Kannamma – a program of Thanksgiving

Streamed October 10, 2020

TMChoir’s concert of thanksgiving brings together an amazing group of artists in a program of choral music and more that evocatively expresses gratitude. Enjoy songs of thanks, gratitude, and love, spanning several centuries, multiple genres, and disciplines that cross cultures. This hopeful feast for the senses ranges from European classical to jazz to pop to South Indian Carnatic music, to refreshing original compositions, complemented by visual arts and dance performance. The TMChoir launches a season of hope with a concert that speaks to our search to find our place, a sense of home and belonging.

Simon Rivard, conductor
Suba Sankaran, guest curator & vocal soloist
Matthew Larkin, organ
Gergely Szokolay, piano
Jennylynd James, visual artist
Dylan Bell, guitar
Trichy Sankaran, South Indian classical percussion (mrdangam)
Supriya Nayak, Odissi dancer
Members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Watch the concert on the TMChoir’s Vimeo Channel

Notinikew – A Program of Remembrance

Streamed November 11, 2020

TMChoir presents a choral perspective on Canada’s Indigenous veterans. Guest curator Andrew Balfour, TMC conductor Simon Rivard, and Elder Dr. Duke Redbird present a program that reflects on Indigenous experience through music and poetry.

The centre piece of the program is Andrew Balfour’s Notinikew. Movements of the work are sung by Andrew’s Winnipeg-based Camerata Nova and by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

Simon Rivard, conductor
Andrew Balfour, guest curator
Dr. Duke Redbird, elder and poet
Brian Solomon, multidisciplinary artist
Camerata Nova (conductor Mel Braun)
Winnipeg Boys Choir (artistic director Carolyn Boyes)
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

Watch the concert on the TMChoir’s Vimeo Channel

Festival of Carols

Streamed  December 16, 2020

During a season where all are looking to find joy during a difficult time with the pandemic, the TMChoir put together a program that brings together virtual performances of new works, sing-along favourites from the previous season, and some Christmas stories and memories.

New works you’ll discover in this concert include Hannah Kendall’s Nativity, and the TMChoir Choral Composition Competition winner, A Hymn on the Nativity by Alastair Boyd.

Simon Rivard, conductor
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Matthew Larkin, organ

Watch the concert on the TMChoir’s Vimeo Channel

Sacred Music for a Sacred Space

Streamed April 2, 2021

We hope you enjoy the experience of stunning choral music by Bach, Schubert and Brahms accompanied by images, dance, and a stroll through a forest – in our exploration of the themes of grief and sacred spaces.

Simon Rivard, conductor
Gergely Szokolay, piano
Sheila Jaffé, violin I
Csaba Koczo, violin II
Theresa Rudolph, viola I
Rory McLeod, viola II
Leana Rutt, cello
William Maddox, organ
Laurence Lemieux, choreography and dance

Watch the concert on TMChoir’s Vimeo Channel

Behind the Screen

Streamed June 9, 2021

Join Rick Phillips, classical music writer, reviewer and concert host, as he discovers the creative and technical challenges to be overcome in creating an online season of choral music concerts. Rick will chat with members of the TMChoir’s team and share clips that will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic planning, collaborations, music rehearsing and recording, and technical production work needed to bring all the elements together for TMChoir’s 20/21 series of concerts streamed to your home.

Rick Philips, panel host
Simon Rivard, TMChoir Associate Conductor
Katy Clark, TMChoir professional chorister
David King, video recording and program compilation and streaming
Anne Longmore, graphics direction and marketing

Watch the discussion panel on TMChoir’s Vimeo Channel