Can you sing? Each week we enjoy the support given to congregational singing as well as contributions of music that it’s hoped will enhance your worship experience by a group of dedicated members of the St. Barnabas Choir.

These folks work hard on Thursday evenings to get ready for each Sunday as well as the occasional special event, and currently there is a stack of challenging new music being prepared. There is a lot of enthusiasm and camaraderie amongst the group; it’s fun and, at the same time, very rewarding. The Choir has already made a resolution for 2011 – it wants to grow, and needs your help.

If you are someone who loves to sing and are able to make a commitment to one weekly practice and service from September to June, please consider seriously joining us. Perhaps you know of someone else who would be interested – whether or not he or she is a member of St. Barnabas (or even Anglican!). Please pass along the information/invitation. If you are not interested yourself, maybe you sit close to someone each Sunday whose singing voice you admire – encourage that person to consider joining!

While it’s helpful to have even a basic music reading ability, it is not an essential. What is more important is that you have a singing voice and a commitment to the group. All voices (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) are welcome, but a special red carpet will be rolled out for new basses!

Please speak to Neil after a service, or contact him by Email » or by telephone (416-410- 1504). He’d love to hear from you! Neil is also very interested in knowing about any instrumentalists (strings, winds, brass, etc.) within the congregation who might be hiding in the woodwork. Please let him know.

After many years working as a church musician, arts administrator, radio producer, teacher and bookseller, Neil Houlton arrived at St. Barnabas’ in November 2010 as Interim Organist following the retirement of Dr. Eugene Gates. Born and reared in SW Ontario, his early musical training in Canada and the UK prepared him well for church music positions in Peterborough (All Saints’), Ottawa (St. Barnabas’), Fredericton (Christ Church Cathedral) and Halifax (St. George’s Anglican and the University of King’s College). He worked at CJRT-FM in Toronto as a music programmer, producer and on-air host prior to joining the Ontario Arts Council as Associate Music Officer. In addition, his experience includes the position of Director of Music and Programming at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown PEI, teacher of English and Social Studies at King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor NS and owner of one small bookstore/manager of another larger bookstore in London ON. Apart from his love for good church music – both traditional and modern – his interests include food (both the cooking and eating parts), reading, discovering new things on the internet and exploring Toronto’s many fascinating neighbourhoods (i.e. restaurants!). He was delighted with the invitation in May 2011 to become the permanent organist of St. Barnabas’, and, although he can’t hope to match Dr. Gates’ long tenure, is looking forward to a long and happy association with the parish. Email Neil »

The Choir

St. Barnabas has a long tradition of good choral music. The choir consists of volunteers and four professional soloists/section leads. The choir's repertoire includes anthems and motets from every period of the church's song, oratorio choruses, plainsong and Anglican chant.

In addition to providing music for regular Sunday worship and special services, the choir presents an annual festival of lessons and carols during Advent, and a cantata or other extended choral work during Lent.

Rehearsals are held from September to June in the choir room on Thursday nights from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. New members are always welcome. Some music-reading ability is required.

Eugene Gates is also on the faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, where he teaches organ, piano and history of music. He is also an examiner emeritus of that institution.

After 38 years of faithful service at St. Barnabas, Dr. Eugene Gates decided to retire. The parish celebrated Eugene’s ministry on Sunday, October 31, 2010, and he subsequently accepted the title of Organist and Choirmaster Emeritus.