Phoenix Chamber Choir

The Phoenix Chamber Choir strives to promote an appreciation of a wide range of music and styles. Its commitment to contemporary and Canadian works, together with a strong mandate to assist in the training of young choral composers, allows Phoenix to fill an important role in Canada's vibrant choral life. Phoenix can be heard regularly on CBC and has also been broadcast on the national radio stations of Croatia, Denmark, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Romania and the United Kingdom. Founded in 1983, the Phoenix Chamber Choir has established itself as one of Canada's finest amateur vocal ensembles. It has amassed an exemplary list of awards and honours, including twelve first place wins in the CBC National Choral Competition for Amateur Choirs. The most celebrated choir in the contest's history, Phoenix swept the 2006 competition by placing first in both the Contemporary Music and Chamber Choir categories, as well as receiving the Canada Council Healey Willan Grand Prize for Best Choir Overall. As a result of these successes, Phoenix was entered as the only Canadian adult choir in the European Broadcasting Union's prestigious international 2007 Let the Peoples Sing competition. Phoenix competed against 70 choirs from 24 countries and, in live-to-air finals heard by over one million listeners in October 2007, Phoenix ranked among the four best amateur choirs in the world. Phoenix celebrated its 25th Anniversary Season last year with a special concert in November 2008 involving alumni and world premières of three specially commissioned works by Kelly-Marie Murphy, Eric North and Kathleen Lee.