Pax Christi Chorale was founded in 1987, on the core values of artistic excellence, diversity, inclusivity and support. In addition to an annual season of ticketed choral performances, education, outreach and professional development opportunities have always been an integral part of the organization’s mission and vision.

YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM

Pax Christi Chorale Apprentice Members:

Pax Christi Chorale gives young choristers between the ages of 18 to 22 the opportunity to sing great choral works in a welcoming community setting. Pax Christi Chorale will cover the cost of your joining the choir (a value of approximately $350), including your membership fee and a travel allowance of $50 per term ($100 in total).

Apprentice members will be mentored by an experienced Pax Christi Chorale chorister. In addition, you will be given two voice coaching sessions in each term (a total of 4 sessions) by one of the Pax Christi Chorale choral leads. In return, apprentice members commit to attending all performances by Pax Christi Chorale, and 80% of rehearsals.

Some choral experience, including a basic level of sight reading is required. The Choir rehearses weekly in person on Monday nights in the St. Clair/Avenue Rd area. Rehearsals begin on September 12.

Auditions for Apprentice Members are held in June and September. To apply, complete and submit the online application form found HERE. You are also requested to perform a selection (either accompanied or a cappella) that demonstrates your voice, its quality and range, to best advantage. Upload your material to SoundCloud or YouTube and paste the link into the application form. We will contact you to set up an audition through Zoom once we have received your application.

Pax Christi Chorale Choral Scholars:

Pax Christi Chorale provides emerging solo artists with professional training in choral performance and musical leadership, while enhancing the skills of the volunteer choir members and contributing to the artistic quality of the choir as a whole. Choral scholars are part of Pax’s artistic team, and are paid a stipend per rehearsal and concert over the course of the season. Four scholars are supported annually, one for each voice part.

Applications for a Choral Scholar position are currently closed. 

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Children’s Messiah

Introduced in 2008, Pax Christi Chorale’s Children’s Messiah is a seasonal classic especially for children and families, featuring the glorious music of Handel. This 60-minute event introduces young audience members to a great choral masterwork and the joys of the collective live musical experience. Children are encouraged to sit up front to experience the intensity of orchestra and choir while soloists engage with them directly.

Emerging vocalists and instrumentalists are invited to collaborate with Pax Christi Chorale for this event, enhancing their own skills while sharing their love of this masterwork with young families and children.

Admission is pay-what-you-can, proceeds are donated to a local charity

Outreach to Schools

Starting in 2023, Artistic Director Elaine Choi, accompanied by Pax Christi Chorale Choral Scholars and Apprentice Members conducted workshops in three schools in North York, Richmond Hill and Brampton to share choral music with students in the junior, intermediate and senior levels. Itinerant music programs in public school systems continue to face ongoing challenges and restrictions due to a lack of funding. It is important, therefore, for communities like Pax Christi Chorale to reach out and help provide quality music education to the next generation. The artistic team led workshops, assisted in masterclasses and facilitated dialogue with the students, all while promoting Pax Christi Chorale. This outreach opportunity gives leadership and teaching opportunities for our young members, while sharing the joy of choral music making to school-age children and youth.