Arising from a massed choir assembled for Etobicoke’s celebration of Canada’s Centennial in 1967, Etobicoke Centennial Choir (ECC) has had a remarkable history for almost 60 years. Established by an enthusiastic group of choristers who were motivated by this experience to form a permanent choir in the community, ECC has always been driven by the passion and dedication of its members.

ECC has always made its home in Etobicoke, the westernmost part of the city of Toronto, performing three concerts per year for the local community and surrounding region. The choir has also performed at Roy Thompson Hall and other locations in Toronto, as well as in the Niagara region, Ottawa and Montreal.  ECC's 25th anniversary was marked with a tour of France and Great Britain. Highlights of that trip included performances at Les Invalides, Canterbury Cathedral and the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. 

ECC has collaborated with many community arts groups over the years, including the Orchestra of Krishna Sangeet Mandir, Etobicoke Youth Choir, Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble, Holy Blossom Synagogue Choir, Lachan Toronto Jewish Chamber Choir,  Toronto Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, Etobicoke Community Concert Band, Ontario Pops Orchestra, Etobicoke School of the Arts Chamber Choir, Humber College's Jazz Program, guitarist Anton Apostolov and his Balkanian Ensemble, Etobicoke's Father John Redmond High School Concert Choir and local and regional children's choirs.

Etobicoke Centennial Choir has been privileged to share the stage with both emerging and established Canadian musicians. The choir offered performance opportunities to young local performers, including guitarist Liona Boyd and rising tenor Ben Heppner.  In December 1987, the choir welcomed legendary Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester to celebrate its 25th anniversary season. In 1998, the choir and its audience were thrilled by a performance of spirituals by Measha Brueggergosman, a recent graduate of the University of Toronto opera program who soon went on to an international career. Jazz piano virtuoso John Sherwood joined ECC for its 40th anniversary celebration concert.  The choir performed with Liona Boyd again in October 2017, in a concert celebrating her return to her home town.  Celebrated Canadian jazz saxophonist Kelly Jefferson led an ensemble for ECC's performance of Missa Gaia in April 2019. Canadian guitarist/composer Anton Apostolov and his Balkania Ensemble performed with ECC in June 2019. Renowned Indian classical music flautist and vocalist Hasheel Lodhia will perform with the choir in June 2025

Etobicoke Centennial Choir premiered many choral compositions and arrangements by its first conductor, Barry Gosse. The choir commissioned ‘Triptych’ by Toronto composer George Bassingthwaite, performed by the choir in 1993. In 2003, ECC presented the inaugural performance of Niagara composer Peter Landey’s ‘Magnificat’, and later premiered his ‘Gloria’, both composed for the choir. In June 2025, ECC will introduce three new choral compositions by Henry Renglich, with lyrics by Governor General’s Award winning author Sarah Henstra.

Etobicoke Centennial Choir has benefited from remarkable music directors through the years. For over two decades, Barry Gosse used his artistry and exceptional teaching ability to lay a firm foundation of choral excellence. Following his death in 1988, the choir flourished under the leadership of conductor and organist Ian Sadler. From 1994 to 2008, the ECC was skillfully directed by Dr. Harris Loewen, Professor of Music at Brock University. The choir is also indebted to Dale Wood, the late John Ford, Clement Carelse, Matthew Jaskiewicz and Kelly Janzen-Zinck, who provided support and superb direction during transitional periods.

Since 2008, ECC has continued to evolve and excel under the dedicated leadership of Artistic Director Henry Renglich, who brings a deep passion for music and an expansive knowledge of music history and theory to the role. While respecting and continuing the classical traditions of the choir, he continues to introduce new repertoire and promote concert programming that reflects the diversity of our present-day community.

In June 2017, ECC marked its landmark 50th anniversary season with a Gala Celebration, where current and former choristers, choir supporters and local dignitaries gave testimony to the important role the choir had played in the community and in their lives. A celebratory Alumni Concert featured choral works conducted by five former music directors and Henry Renglich. It was a joyful celebration to acknowledge the past and launch the choir into the next phase of its musical journey.

The onset of the global coronavirus pandemic caused a sudden halt to ECC’s season in March 2020 and brought unprecedented challenges to the choir’s survival. Unable to meet in person, rehearsals were moved to a Zoom format, led by the choir’s five professional leads. Choristers could not hear one another, but were able to practice their parts and learn new repertoire for future concerts. It was not until the fall of 2021 that the choir was able to meet in person for rehearsals again, wearing masks, fully vaccinated and physically distanced to reduce risk. On December 11, 2021, ECC recorded a concert in person, but without an audience, that was aired on YouTube. In April 2022, the choir sang before a live audience for the first time in two years, in a concert aptly titled “With Heart, In Hope”.

Through determination, commitment and creativity, ECC not only survived the pandemic but actually thrived, with an energized core group of singers and many new choristers, all eager to once again sing together.

Over the past three seasons, ECC has committed to expanding its outreach and diversifying its repertoire. The addition of charitable gaming funds (earned by choir volunteers) has made it possible to add orchestral accompaniment or guest instrumentalists at many concerts. In addition to classical choral repertoire, the choir has explored the music of northern lands, Latin America and South Asia, introducing choristers and audiences to new musical experiences and expanding our outreach to diverse communities in Toronto.

As Etobicoke Centennial Choir approaches its 60th anniversary season in 2027, we are grateful for the support of countless musicians, singers, supporters and audience members that have made this incredible music journey possible.