Anne Stanley

New Videos ECHO!! Revived 2024

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Andrew Craig & Bongani Magatyana Canada Council for the Arts Digital Now

In September 2023, the multi-talented Andrew Craig offered a dynamic workshop for choir members at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto. Echo welcomed members of the Toronto Children’s Concert Choir (TC3),
with whom we’ve collaborated in past years.

Video Here

This was part of a pandemic initiative by Echo to expand its engagement with a diversity of communities in Toronto and the GTA. The video is part of the ECHO!! Revived project, funded by a Canada Council for the Arts Digital Now grant.
We are deeply grateful for this government commitment to Community Music
and the Arts in Canada; and we acknowledge ongoing support
from the Toronto Arts Council.

In October 2023, Echo hosted a visit by South African choral composer and teacher Bongani Magatyana. In conjunction with the Toronto Children’s Concert Choir (TC3), our choir shared workshops with Chief Dan George Public School and Sistema Toronto, besides an evening workshop for our own choir and a
full-weekend public workshop.

Video Here
This was part of a pandemic initiative by Echo to expand its engagement with a diversity of communities in Toronto and the GTA. The video is part of the ECHO!! Revived project.

Videos directed, filmed and edited by Carlos Coronado
www.coronadofilms.ca

Echo Spring Fundraiser, Feb. 22 with Turkwaz

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Echo Spring Fundraiser
Thursday, February 22, 7-10pm, 2024
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. Toronto MAP

You’re invited to join us for a fabulous night of music with
Turkwaz, Echo and other Special Guests!

Tickets $30. can be purchased at the door or on-line here with Zeffy 

Cash bar, free snacks and fabulous Silent Auction!
All proceeds support Echo, a non-profit community choir and registered charity.
***

Turkwaz  is Sophia Grigoriadis, Jayne Brown, Maryem Tollar and Brenna MacCrimmon, four vocalists who individually have contributed widely to the Toronto world music scene and beyond. Their work together focuses on interpretations of songs primarily from Greek, Turkish, Arabic and Balkan traditions with forays into other genres when the inspiration moves them.

With gentle accompaniment provided by qanun, tambura, ukulele and various forms of hand percussion, the songs and the voices remain front and center.
Their debut album “Nazar” was nominated for a 2017 Juno, two CFMAs and made the Top of the World list in Songlines magazine in April 2018.

They have performed at the National Arts Center and Chamberfest in Ottawa, Calgary Folk Festival, Open Ears Festival (Kitchener), Silence  (Guelph), Mill Race Festival (Cambridge), Shelter Valley Folk Festival (Grafton),  Mission Folk Festival (BC), Summerfolk (Owen Sound), Cultura (North York), Luminato (Toronto), as well as at numerous venues in and around Toronto including the Small World Centre, The Burdock, COC Bradshaw Amphitheatre and the Aga Khan Museum.

☀ 🔘 💗
 www.echochoir.ca   
Echo is grateful for the ongoing support of the Toronto Arts Council.

ChocoSol & Echo Fundraiser

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Support Echo and enjoy the food of the Gods!

This is a new initiative that will be available year-round!
When you order coffee and chocolate from ChocoSol Traders:You get a 15% discount from the retail price
Echo gets 15% of all sales
You can pick up your order at the flagship store, 1131 St. Clair W., or at St. Lawrence Market, Evergreen Brickworks or Wychwood Barns
or you can pay for delivery of your order 

How it works:
Go onto the website www.ChocoSolTraders.com
Select what you want to order

When you select to place your order, you enter EchoChoir
in the discount code box

Select pick up or delivery
Place your order and enjoy!
Orders usually take 2 – 4 days. They will contact you when it’s ready.

****** 

More about ChocoSol

Our origins
The concept of ChocoSol was originally founded in 2004 in Oaxaca, Mexico, by Michael Sacco, and has been based in Toronto since 2006. The origin of our name has links to 3 languages: English, Spanish, and French. ‘Sol’ is from the Spanish word for ‘sun’ and refers to our first 1,000 kilograms of cacao that were roasted with solar power in Oaxaca. In French, ‘sol’ means soil, acknowledging that you must have the soil of the gods in order to have the food of the gods. In English ‘soul’ reminds us of the importance of conducting our work with a good mind and spirit. 
Our vision
A future in which our food system and practices are people-centred,
socially-just, ecological, and dignified. 
Our mission
To craft revolutionary chocolate that is good for mind, body, and soil.
To lead and inspire- while learning from and alongside- the craft chocolate industry
to continually improve its practices, values, and standards.
To work in partnership, collaboration, and co-operation with indigenous communities across the Americas to support community-focused ecological regeneration.
 
