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Orchestra Toronto

Classical

Orchestra Toronto Tickets

Events2 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 34 reviews
  • 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.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Strength through our ancestors review

    by Musicfan on 2023-10-31Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    Not very much into classical music but this concert especially the first part was an absolute cacophony… On the other hand the orchestra and the conductor were okay No wonder there was a 50% discount on the tickets Not sure if I will ever attend another concert after this experience Lastly, the venue is excellent but pity the water fountain was shut off and forcing people to buy drinks…

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    A great achievement

    by Mr. Haelscheir on 2023-10-31Meridian Arts Centre: George Weston - Toronto

    Firstly, regarding the acoustics of George Weston Recital Hall, at the very middle of row D, my main dissatisfactions from this seat were the first violins sounding too bright and thin compared to what I've heard at Roy Thomson Hall at a similar distance (they should sound more balanced with more body; the second violins section further back sounded nicer, so sitting a few rows further back in this hall may render a nicer orchestral violin tone). There was also some acoustic bloom detracting from clarity. This is in great contrast to when I was sitting at the middle right of row C for the smaller Sinfonia Toronto ensemble's concert on October 21 where the tonality, clarity, and volume were almost perfect, especially with the soloist's violin, though such a small ensemble's dynamic cap was inherently limited. With its being a volunteer orchestra for which our greatest gratitude should be extended for their performance and to the organizers, I should not put too much blame on the violin sections encountering some synchronization and intonation issues for faster violin passages among other audible mistakes within the orchestra, but if one is seeking perfection, a professional orchestra such as the TSO would likely bring you closer to such. Otherwise, this orchestra has achieved its aim of making symphonic music accessible.