Pax Christi Chorale was founded in the fall of 1987, inspired by the success of an ad hoc choir assembled for the Toronto celebration of the 1986 Bicentennial of Mennonites in Canada. Over the years, the choir has grown from about 35 to 80, including both Mennonites and singers from various faith traditions and cultures. Stephanie Martin has been Artistic Director since the choir’s 10 th season, building on the work of former conductors Robert Loewen, Lee Bartel and John Ford. Stephanie led the choir in its first experience of singing with a large orchestra, for Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. As part of our 20th anniversary initiatives in 2007, we hired our first Assistant Conductor, Stuart Sladden, and launched the Pax Christi Chamber Choir, a 20 th anniversary initiative of Pax Christi Chorale.
Other milestones include: releasing two recordings, Rejoice! (sold out) and Seasons of the Spirit; premiering new works by Derek Holman, Andrew Ager and Scott Good; implementing programs to nurture young singers, including a Pax Christi Children’s Choir project and choral scholarship program; introducing emerging artists to Toronto audiences and providing performance opportunities for several established artists; performing in Ottawa in 2005; collaborating with the Earl Haig Girls’ Choir, Christ Church Deer Park Junior Choir, Toronto, and with the Menno Singers of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Pax Christi Chorale’s rehearsal accompanist and organist is Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill.
Sponsor a Singer
Sponsor a Pax Christi Chorale member and sign their individual pledge sheet—pledge a lump sum, or an amount per hymn sung or number of hours sung.
Purchase Your Favourite Hymn
Do you have a favourite hymn? For $20, we will guarantee you a full
rendition of that hymn, complete with all verses, during the half-hour window of your choice.
Eat!
While the marathon of hymn-singing continues throughout the day, take a break and, for a small cost, enjoy a hot lunch featuring food from the Swiss Mennonite tradition.
Lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 for adults, $5 for children under 5, free for
children under 3. Pie and coffee/tea only: $5 for all ages, served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Support Pax Christi Chorale
If you wish to make a contribution but are not able to sing with us, please contact Christina at christinachabot@osgoode.yorku.ca, 416-993-6676. All proceeds will go to support Pax Christi Chorale’s musical initiatives. We will issue a charitable tax receipt for singer sponsorships of $20 or more.
Come for an hour or two, or join in a full day of marathon singing!
