Music

At Christ Church Deer Park music plays an integral role in worship. We believe that music, offered for the glory of God and in service of the community’s prayer, helps draw us deeper into the mysteries of our faith, calls us to action, unites us, and invites us to explore what words alone cannot express. We embrace a wide variety of styles and genres and are blessed to have skilled professional leaders, who work alongside our deeply committed volunteers.

Traditional Anglican Choral Services
Sundays at 10:30am & Holy Days

On Sundays at 10:30am and holy days, music is offered by the Christ Church Deer Park Choir, a mixed-voice, vested, adult choir conducted by our Director of Music & Organist. The ensemble is comprised of skilled volunteer amateur singers from the community, who are supported by professional section leads. In addition to helping lead congregational hymns and other service music, the choir regularly prepares anthems, motets and selections from choral Mass settings, which artistically enrich our worship experience.

 The choir’s repertoire includes music from the Middle Ages through to the works of living composers. Some favourites performed last season include Byrd’s Ave Verum Corpus, Handel’s “Zadok the Priest,” the Gloria from Mozart’s “Coronation Mass,” Messiaen’s O Sacrum Convivium, Stanford’s “Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem,” Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas, and many more choral classics. We continually seek to expand our repertoire to encompass a wide variety of music drawn from the depths and breadths of the Church’s tradition, and reflective of its diverse members. The choir meets on Thursdays from 7-9pm for rehearsal (September to June) and is welcoming new choristers. 

Contemporary Service
Sundays at 9:15am

On Sundays at 9:15am, we gather more informally and sing alongside the piano and guitar. Contemporary Christian music, and other worship songs and hymns that invite congregational participation, are led by a professional vocalist and pianist, and accompanied by volunteer praise team members, who help enliven this intimate gathering.

Jazz Vespers
Sundays at 4:30pm (twice per month)

Upcoming Jazz Vespers

For over 25 years, Christ Church Deer Park has welcomed some of the city’s finest jazz musicians to play at this popular, informal late-afternoon worship service. This service has been included in the Toronto Jazz Festival line-up and has featured small ensembles, as well as big bands and guest vocalists. Previous highlights include Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker, a Charlie Brown Christmas, and musical tributes to esteemed artists including Horace Silver and Thelonious Monk. Our Jazz Vespers include reflective readings, prayers for the needs of the world, and always close with a swinging congregational hymn.

Dec
15

Sunday

Jan
12

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Jan
26

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Feb
9

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Feb
23

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Mar
9

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Mar
23

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Apr
13

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Apr
27

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
May
11

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
May
25

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers
Jun
8

Sunday

4:30 pm Jazz Vespers

Church on Tap
Fridays at 7pm (once per month, Sept through June)

At Church on Tap, soulful, folk-rock, alternative and contemporary music, usually led by the guitar and other guest musicians, accompanies this casual, come-as-you-are service. 

To find out more about any aspect of music ministry, and how you can get involved or support us, please contact our Director of Music, Stefani Bedin:

Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples.

Upcoming Music Events

More to Explore

The Story behind our

Tracker Organ

Our magnificent three manual, tracker-action organ was installed in the chancel of the church in the spring of 1982 and dedicated to the Glory of God and in memory of those who died in the First World War and the Second World War.

The organ, built by the Karl Wilhelm Company of Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec, has a classical continental design. The case is made of white oak and the pipe shades are of carved butternut. Voiced in the classic French style, its 36 stops and 50 ranks are capable of interpreting a wide variety of organ literature.

Installation required considerable changes to the chancel including moving the altar forward and arranging choir seating to either side. These renovations prompted the design and production of our award-winning Benedicite Kneelers, done in needlepoint by a dedicated group of church members.