Toronto’s Larkin Singers – a choral group that has established itself over seven seasons as one of the finest in Canada – have announced they will be not be returning next season. According to a letter posted on their website, the Toronto-based choir has become the victim of financial and logistical demands.
The Larkin Singers, founded in 2007 and led by its namesake, Matthew Larkin, were made up of eighteen distinguished musicians who made their home at the Holy Trinity Church in Toronto.
They enjoyed several successful tours to Bristol, UK and New York City, and presented programs in Ottawa, London and Kingston. In 2008, they released their debut CD, A New Work is Come on Hand, featuring music by Bach, R.V. Williams, Howells, Ord and others. They were also apt to collaborate with the likes of g27 Orchestra, TorQ Percussion Quartet, and organist David Briggs.
“Larkin teased a spectacular amount of fine detail from his singers, John Terauds, recalls in a 2013 review. “From the quietest passages to loud statements the choir was impeccably balanced, and the language remained clearly intelligible despite the church’s lively acoustics.”
In a city chock-full of choirs, diminishing audience numbers, and increasingly competitive public arts funding programs, the challenges can be simply too overwhelming. We wish them all the best.
The Larkin Singers will be performing for one last time at Oakville’s St. Judes Anglican Church on October 2nd at 8 p.m. For more details see here.
We have reprinted the official farewell letter below:
Dearest Friends and Supporters:
It is with deep regret that we announce a close to The Larkin Singers’ musical life. After seven wonderful seasons of concerts in Toronto, we say a heartfelt ‘thank-you and farewell’ to our Founder and Artistic Director, Matthew Larkin. The challenges of operating a professional choir in a city abundant with musical offerings are many. The reward of making music with such dedicated, talented musicians has been immeasurable. However, these rewards cannot outweigh the financial and logistical demands faced by the choir.
We thank those of you who found ways to foster and encourage the choir by attending concerts, volunteering and providing financial support to our past seasons. Music making is a gift that we have been honoured to share with you at over 21 concerts, a recording of Christmas music, and some very special international tours.
The Larkin Singers will perform a final concert together at St. Jude’s Celebration of the Arts, Friday October 2nd at 8pm. We hope you will join us at this wonderful series.
With sincere fond wishes,
The Larkin Singers
#LUDWIGVAN
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