TCO Members Information

Mission Statement

The Toronto Community Orchestra (TCO) is an ensemble with an over 50-year history of performances and service to our city, and in particular to Seniors’ Residences. We strive to perform music which will provide accessibility, challenge, and growth for our individual musicians as well as for the orchestra as a whole, in addition to offering our audiences variety, interest, and pleasure. 

Objectives

• To create and maintain a non-profit, volunteer community orchestra 
• To offer qualified amateur instrumentalists from Toronto and surrounding communities an opportunity to perform orchestral music. The orchestra is for the most part non-auditioned, with some exceptions at the discretion of the Conductor, Section Principals and Executive committee. These exceptions may include section principal positions in the string sections and section principal positions in the wind sections. 
• To offer accessible concerts to the community and to the residents of Long-Term Care Facilities in Toronto.

The Toronto Community Orchestra plays music from different styles, genres, and musical eras. To give an idea of the level of music we play, visit the “Performance” page of our website and our YouTube channel for a sample of our repertoire. 

We also endeavour to accommodate orchestra members with aspirations to play concertos.  Anyone who may be interested in playing a concerto with the orchestra will need to speak to the Artistic Director and the Repertoire committee at least one full term in advance of the desired performance time. (E.g., for a December performance the conversation must take place in the previous May at the latest.)

The TCO is led by volunteers organized in an Executive Committee and the Artistic Director.

The current Executive Committee:

The Co-Chair-Operations & Treasurer creates a contact list of all TCO members and distributes or provides access to the Conductor, the Executive, the Concertmaster and Section Leaders, in order to facilitate the dissemination of information. A Co-Chair may also send the orchestra contact list to all orchestra members, provided permission is given by each orchestra member.

The fees are by term (2 terms per season) and must be paid in full for each term by the first or second rehearsal of the term. Fees may be paid in cash, by cheque, or e-transfer. 

• $140 for fall term (September – December)
• $160 for winter/spring term (January – May)
• Cheques are to be made payable to “Toronto Community Orchestra”
• E-transfers must include an additional $1.25 to cover the bank fee and are to be sent to torontoco.treasurer@gmail.com 

If full fee payment poses a hardship, please email the Treasurer to request a 50% discount.  Fees cover the rental of the rehearsal space at Danforth Tech CI, the sanctuary at East End United Regional Ministry, honoraria, music purchases and rentals, printing/photocopying, insurance, and general orchestral expenses.

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings and also schedule our performances on Tuesday evenings.  Occasionally, under special circumstances, we will schedule a performance for a different day and time, other than Tuesday evenings.  These concerts will only take place if enough people are able to commit to the date in question. On occasion, our usual rehearsal space is required for another function and we try to schedule a rehearsal at an alternative location.

• Rehearsals:  First Term: Sept – early Dec
• Rehearsals: Second Term: Jan – early May
• For 2025-26  the rehearsals begin on September 9 with the end of session concert on December 9. The second session begins on January 6, 2026 with the end of session concert on May 12, 2026.

Rehearsal Location: 800 Greenwood Ave, Toronto (at Greenwood and Danforth), Room B66 (Band room)
Entrance: Side doors on Strathmore Ave.
Closest subway station: Greenwood (about 3 min walk) – turn left on Linsmore to get to Strathmore Blvd and walk westward (another left).
Parking: A small parking lot on the south side, a large parking lot on the north west side but it’ll be a longish walk to the entrance (do not try to go through the school even if the doors are open as it’s a maze), and street parking.

We start promptly at 7:30 pm

• Orchestra members should try to arrive around 7:15 pm, in order to help set up chairs, tune, and warm up
• One 10-minute break – at the Conductor‘s discretion 
• Rehearsal ends at 9:30 pm and members are asked to return the room to the order in which it was found.
• Members are required to register and note their attendance on Gig-o-matic as this greatly assists in the rehearsal planning
• Rehearsal Order: Each week, orchestra members will receive by email the rehearsal order from the Conductor/Co-Chair-Operations.  Music should be put into the correct order IN ADVANCE of the rehearsal to save time finding music during the rehearsal.

We apply through the Permit Unit at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to use 800 Greenwood Ave (aka Danforth Tech Collegiate Institute) on most Tuesday evenings. Our permit is from 7:15 pm until 10:00 pm so that there is time for set-up, 2 hours of rehearsal and clean-up at the end. We must be off the premises by 10:00 pm. The space rental is booked in advance in August for the entire season, and paid monthly by pre-authorized payment. 

The school reserves the right to use the space on any given night. Occasionally there will be an event taking place at Danforth Tech which will preclude our rehearsing there.  Every effort will be taken to find an alternate venue to rehearse, and members will be notified as early as possible by email.

The caretakers ensure that entrance to the building at the designated door is only open between 7:00 and 7:45 for the safety of all occupants inside the building.

We are required to abide by all of the rules and regulations set by TDSB for safe and responsible use of their facility. We carry third party liability insurance, which is also a requirement to use the space.

Please arrive at rehearsal by 7:15 pm so that you can help with the orchestra set up. All musicians, at the end of the rehearsal, must help to return the space to the order in which it was found. Your help at the conclusion of the rehearsal (especially if you are unable to help in set up) would be appreciated.

The music room at Danforth Tech should be rearranged to the following layout at the end of each rehearsal (even if the chairs/stands were not necessarily found in this set up on any given Tuesday):

Drums sets about 5 feet away from the back wall..