Learn more at www.ChocoSolTraders.com

Thank you to our Ad Sponsors! Echo Winter Concert Dec. 3, 2023

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Thank you to our Ad Sponsors! Echo Winter Concert Dec. 3, 2023. Love is the Greatest Gift with Special Guest Andrew Craig

MATTACHIONI
Italian Restaurant & Grocery Locations: WEST 1617 Dupont St. Toronto
416-519-1010 & EAST 1501 Gerrard St. E. Toronto 416-466-1111

BLOOR AVENUE CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Lynette Nissen Locations: 1033 Bay Street #314 Toronto &
2306A Bloor Street W. Toronto 416-920-2468

HARBORD BAKERY & Calandria
115 Harbord Street, Toronto
416-922-5767

Echo Winter Concert, Love is the Greatest Gift

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Thank you for a great concert!
Sunday, December 3, 2023 7:30- 9:30pm
19 Trinity Square, Toronto, beside the Eaton Centre, Accessible MAP

Join us for our Winter Concert, Love is the Greatest Gift, with Special Guest Andrew Craig
part of the ECHO!! Revived, Canada Council project.
Artistic Director: Alan Gasser
Assistant Conductor: Katie White

Echo acknowledges the generous support of the Toronto Arts Council & Canada Council for the Arts

Echo Chocolate Fall Fundraiser 2023, Peace by Chocolate

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Thank you for supporting Echo!
We’ll let you know when your order can be picked up at the East and West end Toronto locations in traditional Echo style! The chocolate has not arrived yet, but we’re hoping soon.

Echo is proud to be partnering once again with Peace by Chocolate, a company founded by a Syrian family, whose chocolate business in their homeland was destroyed by war. When they settled in Antigonish, Nova Scotia as refugees they rebuilt their chocolate company and founded Peace by Chocolate in 2016. The company supports a range of non profit organizations and 3 – 5% of all company returns is now donated to the Peace on Earth Society, an organization registered in 2018 in Nova Scotia that contributes to peace building projects around the world. This fundraiser will be supporting Echo as well as Peace by Chocolate peace initiatives. Echo receives 20% of the profit!

Bongani Magatyana Community Weekend Workshop with South African choirleader & composer (Oct 27-29) & Tues. Oct.24

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Echo is sponsoring a very special workshop with renowned choirleader and composer Bongani Magatyana who is coming to Canada in October. Echo Choir has grabbed the opportunity to offer special public workshops with him, open to adults and teens of all voices and genders.

Renowned choirleader and composer Bongani Magatyana is coming to Canada in October, and the Echo Choir has grabbed the opportunity to offer a special public workshop with him, open to adults and teens of all voices and genders.

Mr Magatyana is a regular teacher with Village Harmony in the US. He leads choirs at home in Cape Town, and his beautiful and intricate choral pieces have been commissioned and sung by groups around the world, including Harvard University’s choirs.This workshop will feature songs in English and Xhosa, with beautiful harmonies in South African traditions.

The weekend workshop Oct. 27-29 event will take place at the Church of the Holy Trinity (beside the Eaton Centre, S-E Door) MAP
Holy Trinity is a fully accessible space, with accessible washrooms.

Specific times are 7PM-9PM on Friday Oct 27, 10AM-4PM on Sat Oct 28, and 1PM-4PM on Sun Oct 29. Tea/coffee will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. (Note that meals are otherwise not provided, nor is accommodation.)
Cost is $100 per person. Register below:

Register online here.

If you have questions, contact Rachel Bokhout (rachel.bokhout@gmail.com), who is organizing this event.
We hope that you can join us for this special weekend. facebook event page

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7-9pm at Holy Trinity
Echo will also be hosting an open workshop with Bongani as part of our regular rehearsal plan.
For or those of you who cannot make the weekend workshops. Everyone is welcome!
Contact Anne if you’d like to join us: info.echo@gmail.com
PWYC suggested $15. cash in hat or by e-trans.

Andrew Craig Workshop, Sat. Sept. 30, 10am-12:30pm

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Join Echo for a workshop with Andrew Craig. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square, Toronto
by the Eaton Centre, Accessible, S-E Door MAP
All are welcome. This workshop is geared toward treble voices, free to Echo Members,
Guests PWYC suggested $15. cash in hat style or e-transfer (see below).

Andrew is the final guest artist to be featured in ECHO!! Revived, our eighteen month-long digital project funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Echo is very excited to host Andrew, a talented and versatile musician—singer, instrumentalist, composer and arranger, teacher—to name a few of his many creative activities. He has directed the music for Harbourfront’s tribute to Quincy Jones, performed twice for Nelson Mandela, and contributed to the public tribute for the late Oscar Peterson in 2008.

In 2013, Andrew founded Culchahworks Arts Collective, a Toronto-based arts organization that celebrates figures and events from African-Canadian, Caribbean-Canadian and African-American  cultural legacies. Dr. Martin Luther King, Bob Marley and Harry Belafonte have received large-scale tributes. Through Culchahworks, and in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Andrew created the Warriors’ Chorus choir, as a way for young people of colour, who face unique challenges, to reclaim their heritage.

