About the orchestra
Sharing our music with the community –
for more than 50 years
The TCO is a welcoming and enthusiastic group of primarily amateur musicians of all backgrounds and professions united by our love of music. The TCO had its humble beginnings in 1970 as the Timothy Eaton Memorial Orchestra, based at Timothy Eaton Church midtown. In 2009 the orchestra moved to Glenview Presbyterian Church at Yonge & Lawrence. At this time, the orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Community Orchestra.
While Glenview was a lovely venue for rehearsals, the group unfortunately outgrew the space within 2 years. In 2011 the TCO moved again to Eastminster United Church in Greektown/East York (now known as East End United Regional Ministry), where it attracted even more local musicians. In Fall 2023, the TCO once again found a new location for its rehearsals at Greenwood and Danforth Aves. The orchestra is now 60 members strong, with a waiting list.
Over the past decade, the orchestra has developed to a new level of proficiency, enabling us to play music that broadens our horizons.
Since 2020, the TCO has been led by Artistic Director Nick Arrigo. Past conductors with the TCO have included Tony Gomes, Jeremy Legault, Lynn Tucker, Carol Matthews, Eric Leung, Leonidis Varahidas, and Alexandra Bourque.
Artistic Director
Nick Arrigo
Nick Arrigo is a retired Music Educator of 30 years. He is also a Reservist of the Canadian Armed Forces who proudly served in the 7th Toronto Royal Canadian Artillery Band as clarinetist and then Director of Music. In 2009, Nick was hired to conduct the Malta Band – a position he still holds today.
Nick took his commission in 2014 and became Director of Music and attained the rank of Captain. Two years later, he was appointed Bands officer for the 32 Canadian Brigade Group (GTA area). He has been invited by private schools in Toronto as band and instrument clinician and guest conductor. Upon retiring, Nick took on special contracts with the army with deployments in Operation Lentus; supporting flood relief and Operation Laser and support of the Covid relief to nursing homes.
Concertmaster
Mikhail Vinnik
Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, and raised in Toronto, Mikhail is delighted to return to TCO, where he first performed in 2015. He has been involved in community orchestras since the age of 15 and currently serves as Concertmaster of StringsTO and performs with Strings Attached Orchestra. Music first took hold of him in Grade 7 and has never quite let go. He finds immense joy in making music alongside others who share that same passion, and especially values community performances that bring people together and make live music accessible to audiences of all ages. By day, he works in grocery retail management at Yummy Market, in the heart of Toronto’s Eastern European gastronomic landscape. By night, he trades grocery aisles for orchestra rehearsals.
Section Principals
| Violin II | Benno Sommer |
| Viola | John Clark |
| Cello | Michael Wong |
| Double Bass | Eugene Stecky |
| Flute | Brendon Phillips |
| Oboe | Dora Krizmanic |
| Clarinet | David Marshall |
| Bassoon | Shannon Halliwell-Macdonald |
| Horn | Olivier Laquerre |
| Trumpet | Katherine Brown |
| Trombone | Jeff Buchyns |
