News

Andrew Craig Workshop, Sat. Sept. 30, 10am-12:30pm

by

Join Echo for a workshop with Andrew Craig. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square, Toronto
by the Eaton Centre, Accessible, S-E Door MAP
All are welcome. This workshop is geared toward treble voices, free to Echo Members,
Guests PWYC suggested $15. cash in hat style or e-transfer (see below).

Andrew is the final guest artist to be featured in ECHO!! Revived, our eighteen month-long digital project funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Echo is very excited to host Andrew, a talented and versatile musician—singer, instrumentalist, composer and arranger, teacher—to name a few of his many creative activities. He has directed the music for Harbourfront’s tribute to Quincy Jones, performed twice for Nelson Mandela, and contributed to the public tribute for the late Oscar Peterson in 2008.

In 2013, Andrew founded Culchahworks Arts Collective, a Toronto-based arts organization that celebrates figures and events from African-Canadian, Caribbean-Canadian and African-American  cultural legacies. Dr. Martin Luther King, Bob Marley and Harry Belafonte have received large-scale tributes. Through Culchahworks, and in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Andrew created the Warriors’ Chorus choir, as a way for young people of colour, who face unique challenges, to reclaim their heritage.

Andrew will be our Special Guest Artist at the Echo Dec. 3 Winter Concert, 7:30pm at Holy Trinity.

*e-transfer payment to  [email protected]
Question: What makes us happy? Answer: singing

Andrew Craig Fall 2023 Season

by

This fall 2023 we are looking forward to workshops and winter concert with special guest artist Andrew Craig.

Andrew is the final guest artist to be featured in ECHO!! Revived, our eighteen month-long digital project funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Echo is very excited to host Andrew, a talented and versatile musician—singer, instrumentalist, composer and arranger, teacher—to name a few of his many creative activities. He has directed the music for Harbourfront’s tribute to Quincy Jones, performed twice for Nelson Mandela, and contributed to the public tribute for the late Oscar Peterson in 2008.

In 2013, Andrew founded Culchahworks Arts Collective, a Toronto-based arts organization that celebrates figures and events from African-Canadian, Caribbean-Canadian and African-American  cultural legacies. Dr. Martin Luther King, Bob Marley and Harry Belafonte have received large-scale tributes. Through Culchahworks, and in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Andrew created the Warriors’ Chorus choir, as a way for young people of colour, who face unique challenges, to reclaim their heritage.

Andrew will be conducting a workshop with Echo on Saturday, September 30 and will perform in Echo’s winter concert on Sunday, December 3. Echo will produce a high quality concert recording.

We are very grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Now grant, which made possible the ECHO!! Revived workshops and the filming of this concert.

Bongani Magatyana Community Weekend Workshop with South African choirleader & composer (Oct 27-29)

by

Echo is sponsoring a very special workshop this Fall, and we wanted to give you the first opportunity to register, before we open enrollment to the public. [Public registration will begin this coming Monday (Aug 28).]

Renowned choirleader and composer Bongani Magatyana is coming to Canada in October, and the Echo Choir has grabbed the opportunity to offer a special public workshop with him, open to adults and teens of all voices and genders.

Mr Magatyana is a regular teacher with Village Harmony in the US. He leads choirs at home in Cape Town, and his beautiful and intricate choral pieces have been commissioned and sung by groups around the world, including Harvard University’s choirs.This workshop will feature songs in English and Xhosa, with beautiful harmonies in South African traditions.

The event will take place at our regular rehearsal space, the Church of the Holy Trinity (behind the Eaton Centre), Fri Oct 27 to Sun Oct 29. Holy Trinity is a fully accessible space, with accessible washrooms.

Specific times are 7PM-9PM on Friday Oct 27, 10AM-4PM on Sat Oct 28, and 1PM-4PM on Sun Oct 29. Cost is $100 per person. Tea/coffee will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. (Note that meals are otherwise not provided, nor is accommodation.)

Register online here.

If you have questions, contact Rachel Bokhout ([email protected]), who is organizing this event.
We hope that you can join us for this special weekend. facebook event page

Echo will also have an open workshop Tuesday, October 24, 7-9pm at Holy Trinity for those of you who cannot make the weekend workshops, PWYC suggested $15.

