Tempus Choral Society was formed in the fall of 1999 as a celebration of the millennium. We started out as a choir of 18 determined and well-polished voices. Many of these voices were from the Tempus Youth Choir, 1971-1983.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge in gratitude the heritage of the indigenous peoples of Canada. We recognize that we stand on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Metis, and the Huron Wendat. We acknowledge their legacy of caring for this territory.
Since our formation in the fall of 1999, Tempus has grown in membership and stature as a vibrant voice in the choral community of Oakville, and indeed in the province of Ontario. The name Tempus was derived from the Latin, tempus fugit, meaning that our music is from all parts of the choral spectrum. Whether the music is from 500 AD or from the present, embracing styles such as Jazz, Classical or Contemporary - we sing it.
The choir has received many awards from festivals in New Orleans, Boston and local music festivals in Ontario. Tempus has performed with the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, Sankt Annae Youth Choir of Denmark, St. John's Chancel Choir (Oakville), Centenary Chancel Choir (Hamilton) and at the Charleston International Choral Festival, Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Centre...and the list goes on. We continue to look for new venues to enrich our choral experience, including planned overseas travel for 2020.
In 2015, Tempus entered an exciting new chapter with the formation of a children's choir and a jazz choir as part the mandate of a generous grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Tempus is guided by an experienced Board of Directors who are committed to the ongoing success of the choir.
