Music at St. Thomas’s Church
Elizabeth Anderson, Director of Music
Manuel Piazza, Assistant Director of Music
John Tuttle, Organist & Choirmaster Emeritus
St. Thomas’s music program elevates our worship, freely offering the gift of music to anyone coming through our doors (physically, or virtually via livestream). Music creates community and meaningful connection as we attract skilled choristers and other musicians, feature guest artists from our parish and beyond, and welcome all who come to hear them. Under the leadership of Director of Music Elizabeth Anderson and Assistant Director of Music Manuel Piazza, choral and organ music are offered each Sunday at the 9:30 am Sung Mass, at the 11:00 am High Mass, and at Evensong at 5:00 pm.
Evensong, a service of prayers and music, features the great heritage of Anglican sacred music as sung in British cathedrals.
We welcome experienced choral singers who value a high standard of ensemble singing to audition by contacting eanderson@stthomas.on.ca.
Above: Elizabeth Anderson, Director of Music, and Manuel Piazza, Assistant Director of music. Click here to read their bios. Below: John Tuttle, who served for more than 25 years, was named Organist and Choirmaster Emeritus on October 1, 2023.
The Adult Choirs
St. Thomas’s High Mass Choir sings every Sunday at 11 a.m., rehearsing on Thursday evenings. In addition, the choir sings weekday Masses on feast days, as well as the services of Holy Week. The Evensong Choir sings at 5 p.m. every Sunday, rehearsing beforehand. Some choristers sing in both ensembles.
Repertoire, both a cappella and accompanied, spans the great tradition of choral music, from plainchant to 21st-century masses, anthems, and motets.
Feast of Pentecost 2024
Listen to the High Mass Choir on YouTube (click arrow above) singing excerpts from Duruflé's Requiem and more.
Advent Procession with Carols 2022
St. Thomas’s Choristers
In September 2023, St. Thomas's Church developed launched a free music education program for children in grades 2 to 12 with unchanged voices. The children sing at the 9:30 a.m. Sung Mass each Sunday from September to May, and participate in concerts with the adult choirs. Under the leadership of Manuel Piazza, and with the assistance of vocal coaches and volunteers, the children meet after school on Thursdays and sing at the 9:30 am Sung Mass on Sundays. Our vision for a chorister program is inspired by similar institutions in cathedrals, parish churches, and academic colleges across the United Kingdom and North America, providing exposure to the rich Anglican music tradition.
Choir Camp 2024
The St. Thomas's Choristers program is supported by Friends of Music, a community outreach ministry launched in March 2023 to build meaningful connections with the community around us through music. In addition to the children's choir, Friends of Music operates a community concert series. To find out more and learn about how you can support our music program, visit this page.
