Ymddiheuraf, does dim ar gael yn Gymraeg.
Country representing: Canada
Number of performers in the whole group: 32
Group website: https://torontovoices.ca
Competitions Participating In: Open Choirs
Biography:
“Toronto Voices” is the name given to the full membership of the Toronto Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and the group that will be singing in the Open Choirs category at the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
The Toronto Chapter has been home to the male voice Toronto Northern Lights Chorus for years, and as of this January a new all voices chorus was born.
History
Although the Barbershop Harmony Society has its roots as a male-only organization, in recent years membership has been opened to one and all, and a number of excellent All-Voices choruses have formed around North America and the world.
Toronto Voices is the first such chorus to emerge in Canada’s largest city, and until it appeared there really wasn’t an opportunity there to sing barbershop arrangements in a fully mixed ensemble, open to all voices and all genders.
Founders Andrew Carolan and Nicky McGrath recognized that gap, and they’ve been leading the new choir in building a repertoire of pop and vocal jazz arrangements, with of course some Barbershop style music as well.
The Toronto Voices are very excited to share their music with choral singers and music lovers from around the world in Llangollen this summer!
Musical Director: Andrew Carolan
Born and raised in Australia, Toronto Voices and Toronto Northern Lights Musical Director Andrew Carolan has extensive experience in the a cappella world as a singer, arranger, educator, coach, and judge of a cappella competitions around North America and the globe.
Andrew brings a positive, high-energy, and motivational leadership style to the group. He is passionate about leading others to personal growth through music, having seen firsthand the positive impact barbershop music and related artforms can have on our lives and communities.
Where and how often do you rehearse?
We rehearse in downtown Toronto, Canada every second Tuesday.
Do you have any interesting stories about your group?
The Toronto Voices is a brand-new choir, made up of the low voices of the Toronto Northern Lights Chorus, together with some high voices, to form one of the only mixed voice barbershop choirs in the large metropolis of Toronto Canada.
The choir is trying out different venues in search of the ideal centrally located rehearsal spot. One memorable rehearsal took place in a complex containing several studios. That night the chorus was faced with the challenge of sight reading their way through a particularly tricky vocal jazz ballad, while a Salsa Dance Class blared away at top volume in the room next door. Needless to say, the search continued!
The Toronto Voices culture is intentionally designed to create an open, inclusive space for all singers to come together and create excellent contemporary a cappella music.
