Testimonials

Poland 2008

Perl Wismer

What an amazing opportunity it was to witness God at work during the Toronto Mass Choir’s mission trip to Poland. For two weeks I was immersed into the Polish culture, touring several cities with TMC’s host, the Gospel Joy Choir. I not only discovered that gospel music is very popular, but there was also a hunger in the hearts of the people to know God personally. At all the concerts, young and old crowded in to hear rousing songs of faith. The audience always expressed a heartfelt appreciation of TMC and were amazed that the group of us came to share gospel music with them. The local reporters watched TMC intently. They asked why we came all the way from Toronto to sing in Poland and what made us different from the other gospel choirs they had seen. Well, these questions were open doors to share the good news of God’s love. Praise God that people indeed “could see that we believed what we were singing about”!

“We give You all the glory, we worship You our Lord, You are worthy to be praised”.

The Gospel Joy Choir opened for us at the various concerts. Gospel Joy is an ensemble of dynamic voices bursting with energy. For those two weeks on tour, TMC and GJ’s lives fused cross-culturally. What quickly developed were many opportunities for TMC to not only share their background, language and musical experiences but also their faith in our Lord God with GJ members. TMC performed at a church and GJ members came to support us. Terry Bridle, TMC’s tour manager, was to give the message that morning but instead, felt led to invite people to come to the front for prayer. It was an amazing time because God’s spirit was moving in the hearts of TMC, the church audience and also Gospel Joy. Despite language barriers, TMC members had the opportunity to pray with those who came to the front. People were broken, in tears and prayerful before God. It was a privilege to see first hand God doing His transforming work in all of our hearts that day!

“We give You all the glory, we worship You our Lord, You are worthy to be praised”.

It was amazing to glimpse God’s refining nature through the eyes of the GJ leaders. With eager, teachable spirits they inquired of TMC as to how GJ could intentionally be more God-focused. Their findings led them to see the value in incorporating devotional times, the sharing of testimonies, more opportunities for prayer, and greater spiritual accountability. I left Poland inspired by the renewed passion of these leaders for gospel music and its effectiveness to minister to people. Exciting times lie ahead for Gospel Joy!

“We give You all the glory, we worship You our Lord, You are worthy to be praised”.

This incredible journey, allowing me to sing in the Toronto Mass Choir , has been a very special one for me. It humbles me to think that God has enabled me to be in the company of a wonderful family of believers “for such a time as this” in Poland! I give Him all the glory as I worship Christ my Lord! He is worthy to be praised!!

“We give You all the glory, we worship You our Lord, You are worthy to be praised”.

2008 Reference Letters

Dino De Dominicis

Dear Karen

Thank you and the Toronto Mass Choir for your passionate, spiritual and engaging performance at our annual benefit concert for The York Centre for Children. The Toronto Mass Choir is truly an exceptional group of talented musicians whose unique and innovative style enriched the Christmas season for the over 1200 patrons who attend our annual concert. We received many comments of praise regarding the outstanding performance of your group not only from the audience but also the other guest performers including Michael Burgess, Jackalyn Short and the director of St. Michael’s Choir School.

We have had many talented musicians join us at our concert over the past 20 years but I can honestly say that the addition of the Toronto Mass Choir received one of the most overwhelming and enthusiastic responses. Your dynamic and powerful rendition of the joyful music of the season is gripping and engaging. It was an uplifting experience to listen to your choir celebrating the birth of Christ in such a powerful and moving way.

On behalf of the York Centre for Children, Youth and Families, thank you for your inspirational performance at our celebration of Christmas. Your participation in our benefit concert helps us ensure that needed services and supports are available for children and youth struggling with mental health issues.

Sincerely,

Dino De Dominicis
Board of Directors
The York Centre for Children, Youth and Families

“Going Home” Album Release Concert: September 29, 2007

Lenore Providence

It was with great anticipation that September 29, 2007 arrived. Of course, there was the angst of wondering if I managed to tell everyone I knew about the concert, or the near panic about the much-dreaded sore throat, not to mention how embarrassed I’d be if I forgot the words. But as the choir joined hands moments before the concert and prayed together over every aspect of the evening’s events, I began to focus on what was important — glorifying God!

It was truly amazing what happened as the clock ticked down to the final minute and I took my place — this time at the front of line — leading part of the choir into the sanctuary as we were introduced. Angst was replaced with a bubbling excitement that burst forth in smiles that were mirrored on the faces of the people whom I made eye contact with as I passed by. The joy I felt was contagious and everyone got infected. It didn’t take long before the hidden singers in the audience revealed themselves and together we sang familiar hymns set finger-snapping, toe-tapping rhythms: reggae, calypso, soca, ska and what the choir warmly refers to as regga-soca or regga-lypso. The euphoria was wonderful; I believed that I could sing forever and at that point I could barely remember that my throat was once sore. My feet were killing me but this was “kick your shoes off” kind of music, so I did!

