The Choirs

    

 

Three services on Sunday are accompanied by organ and choral music: the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Eucharists, as well as Evensong & Devotions at 7 p.m. There is a different choir for each service; a chorister is not committed to singing every service. Some sing two services, while others sing one. The 11 a.m. choir is responsible for singing during the Feast Days throughout the liturgical year, such as Candlemas and Ascension Day, as well as for the liturgies of Holy Week.

Rehearsals take place Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 6:45 for the 9:30 a.m. liturgy, and 7:00 to 8:45 for the 11 a.m. liturgy and special services. Evensong rehearsal is Sunday at 5:30 p.m. until about 15 minutes before the service begins.

St. Thomas's offers a large and diverse music repertoire to enhance the worship. Participating as a chorister is immensely rewarding. For further information or to arrange an audition, contact John Tuttle, organist and choirmaster, by calling the church office at (416) 979-2323.

 

Second Place in CBC National Radio Competition 2008

By Julia Armstrong, originally published in the September 2008 issue of  The Anglican Journal

 

Two Toronto Anglican church choirs, both renowned for their excellent musical traditions, placed first and second in the 2008 CBC National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs. The Gallery Choir of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, conducted by Stephanie Martin, captured first prize and St. Thomas’s 11 a.m. Solemn Eucharist Choir, conducted by John Tuttle, captured second prize. Each sang three short pieces, which, according to the rules, could total no more than eight minutes. 

Entrants were required to submit a short recording of selections that reflected a variety of styles and periods, including one piece in French and a work by a Canadian composer. Jurors narrowed the field by region for the quarterfinals, then another round of judging determined which two or three choirs per category would advance to the semi-finals.

First-prize recipients in all categories sang on May 18 at the Mondial Choral Gala concert in Laval, Que., and the top choir of the entire competition was awarded the Healey Willan Grand Prize.