Elmer Iseler Singers
Elmer Iseler Singers is a Toronto-based 20-voice professional choral ensemble, founded 1979 and led by Lydia Adams C.M., presenting an annual Toronto concert season, Ontario festival appearances, and educational programs for emerging conductors, composers, and singers across Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Elmer Iseler Singers does
Elmer Iseler Singers (EIS) is a private, registered Canadian charitable non-profit operating a 20-voice professional choral ensemble based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1979 by Elmer Iseler and Jessie Iseler, the organization has been led by Conductor and Artistic Director Lydia Adams C.M. since 1998 and is currently presenting its 47th concert season. EIS delivers three principal Toronto concerts per season, supplemented by guest appearances at Ontario festivals (Festival of the Sound, Huntsville, Collingwood) and national touring across Canada, with repertoire spanning classical masterworks, Canadian contemporary compositions, and world premieres of commissioned works by composers including Eleanor Daley, Sid Robinovitch, Brad Barnham, and Carmine Lappano.
The ensemble operates a portfolio of live-performance products anchored by the Toronto Concert Season Series, alongside sub-products including the VIVA Singers associate choir, the James T. Chestnutt Scholarship, Emerging Conductors and Emerging Composers programs, Choir Camp, and recorded albums distributed via Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, and an online shop. The technology footprint is conventional: website-based ticketing (Zeffy, zero-fee), social media channels, and digital fundraising infrastructure. There is no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or software product.
Revenue mechanics blend earned income (concert ticket sales and merchandise), contributed income (individual donations, corporate sponsorship, planned giving/bequests processed via Zeffy, PayPal Giving Fund Canada, and CanadaHelps), and public-sector grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council. Customer segments are split between individual concert-goers and donors (B2C), festival presenters and arts organizations (B2B), and government funders (institutional). Pricing tiers for Toronto subscriptions run $60–$110 for three concerts; individual tickets range $25–$55 depending on concert and seating.
Elmer Iseler Singers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elmer Iseler Singers
- Legal name
- Elmer Iseler Singers
- Website
- https://elmeriselersingers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Elmer Iseler Singers is a Toronto-based 20-voice professional choral ensemble, founded 1979 and led by Lydia Adams C.M., presenting an annual Toronto concert season, Ontario festival appearances, and educational programs for emerging conductors, composers, and singers across Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elmer Iseler Singers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Choral Services
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Production & Composition (Songwriting, Recording, DJing) (EDAMAAAF)
Keywords
Where Elmer Iseler Singers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Elmer Iseler Singers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Concert Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to Toronto concert series performances, guest appearances at festivals, and special events throughout Ontario and Canada.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual, corporate and government patronage through secure online donations (Zeffy, PayPal Giving Fund Canada, CanadaHelps), telephone donations, cheques, Interac e-Transfers, credit cards, and securities/mutual funds. Charitable tax receipts issued for donations of $10 or more. Bequests and planned gifts through estate planning.
- Government Grants: Support from Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council (an agency of the Government of Ontario), and Toronto Arts Council, as visible in their sponsor acknowledgements.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of tickets, CDs and books through their online shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Toronto Concert Season Subscription (3 concerts) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Concert Tickets |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Charitable Donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Elmer Iseler Singers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Elmer Iseler Singers are a professional 20-voice choral ensemble that performs an annual Toronto concert season series of three main concerts, supplemented by Ontario festival guest appearances and national touring. Their offering also encompasses educational programs including the VIVA Singers Associate Choir, Emerging Conductors and Emerging Composers workshops, and the James T. Chestnutt Scholarship, alongside recordings sold through their online shop and fundraising events that sustain the registered charity.
Product overview
The Elmer Iseler Singers is a professional Canadian choral ensemble offering a portfolio of live performance and educational programs. The core offering is the annual Toronto Concert Season Series featuring three main concerts, supplemented by Ontario summer festival guest appearances. Educational sub-products include the VIVA Singers Associate Choir, James T. Chestnutt Scholarship, and Emerging Conductors/Composers programs. Fundraising initiatives include Sherry & Shortbread 'At Home' and Strawberries & Champagne at the Lake events. The organization also offers recordings, educational workshops, and mentorship programs connecting community choirs across Canada.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Toronto Concert Season Series Annual subscription-based concert series of three professional choral concerts performed live in Toronto venues under Conductor Lydia Adams, featuring classical, Canadian contemporary, and world premiere repertoire.
- VIVA Singers – Associate Choir SATB chamber choir associated with the Elmer Iseler Singers, comprising experienced singers who are young professionals, post-secondary students, and senior high school students, participating in joint performances and educational mentorship.
- James T. Chestnutt Scholarship Annual scholarship program supporting emerging choral musicians, with scholars selected each concert season to participate and develop their skills alongside the professional ensemble.
- Emerging Conductors Program Educational initiative mentoring the next generation of Canadian choral conductors through hands-on experience and workshop opportunities with the ensemble.
- Emerging Composers Program Workshop initiative supporting emerging Canadian choral composers in developing compositional skills for choir through mentorship and exchange of ideas.
- Choir Camp Annual workshop and concert program held in Owen Sound, Ontario, providing choral education and performance opportunities for participants.
- Ontario Summer Festival Concerts Guest appearance performances at Ontario music festivals including Huntsville Music Festival, Collingwood Music Festival, Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Barrie Concert Association, and Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston.
- Choral Recordings and CDs Professional choral recordings including albums with Canadian Brass and various concert recordings available for purchase through the online shop and on Spotify and SoundCloud.
- Sherry & Shortbread 'At Home' Fundraising Event Annual online fundraising event featuring musical presentations, typically held in December with the program available for viewing until January.
- Strawberries & Champagne at the Lake Fundraising Event Annual spring fundraising event held at The Toronto Hunt, featuring musical performances and fundraising activities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Founded 1979, now in 47th season - demonstrates long-term sustainability and cultural impact
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Elmer Iseler Singers
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Elmer Iseler Singers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Elmer Iseler Singers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.
- The Bergmann Piano DuonotableCollaborative partnership for performance at Huntsville Music Festival and Collingwood Music Festival. The Bergmann Piano Duo performs piano four-hands repertoire alongside the choir, bringing classical masterworks with theatrical flair to festival audiences.
- Festival of the SoundnotableAnnual guest appearance at Parry Sound's Festival of the Sound, performing alongside Festival Orchestral Musicians. The collaboration showcases choral masterworks including John Rutter's Requiem in a prestigious classical music festival setting.
- VIVA Chamber SingerscoreAssociate choir of the Elmer Iseler Singers, comprised of experienced young professionals, post-secondary students, and senior high school students. The VIVA Chamber Singers participate in educational mentorship programs and collaborative performances with EIS, including joint Handel Messiah presentations and special concert programs.
- Amadeus Choir of Greater TorontocoreLong-standing collaborative partner presenting joint performances including Handel Messiah, Bach Mass in B Minor, and other major choral works. The Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto celebrates 50+ years as a leading Toronto choral organization, led by Artistic Director Kathleen Allan.
- Canadian Music CentrenotableHost venue for the Emerging Composer/Conductor Workshop, an educational initiative assisting composers in developing compositional skills for choir and mentoring emerging Canadian choral conductors.
- University of Toronto MacMillan SingersnotableAcademic collaboration with Dr. Jamie Hillman (Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting at UofT) for Springburst concert series featuring joint performances and educational exchange.
- Whitehorse Community ChoirminorParticipant in the virtual Cross Canada Tour mentorship initiative culminating in a virtual performance of 'We Rise Again' by Leon Dubinsky, bringing together choirs from across Canada in a national collaboration.
- Thunder Bay Symphony ChorusminorParticipant in the virtual Cross Canada Tour mentorship initiative, joining voices with EIS and other Canadian choirs for collaborative virtual performances.
- Wiarton Concert ChoirminorParticipant in the virtual Cross Canada Tour mentorship initiative and previous in-person collaboration in Wiarton, Ontario in 2018.
- Agincourt Madrigal SingersminorYouth choir participant in the virtual Cross Canada Tour mentorship initiative, with EIS conducting workshops for their award-winning choral ensembles.
