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 2022, 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.
Concert Master
Eric Diller
Eric Diller has been playing with the TCO since he joined the viola section in 2016. He
started playing strings in grade four, and is told by his two and four year old sons that he sounds best
when playing silly sliding notes. During the day Eric is an engineering professor, and plays with the
TCO because it is a great community of people who are supportive and have fun together through
music.
Section Principals
| Violin II | Grace Law |
| Viola | John Clark |
| Cello | Michael Wong |
| Double Bass | Samantha Donaldson |
| Flute | Brendon Phillips |
| Oboe | Paola Munoz |
| Clarinet | David Marshall |
| Bassoon | Colleen Goulet |
| Horn | Olivier Laquerre |
| Trumpet | JJ Sheppard |
| Trombone | Rob Deutschmann |
