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Orchestra Toronto

Classical

Orchestra Toronto Tickets

Events1 Results

Canada

About

Orchestra Toronto on Tour

For more than half a century, Orchestra Toronto has been one of the most beloved and essential community ensembles in Canada — with over 80 players, it's also the country's largest. Comprising a fleet of talented musicians who pay a small fee to rehearse and perform, the orchestra takes on great compositions from both the classical and popular repertoires, playing everything from Brahms, Smetana, and Rossini to The Beatles and Duke Ellington. 

Established in 1954, Orchestra Toronto's long road to becoming the institution it is today began when it kicked off as the Bennington Heights Community Orchestra and featured just 55 members. The first director was Assen Kresteff, followed two years later by Albert Aylward, who had previously played in the Toronto Symphony for 25 years. 

In 1964, former St. Catharines Symphony conductor Milton Barnes took the reins. The group expanded throughout the 1960s, starting a junior string ensemble that played on weekends; numerous members from the orchestra performed with this National Youth Orchestra. In 1967, the group incorporated as the East York Symphony. Growing to more than 60 members, they continued to thrive as Orval Reis, conductor of the University of Toronto Orchestra, took over. 

The organization saw a diversity of talented conductors in the ‘70s, exposing members to new styles and techniques. In the ‘80s, the orchestra was mostly conducted by David Ford, who had been the head of music at North Toronto Collegiate. As conductor, Ford brought in a number of big names that garnered the orchestra recognition at the national level. 

Douglas Stanford took over in 1991, going on to conduct the group for 21 years. In 1993, the orchestra played for the Canada CIS Foundation, serenading an audience that included former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev. In the 1995-96 season, the ensemble partnered with the Royal Conservatory of Music to help young musicians gain orchestral experience. In 1998, they underwent yet another name change. They had finally become Orchestra Toronto. 

Dr. Errol Gay took over in the 2002-03 season after conducting orchestras in New York, Texas, and North Carolina; he also had been the conductor and chorus master of the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto. Gay retired in 2010. A number of conductors followed, with Michael Newnham stepping up in the 2017-18 season, beginning with a concert of light classics called America the Beautiful.

Reviews

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 36 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome

    by Kam on 2024-04-22Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    That was the 7th show of Orchestra Toronto I’ve attended and am not feeling board. Every time new experience and peaceful performs.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Ever improving

    by Mr. Haelscheir on 2024-04-17Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    This is my first concert season and third time attending an Orchestra Toronto concert. My past reviews commended the volunteer orchestra for their execution of this repertoire, but noted issues with timing and particularly string section intonation and synchronization in difficult passages, such perhaps expectedly not up to the level of upper student or professional orchestras within Toronto. At least to my ears, the woodwinds had always been commendable, though synchronization between the instrument sections or rhythmic or phrasing coherence could sometimes struggle, hindering the enjoyment of the music for those with expectations built upon many high-level recordings. These issues were first noticed with the Brahms Symphony No. 4 concert, but by the time of the Debussy "La Mer"concert, I noticed some improvements and likewise in last Sunday's concert. The playing in the first piece sounded clean. Paul Hindemith's "Symphonic Metamorphosis"presented a challenging repertoire revealing struggles in some sections, but was otherwise impressively executed. As a side note, volume levels from the third row were moderate, perhaps not as loud as a full-sized orchestra like the TSO whose dynamic range could sometimes be excellent, but enough to have comfortable dynamic peaks and at times present excellent texture. It was with the Dvorak Cello Concerto that I was particularly impressed and was glad to have gotten the rich musical experience I had hoped for. It took a few minutes for my ears to adjust to the actual live tone of a cello when used to listening to recordings, but after that, phrases flowed with excellently engaging dialogue with the orchestra which was able to present exquisitely rich and coherent textures which I felt did an excellent justice to expressing the emotions contained in the work. Despite my critical listening style, this orchestra was able to create an unforgettable experience with timbres and expressive moments I now yearn to be able to relive through recordings. Overall, with each performance and the improvements therein, I am increasingly recommending this orchestra as a viable option for hearing certain desired repertoire. I can also recommend the acoustics of George Weston Recital Hall as being capable of delivering great clarity provided that you sit amid the first few rows lest reflections from the ceiling reflectors detract from the sound.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very Nice