THREE rows of chairs with stands (ideally, using chairs labelled “music room”);

Front row (closest to conductor): 10 chairs/stands

Second row: 9 chairs/stands

Third row: 11 chairs/stands

All chairs labelled “Drama Room” returned to the Drama room next door;

Extra chairs and stands stacked neatly in the far right hand corner (where the stairs and back door is);

Teacher’s desk set approx. 8 feet away from the front wall, with the projector cart against the left side of the desk;

Piano horizontally set away from the wall on the right side of the teacher’s desk (with a large gap in between);

We all come to enjoy ourselves by making music, to grow in our music-making capabilities, and to enjoy the company of others who share those objectives.  The following guidelines are designed to ensure that we can make this happen:

General Expectations

• Members are expected to attend all rehearsals, practice between sessions, learn the music, and strive to improve their musical skills and intonation to the best of their ability for the orchestra’s overall quality.
• The Conductor, in consultation with the Concertmaster and Section Leaders, determines section placement and seating.  
• Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:30 pm with a tuning pitch. Please arrive by 7:15 pm to assist with setup and ensure your stand and music are ready. Late arrivals disrupt the rehearsal, though arriving late is better than not attending at all—occasional tardiness is understandable.
• Any necessary announcements will be made by Executive Committee members either after tuning or at the start of the break. Orchestra members may also make announcements at this time.
• Please keep socializing to the break. Be in your seat and ready to tune when the Concertmaster signals.
• If you’re not required for a piece being rehearsed at the end, exit quietly to avoid disrupting others.
• Always check your email on Tuesdays before rehearsal for any last-minute updates (e.g., cancellations or venue changes).

Rehearsal Pointers

• Add measure numbers to the start of each line of music before the first rehearsal.
• Bring all necessary items: music, instrument (in good working order), stand, pencil, and accessories (rosin, spare reed, mute, etc.).
• Record bowings and musical directions as instructed. String Section Leaders will distribute bowings and send revisions during the term —add them before the next rehearsal.
• Do not play/practice or talk while the Conductor is speaking, especially when another section is being advised. Others cannot hear the Conductor if you are talking or practicing, no matter how quietly you think you’re whispering or playing.
• Ensure you and your stand partner have enough space and can see both the music and the Conductor. Adjust your stand height so that the Conductor is in your peripheral view.
• Tune at mezzo piano volume to allow others to hear. Avoid talking during tuning.
• Communicate with your stand partner as quietly as possible. Assist anyone next to you who requires assistance in hearing instructions from the Conductor.
• If you have questions about something in the score or how a passage should be played, raise your hand and ask the Conductor during rehearsal or approach your Section Leader during a break.
• For shared stands, the inside player (or player further from the edge of the stage) turns pages. Players on the outside (closest to the edge of the stage) play the top line of a divisi section, while the inside player plays the bottom, unless otherwise directed by the Conductor or Section Leader.
• Stop playing immediately when the Conductor stops. 
• Silence your phone or put it to airplane mode.

Prioritize rehearsal attendance. Your presence affects your stand partner, section, and the orchestra’s balance.

The Conductor communicates important things each rehearsal and therefore consistent attendance is crucial.  Attendance at rehearsals leading up to a concert is especially important.  If you must miss a rehearsal, please check with others in your section for any changes made.

Attendance must be indicated using Gig-o-matic  which is set up by the Co-Chair-Operations.  This is essential for the Conductor to plan rehearsals.

If you anticipate missing rehearsals (due to travel, family, or work), update Gig-o-matic and email the Conductor. A substitute may be needed.

The Conductor may ask members with irregular attendance to sit out a concert.

If you cannot play a scheduled concert, notify the Conductor, Section Leader, and Co-Chair, Operations as early as possible and help arrange a sub.

If regular attendance becomes difficult, consider discussing a leave of absence with the Co-Chair, Administration & Member Services.

Music will be distributed to members well before the commencement of the term as a PDF file for each member to print or download.

Ensure your music includes bar numbers or rehearsal numbers before rehearsals begin.

String bowings are usually sent by email—contact your Section Leader for details.

Repertoire is selected to include all instruments when possible, but this may not always be feasible. The Conductor will try to minimize downtime for those not playing in every piece. Your patience is appreciated.

Concert venues vary. Lately we have played at Yorkminster Baptist Church or Knox Presbyterian Church. Concert venues are within the city limits of Toronto and will be clearly indicated to members in advance.

• All Concerts take place on Tuesday evenings; first term concerts take place in early December, and second term concerts in early May.
• Please refer to the TCO Website (https://torontocommunityorchestra.org/) for exact dates, times, and locations for our upcoming concerts.

Note:  there is a dress rehearsal after the Outreach Concert each term and before the Family and Friends Concerts.

Unless otherwise specified,

• For concerts at Seniors’ Homes: ALL BLACK 
• For Family, Friends & Community concerts as well as any Fundraiser Concerts: ALL BLACK

Optional: Men may wear black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie. 

Attendance at all Tuesday Night Concerts is mandatory.  Orchestra members NOT able to play a scheduled concert should notify the Conductor and their section leader as soon as possible and work with them to find a sub if necessary.

This meeting is usually held between 7:00 and 8:30 online the Tuesday after the final concert.  We discuss items of concern to the orchestra, results of the annual feedback survey, and review the annual financial statement.  The intent of the Annual General Meeting is to hear from as many TCO members as possible, and take what they have to say into account in the planning for our next season.  We always welcome volunteers on the orchestra’s Executive Committee, please speak with one of the Co-Chairs if interested.

In January/early February of each year, members are asked for feedback on a range of issues including the repertoire and level, number of concerts, fees, and other issues pertaining to the functioning of the orchestra. Issues requiring immediate attention can be identified at this time and measures taken to resolve them before the season is over. Results of the survey are tabulated and presented at the Annual General Meeting.

The Executive Committee Co-Chairs can be reached at torontocommunityorchestra@gmail.com.