The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMChoir) has announced its 2026/27 season, one that will combine masterworks of the choral repertoire along with intimate concerts, and music with a social message. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée has put together a season where storytelling is a part of the music.
“It is the kind of sound you don’t just hear — you feel,” says Maestro Vallée in a statement.
“Our passion is to share human experiences that connect audiences, grounded in both the grandeur and intimacy of the human voice, and brought to life by the TMChoir’s excellence and distinctive sound.”
TMChoir: MOZART: Mass in C Minor & Requiem
September 30 & October 1, 2026 at Koerner Hall
Guest Artists: TMOrchestra (Bénédicte Lauzière concertmaster), soprano Hélène Brunet, mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, Tenor Colin Ainsworth, Bass-Baritone Alex Halliday
The program includes Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, K. 427 and Requiem in D minor, K. 626, along with a commissioned work by the 2026-27 Composer-in-Residence.
Both of Mozart’s monumental sacred works were left unfinished at his death. This performance reimagines the works with a new artistic lens, using multiple contemporary reconstructions. Each movement offers a fresh perspective based on Mozart’s vision.
TMChoir: Festival of Carols
December 1, 2 & 3 at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church
Guest Artists: Jonathan Oldengarm, organ
The Festival of Carols is one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions returns. The program for the evening features holiday music and carols, including both the classics and contemporary works, and a new commission by the 2026-27 Composer-in-Residence.
TMChoir: The Dream of Gerontius
April 1 & 2, 2027 at Koerner Hall
Guest Artists: TMOrchestra (Bénédicte Lauzière concertmaster), Mezzo-Soprano Allyson McHardy, Tenor Michael Colvin, Bass-Baritone Joel Allison
Edward Elgar’s seldom performed The Dream of Gerontius Op. 38 will be performed in a revised orchestration by Iain Farrington. It’s a work of great depth that revolves around the spiritual journey that the soul undertakes from death into the afterlife. It’s a profound dive into the notions of faith, doubt, and redemption, characterized by gorgeous, intricate choral writing and emotional power. Elgar’s masterpiece has undergone a recent resurgence of interest since the release of the film The Choral, starring Ralph Fiennes.
TMSingers: The Light of Paradise
November 7, 2026 at Metropolitan United Church
Guest Artists: Quasar quartet (Saxophone quartet)
Paul Mealor’s The Light of Paradise weaves ancient mysticism into contemporary sound in this Toronto premiere of the work. The groundbreaking choral opera revolves around the life story of medieval mystic Margery Kempe in 14 movements. The acclaimed Quasar Saxophone Quartet will accompany the TMSingers in an immersive auditory and spatial experience that uses dynamic staging to evoke Kempe’s pilgrimages. The narrative works with the visual elements to create a connection between performers and audience.
TMSingers: Considering Matthew Shepard | staged concert performance
May 1, 2027 at Metropolitan United Church
Guest Artists: TMPlayers (chamber ensemble), Patrick Hansen (director)
Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson was an important work on its inception, and, in the face of current global challenges to LGBTQ+ rights, has renewed relevance. The secular passion asks the audience to reflect on themes of love, loss, and compassion through its telling of the life and tragic death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man. His murder in 1998 has become a touchstone and catalyst for human rights advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues. The oratorio blends classical, jazz, and folk music with texts culled from the work of poets and mystics, and Shepard’s own writing.
A staged concert performance highlights the work’s drama and storytelling, creating a powerful statement against the rise of hate crimes and discrimination.
Along with the organization’s own performances, TMChoir will be performing as guest artists with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for two productions.
Community and engagement also play a significant role in the 2026/27 season, including educational initiatives, mentorship programs, and partnerships with other members of Toronto’s rich choral community.
TMChoir will continue its five core community-based programs: Singsations, the community singing workshops; Exchange, a day of choral community workshops; the Conducting Mentorship Program; Pathways: Choral Creation, a composer mentorship initiative; and the Composer-in-Residence program.
The creation and performance of new Canadian works are a key part of the upcoming season, including both commissioned works, and premieres of new music, as well as supporting both emerging and established artists.
The release of a new commercial recording is also on the horizon. Titled, Lo, How a Rose, it will be available in November 2026 on the ATMA Classique label. The tracks will explore three interpretations of the carol of the same name, demonstrating the expressive range of the timeless melody by interweaving beloved traditional and contemporary works by Canadian and international artists.
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