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On Wednesday April 27th, join us for an intimate and exciting evening of music!

We are very proud to be presenting Stephan Moccio-Internationally renowned composer of “I Believe” for an intimate fundraising concert, benefiting the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. Art imitating life, Moccio’s music cannot be confined to one genre. A beautiful blend of classical and contemporary pop, the result is something exceptionally unique. Billboard Magazine aptly states that, “Moccio’s piano acts as the poet’s pen” positioning him as one of the world’s premier talents. Moccio is still reveling from the success of first album, Exposure which has sold over 45,000 copies. His latest achievement, Color is a collection of 29 romantic solo piano compositions.

Mr. Moccio will be performing his latest musical selections in a very intimate setting. Adding to this exciting concert will be the beautiful voices of the CCOC’s Principal Chorus and Youth Chorus under the direction of Ann Cooper Gay.

100% of the proceeds will benefit the Children and initiatives of the CCOC.

The NewsletterVolume 1, Issue 1, April 2011

We Need Your Support to Succeed!

Join us on Wednesday April 27th, at the beautiful Crescent School Learning Centre. Doors Open at 7:00pm Silent Auction Begins at 7:00pm Intimate Concert at 8:00pm Silent Auction Ends at 10:00pm

All Tickets $125

Get your ticket for this intimate and exciting event today, and remember 100% of the proceeds go to support your CCOC!

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It's been a busy, but wonderful year for the CCOC!Following a huge success with the fourth production of A Dickens of a Christmas involving all six divisions, seven PC girls distinguished themselves, in various trio combinations, in the COC's Die Zauberflöte (aka Mozart's The Magic Flute).  All six divisions are heavily engaged in preparation for the Spring Concerts with choral repertoire and staged excerpts -- May 27-29 and June 3 and 5.  Please check the website for details.  OPERAtion KIDS, CCOC's outreach program, is going strong and has even expanded to Toronto's east end reports Coordinator, Sophia Perlman.  We welcome Joanne Mitchell, Dr. Erik Ross and Linda Gallant to this newest program.

We are gearing up for a smashing Gala fundraising event April 27th with Stephan Moccio, performer, arranger, composer, producer and songwriter who wrote “I Believe”, the epic Vancouver Olympic Games anthem. He will be joined by CCOCʼs Principal and Youth Choruses! We look forward to seeing all of you there!

The War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration begins for the CCOC with a newly commissioned opera entitled Laura's Cow:  the Legend of Laura Secord.  The creative team from Dickens returns:  Michael Patrick Albano (librettist) and Dr. Errol Gay (composer).  Plans are to premiere the opera in June of 2012 and perhaps tour the work to the Niagara region in 2013.  This opera will involve all

six divisions plus a few surprises...

For the past 43 years, the CCOC has been a fixture in Toronto as well as being recognized internationally. On June 28th, 53 choristers and an assortment of adults will depart for Austria and Italy for an exciting musical and educational tour complete with joint and single concerts, a competition in Vienna, sight-seeing and attending Aida in Verona!

Get in touch with us online at our website, on facebook, or twitter.

Warmest regards,Ann

A Message from our Executive Artistic Directorby Ann Cooper Gay

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Come to our Open House!Our annual open house will be held on Saturday, May 14.  Join us for two and a half hours of drama, singing, mask-making, and a special character workshop taught by John Easterlin who will be performing as A Dancing Master and Brighella in the upcoming COC production of Ariadne auf Naxos . He also recently appeared with the COC as Monostatos in The Magic Flute. 

It’s Audition Time Again!It’s that time of the year! Auditions for the 2011/2012 season will begin on May 7.  Ages 3-20 are welcome – find our application form on our website and fill it out today!  Contact Diana in

the CCOC office at 416-366-0467 for more information and to schedule an audition time. Another fabulous season of the CCOC will be starting soon! Join us and be a part of the magic!