- Cape Breton ChoraleminorParticipant in the virtual Cross Canada Tour mentorship initiative, connecting EIS with Atlantic Canadian choral community through collaborative performances.
- Canada Council for the ArtscoreFederal arts funding body providing ongoing financial support for the choir's performances, educational programs, and commissioning of new Canadian works.
- Ontario Arts CouncilcoreProvincial arts funding agency supporting Ontario arts organizations with grants for operations, programming, and artistic development.
- Toronto Arts CouncilcoreMunicipal arts funding body supporting Toronto-based arts organizations and cultural programming.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Elmer Iseler Singers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Toronto-based period-instrument orchestra and one of Canada's most celebrated classical ensembles. Comparable as a long-established Toronto classical-arts institution drawing on overlapping donor and government funding pools.
- National Arts Centre Orchestra: Canada's national orchestra based in Ottawa, frequently partnering with Canadian choirs on major choral-orchestral works. Comparable as a federally funded Canadian performing-arts flagship sharing government patrons and classical-music audiences.
- Canadian Brass: Internationally touring Canadian classical ensemble that has recorded with EIS. Comparable as a flagship Canadian classical performing ensemble with similar award profile (Junos, Grammy nominations) and government funding relationships.
- Soundstreams Canada: Toronto-based contemporary classical music presenter and commissioner of new Canadian works. Comparable in championing Canadian composers and contemporary repertoire, though broader in scope as a presenter rather than a performing choir.
Direct peers
- National Youth Choir of Canada: Canada's national youth choral ensemble that develops emerging choral singers and conductors. Comparable in its educational mandate and Canadian repertoire focus, though aimed at younger performers than EIS.
- Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: Toronto-based professional choral ensemble founded in 1894, presenting major choral-orchestral works including annual Messiah performances. Direct comparator as another flagship Toronto professional choir competing for the same donor, ticket, and government-grant pools.
- Chorus Calgary (Calgary Philharmonic Chorus): Professional choral ensemble based in Calgary performing with the Calgary Philharmonic. Direct Canadian professional choir peer operating in a different regional market but with similar large-choral-works repertoire.
- Vancouver Chamber Choir: Canada's flagship west-coast professional chamber choir under conductor Kari Turunen, comparable in scale, repertoire (Canadian and international contemporary works), and award profile. Direct national counterpart to EIS.
- Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto: 50+ year-old Toronto choral organization led by Artistic Director Kathleen Allan that regularly co-presents Handel Messiah and Bach works with EIS. Closest functional peer given overlapping repertoire, audience, and donor base in the GTA.
Emerging players
- Luminous Voices: Calgary-based professional chamber choir focused on contemporary and Canadian repertoire. Comparable as a smaller professional Canadian choir with a similar contemporary-composition mandate, though earlier in scale and reach than EIS.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elmer Iseler Singers social profiles
Digital presenceElmer Iseler Singers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elmer Iseler Singers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Elmer Iseler Singers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elmer Iseler Singers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elmer Iseler Singers
What does Elmer Iseler Singers do?
The Elmer Iseler Singers are a professional 20-voice choral ensemble that performs an annual Toronto concert season series of three main concerts, supplemented by Ontario festival guest appearances and national touring. Their offering also encompasses educational programs including the VIVA Singers Associate Choir, Emerging Conductors and Emerging Composers workshops, and the James T. Chestnutt Scholarship, alongside recordings sold through their online shop and fundraising events that sustain the registered charity.
Is Elmer Iseler Singers a public or private company?
Elmer Iseler Singers is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Elmer Iseler Singers founded?
Elmer Iseler Singers was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Elmer Iseler Singers based?
Elmer Iseler Singers is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Elmer Iseler Singers make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Concert Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, government Grants and merchandise Sales.
Who are Elmer Iseler Singers's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Canadian Brass and Soundstreams Canada. Direct peers are National Youth Choir of Canada, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Chorus Calgary (Calgary Philharmonic Chorus), Vancouver Chamber Choir and Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto. Luminous Voices is listed as an emerging player.
Does Elmer Iseler Singers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elmer Iseler Singers.
What industry is Elmer Iseler Singers in?
Elmer Iseler Singers's product category is Performing Arts Choral Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAB, Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music), with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 711130.