Past Performances

Sunday, October 26, 2025 within the beautiful and historic church of St Mary Magdalene with officiant the Reverend Alexandra Stone, Priest-in-Charge, organists Johan van ‘t Hof and Alison Jane, SMST held an Evensong worship service in the English cathedral tradition. The service featured an extended setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A major by Healey Willan, who served as Music Director at St Mary Magdalene's for 47 years, along with Responses by Richard Ayleward and a setting of Locus Iste by former St Mary Magdalene Music Director, Stephanie Martin. Proceeds from the service supported the mission and ministry of St Mary Magdalene's.

Luminosity

J S Bach - Mass in b minor

Founding Concert - June 8, 2025 at St Barnabas, Chester, Toronto with instrumentalists from the Arcady Ensemble (Ronald Beckett – Executive Director)

recording of the final movement - Dona Nobis Pacem
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rNNu6oVeVR0Cm66EguX9MI7wn1HTlDQy/view?usp=sharing

Choral Evensong

On June 7, 2026 again at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene the Sacred Music Singers Toronto presented a concert featuring the music of British composer James Whitbourn. The performance featured organist David Simon alongside guest instrumentalists Mike Ruby Soprano Saxophone, Iris Krizmanic Cello and Sophia Grigoriadis Tanpura. The first half highlighted Luminosity, a seven-movement multimedia work blending Anglican choral traditions with Indian musical elements. The second half combined movements from Whitbourn's Requiem Canticorum and Son of God Mass. These evocative pieces are scored for an eight-part choir, organ, and soprano saxophone, perfectly suiting the venue's transcendent acoustic and spiritual ambiance.

Festival of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 14, 2025 at St Mary Magdalene Church the SMST choir delivered a performance of exquisite choral music for Advent and Christmas, featuring congregational carols, scripture readings, and a selection of curated poetry readings. The choir showcased works by Maurice White, David Bednall, Paul Edwards, James Whitbourn, John Rutter, and Johannes Eccard.

Our Process

Rigorous Musicianship, Focused Preparation

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Score Distribution

Intensive Rehearsals

Final Polish

Concert Day

New projects begin with digital score access and initial vocal part study.

Three to five weeks of focused Sunday afternoon rehearsals, honing technique and ensemble sound.

Dress rehearsals with organ, and/or orchestra integrating all musical elements for performance.

A transcendent performance of sacred polyphony in a historic Toronto venue.