Gloria
2018-02-10 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Toronto) | St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 49 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 2G9, Canada
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“My youngest child, old-fashioned and sweet,” Bernstein wrote of his Chichester Psalms, which are often described as a magical combination of Biblical Hebrew verse and Christian choral tradition. At this concert, we will also perform the winning work from the GPC composition competition, which launches this season.
Gloria
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Natasha Campbell, soprano
Daniel Cabena, countertenor
Bernstein – Chichester Psalms
Poulenc – Gloria
Corlis – Psalm 150
February 10, 2018, 7:30 pm
St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church has limited on-site parking found under the building. Handicap parking permit holders may park at the side of the church building off Queen Street. Street parking is also available. Paid parking is available at the library lot and the lot on Duke Street.
If you need special assistance, please call the choir office at 519-578-5660 x 5290.

St. John Passion
2018-03-30 19:30 - 22:00 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
Bach: St. John Passion

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We return to our beloved tradition of a Bach masterwork on Good Friday. St. John Passion is dramatic, tragic and yet indescribably beautiful. The eloquent Canadian tenor, Lawrence Wiliford, takes the role of the Evangelist, in which he has been described as portraying a “brilliant mix of tenderness and dramatic ferocity” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
St. John Passion
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Lawrence Wiliford, Evangelist
Jesse Blumberg, Christus
Hélène Brunet, soprano
Jenny Enns Modolo, alto
Jean-Philippe Lazure, tenor
Dion Mazerolle, bass
University of Waterloo Chamber Choir
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Mark Vuorinen, conductor
March 30, 2018, 7:30 pm
Centre in the Square, Kitchener

Roaring '20s Bash
2018-04-07 19:00 - 23:00 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Roaring 20s Bash
A Gala event to benefit the Grand Philharmonic Choir!
April 7 2018, 7 pm
Centre in the Square, Kitchener
Enter by the stage door and be escorted to our glittering underground speakeasy! Give the secret password to get into the party of a lifetime!
* Enjoy jazz with the Tim Louis Trio!
* Dance with Hepcat Swing!
* Sparkling welcome drink (cash bar thereafter)
* Delicious food from Public Kitchen & Bar
* With guest host and Prohibition storyteller extraordinaire, Dr. Andrew Hunt!
* Come in 1920s costume — you could win a prize!
* Divine silent auction with unique items!
* Games aplenty
* Partial tax receipt
Tickets $95 each
V.I.P tickets $150 each (valet parking and your own table) — only four to be sold

Earth Sea Sky
2018-04-21 19:30 - 22:30 | Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water St N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 5A4, Canada
“Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky.”
These words, from a prayer of the indigenous Ute Nation prayer, are the text of Rupert Lang’s Earth Teach Me. It’s just one of several sublime compositions that we offer for an evocative meditation to mark Earth Day weekend.
Earth Sea Sky
Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers
Enns: Ten Thousand Rivers of Oil
Raminsh: In the trail of the wind (excerpts)
Vasks: Plainscapes
Grau: Kasar mie la Gaji
Lang: Earth Teach Me
April 21, 2018, 7:30 pm
Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, Kitchener
Click here for tickets!

Sing YOUR Song--Children's Choir concert
2018-04-28 15:00 - 17:00 | St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton Street, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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It's a Grand Night for Singing--Youth Choir Spring Concert
2018-05-01 20:00 - 21:00 | Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd.
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Our concert has been rescheduled for May 1, 2018. All tickets sold for the cancelled date will be honored at the door.

BAF Night--Bring a Friend/Open House Night Children's Choir
2018-05-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd.

