Elora Festival & Singers

What Elora Festival & Singers does

Elora Festival & Singers is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit operating a professional chamber choir, The Elora Singers, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Elora, Ontario. The organization runs a 24-chorister professional ensemble led by Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen, performs a regular concert series across multiple Ontario venues (Elora, Fergus, Guelph, London, Kitchener), and serves as ensemble-in-residence at the Elora Festival for three weeks each summer. Its recording catalog of twelve NAXOS-label albums, including the JUNO-nominated 'Radiant Dawn' and Grammy-nominated works, is distributed via CD, Spotify, and Apple Music.

The organization operates a portfolio of community-facing programs including Arts Connect (at the Elora Centre for the Arts), Circle of Song (at Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home), and the 35th Annual Giant Book Sale fundraiser. Collaborations with TorQ Percussion Quartet, the Barrel Boys, London Symphonia, and commissioned composers Reena Esmail and Barbara Croall extend its artistic scope into chamber-percussion, bluegrass-gospel, orchestral-choral, and cross-cultural repertoire. Recent releases include 'This Love Between Us' (2020), 'Radiant Dawn' (2021), 'To the Ground From the Sky' (2023), and 'In Beauty May I Walk' (2024).

The business model combines transactional revenue (concert ticket sales, with published unit prices of $10-$62 and group rates for 15+), physical/digital recording sales, fundraising events, and philanthropic support through individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Calibre LLP, Gowling WLG, Scotiabank, Spaenaur, Wallenstein, EloraFergusToday, GuelphToday), and government grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council. Recurring monthly giving via CanadaHelps and the Legacy Circle planned-giving program (bequests, life insurance, securities) provide longer-tenure donor support. The organization is PIPEDA-compliant, governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Brad Halls, managed day-to-day by Christina Stelmacovich (Manager) with a seven-person full-time staff, and not listed on any public exchange.

Name

Elora Festival & Singers

Legal name

The Elora Singers

Website

https://elorasingers.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Elora Festival & Singers is a Canadian registered charitable non-profit operating The Elora Singers, a 24-chorister professional chamber choir founded in 1980 in Elora, Ontario. It serves concert audiences, donors, and community outreach participants across Ontario via live performances, NAXOS-distributed recordings, and arts engagement programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Choral Music Performance

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Record Production and Distribution (51225)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Session Musicians & Vocalists (MPAIAHAC)

Keywords

• Professional choral concerts
• Classical music recordings
• Live chamber choir performances
• Arts community outreach
• Nonprofit arts fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Elora

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Concert Ticket Sales: Revenue from season tickets and individual concert performances across multiple venues in Ontario
2. Annual Book Sale: 35th Annual Giant Book Sale fundraiser featuring 60,000+ books, CDs, DVDs at Elora Curling Club
3. Donations and Fundraising: Monthly donations, memorial/tribute gifts, and general donations through CanadaHelps platform
4. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests in wills, gifts of life insurance, and gifts of securities through Legacy Circle program
5. CD and Recording Sales: Album sales including 'In Beauty May I Walk' (2024), 'To the Ground From the Sky' (2023), 'Radiant Dawn' (2021), and 'This Love Between Us' (2020)
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Calibre LLP, Gowling WLG, Scotiabank, Spaenaur Inc., and others at various giving levels

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Elora Singers is a professional chamber choir that delivers a regular concert series across Ontario venues, commissions and performs Canadian and international choral repertoire, produces studio recordings distributed through the NAXOS label and major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music), and serves as ensemble-in-residence at the Elora Festival for three weeks each summer. The 24-voice ensemble is also available for hire at public and private events and runs community outreach programs such as Arts Connect and Circle of Song.

Product overview

Elora Festival & Singers operates as a single unified performing arts organization centered around The Elora Singers, one of Canada's finest professional chamber choirs founded in 1980. The organization offers a portfolio of products including concert performance series (the 2026-2027 season featuring collaborations with the Barrel Boys, London Symphonia, and solo performances), recorded music albums (In Beauty May I Walk, Radiant Dawn, This Love Between Us, To the Ground from the Sky), community outreach programs (Arts Connect and Circle of Song), annual fundraising events (the Giant Book Sale and planned giving through Legacy Circle), and ensemble hire services. The ensemble-in-residence of the Elora Festival, they also present a regular concert series, produce recordings distributed via Spotify and Apple Music, and tour internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Elora Singers Concert Series A regular professional chamber choir concert series presenting diverse repertoire including Canadian works, classical masterworks, holiday programs, and contemporary commissions; performed by a 24-voice SATB ensemble at multiple Ontario venues for general audiences, classical music enthusiasts, and concert subscribers.
• 2026-2027 Concert Season (Season Ticket Package) Subscription season ticket package bundling seven choral performances across the 2026-2027 season for individual subscribers, classical music enthusiasts, and patrons seeking full-season access to The Elora Singers' concert programming.
• In Beauty May I Walk (Album) 2024 studio album of choral works reflecting on the power and beauty of nature and the theme of revelation; available as CD via the website shop and on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music) for choral music listeners and collectors.
• Radiant Dawn: Music for Advent and Christmas (Album) JUNO-nominated Advent and Christmas choral album pairing traditional and contemporary carol arrangements; available as CD and on Spotify and Apple Music for holiday music listeners and choral repertoire collectors.
• This Love Between Us (Album) May 2020 choral album featuring commissioned works on themes of interfaith unity and Indigenous remembrance; available as CD and on streaming platforms for choral music listeners seeking cross-cultural and contemporary Canadian repertoire.
• To the Ground from the Sky (Album) July 2023 collaborative album with TorQ Percussion Quartet pairing chamber choir with percussion; available as CD and via streaming for contemporary classical music audiences interested in Canadian and international new music.
• Ensemble Hire / Engagement Services Booking of The Elora Singers (or sub-ensembles from quartet to full 24-voice choir) for public and private events, recordings, and collaborations inside and outside Canada; available to event organizers, festivals, orchestras, and arts organizations. Contact: Christina Stelmacovich.
• Annual Giant Book Sale (Fundraising Event) Annual community fundraising event offering 60,000+ books, games, DVDs, CDs, and records for sale at the Elora Curling Club; serves both as a community book sale and a major fundraiser for the organization.
• Arts Connect Community Outreach Program Community outreach program providing choral music performances and engagement to Elora and Wellington County residents at the Elora Centre for the Arts; serves as a free-access cultural offering for local community members.
• Circle of Song Community Outreach Program Community outreach program at Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home delivering choral music performances and engagement to long-term care residents, with related virtual concert sharing to retirement homes and hospitals.
• Legacy Circle Planned Giving Program Planned giving program offering bequests in wills, gifts of life insurance, and gifts of securities for donors committed to supporting the future of choral music at The Elora Singers.

