Role

:

Ensemble

 

The Toronto Chamber Choir is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 1968 by conductor and composer, Jon Washburn, the choir has become one of the most respected and celebrated choral groups in Canada. The choir's early years were marked by a commitment to performing a wide range of choral music, from the Renaissance to contemporary works. Under Washburn's leadership, the choir quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Toronto Chamber Choir continued to grow and evolve, performing at major festivals and concert halls across Canada and the United States. In 1987, the choir was invited to perform at the prestigious Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Ontario, where they received critical acclaim for their performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor. In the 1990s, the choir began to focus more on contemporary choral music, commissioning new works from Canadian composers and collaborating with other artists and ensembles. In 1995, the choir premiered a new work by Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer, entitled "The Fall into Light," which was hailed as a major achievement in Canadian choral music. In 2000, the Toronto Chamber Choir celebrated its 30th anniversary with a series of concerts and events, including a performance of Handel's Messiah at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. The choir also released a CD of their greatest hits, which included works by Bach, Mozart, and Brahms, as well as contemporary composers such as Schafer and Stephen Chatman. In the years that followed, the choir continued to perform at major festivals and concert halls across Canada and the United States, including the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival, and the Lincoln Center in New York City. They also collaborated with other artists and ensembles, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Brass. In 2010, the Toronto Chamber Choir celebrated its 40th anniversary with a series of concerts and events, including a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion at Toronto's Koerner Hall. The choir also released a new CD, entitled "Sacred Reflections," which featured works by Bach, Handel, and Mendelssohn, as well as contemporary composers such as Schafer and Chatman. Over the years, the Toronto Chamber Choir has received numerous awards and accolades for their exceptional musicianship and innovative programming. In 1998, the choir was awarded the prestigious Healey Willan Grand Prize for their performance of Canadian choral music. They have also been nominated for several Juno Awards, Canada's top music award, for their recordings of choral music. Today, the Toronto Chamber Choir continues to be a leading force in Canadian choral music, under the leadership of conductor and artistic director, Lucas Harris. The choir's commitment to excellence and innovation has made them a beloved institution in the Canadian classical music scene, and their performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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