As we reflect on the 2023/2024 Season, we are filled with immense gratitude for the support and dedication shown for TMChoir. This year has been a remarkable year of artistry, music, and community. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights and achievements that have defined our season.
Season Highlights
Our choir family grew significantly this season. We started this season with 43 new members, 86 returning members, and 24 professional TMSingers, totaling 153 singers. By January, an additional 9 singers joined, bringing our total to 162 talented, passionate voices.
The choir dedicated themselves to artistic excellence with 70 rehearsals, amassing a total of 191 hours! Our community engagement efforts included 2 pop-up concerts and 4 Singsations, enriching our communities with musical experiences.
2023/2024 By the Numbers
Artistic Excellence
Our Composer in Residence, Tracy Wong, composed two stunning pieces: Patah Tumbah for our Carmina Burana concert and Ah! toi, belle hirondelle for the Symposium. Tracy also delivered an inspiring keynote at Exchange. The massively successful National Arts Centre tour with Orchestre symphonique de Québec and National Arts Centre Orchestra took us to three cities: Québec City, Ottawa – and back home in Toronto – for four concerts over two weeks from February 25th to March 9th. In continuation of our long standing artistic collaboration with the TSO, we performed 5 concerts for Messiah and our sopranos and altos just finished 3 magnificent performances of Mahler’s Third Symphony.
Educational Endeavors
Our Choral Conducting Symposium hosted six conductors from around the world, including participants from Brazil, Belgium, and South Korea, from May 21 to 25. The Composition Competition saw Justin Lapierre’s Lux Aeterna, commemorating the attack on Québec City Mosque, move audiences.
We initiated weekly pre-rehearsal workshops for our singers, led by Music Assistants and Jean-Sébastien Vallée, focusing on various aspects of vocal technique and pronunciation.
Community Engagement
Our four Singsation events, led by Shireen Abu-Khader, Tracy Wong, Jean-Sébastien Vallée, and Irene Gregorio, engaged 395 participants. We held two pop-up concerts in October at office towers downtown Toronto and with festive carols in November at Yonge & St. Clair, bringing music directly to the bustling streets. Exchange, a partnership with Pax Christi and Orpheus, featured nine workshop facilitators from our GTA choral community, covering diverse topics from Alexander Technique to Improvisation in Singing.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the accomplishments of this season, we look to the future with hope and optimism. Your dedication and support are at the core of TMChoir’s success and recognition as a world-class choir.
This month, we will launch our year-end campaign, calling for support from all our communities. Despite our tremendous artistic achievements, the road ahead presents significant challenges. It is in these moments that we need the support of our closest friends and supporters more than ever.
Yet, the vision ahead is inspiring and energizing. Together, we can continue to create and share the joy of choral music in Toronto. Here’s to another year of beautiful music, growth, and inspiration.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Artistic Director
Daniela Nardi, Executive Director