To commemorate the choir’s 25th anniversary in 1989, the Orpheus Choir of Toronto founded the John and Mary Sidgwick Scholarship Program.
What is a Sidgwick Scholar?
If you have a passion for singing, are pursuing vocal studies and enjoy choral music, audition as a Sidgwick Scholar with the Orpheus Choir and become part of one of Toronto’s finest choral ensembles.
Our Sidgwick Scholars:
- act as section leads
- perform as soloists throughout the concert season
- earn rehearsal honorarium and performance fees for solos
- and receive coaching from Artistic Director Thomas Burton-Bresba
You’ll join a tight-knit group of people with similar interests who grow together as musicians and friends, finding joy in singing and sharing the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with every performance.
Audition Information
The Orpheus season runs from Labour Day to mid-May and typically comprises four season concerts plus occasional outside hires.
Be a part of this innovative singing experience and follow in the footsteps of Michael Colvin, Wallis Giunta, Patricia O’Callaghan, James Westman, Vasil Garvanliev, Leslie Anne Bradley, Michael Ciufo and many more young emerging vocalists who have gone on to successful singing careers.
Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings 7:00-10:00 p.m., Yorkminster Park Baptist Church (Yonge & St Clair.)
Meet the 2026-2027 Sidgwick Scholars
Alice Macgregor
Soprano
Théa Nappert
Soprano
Asha Mayadunne
Mezzo-soprano
Gabriel Klassen
Tenor
Christian Matta
Tenor
Henry Patterson
Baritone
Owen Phillipson
Baritone
Past Scholars
The Orpheus Choir is extremely proud of the superb young singers who have participated in the program over the years. Many of the Sidgwick Scholar Alumni have gone on to exciting careers in the music industry and we hope the training they received with us has played a small part in their success.
- Wallis Giunta, mezzo-soprano (Young Singer of the Year at the 2018 International Opera Awards)
- Victor Micallef, tenor (The Tenors)
- Joey Niceforo, tenor (‘New Classic’ solo artist)
- James Westman, baritone (hailed by Maclean’s magazine as one of 100 Young Canadians to Watch in 1998)
- Patricia O'Callaghan, soprano (renowned cabaret artist on Universal label)
- Michael Colvin, tenor (heard often in major opera houses worldwide)
- Leslie-Ann Bradley, soprano (winner of numerous international competitions and the Prix du chant Pierre Bernac award at the Académie International de musique Maurice Ravel in France)
- Karen Wierzba, soprano (recipient of an international competition to sing under the baton of Seiji Ozawa)
- Johane Ansell, soprano (in-demand opera and oratorio soloist)
- Vasil Garvanliev, baritone (rising operatic star)
- Elisabeth Hetherington (rising early music star)
- Maeve Palmer (second-prize winner of the 2017 Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition)
- …and so many more who have gone on to significant solo careers.