Roy Thomson Hall is bringing back one of its longest-running community traditions with the return of its free Choir & Organ Concert Series, offering Torontonians a chance to hear leading Canadian vocal ensembles accompanied by the venue’s celebrated Gabriel Kney pipe organ. Now in its 28th year, the noon-hour program continues to serve as one of the city’s most accessible cultural offerings while drawing audiences into one of Toronto’s most iconic performance spaces.
Announced on November 20, the 2025 edition features performances by the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Exultate Chamber Singers, VIVA Chamber Singers and the Hamilton Children’s Chorus. Each ensemble will take the stage for a one-hour concert designed to highlight choral excellence and the hall’s acclaimed acoustics.
“Roy Thomson Hall’s beloved FREE Choir & Organ Concert Series is back!” the announcement states, positioning the program as both a community tradition and an entry point into the venue’s broader music programming. The organization describes the series as an opportunity for “all Torontonians to experience performances by Canada’s finest choirs and organists featuring Roy Thomson Hall’s renowned Gabriel Kney pipe organ.” The public is invited, the release continues, “to enjoy an hour of beautiful music in the splendour of this acoustically superb venue.”
The return of the series reflects ongoing efforts by Roy Thomson Hall to strengthen community engagement, particularly through free and low-barrier programming. Offering no-cost admission has allowed the concerts to draw consistently diverse audiences, including students, families, seniors and daytime workers in the downtown core. Attendees can reserve tickets online or by phone, with seating available on a first-come basis.
According to the hall, philanthropic support plays a crucial role in maintaining the program. “Roy Thomson Hall is thrilled to be able to offer this free concert series thanks to the tremendous support of the Edwards Charitable Foundation and our community of education and community engagement donors,” the release notes. The organization is also encouraging public contributions to sustain the initiative over the long term. “Help us share the gift of music with our community by making a donation today. This type of public support contributes to the development of continued free programming like Choir & Organ for years to come.”
In addition to individual concertgoers, the venue is inviting school groups to attend, emphasizing the program’s value as a cultural and educational experience. Concerts are recommended for ages six and up, and schools reserving groups of 20 or more are directed to contact the hall’s group booking team.
The series follows a consistent schedule designed to accommodate lunchtime audiences. Front doors will open at 11:00 a.m., followed by the auditorium at 11:30 a.m. All performances begin promptly at 12:00 p.m., and the concerts run without an intermission, making them accessible to those with limited time midday.
For Roy Thomson Hall, the series also serves as a platform to highlight its historic Gabriel Kney organ, an instrument known for its depth, clarity and craftsmanship. Installed in 1981 and comprising thousands of pipes, the organ remains one of the most significant in the country and is frequently featured in both choral and solo performances. Its inclusion in the noon-hour concerts provides audiences an opportunity to hear the instrument outside the context of larger-scale productions.
The Choir & Organ Concert Series aligns with broader trends in the performing arts sector, where organizations increasingly rely on a combination of philanthropy, partnerships and community-focused initiatives to attract new audiences and promote cultural participation. Free programming, in particular, has become a critical tool in maintaining accessibility while offering pathways for future engagement.
For more details on performers and dates, the hall is directing visitors to its Choir & Organ events page. Tickets can be reserved at roythomsonhall.com or by calling 416-872-4255.
