Our Choirs
Primo
Primo is YVT’s Early Childhood Music program for our youngest singers in JK through Grade One. Primo introduces the basic elements of music through movement, singing, speech, dance, and drama, laying the foundations for a life-long love for music.
Singers will discover and develop their singing voice and develop skills for learning and performing with others. This program offers one open rehearsal per term where parents and friends are invited to observe their child’s learning experience.
Primo classes are on Tuesdays OR Wednesdays from 4:30 – 5:15, at Runnymede Presbyterian Church, 680 Annette Street.
Children in Primo do not need a vocal assessment. If your child is younger than grade one, you can register directly by clicking here to visit our registration page.
Piccolo is our youngest choir ensemble. Piccolo choristers are generally entering grades 1 or 2 (ages 6/7) and are ready for short experiences in a typical choir rehearsal. Piccolo singers easily participate in singing/music activities and are able or are learning to sing in tune with others. Specially created printed music is given to Piccolo singers and recordings help the children to learn their songs between rehearsals.
Piccolo choristers will attend two “all choirs” rehearsals each season. Piccolo performs twice a year.
Piccolo rehearsals are Wednesdays from 5:30 – 6:30 pm, at Runnymede Presbyterian Church, 680 Annette Street.
Piccolo
Dolce
Dolce is our primary school-aged choir ensemble consisting of singers in grades 2 and 3 (ages 7/8/) or choristers in Grade 4 for whom Dolce may be their first choir experience. These young singers are mostly or always able to sing in tune with others. Dolce singers begin working in “A Young Singer’s Journey” a specially designed music theory program for young choral singers. Music theory is taught as part of the rehearsal and choristers will complete theory homework each week. Specially printed vocal scores are provided to each chorister and at-home practice is expected between rehearsals. Recordings are provided to assist in the learning. There is usually something to memorize!
Dolce choristers attend a special one-day choir retreat in the fall and will attend two “all choirs” rehearsals each season.
Dolce performs 2-4 times a year.
Dolce rehearsals are Tuesdays from 5:30 – 6:45 pm, at Runnymede Presbyterian Church, 680 Annette Street.
The Dolce/Cantabile retreat day (mandatory) will take place Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Neilson Park Creative Centre (Toronto).
Cantabile is YVT’s junior ensemble for choristers in grades 4, 5 and 6 who accurately sing in tune and are ready to sing in harmony! Cantabile choristers explore more challenging two and three-part music, and continue the “A Young Singer’s Journey” theory program. Cantabile choristers read from standard choral scores. Regular at-home practice and completion of theory homework is expected between rehearsals. Recordings are provided to assist in the learning.
Cantabile choristers attend a special one-day choir retreat in the fall and will attend two “all choirs” rehearsals each season. This choir performs up to five times per season: 3 YVT sponsored concerts, a competitive music festival, and an annual multi-choir” Junior Treble Choir festival where they learn from and listen to other choirs and work with a special guest conductor.
In 2025-2026, Cantabile rehearsals will take place on Thursdays from 5:15 – 7:00 pm at Runnymede Presbyterian Church, 680 Annette Street.
The Dolce/Cantabile retreat day (mandatory) will take place Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Neilson Park Creative Centre (Toronto).
Cantabile
Encore
In 20205/2026 Young Voices Toronto is making changes to the structure of it’s senior choir – Encore!
Young Voices Toronto will be launching a low voice choir next season creating a unique ensemble in the west end community for changed and changing voices. The Encore Low Voice choir will perform on its own and serve as the tenor-bass section for Encore Youth, YVT’s mixed voice youth choir.
Encore Treble (currently Voci) will be YVT’s premier treble choir for treble singers aged 12 – 18 who work to achieve a high level of vocal skill, artistry and musicianship. Secondary school-aged treble singers from this group will form the soprano-alto section of Encore Youth.
Encore Treble will be Young Voices Toronto’s most senior choir, representing our community through musical collaborations in the GTA and acting as role models within our YVT community. Choristers challenge themselves musically and create captivating, powerful performances. They may have the opportunity to tour locally, nationally or internationally.
Encore rehearses Tuesday Evenings at Humbercrest United Church, 16 Babypoint Road with the following schedule:
- 5:30 – 7:30 Encore Treble All treble voices Carole (approximately grades 6/7 through 12), Carole Anderson, conductor
- 5:30 – 7:30 Encore Low Voice All changed voices (approximately grades 7/8 through 12) Tyrese Walters, conductor
- 7:30 – 8:45 Encore Youth (for high-school aged treble singers and all changed voices) Tyrese Walters, conductor.
Our mandatory retreat will take place August 25 – 27, 2025.
YVT Parent Choir
To give parents a taste of their children’s experience and develop our community, in the spring of each year, YVT gathers parents (and other adult relatives) together for four rehearsals and they sing in our spring concert.
In 2025, Parent Choir kicks off in March. For more information on how to join, contact our general manager (manager@youngvoicestoronto.com).