Then there was the moment where I closed my eyes and was drawn into the worship medley. The words sunk in as if it was the first time I had heard them. I was raised in a church-going family and had sung many of these songs from the time I was in my mother’s lap, not to mention that I joined the choir from its second rehearsal in 1988 and so had sung these same songs many times over, but this time, God’s power and majesty overwhelmed me. The lyrics penetrated to a different level and I felt transformed. The music caused my love for God, His son and His Holy Spirit to radiate out of my every pore and my sore feet danced like never before. The thoughts, I’m blessed! Isn’t God amazing? came to my mind out of nowhere. I realized that I was weeping with joy. I stretched my hands up to Him and I almost felt that I could touch the Father’s hand.

I cherished the realization that God was using me to add my voice with everyone in the building to sing His praises. Even in that moment, I felt privileged to know and to be able to share the knowledge of God’s love through music, and I knew that this was a night I would not soon forget. As the tempo increased, we ended the evening singing and dancing our way out of the sanctuary, waving flags from different nations, calling out to God’s people to Stand Up for Jesus, as we are all called upon to do as Christians!

Power Up Workshop 2007

The Power Up Gospel Music Workshop 2007 was without a doubt, the most meticulously run event of the over 200 music events I’ve had the pleasure to speak at to date. I was very impressed with their pre event organization and their on site support team made absolutely certain that I had everything I needed to present my material in a comfortable, yet very professional setting.

– Clinician James Linderman

I initially attended Power Up 2006 as part of my church Worship Team Leadership. I found the experience worthwhile and returned in 2007 to further cultivate the gift the Lord has given me. My intention is to invest what I’ve learned into, my congregation, adherents and the lives of other musicians for the Glory of God.

– attendee Jo-Ellen Worden, Willowdale Baptist Church

When is there ever going to be a time in your life, when you will get to stand side by side with TMC on stage in front of an audience and sing gospel music? You’ve got to try it at least once and chances are you’ll want to do it every year.

– attendee Rachelle Davy, Mapleview Community Church, Barrie

Power Up was an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by so many like-minded individuals and practice for heaven. Aside from giving me a taste of what it is to sing from the tip of my toes to the top of my head, it has taught me the value of serving whole-heartedly with ones entire being. That to me is the key to worship! – attendee Perl Wismer, Harvest Bible Chapel, Markham

Power Up Workshop 2006

The Power Up weekend was an experience of a lifetime, I still cannot believe I learned so many songs in such a short time. I thoroughly enjoyed everything the food, the members were so nice and did not make me feel intimidated at all.

– attendee

Congratulations on the successful completion of another Power Up Workshop! What an honour and a blessing it was to be in the company of men and women who have embraced the concept of service to their Master and King and who are dutifully committed to excellence and extravagant worship.

– attendee

What an impact the Power Up Conference had on me last weekend. Since leaving South Africa I have longed to experience the powerful presence of Jesus in worship and to see worshippers that worship both in spirit and in truth. The Power Up Conference was a truly humbling experience for me, not only was Jesus evident in the worship but he was powerfully evident in every member of TMC. The way in which you served us, loved us, taught us and took time to encourage us, perfectly illustrated God’s love that is so evident in all of you. What you did, what you said and what you sang truly brought honour and glory to our wonderful awesome God.

– attendee

Review of Instrument of Praise

“You probably won’t find another Mass Choir Praise album like this. When I first heard Toronto Mass Choir I was blown away by the diverse sound. It was about the same time I was a listener of Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir music. I won’t choose between the two, but Toronto is excellent… I was truly blessed by all these songs and you will be, too. The songs are quite simple but have great depth. You can feel the power of the Spirit. The ‘Teach Me to Dance/I Will Dance’ is a reggae number. You will experience the joy in, ‘Holy Spirit Come and Fill This Place.’ ‘Soar Like an Eagle’ and ‘Ain’t Got Time to Die’ combine all the efforts of their diverse sound and thrilling vocals. The mix of reggae, jazz with traditional and contemporary sounds give it an urban feel. It’s combination of music makes this choir so unique. The vocals of the people are so right on! You just got to experience it to see what I mean. I just can’t say enough. All I can say is-WOW! What a blessed heavenly gift. Reggae and Jazz enthusiasts will like this as well. You’re sure to love ‘em.”

– Amazon.com customer from Charleston, WV USA