Toronto, April 25, 2024—The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir unveils its upcoming 2024/2025 season, led by artistic director Jean-Sébastien Vallée. This season marks the organization’s 130th season, cementing a legacy of choral excellence and collaboration. TMChoir is also pleased to announce an all-new composer-in-residence and the appointment of Aaron Manswell to the role, whose commissions will be performed across several concerts throughout the season.
“It’s a great pleasure to join this legendary choir just in time to celebrate this milestone anniversary and the appointment of composer-in-residence, the extraordinarily talented Aaron Manswell. I’ve been inspired and energized by the passion and talent of this choir, as well as the breadth of programming we’ll be presenting next season,” said Daniela Nardi, Executive Director. “I am looking forward to sharing with our audiences and all Torontonians, the experience of this landmark season.”
The season launches in November with The Love Affair: Waltz & Tango, which features a program of works by Brahms and Palermi, alongside an instrumental ensemble led by Vallée. In addition, the TMChoir celebrates its 25th edition with their annual holiday tradition, Festival of Carols, at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. Visionaries: Vivaldi and DaVinci, featuring the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers and state-of-the-art video technology for this multimedia experience exploring The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci by Jocelyn Hagen. The final performance of the season is Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at Roy Thomson Hall. The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir gave the Canadian premiere of this work nearly a century ago, in 1927, providing a fitting finale to the 130th season.
Composer-in-residence, Aaron Manswell’s commissions will be performed across several concerts throughout the season. He is a composer from Toronto, Ontario, who has had his songs premiered and recorded across North America, notably featured on the 2024 Billboard chart-topping album “Tapestry of Becoming” by Choral Arts Initiative.
Alongside their mainstage performances, the 2024/25 season features various workshops and community performances, offering communities additional chances to connect with choral music. Take the Podium, TMChoir’s annual Choral Conducting Symposium returns May 6-10, 2025. The program invites emerging conductors and those who wish to refine their skills to participate in a five-day series of workshops and masterclasses. Other beloved workshops like Singsation and Exchange: A Day Of Community Choral Workshops continue, with partnerships in the choral community with Orpheus Choir and Pax Christi Chorale. The anniversary season will also include a new commercial recording, Remember: 130 Years of Canadian Choral Music, which will be released on October 4, 2024, by ATMA Classique.
Continuing their long standing relationship with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the TMChoir is proud to be collaborating in performances of Mozart’s Requiem October 9-12, 2024 with conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste, as well as the annual Messiah performances Dec 17-22, 2024 which will be conducted by TMChoir’s Artistic Director Jean-Sébastien Vallée for this special anniversary year.
I’m overflowing with excitement to unveil our upcoming milestone: the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s 130th Anniversary Season! For over a century, we’ve connected with the hearts of Canadians and become an integral part of our nation’s musical history. As we celebrate this significant milestone, I invite you to join us in honoring our rich heritage while daring to discover the boundless possibilities of choral music.
– Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Artistic Director
Tickets on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 AM at www.tmchoir.org
