FALL 2022
“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, which included 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 performed 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.
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
“Songs of Travel” Cabaret Fundraiser
On Sunday, October 16 at 7:30 pm, a full and appreciative audience joined co-producers Jenny Crober & Emily Vick Agnew for “SONGS OF TRAVEL”, a Fall 2022 Cabaret / VOCA Chorus of Toronto Fundraiser.
Our cabaret featured a wide variety of musical theatre, pop and classical selections about travel, presented by soprano Emily Vick Agnew and all seven of VOCA’s professional section leads, with Jenny Crober, music director and pianist.
Joining Emily and Jenny were Noelle Slaney, soprano; Lillian Brooks, mezzo 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 colouful 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.
*Tickets, donations, and more details about our cabaret event and ‘Hodge Podge Hotel’ could be found here: 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
*This was a VOCA fundraising event. If you couldn’t attend, please feel free to donate via our “Support Us” page.
SPRING 2022
“STAR SONGS” Spring Concert
*NEW DATE: Saturday, April 30, 2022!*
It’s really happening! On Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 7:30 pm, the VOCA Chorus of Toronto will – finally, after waiting for 2 years! – be performing our “STAR SONGS” concert in-person at Eastminster United Church (310 Danforth Ave. at Jackman/Chester Station)!
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 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
Collaborative Pianist: Elizabeth Acker
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
2022 Spring Cabaret/Silent Auction
Save the date for Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 7:30 pm (Zoom doors will open at 7:00) for the VOCA Chorus of Toronto’s 12th Annual (& 2nd Online) Spring Cabaret / Silent Auction 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 masterfully led us through this magical evening of music-making, quizzes & camaraderie.
Thanks to a number of generous donors, our annual Silent Auction featured an assortment of items, including one-of-a-kind crafts, scrumptious home-baked goods, music coaching sessions, a house/garden concert featuring violin and piano, a chance to conduct at a VOCA concert!… and much more. Bidding will began on Mon., Feb. 21 and ended on Sun., Mar. 6.
Hope you can join us!
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 & 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
2021
“Seasonal Snapshot”
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“Love Stories” Cabaret/Fundraiser
Co-producers: Jenny Crober & Emily Vick Agnew
Artistic Director, Collaborative Pianist: Jenny Crober
Co-hosts: Emily Vick Agnew & Jenny Crober
Zoom V-Jay: Andrew Wolf
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11th Annual VOCA Cabaret
Save the date for Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 7:30 pm (Zoom doors will open at 7:00) for the VOCA Chorus of Toronto’s 11th Annual (& 1st Online) Spring Cabaret / Silent Auction Fundraiser!
Our Cabaret will be a virtual delight, featuring a variety of pop, folk, jazz, classical & musical theatre favourites, presented by numerous, multi-talented VOCA choristers, along with all of our professional staff: Jenny Crober, Elizabeth Acker, Dallas Chorley, Lindsay Connolly, Kevin Mulligan, Lee Clapp, Parker Clements & Korin Thomas-Smith. Instruments will include voice, piano, guitar (acoustic and electric)… and tuba!
Co-hosts Emily Vick Agnew & Tom Roedding will masterfully lead us through this magical evening of music-making, quizzes & camaraderie – from their living rooms to yours.
*Our evening will finish with a very special finale – the world premiere of VOCA’s first virtual choir performance: Morten Lauridsen’s exquisite Sure On This Shining Night!
Our annual Silent Auction will features a wide assortment of items, including one-of-a-kind crafts, music coaching sessions, baked goods, a house/garden concert… and much more. Bidding began on Tues., Apr. 6, and will end on Sun., Apr. 18 at noon.
Hope you can join us!
Artistic Director / Event Coordinator: Jenny Crober
Accompanists / Coaches: Jenny Crober & Elizabeth Acker
Co-hosts: Emily Vick Agnew & Tom Roedding
Silent Auction Coordinators: Ellen Richardson, Judy MacDougall & Jennifer Crawford
Online Silent Auction Facilitator: Andrew Haji
Eventbrite Facilitators: Andrew Haji, Naomi Shewchuk & Jenny Crober
Virtual Choir Producers: Jamie Drake (Opus 32 Design) & Jenny Crober
Virtual Choir Technical Production: Jamie Drake (Opus 32 Design)
Zoom V-Jay: Andrew Wolf
Flyer: Naomi Shewchuk & Jenny Crober
Other Promo & Publicity: Jenny Crober