The OBC is thrilled to be able to gather safely once again, following all public health and safety protocols, and to continue singing together! The safety of our artists and patrons is our priority and we continue to work hard to create a safe space for all. In order to assist with our commitment to the well-being of our patrons, musicians, volunteers and staff, we are implementing protocols that address public health and safety. We are committed to closely monitoring COVID-19 in our province and city in order to best provide a safe environment and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Ottawa Bach Choir requires all staff, volunteers, contractors and singers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

We will, however, no longer check for vaccination status of our patrons.

 What to expect when attending an Ottawa Bach Choir event in person:

• We ask that if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms that you enjoy our performance streamed in our Digital Concert Hall and not attend the event in person.
• We ask that our patrons continue to implement mask requirements for indoor public spaces, and recommend that masks be worn in all indoor areas of the venue.
• We ask that you remain in your seat for the duration of the event.
• At the intermission and at the end of the concert, please minimize indoor social time and move efficiently through high-touch zones such as doorways and aisles. Visit with other patrons outdoors and distanced.
• Washrooms are open prior to, during, and after concerts.

The best way to receive up-to-date information on concerts is to sign up for our e-newsletter.

The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) is excited to welcome you to its 20^th anniversary season of stunning choral music! The professional ensemble has not only travelled the world and received national and international recognition, it also has many ‘firsts’ to its credit, including a recent JUNO award for our album Handel: Dixit Dominus, Bach & Schütz: Motets! The choir will record its eighth album this season and has been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in June 2022 (postponed from 2020), as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach.

The choir is delighted to be able to safely offer an entire season of choral music in 2021-2022, with in-person live concerts as well as in our successful Digital Concert Hall. We also introduce our new Administrative Manager, Emily O’Kane, who brings passion and enthusiasm to the OBC.

The Season Series offers three magnificent concerts:

(1) Bach Motets, Available as of October 2, 2021, 8 PM, in OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(2) Bach: Mass in B Minor, Saturday, November 27, 2021, 7:30 PM, Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(3) French Baroque Treasures, Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8 PM, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(4) Prelude Europe 2022, Saturday, May 7, 2022, 8 PM, St. Matthew’s Church, 130 Glebe Ave. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

Join us and come discover the best that choral music has to offer!

Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director  

DONATE BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND JUNE 30, 2021

The Great Canadian Giving Challenge is a contest sponsored by CanadaHelps that will give the Ottawa Bach Choir a chance to win a $20,000 prize! Every dollar donated between June 1 and June 30 gives the choir another chance at winning the grand prize. All donations will receive a tax receipt issued by CanadaHelps on behalf of the Ottawa Bach Choir.

Please consider giving through this wonderful opportunity so that the OBC can share with you a special 20th anniversary season in 2021-2022. We appreciate your ongoing support during this challenging time and thank you for making the OBC a part of your musical life!

Participate by clicking the link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-ottawa-bach-choir/

The JUNO Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) will present the final concert of its 19th glorious season, Bach Motets, postponed to October 2021, in its new Digital Concert Hall. The concert features Bach’s brilliant Six Motets, including Singet dem Herrn, BWV 225; Der Geist hilft, BWV 226; Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227; Fürchte dich nicht, BWV 228; Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229; and Lobet den Herrn, BWV 230; performed with continuo. The choir will record this music at a later date for its 8th CD, due for release in 2022.

The OBC won the JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Released on the ATMA Classique label, the album has been exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) asked to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, in June 2022.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the OBC offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods, featuring some of Canada’s top choristers. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, and  China, and  had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Dr. Lisette Canton, Conductor                                                   

Bach Motets

October 2021: Digital Concert Hall

Tickets: General $20

Tickets are available online: OBC Digital Concert Hall

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) is one of the choirs that will join the London Handel Orchestra in a blending of live and virtual performances of Handel’s Messiah to be presented on Monday, April 5, 2021, at 2 PM (EDT). Acclaimed baroque conductor, Laurence Cummings will lead soloists and the London Handel Orchestra in a live performance from St George’s, Hanover Square in London’s Mayfair – Handel’s own church. The choruses, recorded virtually, will be integrated digitally into the overall performance. The whole event will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube for global audiences to enjoy free of charge, and will be available on the London Handel Festival YouTube channel afterwards.

The OBC has won the JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Released on the ATMA Classique label, the album has been exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) asked to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, in June 2020.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the OBC offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods, featuring some of Canada’s top choristers. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, and  China, and  had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Tickets can be obtained via the London Handel Festival.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the second concert of its 19th season, The French Renaissance, on Saturday, March 13, 2021, 8 PM, in its new Digital Concert Hall. The second concert highlights rarely performed sacred and secular music by the Franco-Flemish Renaissance composer, Jean Richafort, and more. Repertoire includes his Missa pro defunctis (Requiem), as well as chansons by Orlande de Lassus, Pierre Certon and Claudin de Sermisy, all performed in the beautiful acoustic of St. Paul’s Chapel, Ottawa.

