String Orchestra TO
About Us
The String Orchestra TO is a community orchestra which provides strong intermediate and advanced string players in Toronto with the opportunity to develop their passion for string playing through traditional Baroque, Classical and Romantic repertoire written specifically for string orchestras, and to bring this music to our audiences for their education and pleasure.
Artistic Directors
Our orchestra is led by the dynamic team of:
William McMillan and Michele Frensch
Location of Rehearsals and Concerts
Rehearsals and concerts will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7:15-9:15 p.m. at St. Barnabas on the Danforth Anglican Church 361 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1P1.
We will be rehearsing and performing in the Upper Hall which is an accessible space and is reached using the entrance off Hampton Street on the west side of the church (See the second photo)
Parking and Transportation
The closest TTC station is at Chester just north of Danforth Avenue and a 3-minute walk from St Barnabas. There is a Green P lot immediately to the east of Chester Station and some street parking in the neighbourhood.
2024-25 Season
The season will start on September 11, 2024, and end on May 28, 2025.
The first term will run from September 11, 2024, until January 22, 2025, which is the date of our first performance. (17 weeks)
There will be no rehearsals on December 18 and 25, 2024 and January 1, 2025.
The second term will run from January 8, 2025, until May 28, 2025, which is the date of our second performance of the season. (17 weeks)
There is no rehearsal on March 12, 2025, for the March break.
Fees
The fees will cover the rental space, insurance, and a modest honorarium for the Artistic Directors.
Fees are to be paid at the start of each term in two instalments of $170.00 for each term.
Fees will be reviewed on an annual basis.
No Auditions
This is a non-auditioned orchestra with the expectation that players will feel challenged but comfortable with standard string orchestra technique and literature.
Other Membership Information
The orchestra is organized by volunteers under the expertise and experience of our artistic directors. Our goal is to keep administration to a minimum so that our energy and enthusiasm is for the music-making and bringing our joy in the music to our participants and our audiences.
Members will be asked to arrive promptly at 7:15 pm to set up the chairs, their own stands and be ready to play at 7:30. We will end rehearsals at 9:00pm in order to provide a 15-minute time to return the chairs, pack up our stands and instruments so that we are out of the building by 9:15pm.
We ask that all musicians observe the standard etiquette for rehearsals.
Join Us
Please contact us stringorchestraTO@gmail.com if you have any questions or to register to join String Orchestra TO.