In the coming months, we’ll be sharing personal stories from singers about how they found their way to Cantala. Cantala singers come from many walks of life, but together we form a welcoming, creative, and connected community. These stories reflect the diverse paths that brought us here—and the shared passion that keeps us singing.

Here is the second of three.

Finding My Voice Again: A Newcomer’s Journey to Singing in Toronto

Moving from Vancouver to Toronto was both thrilling and daunting.

Andrew Balfour, a Cree composer and conductor from Winnipeg, has garnered national and international acclaim for his innovative choral compositions that seamlessly blend Indigenous storytelling with Western choral traditions. We are honored to bring his voice to our Cantala concert stage.

As the carefree days of summer give way to the crisp energy of fall, Cantala is eagerly looking ahead to the next chapter in our musical journey. We’re delighted to share a preview of our 2025–2026 repertoire and concert season. Read on!

If you've ever dreamed of singing with a high-calibre choir, there's a choir in Toronto you need to know about. Read on to learn how you can be a part of the excitement!

On April 11, 2025, under the dazzling chandeliers of Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Cantala Choir experienced one of the most exhilarating performances of our musical journey.

Come and rediscover the magic of the natural world with Cantala during our winter seasonal concert, Saturday December 7th at 7pm. It will feature parts from a larger work called Lost words: A Spell book, which features one poet (Robert Macfarlane), ten composers (many of our Canadian favorites!) and twenty choral compositions.

On a summer evening, while searching on Google for Bass tabs/Wes Montgomery/Cantaloupe Island, Rachel Shaw found Cantala in what could be dramatically described as a torrent of serendipitous fate.

Carnegie Hall here we come!

We are over the moon about our upcoming tour to NYC to perform our debut recital at Carnegie Hall. It will take place in Weill Recital hall, an intimate hall that is perfect for small ensembles like Cantala. Mark your calendar-the recital is on Friday April 11, 2025. Tickets are available online through the Carnegie Hall website.

Cantala gathers at Forest Hill United Church (2 Wembley road) on Monday evenings. Many people arrive early (6:30pm) to chat, have a bite to eat or practise. The vibes are fun and focused-people are ready to sing and work hard. There is an exciting energy in the air-let’s get singing. Book your audition today.

We finished up our spring recording project this past week. The piece titled Lullaby, is a musical audioscape by Toronto composer James Rolfe. Listen to our recording below.

Cantala is now well into its 2024 Spring project. This year we are recording James Rolfe’s Lullaby with Michelle Colton on Marimba in Walter Hall at the end of June 2024. This will be released on our next album, titled Songbird, this coming Fall 2024.

Now in its 17th season, Cantala is an award winning treble choir in the Toronto choral community. We are raving mad about choral music, singing together and making an experience that is both inspiring, moving and uplifting for both singer and audience member.

We are truly lucky to have such a diverse cultural landscape in Canada. From the Indigenous peoples, to the settlers and now immigrants from every part of the globe, Canada is a place where there is such variety in our food, entertainment and social circles that one cannot but rejoice and celebrate Canada.

This spring we will be learning Canadian Folk songs. I was inspired recently by the work titled Woodsmoke and Oranges (Tamblyn). (Psst…. For those that know me, don’t be surprised to also anticipate other pieces that are not Canadian folk as well).

Do you ever think about death? I do. Death was an underlying theme at the concert this past December 2nd. It was a powerful night of wonder.

Cantala’s seasonal concert is one month away! We are excited to share with you works by Quartel, Geilo and Schubert. A magical experiences awaits….

Cantala is rethinking its commitment to provide an equitable, inclusive and diverse musical experience for any and all that want to sing. To see our initiative through, we have started a mentorship program.