St. Columba ParishSinging is how a congregation prays together with one voice. Our Director of Music, Claire Dubois, leads a ministry of about seventy volunteers across four choirs and a team of cantors and instrumentalists. No one auditions for the parish choir; the only requirements are a willingness to attend rehearsal and a love of singing.
Parish Choir
Forty voices, four parts, from chant to contemporary. Sings the great feasts and the parish's own Mass setting.
Contemporary Ensemble
Guitars, keyboard, cajón and singers, leading the youth and young adult Mass. Ages 15 and up.
Children's Choir
Grades 2–8. Learns to read music and to lead the congregation at the first-Sunday 9:00 AM Mass and the Christmas pageant.
Coro Hispano
Spanish-language repertoire from across Latin America; joins the parish choir for bilingual feasts.
Cantors
Lead the psalm and the congregation's singing. Cantors are trained individually and usually sing once or twice a month.
Instrumentalists
Our 1961 Casavant organ (22 ranks, restored 2019) is played at all weekend Masses. Guest musicians are welcome for feasts.
Joining
Come to any rehearsal, or email music@stcolumbatoronto.ca. New members sit with an experienced singer for their first month. Reading music helps but is not required; rehearsal recordings are shared so you can practise at home. Singers under 18 need a parent's consent form, and all adult choir leaders complete volunteer screening.
Music for weddings and funerals
The Director of Music, or a parish musician she assigns, plays at every wedding and funeral celebrated in the church. Couples and families choose hymns from the parish repertoire with her help; sacred music suited to the liturgy is used inside the church, and other favourite songs are best kept for the reception. Outside musicians and singers are welcome by arrangement.
| Celebration | Included | Offering |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding | Organist/pianist and one cantor; consultation meeting | Included in the $500 church offering |
| Funeral | Organist/pianist and cantor | $250 (waived in need) |
| Additional musicians | Trumpet, violin, second singer | $150 each |
Concerts
The choir presents Lessons and Carols on the first Sunday of Advent and a spring concert in May in aid of the food pantry; visiting choirs and organists give recitals through the year. Dates are on the events calendar.
I can't sing on Sundays. Can I still help?
Yes — the music library, the sound desk and the livestream audio all need volunteers who are free on weekday evenings.
Do you accept donations toward the organ?
The Organ Fund pays for tuning and maintenance. Gifts may be made through the parish giving page, designated "Organ Fund".