| Grand Philharmonic Choir | |
| Alias: | GPC |
| Origin: | Berlin, Ontario, Canada (now Kitchener, Ontario) |
| Genre: | Choral Music |
| Years Active: | 1883–present |
| Current Members: | Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen |
| Past Members: | Artistic Director Emeritus Howard Dyck |
The Grand Philharmonic Choir is a large classical music choir based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. The choir sings regularly with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony at the Centre in the Square. The choir's artistic director is Mark Vuorinen.
The choir was founded in 1883 as the Berlin (Ontario)Philharmonic and Orchestral Society. In 1922, after ahiatus, the choir re-organized itself and changed its name to theKitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir, since the city of Berlin, Ontario had changed its name toKitchener during World War I. In 2006, the choir changed its nameagain, to the Grand Philharmonic Choir.
In 1972, Howard Dyck became the artistic director of the choir,and led the organization for 38 years; upon his retirement, he wasnamed Artistic Director Emeritus. The choir's current conductor isMark Vuorinen, who holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from theUniversity of Toronto. [1]
A wide variety of internationally renowned soloists have sung with thechoir over the years.
The Grand Philharmonic Choir organization consists of four choirs: an adult choir of approximately 100 voices, a chamber choir made up of members of the adult choir, a youth choir, and a children's choir.
The adult choir often sings three major concerts a year: Handel'sMessiah in December,[2] a concert that includes a major oratorio andsome contemporary repertoire in February,[3] and a Bach oratorio onGood Friday,[4] typically the St Matthew Passion,St John Passion or Mass in B minor.
The chamber choir sings two programs a year, and also often performspieces as part of concerts of the adult choir. The youth choir andchildren's choirs also produce multiple concerts each year.
All four choirs also join for combinedconcerts,[5] and oftensing the Christmas Pops concert with the Kitchener-WaterlooSymphony.[6] The choir is also active in its community,singing at celebrations throughout the year.