School Tours

St. Michael's Choir School has been touring since Centennial year 1967. The concept of tours by the Choir School led Monsignor Peter Somer­ville to say that they served to bind the group together by giving the boys an ambition to achieve excellence in their music in settings other than St. Michael's Cathedral. Monsignor Somerville also felt that the tours, whether within or outside Canada, helped to put the School "on the map" in a way that had not been possible before, even though it was recognized for the excellence of its liturgical work in the Cathedral.

Whenever possible, arrangements are made for the boys to stay with local families, and this experience not only broadens their horizons, especially in foreign countries, but allows them to become ambassadors for Canada, a task which they take in their stride.

For more information on the school’s tour history, please click here.

Our most recent international tour was in July 2008 when the boys travelled to the Czech Republic for the International Boys and Men’s Choral Festival in Prague.  The 2nd International Boys and Men’s Choral Festival was an outstanding opportunity for St. Michael’s Choir School to participate in rehearsal and concerts with world-renowned conductors and choirs, solo and massed concerts in the historic churches and theatres of Central Europe, including the famous Dvořák Hall in the Rudolfinum, Prague. We were one of four featured choirs at this festival which took place from June 30 through July 7, 2008.

The most recent Canadian tour was in May 2009 when the Senior Choir travelled to Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. The boys experienced shared performances with other exceptional choirs, and raised their own performance and leadership levels. This tour also helped them develop personal independence, increased self confidence, and collaborative and cooperative skills in group settings. Pictures from the Quebec tour can be found within the "Year in Review" retrospective video.