St. Michael’s Choir School performs REJOICE! Jubilee Celebration: 60 Years at Massey Hall on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7 p.m. The holiday concert will mark six decades of performing their much-loved Christmas concert at Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall.
Seeing St. Michael’s Choir School perform at Massey Hall has become a Toronto tradition – the concert is attended not only by students’ families and alumni, but by music lovers as well! The festive concert blends sacred and secular selections, including reimagined contemporary arrangements. This year’s performance will include a whimsical snow-themed piece from the elementary choir.
The program gives the school the chance to showcase the full range of St. Michael’s Choir School, which gives the audience the opportunity to see the musical development that evolves from junior to senior choristers.
I spoke to Geoffrey Rawlinson via email. Rawlinson was appointed Executive Director of St. Michael’s Choir School in May 2024. In his role, he oversees the Choral Institute, leading a team of more than forty musicians, operational, and administrative staff, and guiding the full scope of the school’s music and educational programs. An alumnus of the school, Rawlinson joined as an eight-year-old in 1980 and continued the tradition by enrolling his two sons in the school.
Massy Hall has undergone many changes since St. Michael’s Choir School began performing in 1965. The legendary hall completed renovations in 2022. Rawlinson notes that performing at the renovated Massey Hall has provided some new technical aspects including enhanced acoustics, lighting and rehearsal spaces. He adds, “The new space has an improved audience experience – improved sightlines, preserved historical details and seating comfort [which creates] a more engaging and enjoyable environment for concert-goers and our choristers alike.”
Preparing for a concert of this size and on a grand stage such as Massey Hall is not an easy task. I asked Rawlinson what some of the challenges are for preparing for the annual Christmas concert. “One of our significant challenges…is time,” he says. “Not long after last year’s concert had finished, we quickly started to plan our 60th Anniversary concert this year. Choosing a theme, artwork, repertoire, rehearsal schedule, promotional materials, among many other items, was targeted for completion as early as Labour Day. Indeed, the boys find it unique to rehearse our set list in the heat of September! But it’s all part of our enjoyment of celebrating six decades of extraordinary music-making at the heart of the city’s holiday season”
With such a vast musical selection to choose from, I asked Rawlinson how the music is selected each year. “Our music selection involves a collaboration of our music conductors, who review a wide range of songs from classic, 17th century faith-based hymns to modern-day holiday tunes.” And yes, they do receive input from their choristers!
An annual tradition at the concert involves the Grade 12 graduating class. They are bestowed the honour of choosing a song, and the class “rehearses, conducts and performs all on their own on stage at Massey Hall,” says Rawlinson. “It’s a wonderful way to further engage our audience and a testament to the skill and dedication of our graduating class.”
As someone who has attended the St. Michael’s Choir School concert at Massey Hall in the past and has noted the strong camaraderie among the boys, I wondered what the students enjoyed most about performing in this concert? Rawlinson says that the boys love performing Christmas songs and feel that the concert is the entryway for the Christmas season. He adds, “Our annual Christmas concert marks the culmination of our choristers’ diligent year-long practice and effort, making it a memorable milestone…[they also enjoy] a standing ovation at the conclusion of the concert!”
I wondered if there were any pieces that have been performed again and again at the Massey Hall concert. Rawlinson noted that Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” and even excerpts from Handel’s Messiah “are beloved by our audience…the timeless appeal of these hymns, along with their ability to evoke the festive spirit…helps our choirs to reinforce the festive atmosphere of the Christmas season.”
Many people consider the holiday concert to be the beginning of their holiday celebrations. With that responsibility in mind, Rawlinson says, “that is something we take very seriously. It is our duty to perform and present something so memorable that when they leave at the end of the night, they know Christmas is here, and they have a smile on their face.”
Tickets for St. Michael’s Choir School’s REJOICE! Jubilee Celebration: 60 Years at Massey Hall on Saturday, December 13, 2025 can be purchased online at the Massey Hall website.
Massey Hall is located at 178 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5B 1T7
You may be interested in reading, “Toronto Christmas Events and Activities 2025“