Andrew Craig Workshop, Sat. Sept. 30, 10am-12:30pm

by

Join Echo for a workshop with Andrew Craig. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square, Toronto
by the Eaton Centre, Accessible, S-E Door MAP
All are welcome. This workshop is geared toward treble voices, free to Echo Members,
Guests PWYC suggested $15. cash in hat style or e-transfer (see below).

Andrew is the final guest artist to be featured in ECHO!! Revived, our eighteen month-long digital project funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Echo is very excited to host Andrew, a talented and versatile musician—singer, instrumentalist, composer and arranger, teacher—to name a few of his many creative activities. He has directed the music for Harbourfront’s tribute to Quincy Jones, performed twice for Nelson Mandela, and contributed to the public tribute for the late Oscar Peterson in 2008.

In 2013, Andrew founded Culchahworks Arts Collective, a Toronto-based arts organization that celebrates figures and events from African-Canadian, Caribbean-Canadian and African-American  cultural legacies. Dr. Martin Luther King, Bob Marley and Harry Belafonte have received large-scale tributes. Through Culchahworks, and in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Andrew created the Warriors’ Chorus choir, as a way for young people of colour, who face unique challenges, to reclaim their heritage.

Andrew will be our Special Guest Artist at the Echo Dec. 3 Winter Concert, 7:30pm at Holy Trinity.

*e-transfer payment to  [email protected]
Question: What makes us happy? Answer: singing

Bongani Magatyana Community Weekend Workshop with South African choirleader & composer (Oct 27-29)

Echo is sponsoring a very special workshop this Fall, and we wanted to give you the first opportunity to register, before we open enrollment to the public. [Public registration will begin this coming Monday (Aug 28).]

Renowned choirleader and composer Bongani Magatyana is coming to Canada in October, and the Echo Choir has grabbed the opportunity to offer a special public workshop with him, open to adults and teens of all voices and genders.

Mr Magatyana is a regular teacher with Village Harmony in the US. He leads choirs at home in Cape Town, and his beautiful and intricate choral pieces have been commissioned and sung by groups around the world, including Harvard University’s choirs.This workshop will feature songs in English and Xhosa, with beautiful harmonies in South African traditions.

The event will take place at our regular rehearsal space, the Church of the Holy Trinity (behind the Eaton Centre), Fri Oct 27 to Sun Oct 29. Holy Trinity is a fully accessible space, with accessible washrooms.

Specific times are 7PM-9PM on Friday Oct 27, 10AM-4PM on Sat Oct 28, and 1PM-4PM on Sun Oct 29. Cost is $100 per person. Tea/coffee will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. (Note that meals are otherwise not provided, nor is accommodation.)

Register online here.

If you have questions, contact Rachel Bokhout ([email protected]), who is organizing this event.
We hope that you can join us for this special weekend. facebook event page

Echo will also have an open workshop Tuesday, October 24, 7-9pm at Holy Trinity for those of you who cannot make the weekend workshops, PWYC suggested $15.

The Echo Fall Session 2023 has began

at Church of the Holy Trinity Map
19 Trinity Square, Toronto (next to the Eaton Centre)
Accessible, N-E door

Echo has an exciting season ahead as we continue with our
“ECHO!! Revived ” Canada Council, grant project!
This fall we will be working with special guest Andrew Craig,
and welcoming our New Assistant Conductor Katie White!

Now in our 32nd year, Echo is a community choir open to all women who can make the rehearsal commitment.
Echo loves singing folk music from around the world, celebrating all the cultural traditions that are alive and vibrant in our city.
We are social-justice oriented, audition-free, and anyone can join!

Rehearsals will be in-person. We’ll have a workshop with Andrew, sectionals, break-end singing,
orientation for new members, an open rehearsal and Winter Concert on December 3 at Holy Trinity.
Masks are now optional. We will continue to review the public health
data as the season progresses. 

Season Fees are $200. (Sept. 5 to Dec. 3) See schedule below. 
We strive to make singing accessible for everyone.
Echo has a sliding scale policy. 

Contact Anne know if you’re interested in joining us for our Spring Season starting Jan. 9 2024
 [email protected]
We look forward to singing with you!

