“Enriching lives through choral music experiences.”
Choral music is an important cultural activity in Waterloo Region.
The Grand Philharmonic Choir traces its roots back to the 19th century, when Kitchener was named Berlin. A defining feature of local life was the singing festival (sängerfest) that attracted thousands of people; this has formed a lasting foundation of appreciation for choral music.
The choir has operated continuously since 1922. We are now four choirs in one organization: a large symphonic adult chorus, a smaller chamber choir drawn from the ranks of that chorus, a youth choir comprised of singers aged 14 to 23, and a children’s choir for young singers from age 7 to 14.
We produce, perform, and share choral music in and around Waterloo Region. Our offerings range from a formal concert series with professional orchestra and world-class soloists to free, open sing-along opportunities for the public.
We provide music education experiences for our singers and the wider community. Our children and youth choirs, totalling more than 90 young singers, engage in a formal music education program including ear training, performance skills, voice production, sight reading and music theory.
In 1972, Howard Dyck became artistic director and continued for another 38 years before retiring in July 2010. Ambitious and visionary, Howard built the choir’s performance standards, artistic ambition and administrative support. When the city’s 1,800-seat, acoustically fine concert hall, Centre in the Square, opened in 1982, it quickly became the choir’s home venue.
The children’s choir was begun in 1985, and the youth choir in 1998. Andrea DeBoer-Jones is the children’s choir conductor, and Greer Schatz is the youth choir conductor. The two choirs engage in a music education program including ear training, performance skills, voice production, sight reading and music theory, all in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The youth choir quickly became one of the best ensembles in Canada, winning first place in the youth category, mixed voices, at the CBC National Competition of Amateur Choirs.
Mark Vuorinen has been the choir’s artistic director since 2010. He has brought intense focus on performance standards, an innovative approach to programming, and commitment to outreach and collaboration.
Recent performance highlights for the choir include the great choral works, such as Handel’s Messiah, the Passions of J.S. Bach, and Mozart’s Requiem.
The choir also embraces the opportunity to perform – and commission – works that address contemporary concerns, such as the environment, living in peace with those who are different from us, and works by Indigenous composers.
We have recently performed works such as Earth Air Fire Water by Katerina Gimon, Mamachimowin by Andrew Balfour, and The Houses Stand Not Far Apart by John Estacio (which we co-commissioned).
We support new composers by commissioning new works. In March 2025, we gave the premiere of pīsimwak – Moons II by Karen Sunabacka. Another commission is planned for its premiere in 2026.
The adult choir is one of the few choral performing organizations in Canada, outside the major metropolitan centres, with its own season, featuring performances of choral music with professional orchestra in a professionally managed concert hall.
To find out more about the Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir, click here