Mozart Requiem
2018-10-20 19:30 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Mozart died while writing his own Requiem. Perhaps that is why we still find this music – by turn terrifying, heartbreaking and serene, so compelling.
Also at this concert, you’ll experience powerful photographs Edward Burtynsky on the big screen while hearing soaring works by Tulev and Gjeilo.
Try Us Out! For this concert only, all tickets are $40 or less! That’s less than half the regular cost for best seats in the house.
Come early to see Burtynsky’s compelling photographs up close! From 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery will display some of the Burtynsky photos in its own collection. A curator will be on hand to talk about the art before the concert and also at intermission.
The Art Gallery is located in the same building, just across the hall from the concert theatre beside the box office.
Mozart Requiem
Gjeilo: Song of the Universal; Luminous Light of the Soul
Tulev: Psalm 23
Ellen McAteer – Soprano
Christina Stelmacovich – Mezzo-Soprano
Jean-Philippe Lazure – Tenor
Clarence Frazer – Baritone
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
Saturday October 20th, 7:30pm
Centre in the Square, Kitchener

Considering Matthew Shepard - Saturday Evening
2018-11-17 19:30 | University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
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In October 1998, university student Matthew Shepard was targeted for his sexuality. He was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in a lonely field.
Twenty years after that terrible event, we perform Craig Hella Johnson’s bold and transcendent work, which incorporates a variety of musical styles and texts, including passages from Matthew’s personal journal.
This is the first time this work will be performed in Canada.
Considering Matthew Shepard
Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers
University of Waterloo Chamber Choir
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
Saturday November 17th, 7:30pm
University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre
The work is 100 minutes long and will be performed without an intermission.
We are also presenting this show on the afternoon of Sunday November 18th, at 3:00pm at the Humanities Theatre. Click here to be taken to that event page.
***Please bear in mind: Although the overall themes in this work are of hope, compassion and equality, this concert includes strong language and upsetting content.***
For patrons with accessibility needs for parking, please make arrangements beforehand by calling the box office between noon and 5 at 519-888-4908.
Parking is available in Lot H across the Ring Road from the Theatre. Enter at the University Avenue main entrance, turn left and left again into the lot. Exit with credit card for a flat charge of $5.
Alternatively, pay-and-display parking is available in Lots A and C across University Avenue from the main entrance. Pay-and-display parking allows cash payments.

Considering Matthew Shepard - Sunday Afternoon
2018-11-18 15:00 | University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
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In October 1998, university student Matthew Shepard was targeted for his sexuality. He was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in a lonely field.
Twenty years after that terrible event, we perform Craig Hella Johnson’s bold and transcendent work, which incorporates a variety of musical styles and texts, including passages from Matthew’s personal journal.
This is the first time this work will be performed in Canada.
Considering Matthew Shepard
Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers
University of Waterloo Chamber Choir
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
Sunday November 18th, 3:00pm
University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre
The work is 100 minutes long and will be performed without an intermission.
We are also presenting this show on the evening of Saturday November 17th, at 7:30pm at the Humanities Theatre. Click here to be taken to that event page.
***Please bear in mind: Although the overall themes in this work are of hope, compassion and equality, this concert includes strong language and upsetting content.***
For patrons with accessibility needs for parking, please make arrangements beforehand by calling the box office between noon and 5 at 519-888-4908.
Parking is available in Lot H across the Ring Road from the Theatre. Enter at the University Avenue main entrance, turn left and left again into the lot. Exit with credit card for a flat charge of $5.
Alternatively, pay-and-display parking is available in Lots A and C across University Avenue from the main entrance. Pay-and-display parking allows cash payments.

In December
2018-12-01 15:30 - 17:00 | First United Church, 16 William Street West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 1J3, Canada
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In December
Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir
Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir
Saturday December 1st, 3:30pm
First United Church, Waterloo

Messiah
2018-12-08 19:30 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Whether this is your very first Messiah, or whether you have heard it countless times, this is a very special experience. Every year, it is fresh and full of wonder, yet timeless and traditional. Just like the Christmas season itself.
Messiah
Meredith Hall – Soprano
Andrea Hill – Mezzo-Soprano
Charles Sy – Tenor
Phillip Addis – Bass
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
Saturday December 8th, 7:30pm
Centre in the Square – Kitchener