For more information about Echo visit:www.echochoir.ca 
Take a look at our new profiles page: Meet the Choir

In the spring we had the pleasure of working with Annabelle Chvostek 
View: Spring Concert Video: Enough is Enough! 2023 
and special guest Maria Dunn last fall. View Winter Concert 2022,
Through Darkness into Hope

Echo Fall Schedule 2023 
Church of the Holy Trinity    
September
Tues. 5   *all Tuesdays 7-9pm
Tues. 12 Orientation for new members
Tues. 19 Open Rehearsal & Welcome Tea
Tues. 26 
Sat. Sept 30 Andrew Craig Workshop 10am-12:30pm
October 
Tues.  3, 10, 17
Tues. 24 Bongani Magatyana Workshop *See additional community workshops details below.
Tues. 31
November
Tues. 7, 14   
Sat. 18 Rehearsal/Workshop 10-12:30pm
Tues. 21, 28
December 2023
Fri. Dec. 1, Dress Rehearsal, 6-9:30pm (compulsory)
Sun. Dec. 3, Concert with Special Guest Andrew Craig 7:30-9:30pm
***


*Additional Bongani Magatyana Community Workshops hosted by Echo 
7-9pm on Friday Oct 27, 10am-4pm on Sat Oct 28, and 1-4pm on Sun Oct 29.
Cost is $100 per person. Register online here

_________________________________________

Echo Spring Concert Video: Enough is Enough!

On Mothers’ Day, May 14, 2023, Echo hosted Annabelle Chvostek as our special guest artist, for a concert that celebrated many classic songs from before our years of isolation, as well as some of her songs we’d sung over Zoom. Many of the songs celebrated Mother Nature and brought attention to our collective responsibility to look after the environment. What a grand feeling it was, to re-awaken in public harmony, with a warm and lively audience at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto.


Special thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts who sponsored and encouraged us during this special period of rebuilding. This high-quality video and several of our workshops were made possible by this grant under its Digital Now program. This was the second performance of three in our ECHO!! Revived series. We hope you enjoy it!

Concert Video, Enough is Enough! Spring 2023

Echo Spring Concert, Enough is Enough! Sunday, May 14 3pm Holy Trinity Church, 2023

by

Join Echo and local Guest Artist Annabelle Chvostek
for a musical call to justice and action, for our planet and our community.
This is part of the ECHO!! Revived, Canada Council project.

We are excited to be performing at our home base, the newly renovated
Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square, Toronto  MAP
next to the Eaton Centre and Accessible.
Masks are recommended.

Tickets can be purchases at the door or through:  Eventbrite
Adult  $25
Seniors, Children $15
Underwaged PWYC

Led by Artistic Director Alan Gasser the concert will include a rich repertoire
of fierce social justice music from many traditions, Echo classics, Canadiana,
Shaker pieces, songs about climate justice, and music from our
favourite composers that speak to current challenges.

facebook event page

Echo Fundraiser: An Evening with Gwen Swick & Caitlin Hanford & other special guests!

by

Thursday, April 20, 2023
7-10pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. Toronto MAP

Tickets $20. can be purchased at the door or on-line through: Eventbrite

Echo is long-overdue for a live fundraiser!
You’re invited to join us on Thurs. Apr. 20 for a fabulous night of tunes with
iconic folk musicians Gwen Swick and Caitlin Hanford.

Free snacks, cash bar and fabulous Silent Auction!

Caitlin Hanford is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter living in Toronto. Gwen Swick, born in Winnipeg, is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and bassist, living in Elora. Both are members of Quartette, with Sylvia Tyson and Cindy Church, and of The Marigolds with Susie Vinnick. Their music is part bluesy, part jazzy, and part traditional country and bluegrass.

All proceeds support Echo, a non-profit community choir and registered charity.

facebook event page

Annabelle Chvostek Open Workshop Feb. 25, 2023

by

Thank you Annabelle for a great workshop!
Join us for a community choral singing workshop with singer-songwriter, fiddler and composer Annabelle Chvostek. In-person and Zoom 

Date and time  Saturday, Feb. 25, 10:00am-12:30pm, Toronto EST, 2023
Join Zoom Meeting

Location 
Church of the Holy Trinity 19 Trinity Square, MAP  (beside the Eaton Centre, accessible)
Echo is thrilled to be working with Annabelle Chvostek as a guest artist this term. 
Chvostek is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter, composer and producer whose musical achievements range from folk to jazz to indie pop. She has composed music for dance and film, co-written songs and toured with Bruce Cockburn, and was once in the band The Wailin’ Jennys. 
Annabelle will be teaching Echo and friends some new music. Sponsored by the Echo Choir as part of our Canada Council for the Arts ECHO!! Revived grant project, this workshop is open to adult and teen singers of all genders and all (or no!) experience. You do not need to be able to read music to participate. 