The OBC has won the JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Released on the ATMA Classique label, the album has been exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) asked to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, in June 2020.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the OBC offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods, featuring some of Canada’s top choristers. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, and  China, and  had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Dr. Lisette Canton, Conductor                                                   

The French Renaissance

Jean Richafort Requiem and chansons by Claudin de Sermisy, Pierre Certon, Orlande de Lassus and Richafort.

Saturday, March 13, 2021, 8 PM: Digital Concert Hall

Tickets: General $20

Tickets are available online: OBC Digital Concert Hall

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The JUNO Award-winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) presents the first concert of its 19th season, Hodie!, on Saturday, December 5, 2020, 8 PM, in its new Digital Concert Hall. The concert features festive repertoire for Christmas, including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols,  and glorious works by Victoria, Praetorius, Pachelbel, Schütz, Sweelinck, Ottawa composers Kelly-Marie Murphy and Matthew Larkin, with Ottawa harpist Caroline Léonardelli and organist Matthew Larkin.

The OBC has won the JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Released on the ATMA Classique label, the album has been exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig 2022, as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) asked to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, in June 2020.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the OBC offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods, featuring some of Canada’s top choristers. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best. The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Europe, and  China, and  had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Listing information:

Ottawa Bach Choir

Dr. Lisette Canton, Conductor                                                   

Hodie!

Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, and works by Victoria, Praetorius, Pachelbel, Schütz, Sweelinck, Murphy and Larkin

Saturday, December 5, 2020, 8 PM: Digital Concert Hall

Tickets: General $20

Tickets are available online: OBC Digital Concert Hall

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca

The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) would like to invite you to the 2020-2021 season and its nineteenth season of glorious choral music! The professional ensemble has not only travelled the world and received national and international recognition, it also has many ‘firsts’ to its credit. And now, in 2020, the OBC received its first JUNO nomination and, this past summer, won its first JUNO award, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral, for our album Handel: Dixit Dominus, Bach & Schütz: Motets! After several months of uncertainty, the choir is delighted to be able to safely offer an entire season of choral music in its new Digital Concert Hall, along with Live Concerts beginning in March 2021 (dependent on performance venue limitations). The choir will record its eighth album this season, and has been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig, in 2022 (postponed from 2020), as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach. We look forward to welcoming you to our new season and invite you to join us online in our new virtual format, and eventually in person. Come discover the best that choral music has to offer!

The Season Series offers three spectacular concerts:

(1) Hodie, Saturday, December 5, 2020, 8 PM, available in OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(2) The French Renaissance, Saturday, March 6, 2021, 8 PM, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar St. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

(3) Bach Motets, Friday, April 30, 2021, 8 PM, St. Jean Baptiste Church, 96 Empress Ave. & OBC’s Digital Concert Hall

Join us and come discover the best that choral music has to offer!

Lisette Canton, Founder and Artistic Director  

JUNO-award winning Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) – Virtual Bach – Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226, by J.S. Bach, recorded June 12-24, 2020 with 22 separate videos.

The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) has won a JUNO 2020 Award for its recording, Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach & Schütz: Motets, in the category Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral. Featuring soloists, countertenor Daniel Taylor, sopranos Kathleen Radke and Kayla Ruiz, and accompanied by the award- winning Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra, the recording was released on the ATMA Classique label and exclaimed as “staggering and movingly performed” (Gramophone Magazine), “among the very best” (American Record Guide) and “awe-inspiring” (The WholeNote).

“We are thrilled to win this prestigious award and honoured to have been included in a category with such talented artists,” says Founder and Artistic Director, Lisette Canton. “Congratulations and sincere thanks to the choir, soloists, Ensemble Caprice baroque orchestra, sound engineer Carl Talbot and ATMA Classique! 

The choir has also been invited to return to the world’s most prestigious international Bach festival, Bachfest Leipzig,as one of a select number of ensembles worldwide (and the only Canadian ensemble) asked to present the entire chorale cantata cycle of Bach, now postponed to 2022.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Lisette Canton, the OBC offers a wide range of choral music from all historical periods, featuring some of Canada’s top choristers. With the combination of a scholarly and emotional approach, the OBC provides an unforgettable experience of choral music at its best.

The OBC has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, and Europe, and was invited to perform as Canada’s choral representative in the prestigious Meet in Beijing arts festival in Beijing, China, in April 2016. In 2014, the choir had the honour of being the first Canadian choir ever to be among the performers in Bachfest Leipzig 2014.

Information: info@ottawabachchoir.ca