Music at Christ Church

Sharing God’s gift of music and harmony gives glory to God in our worship and enriches the lives of all who visit Christ Church. Our choir, building upon a long-standing tradition of musical excellence, is central to the on-going life of the parish.

For over a century, music has been an essential component the weekly worship at Christ Church. Christ Church's choristers have a broad repertoire that extends from traditional hymms, to 20th century anthems, motets and spirituals. Our exceptional choir is an integral element of our holiday celebrations, feast days and other special events throughout the year. 

Special performances, performed by one, some or all of our choirs members are a regular feature and we are sometimes joined by professionally trained voice soloists, musicians and performance artists.

The members of our choir are all active residents in the Stouffville area and love sharing their enthusiasm for music with our parish, this includes: singing, piano, guitar, violin and a variety of other instruments on special occasions. 

The full choir regularly sings at our 10am Sunday morning Eucharist service, September through June.

In addition to our volunteer choir, Christ Church is fortunate to have a professional musician on staff who leads our music ministry.

GARY HEARD

Music Director

Gary Heard has studied voice, piano, organ, and bassoon. He studied piano and organ principally with Marie Devereux. His voice teachers have included renowned Canadian opera singer Glenn Gardiner, Paul Massell, and Marie Devereux. Mr. Heard received the highest mark in the province of Ontario on the Solo Performer’s Associate in voice. Mr. Heard sang with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for thirteen years under the direction of Dr. Elmer Iseler. In that capacity he has performed the Beethoven Ninth Symphony and the Strauss opera Daphne at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Heard was a guest conductor of the North York Concert Orchestra at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Mr. Heard has maintained a career as a church organist and choir director for forty years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from York University as well as a diploma in Arts Administration from Humber College. Mr. Heard was the conductor of the North Toronto Singers for fourteen years and eighteen years as conductor of the Serenata choir.