What’s On? Upcoming Events and News from the CCOC

Spring ConcertsOur spring season is coming soon, and this year we are planning a record FIVE performances.  Come out and support the CCOC and receive a discount when you check out all five Concerts! Remember where you’ve been and where you’re going when you support all levels of the CCOC!  All concerts are at First Unitarian Congregation – 175 St. Clair Ave. W (at Avenue Rd)

Choral ConcertFriday, May 27 - 7:30pmPrincipal and Youth Chorus

Featuring highlights of repertoire we will be touring to Europe in June, including the premiere performance of Ogopogo, a new CCOC commission, by Toronto composer Norbert Palej 

Fiddling With MozartSaturday, May 28 - 7:30pmPrincipal and Youth Chorus

Featuring excerpts from Fiddler on the Roof (Principal Chorus), and Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Youth Chorus)

Fiddling With Mozart & The Best of BroadwaySunday, May 29 - 7:30pmPrincipal and Youth Chorus

Featuring excerpts from Fiddler on the Roof (Principal Chorus), Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Youth Chorus) plus excerpts from the golden age of Broadway (Youth Chorus).

The Operatunists & The MikadoFriday, June 3 - 7:30pmSunday, June 5 – 3:00pmIntermediate, Apprentice, Ruby and Butterfly Choruses

Featuring choral repertoire by all four junior and training choruses, plus The Operatunists (Apprentice Chorus) and The Mikado (Intermediate Chorus).

CCOC Members enjoy skating on Marlies home ice

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Touring with the CCOC

European Tour Over 50 members of the Principal and Youth Choruses will be touring Austria and Italy from June 28 to July 13.  Highlights include:

July 1 – Salzburg, AustriaJoint Concert: Salzburg Boys and Girls Choir July 3 – Vienna, AustriaSumma Cum Laude FestivalPublic Performance #1 July 4 – Vienna, AustriaSumma Cum Laude FestivalCompetition performancePublic Performance #2 July 7 – Deutschlandsberg, AustriaJoint Concert: Deutschlandsberg Music School July 9 – Venice, ItalyConcert: Basilica di San Pietro di Castello

The Chorus takes a break during the 2008 European Tour. CCOC choristers will be returning to Austria and Italy from

June 28th to July 13th!

NEW CCOC Commissions Coming for 2011 and 2012!

Following the overwhelming annual success of Dickens of a Christmas and the critical acclaim of The Secret World of Og the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus will be commissioning two new works for it’s 2011-2012 season.

The team that brought you A Dickens of a Christmas, Errol Gay and Michael Patrick Albano, will return as the Composer/Librettist team for Laura’s Cow: The Legend of Laura Secord.  This is another one-act opera for the

company joined by two soloists commemorating the War of 1812 and the courageous works of Canadian heroine Laura Secord. Donʼt miss this exciting new piece which premieres in the Spring of 2012!

Ogopogo By Norbert Palej is a short piece for Children’s Choir piano,flute and cello, about the Lake Okanagan Monster. Ogopogo premieres this spring!

Rehearsing for Dickens 2008 with Michael Albano

Joel Ivany and a chorister in rehearsal, 2010

Alumni News and Events

CCOC Alumni Kate Applin is the Founding Artistic Director of Metro Youth Opera, a company that focuses upon providing professional performance opportunities for emerging artists. Their inaugural production of Così fan tutte was a critical success!

Stephanie Domingues presented her undergraduate recital at the University of Toronto’s Walter Hall, on April 20th at 7:30pm

Kimberly Rose Pefhany will be performing a recital on May 18th at 8pm, in the Conservatory Theatre at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Ms. Pefhany will be joined by collaborative pianist Jennifer Tung and flutist Aysha Willis.

The director of Dean Burry’s The Secret World of Og Joel Ivany will be directing an English language performance of La bohème as part of the inaugural season of his new company Against the Grain Theatre, performances run from June 2nd-5th at the Tranzac Club, visit www.againstthegrain.com for details.

Soprano Veronika Anissimova has been invited to take part in the prestigious Salzburg Vocal Festival. Ms. Anissimova will present free concerts with her twelve esteemed colleagues at some of Salzburg’s most prestigious concert halls. She will also have the opportunity take part in masterclasses and audition prep seminars with world renown coaches.

Do you have Alumni News or an upcoming event? Feel free to contact us with your information!Canadian Childrenʼs Opera Company227 Front Street EastToronto ON, M5A 1E8info@canadianchildrensopera.com

The CCOC would like to thank the Ontario Arts Council, who have provided funding through the Arts Investment Fund which makes this newsletter possible.  The grant allows the CCOC to embark on a 3-year project to establish ourselves in social media and to reconnect with our alumni.  Find us on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/ccocfacebook