Beauty Within
2019-03-02 19:30 | St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 49 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 2G9, Canada
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An evening of gorgeous music, written from the heart! Immerse yourself in Brahms’ Nänie, Schicksalslied in new chamber instrumentation, and his well-loved Alto Rhapsody. Also, Eric Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs, written for his wife; a beautiful setting of James Joyce’s poem The Lover’s Chant, by brilliant young Canadian composer Matthew Emery; and much more.
Beauty Within
Jennifer Enns Modolo – Mezzo-Soprano
James Mason – Oboe
Julie Baumgartel – Violin
Margaret Jordan-Gay – Cello
Peter Shackelton – Clarinet
Annika Borrmann – Piano
Ian VanderBurgh – Piano
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
Saturday March 2, 7:30pm
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
49 Queen St. North, Kitchener

Tudor Splendour
2019-03-23 19:30 | Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water St N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 5A4, Canada
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English Renaissance choral music is a garden in full bloom! Experience the glorious polyphony of Tallis, Byrd and Sheppard. Then, compare with devotional contemporary works, including Emily Walker’s exquisitely crafted, serene I Asked of God. At this concert, we will also present the world premiere of the winning work in our 2019 GPC Choral Works Competition — Sonnet 18, by Rémi St-Jacques.
Learn more about this exciting new composition here.
Tudor Splendour
Sheppard: Media Vita
Byrd: Mass in 4 Voices
Allan: In paradisum
Walker: I Asked of God
And more!
Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
March 23rd, 7:30 pm
Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, Kitchener