Participants are welcome in-person or on Zoom.
In-person participants are asked to wear masks. 

Payment: suggested $15. Or PWYC, cash in hat style, or 
Tickets can be purchased here: Eventbrite 

Echo Open Rehearsal Invite Jan, 24 at Holy Trinity- Details

by
Join us on Jan. 24, 7-8:30pm for an Open Rehearsal
at the Church of the Holy Trinity  Map 
19 Trinity Square, Toronto (next to the Eaton Centre/accessible ramp & WC)
or on Zoom (see link below)

You will have the opportunity to see what it’s like to sing with Echo. We have openings. You are welcome to join us for the season that evening if you like.
*We are requesting that masks be worn.

Echo provides a strong, inclusive, mutually supportive, community in the heart of Toronto for women who love to sing. The choir is committed to a unique and eclectic repertoire with a focus on social justice, musical excellence and passionate expression. We collaborate frequently with musicians who enrich our repertoire with music from a range of musical genres and diverse cultures.
Echo is dedicated to remaining an accessible community to all Torontonians by offering a sliding scale, both for membership fees and for concert tickets.

ZOOM LINK:
Topic: ECHO Rehearsal
Time: Jan 24, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81223956237
Meeting ID: 812 2395 6237

We are looking forward to singing with you! 

☀ 🔘 💗

More Details about our Spring Session 2023
Rehearsals are in-person and on Zoom every Tuesday evening and the occasional Saturday at 
 Holy Trinity. We’ll have 2 workshop with Annabelle Chvostek , sectionals, audiences and Spring Concert and a fundraiser at the Tranzac Club April 20.

Fees: $175. (Jan. – May 2023) 
We strive to keep fees reasonable to make singing accessible for all we have a sliding scale policy up or down.

If you have any questions please contact Anne:[email protected]
Echo Spring Session Details

Would you like to sing with Echo?
We begin our Spring Session on January 10, 7-9pm at 
Church of the Holy Trinity  Map and ON ZOOM.
19 Trinity Square, Toronto, next to the Eaton Centre/accessible ramp & WC.
Enter through the N-E door.

If you would please contact our Administrator Anne:
 [email protected]

Echo has an exciting year ahead as we continue with our
“ECHO!! Revived “, Canada Council, grant project which 
focuses on getting artists back to work now!
It was a pleasure to collaborate with Maria Dunn last fall and create two videos, one of which has just been releasedJoyful Banner Blazing – A Conversation with Maria Dunn.  and to sing with Common Thread Chorus at our Dec. 4 Winter Concert, Through Darkness into Hope – Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYzKEpgZCGw

This spring we’ll be working with special guest artist Annabelle Chvostek .

Rehearsals will be hybrid, in-person and on Zoom with host Kelly and we’ll be back to our usual times, from 7-9pm, with a longer break. We’ll have 2 workshops with Annabelle, sectionals, break-end singing, orientation for new members, an open rehearsal and Spring Concert on May 14.
Masks will be worn during rehearsals, and we will continue to review the masking protocol with reference to public health data as the season progresses. We will no longer be requesting proof of vaccination.

***

Fees: $175. (January 10 to May 14), see schedule below 
We strive to keep fees reasonable to make singing accessible for all. Echo has a sliding scale policy up or down. Like most non-profit arts organizations we’re doing our best during these uncertain times. We encourage you to pay what you can. 
Payments can be made through e-trans *NEW    [email protected]
Question: What makes us happy? Answer: singing
If you would like to pay by cheque contact Anne and she’ll send you the NEW mailing address: [email protected]

 ☀ 🔘 💗

We look forward to singing with you! 
Let Anne know if you’re interested:
 [email protected]

