Sing! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival marks its 12th year with an array of inspiring live performances and industry insider workshops taking place from May 29 to June 4. The full schedule, tickets and festival passes are available now at singtoronto.com.

Canada’s premier a cappella festival includes 28concert performances incorporating musical styles from around the globe, from jazz to pop, barbershop to Broadway, and even spoken word.

This year’s festival will take place at The Concert Hall in Toronto. Performance highlights include:

• Naturally 7 (with Asian Riffing Trio): Sonic mastery featuring “vocal play” that transforms voices into musical instruments, creating music of any genre. Naturally 7 has shared the stage with legends including Michael Bublé, Quincy Jones, and Coldplay.
• The Kinsey Sicks - Drag Queen Storytime Gone Wild! America’s favourite “dragapellabeautyshop quartet” have been blending four-part harmony, over-the-top drag, and political satire for 30 years.
• SING! Celebrates the Musical: All-vocal versions of Broadway favourites, with singer/actress Sharron Matthews, who will receive the Slaight Music SING! Toronto Legacy Award during the evening. Featuring the SING! Singers – Kevin Fox, Chris Tsujiuchi, Suba Sankaran, Dylan Bell, and Jennifer Walls.
• Mezzotono: A mix of music, entertainment, and Italian culture, Italy’s Mezzotono have performed in 65 countries on five continents around the world. Incorporating humour and audience participation, Mezzotono showcases Italian songs in a variety of styles, ranging from jazz to pop, bossa nova, mambo, tango, and folklore.
• A Night at the Barbershop: Classic four-part a cappella featuring harmonies by the Harbourtown Sound, Mixology, and Maple Reserve (formerly Yonge Guns). The show will be followed by Open Mic Afterglow, a chance for any group to take the stage and share their music.
• Global Voices – Women in A Cappella: A cappella music spanning several centuries and styles, from live-looping to opera, flamenco dance to Eastern Mediterranean and Balkan songs. Borders dissolve and cultures collide with the sounds of Canadian global divas Tamar Ilana, MeherPavri, Suba Sankaran, JordanaTalsky and Turkwaz.
• AcaPoetry: Celebrate the spoken word and vocal looping with some of the best spoken word artists in Toronto. Hosted by Janice Jo Lee and Charlie Pletch, the show also features legendary artists Andrea Thompson and David Delisca.
• Countermeasure: Twelve of Canada’s top vocal talents perform an unforgettable mix of rich jazz harmonies, driving vocal percussion, innovative arrangements, and original music. Led by award-winning composer/producer Aaron Jensen, the group’s original song “Takin’ it Home” was covered by the Jazzagals on CBC Television’s Schitt’s Creek.
• Mass Choir Event: Choirs, individuals, and world-class artists sing as one in this one-of-a-kind mass choir. Featuring singer/songwriter Lorraine Segato, performing to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of “Rise Up”, the Juno Award winning song she co-wrote and performed with The Parachute Club.

The SING! festival educates as well as entertains, with a series of live educational workshops and a free virtual music business summit.

Concert tickets range from $25 to $75; workshops are free to $20. All-workshop passes are available for $50 and full festival passes are $150. Half-price tickets are offered for students and arts workers. The full schedule is available at singtoronto.com/2023-event-details.

Over the past 12 years, SING! has built a following with a community of singers, a cappella enthusiasts, and music lovers from across Toronto and as far away as Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

“Just like a cappella music itself, the SING! community transcends musical styles and genres,” says SING! manager and co-founder J-M Erlendson. “We’re committed to showcasing the power of the voice for vocal music lovers of all backgrounds, ages, and budgets. There’s truly something for everyone.”

The festival also focuses on helping new vocal groups find success in the industry. “Since SING’s inception, one of our priorities has been to feature performers at various points in their careers, from community choirs to global superstars,” saysSING! co-manager Patricia Silver. “We’re proud to have brought attention to a number of a cappella groups as they were getting started, helping them gain prominence in Canada and internationally.”

Since its launch in 2012, SING! has expanded to several SING! partner festivals in Texas, as well as SING! Edinburgh at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, SING! Mexico, SING! Edmonton, and coming in fall 2024, SING! Vancouver. SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival has also been chosen as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events for nine consecutive years.