Pax Christi Chorale
Pax Christi Chorale was first led by Dr. Robert Loewen, later by Lee Bartel and then John Ford. In 1996, the baton was handed over to Stephanie Martin, who has been the Artistic Director of the choir ever since. Pax Christi Chorale was founded in 1987 by Dr. Loewen, current President Emily Burgetz and Ron Sawatsky, inspired by the success of a choir assembled for the Toronto celebration of the 1986 Bicentennial of Mennonites in Canada. Some of the original 35 singers are still in the choir today.
From Ms. Martin’s first season as Artistic Director, she raised the bar and challenged the choir with its first performances with orchestra, which included Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. The choir has steadily added to its oratorio repertoire, enriching Toronto choral music lovers with memorable performances and gaining a reputation as one of Canada’s finest oratorio choirs.
As Pax Christi Chorale reflects on 25 years of great oratorio singing, it is amazing to follow the choir as it has grown to over 90 singers, including a youth choir (led by Lynn Janes), and to embrace not only members of the Mennonite community, but also singers from different faith traditions, all sharing a love of great choral singing and doing so with passion, conviction and heart!
Pax Christi Chorale is a member of Choirs Ontario and the Association of Canadian Choral Communities and is grateful for the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and Stonegate Private Counsel.
Pax Christi Youth Choir
The Pax Christi Youth Choir was formed at the beginning of the 2009-2010 concert season. The choir comprises youth between the ages of 13 and 21 and is led by well-known, highly respected music educator Lynn Janes, current Head of Music at Havergal College, former conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir (TMYC), and former music teacher at Earl Haig Secondary School. Lynn and Stephanie Martin were co-winners of the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting in 1998.
The Pax Christi Youth Choir rehearses separately with Lynn Janes and performs repertoire on their own in the regular season concerts, but also joins the adult choir for the oratorio performances under the direction of Stephanie Martin.
“Most of us who enjoy choral singing as adults have strong, positive memories of singing in a youth choir or children’s choir,” says Stephanie Martin, “It’s so important for us to pass the torch – to give the next generation a chance to experience our great inheritance of choral music. A lot of us give up on organizing community projects like this because it does take a lot of time, hard work, enthusiasm and financial support. We owe it to ourselves to ensure the future of classical music in our community. Let them sing!”
Lynn Janes adds: “One of the best ways for young people to express their creativity, meet new friends and develop a range of skills is to join a choir. Singing in a choir is a pursuit that knows no age, gender, economic, geographical or social boundaries, and one which offers considerable benefits. Young people need positive opportunities and singing in the Pax Christi Youth Choir will be an amazing and enriching experience.”
For information about auditioning for Pax Christi Youth Choir, contact General Manager Christine Dulude at christine.dulude@paxchristichorale.org.
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Pax Christi Chorale Honorary Patrons
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the following distinguished friends of the choir have accepted our invitation to become Honorary Patrons of the choir:
Howard Dyck, C.M., Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of Consort Caritatis, Artistic Director Emeritus of Grand Philharmonic Choir, Conductor Emeritus of Bach Elgar Choir
Eric Friesen, Writer, Speaker and Broadcaster
Abner Martin, Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Menno Singers
Stéphane Potvin, Founding Artistic Director of the Oakville Ensemble, Conductor in Residence of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
Catherine Robbin, Mezzo-Soprano, Director of Classical Vocal Studies, York University
