2026 JUNO Award WINNER

Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble)

We won.

On March 28, 2026, Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem was awarded the 2026 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) - making this Pro Coro Canada's first JUNO Award win in our organization's history.

This recording is a vigil in sound - a memorial built from Ukrainian prayers, Latin texts, and Jewish melodies, woven together to honour the countless lives lost in Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. That it is now recognized by Canada's highest music honour feels both humbling and deeply right.

This award belongs to everyone who brought it to life:

• Composer: Benedict Sheehan
• Performers: Axios Men's Ensemble & The Tenors
and Basses of Pro Coro Canada
• Soloists: John Tessier & Yuliia Zasimova
• Conductor: Michael Zaugg
• Label: Cappella Records
• Recording: Soundmirror, Inc.

And it belongs to every audience member, donor, and supporter who believed in this project from its world premiere in Edmonton in April 2024 through to this moment.

Congratulations and thank you to our fellow nominees - the Canadian Chamber Choir, Les Violons du Roy, Tafelmusik, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra - for the extraordinary music you put into the world.

Stream the album|Purchase the recording

watch the announcement at the 2026 Junos, with members of Axios men’s ensemble receiving the award

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Plan Your concert Experience

  • When selecting a concert venue, ease of access for our audiences is top of mind, so we generally perform in spaces with ample parking nearby and nearby transit access.

    Prior to every concert, we will send an email to all ticket holders with specific directions to help you plan your transit or parking needs in advance! Send us an email at admin@procoro.ca if you have any concerns about access and accessibility for any of our concerts.

  • We typically open our doors 30 minutes prior to show time, sometimes earlier in cases of inclement weather or pre-concert events. We recommend arriving about 20-30 minutes prior to show time for a smooth experience getting through the front of house and finding seats before the concert begins. Don’t panic if you are running late—for most performances we can easily help you sneak in during applause.

    If you are choosing to drive to our concerts, arriving early can be extra important for ensuring you can easily find parking and get seated before the concert begins.

  • Whatever makes you feel comfortable and is appropriate for being in public! Some people like to dress up to attend a concert while others might prefer to attend in a t-shirt and jeans. A good rule of thumb is to dress the same way you would to go out to a sit-down restaurant. Remember to bring layers!

  • Pro Coro Canada concerts typically run between 1.5 to 2 hours, often with an intermission. If there is no intermission, this is typically indicated on the ticket page and in the program.

    Each concert varies in terms of how much talking there is between pieces, often depending on the atmosphere of the concert theme. New Year’s Eve, for instance, is a much more celebratory and conversational concert than Good Friday.

  • Please hold your applause until the end of each piece of music. For pieces with multiple movements (which will be indicated in your concert program), please wait until the end of the entire piece to applaud.

    If you’re unsure, your safest bet is to wait for the applause to begin and then join in!

What is a choir?

A choir is a group of singers who perform together, blending their voices to create a unified musical sound. For a professional choir, this goes beyond just singing; it involves rigorous training, exceptional vocal technique, and a deep commitment to artistic excellence. Each singer is a skilled musician, capable of intricate musicality and seamless vocal blending across a wide range of styles, from classical to contemporary.

The concept of choral singing has ancient roots, appearing in various forms across cultures, from the communal chants of early civilizations to the structured ensembles of ancient Greek drama and religious ceremonies. Choirs in the Western choral tradition are typically divided into voice sections—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—allowing for rich harmonies and complex musical textures. There is frequently further splitting of these parts to allow for more complex harmony to form. With 24 professional singers, Pro Coro Canada sometimes divides into 24 parts, having each artist perform their own part solo.

Ultimately, professional choirs enrich communities by sharing the beauty and power of choral music. They offer audiences deeply moving experiences and often engage in educational outreach, inspiring new generations and fostering a greater appreciation for the arts. This dedication solidifies their vital role in the cultural landscape, showcasing the transformative impact of the human voice united in song.