Arising from a massed choir assembled for Etobicoke’s celebration of Canada’s Centennial in 1967, Etobicoke Centennial Choir (ECC) has had a remarkable history for almost 60 years.

Established by an enthusiastic group of choristers who were motivated by this experience to form a permanent choir in the community, ECC has always been driven by the passion and dedication of its members.

ECC has always made its home in Etobicoke, the westernmost part of the city of Toronto, performing three concerts per year for the local community and surrounding region. The choir has also performed at Roy Thompson Hall and other locations in downtown Toronto, as well as in the Niagara region, Ottawa and Montreal.  ECC's 25th anniversary was marked with a tour of France and Great Britain. Highlights of that trip included performances at Les Invalides, Canterbury Cathedral and the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. 

ECC has collaborated with many community arts groups over the years, including the Orchestra of Krishna Sangeet Mandir, Etobicoke Youth Choir, Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble, Holy Blossom Synagogue Choir, Lachan Toronto Jewish Chamber Choir,  Toronto Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, Etobicoke Community Concert Band, Ontario Pops Orchestra, High Park Children's Choir, Etobicoke School of the Arts Chamber Choir, Humber College's Jazz Program, guitarist Anton Apostolov and his Balkanian Ensemble, Etobicoke's Father John Redmond High School Concert Choir and a number of local and regional children's choirs.

Etobicoke Centennial Choir has been privileged to share the stage with both emerging and established Canadian musicians. We take pride in offering performance opportunities to talented young local performers, including guitarist Liona Boyd in 1970 and rising tenor Ben Heppner.  In December 1987, the choir welcomed legendary Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester to help celebrate its 25th anniversary season. In 1998, the choir and its audience were thrilled by a performance of spirituals by Measha Brueggergosman, a recent graduate of the University of Toronto opera program who soon went on to an international career. Jazz piano virtuoso John Sherwood joined the choir for its 40th anniversary celebration concert.  The choir performed with Liona Boyd again in October 2017, celebrating her return to her hometown of Etobicoke.  Celebrated Canadian jazz saxophonist Kelly Jefferson led an ensemble for ECC's performance of Missa Gaia in April 2019. Canadian guitarist/composer Anton Apostolov and his Balkania Ensemble performed with ECC in June 2019.

ECC premiered many choral compositions and arrangements by its first conductor, Barry Gosse, which remain in the choir’s repertoire.  ECC commissioned "Triptych" by Toronto composer George Bassingthwaite, premiered by the choir in the spring of 1993. In 2003, ECC presented the inaugural performance of Niagara composer Peter Landey’s Magnificat, and later premiered his Gloria, both composed for the choir.

ECC has benefited from remarkable music directors through the years. For over two decades, Barry Gosse used his artistry and exceptional teaching ability to lay a firm foundation of choral excellence. Following his death in 1988, the choir flourished under the leadership of conductor and organist Ian Sadler. From 1994 to 2008, the ECC was skillfully directed by Dr. Harris Loewen, Professor of Music at Brock University. The choir is also indebted to Dale Wood, the late John Ford, Clement Carelse, Matthew Jaskiewicz and Kelly Janzen-Zinck, who provided support and superb direction during transitional periods.

Since 2008, ECC has continued to evolve and excel under the dedicated leadership of Artistic Director Henry Renglich, who brings a deep passion for music and an expansive knowledge of music history and theory to the role. While respecting and continuing the classical traditions of the choir, he continues to introduce new repertoire and promote concert programming that reflects the diversity of our present-day community, including joint performances with several Jewish choirs, South Asian and African music/dance troupes, Balkan and Croatian ensembles.

In June 2017, ECC marked its landmark 50th anniversary season with a Gala Celebration attended by current and former choristers, choir supporters and local dignitaries, who all gave testimony to the important role the choir had played in their lives. Formal letters of congratulations were presented by Toronto mayor John Tory, Toronto City Council, Etobicoke Centre MPP Yvan Baker and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. A celebratory Alumni Concert with current and former choristers was conducted by five former ECC music directors  (Harris Loewen, Ian Sadler, Clement Carelse, Matthew Jaskiewicz and Dale Wood) along with Artistic Director Renglich. It was a joyful celebration to acknowledge the past and launch the choir into the next phase of its musical journey.