For more information about Echo visit: www.echochoir.ca   
Take a look at our new profiles page: Meet the Choir
 Echo Spring Schedule 2023 *All at Church of the Holy Trinity  
with Guests Artist Annabelle Chvostek
January  
Tues. 10   *all Tuesdays 7-9pm
Tues. 17   Orientation for new members
Tues. 24   Open Rehearsal 
Tues. 31
February
Tues. 7, 14, 21   
Sat.  25   10am-12:30pm Workshop Annabelle Chvostek
Tues. 28
March (March Break 13-17)
Tues. 7, 14, 21  
Sat. 25    Rehearsal 10am-12:30pm
Tues. 28
April 
Tues. 4
Tues. 11  Workshop Annabelle Chvostek
Tues. 18 , 25 
May
Tues. 2, 9
Sat. 13, Dress Rehearsal, 10-2pm (compulsory)
Sun. 14, Concert 3pm arrive at 1pm (Mother’s Day)

Echo Winter Concert, Through Darkness into Hope, Dec. 4, 7:30pm Holy Trinity Church, 2022

by

The Echo Choir, with special guest Common Thread Community Chorus, presents a Winter program
of uplifting music from around the world.

Join us Sunday, December 4, 7:30pm
at the Church of the Holy Trinity , Toronto
19 Trinity Square, behind the Eaton Centre). 
This venue is accessible for folks with mobility needs.
We request the audience wears masks, as the singers will be.
 
This concert includes a new video featuring 2022 Juno-award winner Maria Dunn working with the choir,
as part of the  ECHO!! Revived project.
 
Tickets can be purchased here: Eventbrite or at the door.
$25. Adult, $15. Seniors, Children & Under waged

facebook event

_____________________________

Echo Chocolate Fundraiser Fall 2022

Hello Chocolate Lovers,
Orders are now closed. Thank you for supporting Echo. We just wanted to give you an update.
The chocolate is being shipped from Nova Scotia. We don’t have an arrival date, but  
will be in touch with you when we have the details for pick dates, in early December.

If you have not had a chance to pay please send an e-trans using [email protected]
Question “what makes us happy?” Answer “singing”
or mail a cheque made out to 
Echo Women’s Choir to:
Ximena Escobar, Echo Treasurer
1004-350 Queens Quay West
Tor. ON M5V 3A7

If you can’t remember the amount owed we can let you know: [email protected]

The Echo Chocolate Team:)

🍫
🍩
💓

Echo is proud to be partnering with Peace by Chocolate a company founded by a Syrian family, whose chocolate business in their homeland was destroyed by war. When they settled in Antigonish, Nova Scotia as refugees they rebuilt their chocolate company and founded Peace by Chocolate in 2016. The company supports a range of non profit organizations and 3 – 5% of all company returns is now donated to the Peace on Earth Society, an organization registered in 2018 in Nova Scotia that contributes to peace building projects around the world. This Fundraiser will be supporting Echo as well as Peace by Chocolate peace initiatives..

Maria Dunn Community Choral Singing Workshop

by

Join us for a community choral singing workshop with
singer-songwriter Maria Dunn. Visiting musician and composer Maria Dunn welcomes singers to this Toronto event.

When: Nov. 3, 7-8:30pm in-person and on Zoom
Where: College St. United Church, 452 College St, Toronto MAP

A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, 2022 Juno Award Winner Maria Dunn is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness and unvarnished melodic songs about ordinary people. Her latest album Joyful Banner Blazing (2021) celebrates resilience, grace, gratitude, solidarity, joy and the love that fires our actions to make the world a better place.

Sponsored by the Echo Choir as part of our Canada Council for the Arts ECHO Revived! grant project, this workshop is open to adult and teen singers of all genders and all (or no!) experience. You do not need to be able to read music to participate.

We welcome participants either in-person and on Zoom.
*In-person participants are requested to wear masks.
 Tickets $15.ea can be purchased here: Eventbrite  
Echo and Common Thread members PWYC suggested $15. at workshop, cash in hat style.

facebook page

Echo Wine Fundraiser! Thank you for supporting Echo!

We will send you a reminder to confirm the pick up dates, either the weekend of Oct. 20-30 or Nov. 5-6,
East end – 81 East Lynn Ave.
West end – 589 Indian Rd.
or Tues. Nov. 1 at choir practice (Neighbourhood Unitarian on the Danforth)