Andrew will be our Special Guest Artist at the Echo Dec. 3 Winter Concert, 7:30pm at Holy Trinity.

*e-transfer payment to  echotransfer3@gmail.com
Question: What makes us happy? Answer: singing

Andrew Craig Fall 2023 Season

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This fall 2023 we are looking forward to workshops and winter concert with special guest artist Andrew Craig.

Andrew is the final guest artist to be featured in ECHO!! Revived, our eighteen month-long digital project funded by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Echo is very excited to host Andrew, a talented and versatile musician—singer, instrumentalist, composer and arranger, teacher—to name a few of his many creative activities. He has directed the music for Harbourfront’s tribute to Quincy Jones, performed twice for Nelson Mandela, and contributed to the public tribute for the late Oscar Peterson in 2008.

In 2013, Andrew founded Culchahworks Arts Collective, a Toronto-based arts organization that celebrates figures and events from African-Canadian, Caribbean-Canadian and African-American  cultural legacies. Dr. Martin Luther King, Bob Marley and Harry Belafonte have received large-scale tributes. Through Culchahworks, and in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, Andrew created the Warriors’ Chorus choir, as a way for young people of colour, who face unique challenges, to reclaim their heritage.

Andrew will be conducting a workshop with Echo on Saturday, September 30 and will perform in Echo’s winter concert on Sunday, December 3. Echo will produce a high quality concert recording.

We are very grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Now grant, which made possible the ECHO!! Revived workshops and the filming of this concert.

photo: Kenneth Chou

Bongani Magatyana Community Weekend Workshop with South African choirleader & composer (Oct 27-29)

by

Echo is sponsoring a very special workshop with renowned choirleader and composer Bongani Magatyana who is coming to Canada in October. Echo Choir has grabbed the opportunity to offer special public workshops with him, open to adults and teens of all voices and genders.

Mr Magatyana is a regular teacher with Village Harmony in the US. He leads choirs at home in Cape Town, and his beautiful and intricate choral pieces have been commissioned and sung by groups around the world, including Harvard University’s choirs. The workshop will feature songs in English and Xhosa, with beautiful harmonies in South African traditions.

The weekend workshop Oct. 27-29 event will take place at the Church of the Holy Trinity (beside the Eaton Centre, S-E Door) MAP
Holy Trinity is a fully accessible space, with accessible washrooms.

Specific times are 7PM-9PM on Friday Oct 27, 10AM-4PM on Sat Oct 28, and 1PM-4PM on Sun Oct 29. Tea/coffee will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. (Note that meals are otherwise not provided, nor is accommodation.)
Cost is $100 per person. Register below:

Register online here.
If you have questions, contact Rachel Bokhout (rachel.bokhout@gmail.com), who is organizing this event.
We hope that you can join us for this special weekend. facebook event page

_________________________________________

Echo Chocolate Fall Fundraiser 2023, Peace by Chocolate

Echo is proud to be partnering once again with Peace by Chocolate, a company founded by a Syrian family, whose chocolate business in their homeland was destroyed by war. When they settled in Antigonish, Nova Scotia as refugees they rebuilt their chocolate company and founded Peace by Chocolate in 2016. The company supports a range of non profit organizations and 3 – 5% of all company returns is now donated to the Peace on Earth Society, an organization registered in 2018 in Nova Scotia that contributes to peace building projects around the world. This fundraiser will be supporting Echo as well as Peace by Chocolate peace initiatives.

There are 5 selections available.
Please place your orders by November 12 using this link below:

Order Form

We’ll let you know when your order can be picked up at the East and West end Toronto locations in traditional Echo style! Or at the Concert dress rehearsal Dec. 1 (Echo Members only) Date tba.
Thank you for supporting Echo!

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Interested in Joining Echo?

Our next (Spring)season begins on January 9, 2024
at Church of the Holy Trinity Map
19 Trinity Square, Toronto (next to the Eaton Centre,
fully accessible, S-E door)

Now in our 32nd year, Echo is a community choir open to all women who can make the rehearsal commitment.
Echo loves singing folk music from around the world, celebrating all the cultural traditions that are alive and vibrant in our city.
We are social-justice oriented, audition-free, and anyone can join!

Rehearsals will be in-person on Tuesdays and the occasional Saturday.
We’ll have a workshop, open rehearsal, orientation for new members, sectionals, break-end singing and more!

Season Fees are $200. (Jan. 9 – May Spring Concert) 
We strive to make singing accessible for everyone.
Echo has a sliding scale policy. 

Contact Anne know if you’re interested in joining. She will send you an invite closer to the date with more details
 info.echo@gmail.com

You might want to join in on our above mentioned Bongani Magatyana workshops or come out to our
Winter Concert with Special Guest Andrew Craig, Sunday, Dec. 3, 7:30pm at Holy Trinity. Ticket details tba.

For more information about Echo visit: www.echochoir.ca 
Take a look at our new profiles page: Meet the Choir