Bach St. Matthew Passion
2019-04-19 19:30 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Join our Good Friday tradition of a master work by J.S. Bach. His St. Matthew Passion invites the listener to reflect on the perspectives of the different players in this beautiful and redemptive account.
Bach St. Matthew Passion
Isaiah Bell – Evangelist
Daniel Okulitch – Christus
Estelí Gomez – Soprano
Allyson McHardy – Mezzo-Soprano
Asitha Tennekoon – Tenor
Daniel Lichti – Baritone
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir and Youth Choir
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen – Conductor
Good Friday, April 19th, 7:30pm
Centre in the Square, Kitchener
The singing of the Passion narrative has been part of Holy Week liturgies since at least the fourth century. Early forms began as recitations by a single cantor, intoning all of the roles. By the ninth century, manuscripts reveal that indications for the tempo, relative pitch and volume of the recitation of these texts had been prescribed. In the 12th century, fixed pitches for the words of the Evangelist, Christ, and the crowds had been set by using symbolic letters in the margins. These printed rubrics are the precursors to fully composed polyphonic settings, which abound in the voice of all four Gospel-tellers from at least the fifteenth century on. These texts form the backbone of the Christian faith and have served as the seeds of profound musical composition for centuries.
From the middle of the 17th century, composers began to add non-biblical texts to the Passion in the form of arias and choruses as well as independent instrumental movements. Familiar Lutheran hymns or chorales were interpolated in Protestant Germany reminding the participants that the ownership of this liturgical practice belonged squarely to the people.
When Johann Sebastian Bach arrived in Leipzig to take up the post of Cantor at the Thomaskirche in 1723, the singing of elaborate settings of the Passion narrative was a relatively new tradition. Historically, Good Friday at the Thomaskirche saw the singing of a simple four-part setting of the Passion from the 16 th Century by Johann Walter, a contemporary of Martin Luther. The conservative leadership of the Thomaskirche may have liked to see that tradition remain. But, ever since Georg Philipp Telemann had written a Passion oratorio for the ‘New Church’ across town in 1717, Bach’s predecessor, Johann Kuhnau, had tried to persuade the Leipzig consistory to allow for the performance of a new “figural style” Passion to be sung on Good Friday. Eventually, the consistory, observing churchgoers flocking across town to the ‘New Church’ for Good Friday liturgical celebrations, relented and allowed Kuhnau to prepare, and perform a new setting of the St. Mark Passion with biblical narrative, reflective chorales and free poetry in the form of arias in 1721. And so, by the time of Bach’s arrival in Leipzig two years later, a new tradition for the afternoon Vespers liturgy on Good Friday had emerged. It is a point of great interest, and perhaps a little pride, then, that the long tradition of singing Passion oratorios on Good Friday by this choir, in Waterloo Region, has a longer history than that which Bach inherited in 1723.
The St. Matthew Passion was first performed on Good Friday, April 11, 1727, though documentary evidence suggests that Bach had started on it much earlier, perhaps hoping that it would be ready for his second Easter in Leipzig in 1725. But, it would be another two years before his second Passion setting was ready. So a revised version of the St. John Passion, heard in 1724 was remounted in 1725, and a year later Bach returned to a St. Mark Passion he had performed some years ago in Weimar by Friedrich Nicolaus Brauns. Bach, it seems, wanted to make his second Passion setting a personal triumph, taking the necessary time to complete what would become his grandest work.
First Bach had to set out to find a text. One of the requirements of the Leipzig consistory for Passion texts was that biblical narratives didn’t stray from their biblical sources. This stipulation meant that the popular models by librettists like Barthold Heinrich Brockes, which were in wide use elsewhere would not pass muster at the Thomaskirche because they substituted biblical text with rhymed paraphrase. Eventually, Bach settled on a libretto that interpolated contemporary poetry and Lutheran chorales into the biblical account of the Passion according to Matthew by Christian Friedrich Henrici, known by his pen-name Picander. Whether Bach set out to commission Picander for a text or Picander came to Bach is unclear. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the two artists worked
closely on the collaboration.
Picander’s text and Bach’s music set two full chapters, 26 and 27, of Matthew’s gospel. With a careful ear to a sense of pacing Bach and Picander interposed fifteen reflective texts of free poetry. Each brings the dramatic activity to a brief pause, allowing the personal, collective voice of the aria texts to comment on the action that has just taken place. The narrative is made entirely personal through these extraordinary meditations: Peter’s guilt in denying Christ is made universal in the stunning aria Erbarme dich and the collective mourning that follows Christ’s death is reflected in the beautiful Mache dich, mein Herze rein. These, of course, are just two examples. It is these reflective pillars take that take on the character of a musical Stations of the Cross, each encouraging Bach’s congregants towards a truer, purer devotion.
In the St. Matthew Passion Bach used every available musical form: recitatives, which relate the story, ariosos and arias, chorales and chorale fantasias (such as the opening and closing movements of Part I). He uses dance forms in the arias and many of the choruses and sets apart the words of Christ by surrounding them in a halo of strings. And, the use of the unusual (for Bach) double choir and orchestra demonstrate that his ambition for this work was far beyond that of any other of its kind.
Demonstrating that he believed the St. Matthew Passion to be his most significant work, Bach returned to his St. Matthew Passion three more times at the Thomaskirche and took extraordinary care in creating a calligraphic fair copy score, meticulously reproduced and restored by its composer.
We, as performers and listeners, have inherited a truly masterful work and are the beneficiaries of its unequalled genius.
Notes by Mark Vuorinen

Stories Around the World
2019-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton Street, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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Join the Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir and Children’s Choir in their Spring concert as they showcase songs from around the world.

Bring a Friend Night and 2019-20 Season Registration
2019-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd.
You are invited to check us out!
Join the Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir (grade 9-age 23)
Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir (age 7-grade 8)
for our Open House/Registration Night
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate 110 Doon Road
6:00 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Register for the 2019-20 season!
519-578-5660 x5290 or info@grandphilchoir.com for more information

Audition for the Grand Philharmonic Choir
2019-05-13 13:00 - 19:00 | Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo, Canada
Click here to sign up for an audition time

Audition for the Grand Philharmonic Choir
2019-05-14 17:00 - 21:00 | Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo, Canada
Click here to sign up for an audition time.

