About The Oakville Children’s Choir

The Oakville Children’s Choir was formed in 1994 and has quickly risen to become one of Canada’s foremost community children’s choir programs. Holding fast to our mission as a welcoming, professional and innovative community that provides exceptional music education, leadership development and performance opportunities, the OCC is a comprehensive music education program for over 200 auditioned choristers ranging in age from 4 through 25 years. This year, the OCC is celebrating their 23rd season under the artistic leadership of Sarah Morrison, Artistic Director. The OCC’s wide range of repertoire, diverse concert programming and high standard of performance have all contributed to its excellent reputation within the performing arts community – both locally and internationally. The OCC’s touring programme has taken choristers to renowned international festivals and competitions in Italy, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Hungary, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Greece, and the United States. The OCC Senior Choir received a Gold Medal in the 8th World Choir Games held in Riga, Latvia in 2014. The OCC organization presents five annual concerts to the community featuring all seven of our choirs. In addition, the OCC performs at workshops, provides guest appearances at community events and collaborates with other choirs and artistic ensembles in Ontario. The OCC has also developed a comprehensive education outreach program which includes the young leader program, hosting and attending provincial choral festivals and various community collaborations with other arts and education organizations. The OCC organization is committed to fostering leadership skills through outstanding choral music performance as we are “Developing leaders, one voice at a time!”

About Dr. Sarah Morrison

Dr. Sarah Morrison maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator, and performer. She is celebrating her tenth season as the Artistic Director of the Oakville Children’s Choir, a vibrant seven-choir organization focused on building leadership and community through singing. She is also the Choral Director and Curriculum Chair of the Arts Department at Appleby College in Oakville where she has taught vocal music for 15 years. Her choirs have been recorded by CBC radio and have won awards at both the national and international level including a Gold Medal at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia. Dr. Morrison is known for her energy and creativity in working with young voices. She writes the Youth Choir column for Choral Canada’s Anacrusis and and served the board of Choirs Ontario as the Vice-President for two years. Dr. Morrison sang soprano with the JUNO-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir for the past decade and is active as a conference presenter and guest conductor across Canada.

About Cheryl Duvall, Pianist

Cheryl Duvall is multifaceted pianist with a penchant for musical risk taking and adventure. She regularly appears as a soloist, collaborative pianist, adjudicator, teacher, producer and panelist and has toured and performed throughout Canada, Europe, Argentina and the U.S. Cheryl’s strong affinity for boundary-pushing and innovative music making led her along with friend and violinist, Ilana Waniuk to co-found the Toronto-based Thin Edge New Music Collective, now in their sixth season. She is celebrating her 10th year as pianist for the internationally renowned Oakville Children’s Choir.