz, musical theatre, classical, folk and pop selections. Numerous VOCA choristers performed, along with most of our professional staff: artistic director Jenny Crober, collaborative pianist Elizabeth Acker (*in her final cabaret with VOCA), soprano Noelle Slaney, tenor Kevin Mulligan and baritone Parker Clements.
The curtain opened at 7:30, when host Emily Vick Agnew masterfully led us through a magical evening of live music-making, quizzes, and camaraderie, all in a new, spacious venue with cabaret seating, stage, sound, lighting and cash bar. Early admission (7:00 pm) allowed audience members to begin placing bids at the Silent Auction tables beforehand.
Our annual SILENT AUCTION featured an eclectic array of items, including music coaching sessions, a 2-hour sailing trip, a day in a wood shop, scrumptious home-baked goods, one-of-a-kind arts & crafts, jewellery, fine wine & champagne, tickets & passes to museums, galleries & concerts, a variety of gift cards… and much more. (*Payments were made using cash, cheques or e-transfers.)
We welcomed our audience to our event’s new venue, which has tons of free parking onsite: Riga Hall, Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre, 4 Credit Union Drive, Toronto.
*Tickets ($30) were available via choristers and online. (Good news! Our live Cabaret ticket prices for this event hadn’t increased since 2011!)
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm.)
Venue: RIGA HALL, Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre, 4 Credit Union Dr., Toronto
*Tickets: $30.00 (Purchase from choristers or online):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vocas-13th-annual-live-cabaret-silent-auction-tickets-537973943547
Artistic Director / Event Coordinator: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianists / Coaches: Jenny Crober, Elizabeth Acker
Host: Emily Vick Agnew
Riga Hall Coordinator: Tom Roedding (w. Meta Baze)
Silent Auction Organizers: Noelle Slaney, Chrissy Doig, Betsy Wimbs, Leslie Sinclair, Emily Vick Agnew, Mark Gold
Tickets: Naomi Shewchuk; Tom Roedding
Flyer Design: Naomi Shewchuk (w. Jenny Crober)
Eventbrite: Jenny Crober, Emily Vick Agnew
Other Promo & Publicity: Jenny Crober
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*This was a key fundraising event for the VOCA Chorus of Toronto. https://www.vocachorus.ca/support.
APRIL 2023: “Shining Night”
* VOCA presented two versions of our “Shining Night” concert, a choral and instrumental celebration of stars and the night sky: our thrilling Roy Thomson Hall debut on Friday, April 28, 2023 (originally schedulled for Apr. 9, 2020) and our full performance at Eastminster United on Saturday, April 29, 2023. *
Roy Thomson Hall: Fri., Apr. 28
VOCA was thrilled to have been invited to perform as part of ROY THOMSON HALL’s 23rd Annual Choir & Organ Concert Series on Thursday, April 9, 2020, 12:00 pm at Roy Thomson Hall. Our concert was postponed due to COVID.
Our guest artists – some of Canada’s finest instrumentalists, all of whom have previously performed with VOCA – were Shawn Grenke, organ & piano, Colleen Allen, sax and Andy Morris, percussion.
Eastminster United: Sat., Apr. 29
VOCA’s wonderful section leads are: soprano Noelle Slaney, mezzo soprano Lillian Brooks, tenors Kevin Mulligan, Evan Morin & Lyndon Ladeur, and baritones Parker Clements & James Coole-Stevenson.
*This concert will be our choir’s final performance with Elizabeth Acker, who has been VOCA’s brilliant and much-loved collaborative pianist for 18 seasons!*
Winter/Spring 2022 Update
Like performing arts organizations worldwide, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto and other choral ensembles continue to be affected by COVID-19. Although the pandemic is still with us (2 years later), we would like to share a message of optimism.
On Monday, September 13, 2021, VOCA held its first rehearsal of the 2021-2022 Season at our regular venue, Eastminster United Church – a significant event for our choir, as it was our first live, in-person rehearsal since the March 2020 lockdown! We held several in-person rehearsals at Eastminster, along with all of our artistic staff (artistic director Jenny Crober, accompanist Elizabeth Acker and 6 professional section leads). It is very difficult to find the words to describe the feeling of profound joy (and relief) in being able to finally sing together again, in-person, in real time!
We were also able to live stream these in-person rehearsals to almost 20 choristers online. The feedback from both our in-person and online singers has been very heartening indeed.
The health and safety of our singers and audience members remain our top priority, and our plans will continue to be guided by up-to-date health protocols. We’ve put in place numerous, stringent health measures for our in-person sessions: all choristers must be fully vaccinated, sing with masks and use distanced seating, amongst other safety protocols. These rigorous risk-mitigation strategies are in accordance with public health recommendations. Our choir is also ready to amend our COVID policy and rehearsal options, including requiring booster shots for any upcoming in-person sessions.
This past Fall, VOCA held two online events: a Cabaret/Fundraiser, “Love Stories” in November, and a seasonal celebration, “Seasonal Snapshot” in December.
Due to the virulent Omicron variant, the beginning of 2022 found us back online, holding Zoom sessions focussing on warmups and a variety of musicianship skills, in addition to sectional and full group coaching. We were thrilled to return to in-person rehearsals in late February.
We held our 12th Annual (& 2nd Online) Spring Fall Cabaret/Silent Auction on Sat., Mar. 5, presenting a variety of acts by numerous choristers and all of our professional staff, including a several selections in tribute to Stephen Sondheim. (See more details, below.)