Candide
2019-10-26 19:30 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Philosophy meets broadway! Leonard Bernstein’s delightful operetta offers biting wit, musical fireworks and unforgettable melodies. The Grammy- and Juno-nominated Elora Singers join the Grand Philharmonic Choir for this unforgettable performance.
Chris Fischer – Candide
Vania Chan – Cunegonde
Paul Grambo – Pangloss
Christina Stelmacovich – The Old Lady
Jenn Krabbe – Paquette
Richard Hrytzak – Maximilian
The Elora Singers
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen, conductor
Pre-concert talk at 6:30 by UW History professor Andrew Hunt – “Candide, Satire, and America in the 1950s”
Try us out! For this concert only, all tickets are $40 or less! ($14 anywhere in the house for under-30s or students; $5 for high school and younger)

GPC Holiday Craft Show
2019-11-02 10:00 - 15:00 | St. Louis Roman Catholic Church gymnasium, 53 Allen St E,, Waterloo, ON, N2J 1J3, Canada

Winter Hymn
2019-11-09 19:30 | Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water St N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 5A4, Canada
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A selection of contemplative works as we welcome winter
Imagine a child’s excitement for a sleigh ride in Sarah Quartel’s A Winter’s Day. Experience the soaring lines of Ola Gjeilo’s The Rose. Be transfixed by Caleb Burhan’s Super flumina Babylonis, a captivating setting of Psalm 37. And so much more!

We Are Connected--Children and Youth Choir Concert
2019-11-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 1T1, Canada
Tickets available at the door or online
tickets here!
Parking is available at the church, Waterloo Town Square and in the Waterloo Public Library lot.

Youth Choir Fundraising at Indigo!
2019-11-25 18:30 - 21:30 | Indigo Bookstore, 550 King St, Waterloo, ON, N2L 5W6, Canada
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On Thursday, November 28th from 6:30-9:30 pm at Indigo Bookstore at Conestoga Mall, help us earn 15% of sales toward our summer tour when you agree to participate once they get to the cash register with their purchases. Stop at the Registration Desk for the fundraiser before shopping. We will be serenading you while you shop from 6:30 – 8 p.m!

Messiah
2019-12-07 19:30 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Nothing is better at Christmastime than Handel’s Messiah. From the first ringing notes of “Comfort Ye, My People,” to the beautifully drawn Nativity story, to the thrilling “Hallelujah” chorus and beyond, this is the best-loved work we perform, year after year. Whether this is your first Messiah or your 50th, it will be very special.
Mireille Asselin, soprano
Maude Brunet, mezzo-soprano
Asitha Tennekoon, tenor
Samuel Chan, baritone
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen, conductor

Bring a Friend Night - Youth Choir
2020-01-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd.
We would love to have new singers join us for the rest of the season. Would you like to join or maybe just want to see what it is all about? Now is the time!
We will be having a special working rehearsal on Monday the 13th. If you like it and want to register we will be accepting new singers through the month of January.
The Youth Choir is composed of singers ranging in age from Grade 9 to 24 years old.

Bring a Friend Night - Children's Choir
2020-01-14 17:50 - 20:30 | Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd.
(If you are looking for Bring a Friend Night for the Youth Choir (singers from Grade 9 to 23 years old), click here)
We would love to have new singers join us for the rest of the season. Would you like to join or maybe just want to see what it is all about? Now is the time!
We will be having a special working rehearsal on Tuesday the 14th. If you like it and want to register we will be accepting new singers through the month of January.
Viva – for singers 7-9 years old – rehearsal is from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Voce – for singers 10-14 years old – rehearsal is from 6:15pm to 8:30pm

CANCELLED - Brahms Requiem
2020-04-10 19:30 | Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
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Brahms’ deeply personal Ein Deutsches Requiem is by turns exquisitely tender and powerfully moving.
Eriks Ešenvalds’ Passion and Resurrection tells the Passion story with rich, sonorous choral writing and a mosaic of sacred texts.
Lesley Bouza, soprano
Tyler Duncan, baritone
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Grand Philharmonic Choir
Mark Vuorinen, conductor

CANCELLED - Choirs in Concert - Friday
2020-05-08 19:30 | ON
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A wonderful evening for all the family!
All 200 singers in our own family of four choirs sing their hearts out for you, in an unforgettable night of music-making!
Included will be the world premiere of the winning work in our 2020 Choral Works Composition Contest – this year, especially created for children’s choir.

CANCELLED - Choirs in Concert - Saturday
2020-05-09 19:30 | ON
