Minister of Finance, Charles Sousa (left), Minister of Tourism, Daiene Vernile (second right), Minister of Education, Indira Naidoo-Harris (middle) receive a 'Thank you' card from St. Michael's Choir School students after the funding announcement was made Feb. 7, 2018. Photo by Meggie Hoegler

St. Michael’s Choir School receives $11 million from Ontario government

By 
  • February 7, 2018
The halls of St. Michael’s Choir School were filled with a lot more than music on Feb. 7.

The applause was explosive after an $11-million investment by the Ontario government was announced at the Toronto school, where students, teachers, parents and members of the Catholic community gathered to hear the news. The investment, spread over 13 years, will go towards building a new St. Michael’s Choir School and is part of the Ontario Liberal government’s Culture Strategy, which is committed to investing more public dollars into arts education.

“Musical training helps students to read. It helps them become more creative. Musical training helps students reach their full potential,” said Minister of Education Indira Naidoo-Harris at a press conference held at St. Michael’s Choir School. “It is with this in mind that it is my great pleasure to announce our government’s investment of $11 million into the rebuilding of St. Michael’s Choir School.”

“It will provide opportunities for young Ontarians who are attracted to the school’s strong academic and world renowned music program,” said Charles Sousa, the Minister of Finance.

The Choir School, founded in 1937, has been crying out for more advanced facilities and the cause was helped along when Cardinal Thomas Collins approached Sousa.

“He reinforced, like many others here today, the need to modernize the school,” Sousa said at the press conference.

“SMCS holds a significant place in the history of the Archdiocese of Toronto and TCDSB,” said Bishop Robert Kasun, who represented the archdiocese in place of Collins, who is in Rome. "Ours is a unique partnership that we will continue to nuture for many years to come. The boys educated here have shared the gift of music with so many across the country and around the world. They share it each week at our own St. Michael’s Cathedral.”

“The school itself will be rebuilt. We also recognize the school’s link to the historic St. Michael’s Cathedral. This is why this site will continue to operate as a vital community hub while St. Michael’s students will be provided with state of the art learning spaces through which to deliver their renowned music program.”

The school has about 270 students from Grade 3 to 12 and among its alumni are Michael Burgess and Matt Dusk.

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE