Music groups in Toronto.
9 clubs, and when they meet. Most meet on weekday evenings, around The Annex, Danforth, Downtown. Most are free to join. The ones without a fixed day are listed below, linked to where they announce. Subscribe to this calendar →
What to expect.
Choirs, open jams, community bands, ukulele circles and song nights in Toronto, each with the day it meets. Choirs and bands tend to run in terms with a weekly rehearsal; jams and circles are drop-in and more forgiving about when you turn up.
Every listing links to the group's own page, which is where you will find out whether you need to audition, bring an instrument, or simply show up and sing.
All 9 music groups in Toronto.
A to Z, in each club's own words. Every one links to the club, and every day and time is the one the club publishes.
Long-running Thursday-night Irish trad session upstairs-casual at the Black Swan Tavern on the Danforth, moderate pace with some Cape Breton and old-time tunes mixed in.
Thursdays, time varies · Danforth · Free · facebook.com →Twice-monthly traditional Irish session in the Tranzac's Living Room, paced slow-to-medium so players with only a handful of tunes can join. Traditional instruments.
Monthly, second Wednesday and fourth Wednesday · The Annex · Free · tranzac.org →Non-auditioned treble-voice choir for women, trans and non-binary singers, rehearsing Tuesday evenings at the Church of the Holy Trinity beside the Eaton Centre. Fee per term, nobody turned away for lack of funds.
Tuesdays, 7pm · Downtown · $200 · echochoir.ca →Open blues/rock jam night every Sunday at Grossman's Tavern on Spadina, hosted by Paul Storm with a house band and sign-up to sit in.
Sundays, time varies · Kensington Market · Free · grossmanstavern.com →Saturday afternoon acoustic jam at the Tranzac open to musicians of any level; everyone takes a turn leading a song.
Saturdays, usually 2:30pm at the Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave (times occasionally shift) · The Annex · Free · tranzac.org →Saturday lunchtime bluegrass jam in the Southern Cross room at the Tranzac; a hat is passed. For players and singers who can lead a song or two, so not a beginner slow jam.
Saturdays, 12pm · The Annex · Free · jazzintoronto.ca →Monthly Québécois traditional tune session at the Tranzac on a Sunday at noon, run by the ToQue trad community.
Monthly, third Sunday · The Annex · Free · sites.google.com →Monthly folk song gathering in the Tranzac's Living Room on the last Tuesday evening of the month.
Monthly, last Tuesday · The Annex · Free · tranzac.org →Participatory Sacred Harp shape-note singing in the Meeting Room at Friends House on Lowther, third Wednesday of the month; no experience needed, loaner books, no performance.
Monthly, third Wednesday · The Annex · Free · torontoshapenote.org →
Questions people actually ask.
Do I need to audition or read music?
Depends on the group, and its listing says which. Many community choirs are non-auditioned and teach by ear. Open jams assume you can play along to a chord sheet.
Do I need an instrument?
For a jam or a circle, yes, unless their page says they have spares. For a choir, no. Bands usually ask you to bring your own.
Is there a fee?
Choirs and bands often charge a term fee that covers music and a venue. Jams and circles are usually free or a drink. It is in the listing.
Every listing links straight to the club. Know a music group in Toronto we don’t? Add it.