Counterpoint Community Orchestra was created in 1984 by a group of Queer and Trans musicians already performing at the Metropolitan Community Church in downtown Toronto. It became the first 2SLGBTQIA+ orchestra in Canada, and in the world. The founders wanted a safe and inclusive harbour for the Queer and Trans community and their allies to rehearse and perform music, connecting and building community through making music.

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In the beginning, the CCO held rehearsals in the old Parasol Rehearsal Studios on Jarvis Street, and presented its concerts there. These were always well attended. The music they presented was mainly Baroque and Chamber Music. As the orchestra grew in size and experience, it began to explore and perform other contemporary genres of music.  Its home base moved from the Parasol to the ballroom at the Church Street Community Centre, now The 519, in the heart of the Church-Wellesley Village, a place where, to this day, the CCO holds its weekly rehearsals.

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The CCO’s musical development has benefitted from many talented music director/conductors, such as Doreen Rao, Rosemary Thompson, Judith Yan, Terry Kowalczuk, and Andrew Chung. The orchestra has also benefitted from the skills and experience of several talented Guest Conductors. 

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In 2005, the CCO became a not-for-profit charitable corporation, run by a volunteer Board of Directors. It continues its mission of making music in safe, diverse, and inclusive spaces, welcoming everyone who is a member of or supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The CCO seeks to be very much a part of the larger community and over the years has participated in many community events, such as Nuit Rose and the holiday parties held at the 519; its June concerts are usually Pride-affiliated events. Musically it has marked public events. For instance, in June 2022, the CCO’s concert was a fundraiser in support of the Red Cross in the Ukraine; in 2023, its December concert was dedicated to the accomplishments of a Trans woman who had received an Officer of the Order of Canada award. It has commissioned works by Canadian composers which contribute to the music library available to all community orchestras. Beginning in the pandemic in 2020, and every summer since, it has held small outdoor concerts, Playing in the Park, in the Children’s Conservatory in Allan Gardens Park. It awards two scholarships annually to music students who, in return, rehearse and perform with the CCO.

 

In June 2024, the CCO held a major celebration of its 40th Anniversary. Among other events, it created a summary of four decades of CCO Milestones, and took the time to count as many names as it could of local musicians who had performed at least once in a CCO concert - although the list was incomplete, it still numbered over 600! Truly the CCO is an organization that has made an impact on its members, and within its community.

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The CCO is excited to be entering its 42nd season in 2025-26, a season in which all three concerts will be under the baton of carefully selected Guest Conductors.

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