You may have heard from me in the past few weeks if you signed up to be part of our Virtual Choir — if so, you know me as the conductor of the fantastic chorus at the COC. In this new era of digital arts programming, it has been my added pleasure to lead many of our audience members in this adapted version of our annual community sing-along.
While this year’s event looks very different from our usual one, the virtual nature of this new format has meant we can reach so many more of you. With a completely online format, music lovers from anywhere in the world have been able to take part: to date, over 1,400 people from 42 countries have signed up.
But while so many exciting initiatives have come out of all this digital innovation, the loss of our spring productions has had a severe impact across all levels of our organization.
So, as we celebrate the global reach of this new Virtual Choir, I am asking our audience members to consider making a donation to help us continue to share the power of music.
Every contribution provides vital financial support as we prepare for our return to the stage, and also supports new digital programming that we will continue to offer as we eagerly await the moment when we can gather together at the opera house.
At its very core, opera has a collaborative spirit; it brings together so many different artistic elements, uniting music, poetry, choreography, visual art, and of course the human voice, in a storytelling experience that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
The Virtual Choir was built on this collaborative spirit, and I am so grateful that we are still able to connect with all of you through it.
Sincerely,
Sandra Horst
Price Family Chorus Master
The Canadian Opera Company and other arts organizations in Toronto are facing unprecedented financial challenges due to the effects of COVID-19. If it is possible for you at this time, we respectfully ask you to consider making a donation.
