There is something magical about a group of children singing together.
A room full of young voices somehow becomes bigger than music alone. It becomes confidence. Friendship. Joy. Courage. Community. It is students discovering that their voice matters and that when voices come together, beautiful things happen.
This Ontario Day, we are celebrating the incredible students of the OCSB Choirs program and the rich musical traditions that continue to connect generations of Ontarians.
To mark the occasion, we are proud to share a special video performance of the Ontario Song by the OCSB Children’s Choir, led by Carla MacGregor and Patricia Kaiser, with piano accompaniment by Tony Dunn.
A Song That Still Brings People Together
Ontario Day on June 1 recognizes the people, stories, and cultural moments that have helped shape our province. One of those moments came during EXPO ’67, when A Place to Stand, A Place to Grow debuted at the Ontario Pavilion and quickly became known as the Ontario Song.
Nearly 60 years later, its message still feels just right for our students today. Ontario is a place where young people can grow, discover their gifts, and share them with the world.
And our OCSB Choir students do exactly that every time they rehearse, perform, and lift their voices together.
Building Bridges Through Music
At the OCSB, our Spiritual Theme of Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings comes to life in so many beautiful ways, and music may be one of the most powerful examples of all.
Every rehearsal is an opportunity for students to connect with one another through encouragement, teamwork, and shared joy. The OCSB Choirs program brings students together from schools across the city to learn, laugh, perform, and grow side by side. Through music, students build bridges between schools, between grades, and between experiences and backgrounds.
For some students, choir becomes a bridge to new friendships.
For others, it becomes a bridge to confidence and self-expression.
For audiences, these performances serve as a bridge that brings communities together through hope, faith, and joy.
The program also reflects our Strategic Commitments to Be Community, Be Well, and Be Innovative. Students are not only developing musical skills. They are learning collaboration, communication, creativity, and empathy while discovering the confidence that comes from being part of something bigger than themselves.
A Legacy of Music and Community
Founded in 1991 by MaryAnn Dunn, the choir program has inspired generations of students through the power of music and community. Today, under the leadership of Carla MacGregor and Patricia Kaiser, with piano accompaniment by Tony Dunn, the choirs continue to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences for young singers across the OCSB.
And truly, our students are extraordinary.
They arrive after long school days, still ready to sing their hearts out. They support one another. They work hard. They celebrate each other’s successes. They bring kindness, energy, and joy into every rehearsal and performance space they enter.
Watching them perform is about so much more than music. It is about witnessing young people build one another up, one song at a time.
A Place for Every Young Singer
The OCSB Choirs program includes the Children’s Choir, Young Voices Choir, Training Choir, and Chamber Choir, offering students in Grades 4–12 opportunities to grow as musicians and performers in a supportive, faith-filled environment.
Throughout the year, students perform across Ottawa, sharing music that celebrates culture, creativity, and community. Whether singing sacred music, contemporary pieces, or beloved classics, our students continue to remind audiences just how powerful young voices can be.
Interested in Joining the OCSB Choirs?
Auditions for the 2026–2027 school year begin in June, and students currently in Grades 3–11 are invited to apply.
Families can learn more about the choir program, rehearsal schedules, and audition dates by visiting the OCSB Choirs website.
This Ontario Day, we celebrate the students whose voices help build bridges, spread joy, and make our OCSB community sing a little louder with pride.
