Masterworks of Oakville, Chorus & Orchestra
Masterworks of Oakville, Chorus & Orchestra is a Canadian registered charity (Business No. 818827214RR0001) and community-based choral and orchestral ensemble founded in 2005. Based in Oakville, Ontario, the organization is dedicated to preserving and performing significant works of the Western Classical tradition, particularly sacred choral-orchestral compositions.

History and mission
Established by Charles Demuynck, Joyce Sitarski, and a group of volunteers at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, the ensemble comprises over 75 vocalists and instrumentalists. It distinguishes itself as one of few volunteer groups consistently performing with combined choir and orchestra[2][4]. The organization emphasizes artistic excellence, community engagement, and the continuation of classical musical traditions through challenging repertoire, including works by Bach, Brahms, Verdi, Beethoven, and Orff[2][5].

Performances and repertoire
The chorus and orchestra collaborate to present large-scale works such as Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Brahms' German Requiem, Verdi's Requiem, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and Orff's Carmina Burana. Recent programming includes The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins, performed in March 2024 with soprano soloist Ana Isabella Castro[1][2].

Structure and operations
As a registered charity, Masterworks relies on donations, volunteer participation, and ticket sales to maintain operations. The ensemble holds open auditions for both chorus and orchestra members, emphasizing community involvement alongside professional-caliber performances[1][5]. Its charitable mandate focuses on making complex classical works accessible to audiences outside major metropolitan centers[5].

Artistic significance
The organization has been recognized for revitalizing historically significant compositions through collaborative performances that blend choral and orchestral forces. Its dual focus on preservation and community-building reflects its stated mission to "continue the enduring musical tradition" while fostering local artistic development[2][5].