Choir

November 2008

TSP Choir

The Trinity-St. Paul's United Church choir has about 30 members. Many of us are, or have been, students in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto; the rest are from all walks of life. We share an ability to read music, the joy of singing, and a belief in music as a central part of worship.

The choir practices Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. from September to mid-June. Every year we sing one or two major works, and in mid-December we present Carols by Candlelight. If you are interested in joining us, please email Brad for more information at bratzlaff@trinitystpauls.ca

The Music Director
Brad Ratzlaff is a graduate of the University of Toronto and University of Winnipeg, with degrees in Education and Music, and a Masters degree in Conducting. He holds Associate degrees from the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Royal Canadian College of Organists. Brad has sung with several professional choirs, among them the Concertgebouw Choir of Amsterdam and the Elmer Iseler Singers, Toronto. He has studied piano with Ruth W. Henderson, organ with John Tuttle, and choral conducting with Dr. Elmer Iseler, Jon Washburn, and Doreen Rao. Brad is on the teaching faculty of the University of Toronto, is the Artistic Director of the Hart House Chorus, and is Co-Director (with his wife, Carol Woodward Ratzlaff) and accompanist of VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto.

Choir Highlights  (click on listed titles to download mp3 files)

April 2010 - Bach BWV 67, Halt im Gedachtnis, Jesum Christ, with the Talisker Players: 1.Chorus; 2.Aria (Tenor); 3.Recitative (Alto); 4.Chorale; 5.Recitative (Alto); 6.Aria & Chorus; 7.Chorale.

March 2010 - James MacMillan's Mass with organist Michael Bloss and members of VIVA! Youth Singers and the Hart House Chorus: 1.Kyrie; 2.Gloria; 3.Alleluia; 4.Sanctus-Benedictus; 5.Eucharistic Prayer; 6.Agnus Dei.

March 2009 - Ariel Ramirez' Misa Criolla with members of VIVA! Youth Singers: 1.Kyrie; 2.Gloria; 3.Credo; 4.Sanctus-Benedictus; 5.Agnus Dei.

December 2008 - Bach BWV 140, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, with the Talisker Players and members of VIVA! Youth Singers and the Hart House Chorus

April 2008 - Bach BWV 4, Christ lag in Todes Banden, with the Talisker Players and members of VIVA! Youth Singers

February 2008 - CBC Choral Competition

October 2007 - Bach BWV 78, Jesu, der du meine Seele, Helmuth Rilling, conductor, with members of Toronto Chamber Choir, VIVA! Youth Singers, Hart House Chorus, and International Bach Festival Orchestra

October 2006 - Bach BWV 137, Lobe den Herren, Helmuth Rilling, conductor, with members of Toronto Chamber Choir, Tafelmusik Choir, Hart House Chorus, VIVA! Youth Singers, and International Bach Festival Orchestra

March 2006 - Faure Requiem with members of VIVA! Youth Singers and the Talisker Players

February 2006 - CBC Choral Competition

October 2005 - Bach BWV 29, Wir danken dir Gott, wir danken dir, Helmuth Rilling, conductor, with members of Toronto Chamber Choir, VIVA! Youth Singers, Macmillan Singers, and International Bach Festival Orchestra

June 2004 - Excerpts from Bernstein's Chichester Psalms with percussionist Russell Hartenberger of Nexus

April 2004 - Selections from Rachmaninoff's Vespers with the Elmer Iseler Singers

March 2003 - Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem with the Talisker Players

April 2002 - CBC Choral Competition semi-finalists

April 2001 - Bach's St. John Passion with Bloor Street United Church Choir

June 2000 - Paul Halley's Missa Gaia with members of Jubilate Singers and Toronto East Concert Choir