Who We Are

The Associated Male Choruses of Ontario (AMCO)

In 1952, a group of male choirs joined together to form the Associated Male Choruses of Ontario (AMCO). At that time the newly formed Association applied for membership in the Associated Male Choruses of America, originally formed in 1924. That affiliation lasted fifty-one years until 2003. During that period of time the AMCO choruses annually attended Big Sings in the United States and hosted Big Sings here in Ontario to which member choruses from both organizations were invited.

In June 2003 the AMCO representatives, with the support of their membership, withdrew from the Associated Male Choruses of America in order to “better fulfill their objectives by focusing their attention on strengthening a regional organization”. Since that time, AMCO has established an Ontario Scholarship program, succeeded in growing its membership and continues to hold annual workshops and “Ontario Sings” concerts hosted alternately by member choruses.

Most recently, AMCO has undertaken a renewal process that includes renewal strategies and a sharing of chorus “best practices”. These best practices are available for AMCO chorus review in the Members section under Resources.

AMCO also offers workshops to its membership in order to enhance the individual chorus member’s singing enjoyment as well as to assist choruses in their pursuit of improvement.

"Honorary Life" membership in AMCO may be bestowed upon any present or past AMCO member by the AMCO Board in recognition of distinguished service rendered in the cause of male chorus music in Ontario. To date, the Honorary Life members are Tom Rayner, Bill Bates and Harry Learoyd.