Forte is a 24-voice men’s chamber choir under the leadership of Edward Connell, one of Canada’s finest choral directors. Its membership is drawn from Toronto’s talented and diverse gay community. Forte tries to have something to say about the gay world, either through its unique repertoire, or through the events it performs at. Although not exclusively gay in its membership, its repertoire or its outlook, some of what Forte does is noticeably gay.

Forte takes its role as a high-quality chorus very seriously. Forte practices the highest level of choral musicianship, an art form that has been at the center of human culture for centuries. Forte demands of all its singers that they bring to the chorus a high level of dedication, musical skill, artistry and stage presence. All Forte singers are auditioned; most have significant musical and vocal training. The chorus is proud to have among its members several professional musicians who enthusiastically bring their skills, knowledge and artistry to all chorus members and to the chorus as a whole. Everyone involved in Forte works very hard to ensure that Forte retains and grows its position as Canada’s finest gay choir, and, even further, one of the country’s finest singing ensembles of any kind.

Forte is very theatrical. Forte has performed several one act and full length musicals that involve singing, dancing, acting and storytelling. Our two most celebrated such works are Steam Heat, which tells the story of the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids and how they ultimately led to Pride Week, and Queerly Beloved, which takes a light-hearted look at the issues surrounding gay marriage. Forte is very proud to have J. D. Prentice as resident choreographer and stage director. Mr. Prentice is a Stratford/Shaw Festival alumnus and a professional director and choreographer, who stages all our performances with style and artistry. Many of Forte’s members have significant professional training and experience as theatrical performers, actors and dancers.

Forte’s repertoire is extremely diverse. Forte is one of the first and only gay choruses in Canada to have performed an all-classical choral concert; we are known throughout the gay choral world as having a particular unique sound which is due in no small part to the sophisticated custom arrangements we make ourselves for all our performances. Our repertoire covers the broadest spectrum from Renaissance motets to Motown, from Bach to Broadway.