Quantifiable outcome

• JUNO nomination for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• London SymphoniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2026Collaboration on Handel Messiah performance at St. Joseph's Parish, Fergus on December 6, 2026. London Symphonia is a professional ensemble offering full season of orchestral music in the London region since 1937, with collaborations featuring Canadian and international artists.
• The Barrel BoyscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2026Collaboration on bluegrass and gospel music program featuring Jake Runestad's Mountain Songs at St. Matthew's Centre, Kitchener on October 3, 2026. The Barrel Boys are a Canadian acoustic stringband known for rich vocal harmonies and virtuosic instrumental playing, nominated for Vocal Group of the Year at 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
• TorQ Percussion QuartetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Joint album 'To the Ground From the Sky' (released July 2023) featuring works for chamber choir and percussion quartet. Inspired by Paul Frehner's work Corpus, commissioned three more works from Carmen Braden, Annika Socolofsky, and Melody McKiver.
• Reena EsmailcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020Commissioned work 'This Love Between Us' exploring Eastern and Western musical soundscapes, released May 2020. Indian-American composer whose work focuses on finding unity across religious traditions.
• Barbara CroallcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2020Commissioned work 'Giishkaapkag (Where the Rock is Cut Through)' responding to tragedy befalling Indigenous women and girls, featuring traditional cedar flute (pipigwan) and Odawa language, released May 2020.
• Elora FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnsemble-in-residence for three weeks each summer at the Elora Festival, one of Ontario's most renowned choral festivals.
• NAXOScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecording label partner with twelve releases on the NAXOS label, enabling international distribution of recordings.
• Grand Philharmonic ChoirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony musicians on performances.
• Elmer Iseler SingersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Canada's professional chamber choir led by Lydia Adams.
• State Choir LATVIJAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration at Elora Festival 2019; praised for 'rich and shimmering voices that blend seamlessly to produce an exquisite choral sound of the highest artistic standard.'

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grand Philharmonic Choir: Kitchener-Waterloo-based professional choir also led by Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen; shares artistic leadership and frequently collaborates with the Elora Singers on joint performances.
• State Choir LATVIJA: Latvia's national professional chamber choir that performed with the Elora Singers at the 2019 Elora Festival; comparable professional choir ensemble serving as international peer in repertoire and touring scope.
• Calgary Philharmonic Chorus: Choral ensemble of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra; a comparable Canadian professional choral organization of similar scale with orchestral-collaboration programming analogous to the Elora Singers' work with London Symphonia.
• Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: One of Canada's largest and longest-running choral organizations; Stelmacovich (Manager of the Elora Singers) previously worked there, providing a clear talent and operating-model linkage as a comparable professional Canadian choir.
• Elmer Iseler Singers: Toronto-based professional chamber choir led by Lydia Adams, explicitly cited as a collaborator of the Elora Singers and Canada's other flagship professional chamber choir operating at a comparable scale and repertoire.
• Vancouver Cantata Singers: Vancouver-based professional chamber choir performing symphonic choral works; another Canadian mid-sized professional choir comparable in ensemble size, repertoire focus, and nonprofit funding model.
• Ottawa Bach Choir: Ottawa-based professional choir specializing in Bach and Baroque repertoire; comparable in size, Canadian nonprofit status, and reliance on government arts grants and donor funding.

Others

• NAXOS of America: Global classical music distribution label partner for the Elora Singers' twelve album releases; not a performing peer but a key infrastructure/ecosystem enabler for catalog distribution and royalty generation.
• London Symphonia: London, Ontario professional orchestra collaborating with the Elora Singers on Handel Messiah; comparable Canadian mid-sized regional professional ensemble, but operating in the orchestral rather than choral domain.

Broad incumbents

• Tafelmusik: Toronto-based internationally renowned Baroque orchestra and chamber ensemble; not a direct choir peer but a comparable Canadian performing-arts organization of larger scale operating with government and donor funding in the classical music space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EloraSingers
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIqiT4wiOx6j0l7FJ4CI61A
• Facebookfacebook.com/theelorasingers
• Instagraminstagram.com/elorasingers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elora-festival-singers

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elora Festival & Singers