The Orillia Vocal Ensemble is a full voice (SATB) community choir that raises money for local charities through its concerts. In the last fifteen years, the ensemble has raised more than $175,000. Some of our charities are the Mariposa Hospice, Orillia Community Foundation, Jubilee House, the Sharing Place food bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Hillcrest Lodge, Greenhaven Women's Shelter, and Information Orillia. We also sing at retirement homes at Christmas, and we participate in concerts with other Orillia performing arts groups all year round.
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Christmas Programs!
December 2, 2023 at 7:30pm at St. Paul's Centre
with the Orillia Concert Band - see the poster!
See the Calendar for details
"The Wonder of Christmas in Script and Song" - A concert of Christmas Music with the Orillia Children's Choir
Stay Tuned for details..
Our new 2023 fall term will begin with an appearance at "Culture Days" at the Downtown Orillia Farmers Market.
Click or Tap on the poster image to get a printable version.
For more information about this term or about the choir in general, please contact Carol at info@orilliavocalensemble.com
The Concert was entitled "Let Your Imagination Soar! - Songs of Hope, Vision, and Aspiration". Presenting Guest performers "The Orillia Community Children's Choir", Julia Johnston Director and "The Orillia Recorder Consort."
Tickets available at the door for $15
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Our first post-COVID19 concert took place on Wednesday, May 25. Entitled "Here's to Song, Here's to Freedom, Here's to Home", it celebrated several things. Firstly, it was a celebration of Roy Menagh's retirement from the OVE after 10 years as its founder and first musical director, albeit two years after the actual event. Secondly, it was a farewell to Mary-Jo Rosenquist who had been our splendid accompanist for several years, and who had decided to move away from Orillia. And thirdly it was a welcome to Blair Bailey as our new musical director and to our new accompanist, Katie Pergau.
Donations by the audience were donated to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal in recognition of the human suffering caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Accordingly, various pieces were chosen to reflect the emotions generated by that conflict, including the Ukrainian national anthem and A Ukrainian Prayer. A cheque for the $7,210 in proceeds was presented to a representative of the Red Cross.
Some of Roy's favorite pieces were included in the programme, and Roy himself conducted three of them accompanied by Mary-Jo. Soloists included a guest performer, Anna Trubashnik, and several of the OVE's own members.
Overall, a very successful and memorable event after the strictures of the past two years, despite the fact that the choir wore masks throughout and still managed to entertain superbly.
June 17, 2022
Qennefer Browne Achievement Award recognizes an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of their community. It was named in honour of Qennefer Browne, who gave much of herself to support both arts and heritage organizations within the region.
On November 24, 2021, the community came together in-person and virtually for the third annual Orillia Regional Arts & Heritage (ORAH) Awards, to celebrate the achievements of the sector and honour this year’s nominees.
The OVE congratulates Blair for his achievement!
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Adam Chambers, MP (2022-2023)
Manticore Books (2022-2023)
Julie Parna & Clive Algie (2021-2022)
Roger Andrews Memorial Scholarship:
Kathleen Andrews