    by Sage Camelion on 2024-02-28Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    I made a crew of 7 to come to this event. They all enjoyed it and this pleased me greatly. Personally, I enjoyed the energy of the conductor who laid out the sweat through a very vigorous performance. On a number of occasions he was on stage but both feet of his were in the air. I appreciated the wind instrumentalist too. The vocalist did splendidly. Event support staff demonstrated and eager enthusiasm to serve guest. I am quite pleased Symphony of the Sea put up a show I could be proud of. Room temperature at least where my group sat was appropriate.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    a nice experience

    by Mrs Laura on 2023-12-13Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    Orchestra was very good, conductor extremely passionate and children's choir was a beautiful addition. It was a great way to sense the entrance into the holidays spirit. I had a couple friends invited, Russians. They asked if this was a warehouse and just turned on into a stage for now. Was it? I guess it wasn't Mariinsky.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Exquisite

    by AMMacK on 2023-12-13Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    Will be returning year after year for this one. An instant tradition to be adored by all. Exquisite.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    What a magical concert!

    by Symphonic music lover on 2023-12-12

    This was my first holiday concert by Orchestra Toronto and it was such a wonderful time! It reminded me of all the great things about the holiday season; it was a fun and meaningful way to spend time with my family. The performance was energetic and magical. I thought the programme was accessible for a wide range of music lovers, as it included well-known pieces that many would recognize and enjoy. Attending the concert is definitely is a must during this time of the year. Looking forward to the next concert by Orchestra Toronto!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Magical -Best Holiday Show in Toronto!

    by Bass Lover on 2023-12-12

    The Orchestra Toronto Holiday Concert is the concert I look forward to every season. It is so family-friendly and fun. This year, the Canadian Children's Opera Choir joined them for a wide range of pieces from Elf, to an absolutely beautiful Vaughan Williams Winter suite that I had never heard before but gave me goosebumps. Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker brought me right into the holiday spirit and Grinch was so much fun. The energy of the concert is amazing too with children as well as Newcomers through the RBC Newcomer program. And there was even a craft activity for children at Intermission. I loved the entire experience. The conductor, Michael Newnham has so much energy and makes me want to dance!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    More bang for your buck

    by John on 2023-11-12

    Orchestra Toronto has wonderful programming and the musicians are terrific. You get more bang for your buck attending one of their concerts. The community involvement is an added bonus with welcome seats for new Canadians. The venue is better than Roy Thompson for acoustics. All around a bargain for those who love classical music.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Strength through our ancestors

    by Jen on 2023-11-12

    My first Orchestra Toronto concert, but won't be my last. The conductor and orchestra were excellent. The meridian arts centre is a gorgeous venue too. Can't wait until the christmas concert!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Strength Through Our Ancestors was Amazing

    by Music Major on 2023-11-12

    I love Orchestra Toronto concerts and this concert was also a wonderful experience. The pre-concert chat with the conductor was so informative and really prepared me for the music. The opening piece, Bach, was captivating -opening with a single oboe and ending with all 90 musicians filling the hall with music. The second piece wasn’t my favourite as I’m not a fan of Shashtakovich. But I could see that the soloist was excellent and the orchestra played this difficult piece extremely well. Finally, the Brahms 4 was great -as all Brahms is. Orchestra Toronto really makes classical music accessible. The tickets are reasonably priced, the concerts are informative and engaging, and the theatre is wonderful -comfortable and great acoustics. I will continue to come to these concerts with anticipation.