Who We Are
THE JUNO-WINNER, GRAMMY-NOMINATED
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
The Juno winner and Grammy-nominated Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, as one of Canada’s largest choral organizations, believes its role is to provide Canadian audiences the experience of the classical choral masterworks of the world.
Artistic Director: Jean-Sébastien Vallée
Executive Director: Anna Kajtár
Founded in 1894 by Augustus Vogt, The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir has brought outstanding choral music to Toronto for 125 years. The Choir celebrated its 125th anniversary in October 2019 with a Gala concert featuring works from the three centuries in which the Choir has sung. For the 21st century work, the Choir was honoured to commission a work by Cree composer Andrew Balfour: Mamachimowin. Discover some of the Choir highlights over the years in our history timeline.
Grand symphonic sound has been the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s trademark. Performing both sacred and secular repertoire, TMC choristers are committed to offering audiences authentic interpretation, clarity of expression and a profound emotional experience of some of the most important music ever composed. Concerts are exhilarating and uplifting celebrations of the triumphs, great and small, of the human spirit.
Through its performances and educational programs, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir aspires to make choral masterworks available, accessible, and inspirational to all listeners.
The TMC includes a core of 20 professional singers and 100+ auditioned and experienced volunteer choristers. The TMC organization also includes the Mendelssohn Singers, a 70-voice ensemble formed from the ranks of the TMC, giving us more flexibility in both performing venue and repertoire.
The TMC named Jean-Sébastien Vallée as its new Artistic Director on May 31, 2021, following an extensive international search. Jean-Sébastien is only the 8th artistic director in the Choir’s 125-year history.
The Choir is producing online multi-disciplinary programs during the pandemic.
Our History
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and best-known choral ensembles. Founded in 1894 by Augustus Vogt, the Choir presented its first concert in Massey Hall, as part of the hall’s inaugural season, on January 15, 1895.
Join Our Team
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir invites experienced amateur singers, aged 17 and up, with a passion for great choral music to join Canada’s premier symphonic choir.