Sing with Passion, Heritage, and Harmony: The OCMS Adult Choir
The premier adult SATB choral ensemble of the Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society, uniting vocalists across York Region and the GTA in grand Western masterworks, classical Chinese lyric poetry, and vibrant contemporary intercultural premieres.
Love Grows Here | Unionville Presbyterian Church
A Legacy of Song Since 1997
The Ontario Cross-Cultural Music Society Choir (OCMS Choir) was founded in 1996 by a group of vocal enthusiasts under the direction of OCMS. Over the past 30 years it has provided excellent vocal training to countless music lovers of all ages under distinguished conductors including Kwong-Ching Wong, Yan-Kwong Tse, Ching Mak, Lillian Po Sit, Francis Chung, Shek Ko, Roy Cheng, Barbara Fei, Ivy Lo, Joanna Ng, and now Carina Chan.
Each year the choir takes part in the annual gala concert of the Overseas Chinese Festival of the Arts, and performs regular concerts throughout the season. At the 10th Anniversary Gala in 2006, together with the Overseas Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra and other Ontario choirs, the choir literally brought down the roof of the Toronto Centre for the Arts with the Yellow River Cantata. In 2007 and 2012 it was invited to perform at Toronto’s celebrations of the 10th and 15th anniversaries of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In 2009 it sang Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at the BMO “Ode to Joy” Gala Concert, with over 100 choral singers from partner choirs and 70 orchestral members, and in 2013 performed Mozart’s Coronation Mass under the baton of Samantha Chang. Since June 2013 the choir has worked with Ivy Lo, exploring a wider range of repertoire, including musicals.
The OCMS Choir has performed at Koerner Hall (RCM) and the P.C. Ho Theatre, and competed in the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival in 2015, where it came first and was presented with a Gold Award. Comments from the adjudicators:
“… a wonderfully blended precise sound… Great sense of rhythm and togetherness… Great pronunciation of diction in English songs… Energetic performance with nice long phrases…”
Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival 2015 — Adjudicators’ Comments
Multilingual Diction
Nuanced pronunciation coaching across Latin, German, Italian, English, Mandarin, and Cantonese lyric texts.
Living Commissions
Premiering contemporary intercultural compositions harmonizing ancient Chinese folk poetry with orchestral counterpoint.
Artistic Milestones
HighlightsPerformed the Yellow River Cantata with the Overseas Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra and other Ontario choirs at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
Invited to perform at Toronto’s celebrations of the 10th and 15th anniversaries of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
BMO “Ode to Joy” Gala Concert with over 100 choral singers and 70 orchestral members, a great success.
Performed under the baton of Samantha Chang.
Placed first in the competition and was presented with a Gold Award.
Our Team
Conductor Carina Chan
Piano Accompanist Michael Cui
Chairperson Matthew Wong
Treasurer Josephine Chow
Committee Members
Amanda Lai / Claudie Mau / David Lung / Susanna Leong
Rehearsal Schedule & Location
Weekly rehearsals focus on vocal technique, section blending, and concert preparation in Markham.
Symphonic Music Institute
Markham Rehearsal Hall103-80 Acadia Ave., Markham, ON L3R 9V1
(Warden & Steeles Corridor)
Weekly Rehearsal Structure
Disciplined vocal development and choral ensemble workWarm-up
Physical alignment, breathing exercises, and gentle vocalizing.
Vocal Technique
Choral diction, section blend, intonation, and resonance fundamentals.
Fellowship Time
Community connection, choir announcements, and social break.
Guest Workshops
Masterclasses with visiting professional singers and guest conductors.
Voice Part Openings & Section Status
We maintain acoustic balance across all four vocal parts. Immediate priority auditions open for Tenors and Basses!
Join the OCMS Choir
Ready to Add Your Voice to Our Harmony?
Whether you’ve sung in university choruses or sacred choirs, or want to return to ensemble music after years away, OCMS Choir welcomes your voice. Register below and our choir manager will be in touch to confirm an audition time.