The Chorus
The HART HOUSE CHORUS is a 50-voice choir auditioned from musically talented students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Toronto. Since its inception in 1972, as a reincarnation of the long-standing men's Glee Club, the Chorus has maintained a reputation for the highest standard of performance locally, nationally, and abroad. In 1993 the Chorus was a finalist in the Large Choir category of the CBC Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs and in 2002 it was featured in the University of Toronto's first reading of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol." In addition to other engagements, the Chorus performs twice annually in the Great Hall at Hart House.
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As of 2015, the Hart House Chorus enjoys the musical direction of Daniel Norman, a sought-after conductor, keyboardist and collaborative artist. He has directed an array of choirs, orchestras and chamber ensembles in North America and Europe performing in a range of genres including classical, operetta and musical theatre. In addition to his work as a freelance artist, Mr. Norman currently holds directorships with Church of the Redeemer and the Convent of St. John the Divine and is associate conductor with Pax Christi Chorale.
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The Hart House Chorus is active in the international choral community, having hosted choirs from the United States, Austria and Finland in recent years. In the summer of 1999, the Chorus completed a successful tour of Scandinavia. In the summer of 2003, the chorus toured the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. Most recently, in November of 2014, the Hart House Chorus travelled to Belgium to represent Canada in the 1000 Voices for Peace festival, which commemorated 100 years since the start of World War I. The aim of the Hart House Chorus is to provide talented musicians the opportunity to pursue excellence in music in a friendly, focused environment alongside individuals who share similar interests.
Our Artistic Team
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Daniel Norman, Conductor
Sought after for his musical sensitivity and versatility, Daniel is active as a conductor, keyboardist and collaborative artist. His love of music began with the melodious songs of Ariel the Mermaid and the danceable beats of the Mini-Pops. This gave way to grunge and the smooth R n B of the early 90s, both creating a natural segue into choirs and orchestras, and the realm of classical music.
At Redeemer, Daniel keeps his feet planted in the rich history of liturgical music, while always watching out for the next new song that will help give the community their voice.
When away from Redeemer, Daniel works as the Music Director at the Convent of the Sisters of St. John the Divine. He also conducts the Hart House Chorus, and is Associate Conductor with Pax Christi Chorale.
Dan is particularly excited about the music of Sweelinck, and he makes the best fried-egg sandwiches.
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Mélisande Sinsoulier, Accompanist
French pianist Mélisande Sinsoulier is a versatile and sought-after artist. She has been seen on Canadian and European scenes as a soloist, collaborative pianist and chamber musician. Recent appearances include performances at the 21C Music Festival in Toronto, Toronto Summer Festival, Toronto Nuit Blanche Festival, the Sacred Music Festival in Quebec City, Heraklion Nuit Blanche Festival, Heraklion Sacred Music Festival, Casa dei Mezzo Chamber Music Festival (Greece).
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She is a laureate of various competitions including the Gwendolyn Williams Koldovsky Prize in Accompanying, the Paris Scriabin Competition, the Albert Roussel International Competition (France), the Jeunes Musiciens Chamber Music Competition (Belgium) and a recipient of numerous awards.
She holds a Bachelor in Piano Performance, Chamber Music and Accompaniment from the Conservatoire National de Musique de Rennes (France), a Master Degree in Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy and Chamber Music from the Conservatoire Royal de Musique de Bruxelles (Belgium) and she furthered her studies in the Graduate Department of Collaborative Piano at the Faculty of Music of the University of Toronto (Canada).
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Welcome!
The aim of the Hart House Chorus is to provide talented musicians the opportunity to pursue excellence in music in a friendly, focused environment alongside individuals who share similar interests.
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Be part of history - join a singing tradition founded in 1933!
REHEARSALS
Monday evenings
5:15-7:15
in person in the Great Hall
and online via Zoom
PERFORMANCES
Perform in two end-of-semester concerts in the Great Hall, along with other special events.
JOIN US
Registration for 2023-2024 is now open! Please click here more information.