We held a wonderful late March Spring Retreat – our first live event in 2 years – in Grand Hall at the Estonian House on March 26. This included an inspirational workshop with guest clinicians, composer Andrew Balfour and percussionist Jamie Drake, in preparation for the world premiere of Andrew’s exquisite Anang (A Star) at our upcoming “Star Songs” concert.
And what a wonderful feeling it is to – finally! – be well on our way towards the performance of our long-awaited, live, in-person “Star Songs” concert, to be held on Saturday, April 30 at Eastminster United!
All best wishes to you and yours for 2022!
PAST CONCERTS (2021 – 2022)
APRIL 2022
“Star Songs” Concert
Saturday, April 30, 2022
On Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 7:30 pm, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto will – finally, after 2 years! – be performing our long-awaited “STAR SONGS” in-person at Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth Ave. at Jackman/Chester subway).
VOCA’s first live performance since December 2019 will feature a variety of classical contemporary, jazz and musical theatre selections celebrating stars and the night sky.
We’re truly thrilled that our concert will be presenting a world premiere of the exquisite “Anang (A Star)” by the renowned Cree composer Andrew Balfour (http://cameratanova.com/16/about-us/artistic-director/). Other featured composers/songwriters will include Eleanor Daley, Morten Lauridsen, Bart Howard, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Paul Halley, Kurt Weill and Frode Fjellheim.
Our fabulous guest artists will be Shawn Grenke, organ (https://esgunited.org/music-leadership/); Colleen Allen, sax (https://www.colleenallen.ca) and Jamie Drake, percussion/drums (https://jamiedrake.ca/bio).
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Time: 7:30 pm (*Doors will open at 7:00 pm.)
Venue: Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave., Toronto (Chester Subway)
Tickets: $30.00 General Admission; $15.00 Students https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/star-songs-tickets-305601481257
Artistic Director: Jenny Crober
Guest Artists: Colleen Allen, sax; Shawn Grenke, organ; Jamie Drake, percussion Section Leads: Dallas Chorley, soprano; Alex Hetherington, mezzo; Kevin Mulligan, Eli Theocharidis, Walter Mahabir, tenors; Parker Clements, James Coole-Stevenson, baritones
Flyer, MailChimp Design: Jenny Crober
Other Promo & Publicity: Jenny Crober & Naomi Shewchuk
*COVID-19 CONCERT PROTOCOLS:
VOCA is thrilled to welcome you to our live performance, after a 2 year wait! The health and safety of our audience members, choristers and volunteers remain of highest priority to us. Limited tickets will be sold, and all audience members and volunteers will be required to wear masks upon entry and while inside the church, and to show proof of vaccination upon entry. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
MARCH 2022
12th Annual Cabaret / Silent Auction
On Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 7:30 pm, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto held its 12th Annual (& 2nd Online) Spring Cabaret / Silent Auction Online Fundraiser.
Our Cabaret was a virtual delight, featuring a wide variety of musical theatre, jazz, pop and classical selections presented by numerous, multi-talented VOCA choristers, along with all of our professional staff: artistic director Jenny Crober, collaborative pianist Elizabeth Acker, soprano Dallas Chorley, mezzo Alex Hetherington, tenors Kevin Mulligan and Eli Theocharidis, and baritones Parker Clements and James Coole-Stevenson. Our evening included numerous selections in tribute to the brilliant composer Stephen Sondheim, and concluded with a performance by our choristers.
Co-hosts Emily Vick Agnew & Tom Roedding will masterfully led us through a magical evening of music-making, quizzes & camaraderie.
Our annual Silent Auction featured an assortment of items, including yoga sessions, one-of-a-kind crafts, scrumptious home-baked goods, concerts and music coaching and sessions (including a house/garden concert featuring violin and piano), an opportunity to conduct a carol at a VOCA concert!… and much more. Bidding began on Mon., Feb. 21, and ended on Sun., Mar. 6.
Date: Saturday, March 5, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm – ‘Doors Open’; 7:30 – Cabaret Begins
Tickets: $25.00; Raffle Tickets – $10.00 (See “Add-ons”)
Artistic Director / Event Coordinator: Jenny Crober
Collaborative Pianists / Coaches: Jenny Crober & Elizabeth Acker
Co-hosts: Emily Vick Agnew & Tom Roedding
Silent Auction Organizers: Chrissy Doig, Dagmar Schroeder, Lee Martin, Betsy Wimbs, Mark Gold & Leslie Sinclair (with Ellen Richardson, Jennifer Crawford & Judy MacDougall)
Online Silent Auction Facilitator: Mark Gold
Eventbrite Facilitators: Naomi Shewchuk with Jenny Crober
Zoom V-Jay: Andrew Wolf
Flyer: Naomi Shewchuk with Jenny Crober
Other Promo & Publicity: Jenny Crober
DECEMBER 2021
“Seasonal Snapshot” Celebration
“Love Stories” Cabaret/Fundraiser
We also presented a look at a portion of one of VOCA’s in-person rehearsals. We were thrilled to be finally singing together again – even fully masked and physically distanced – after almost 20 months away!
Artistic Director, Collaborative Pianist: Jenny Crober
Date: Friday, November 5, 2021
V-Jay: Andrew Wolf