Mississauga Festival Youth Choir

The Mississauga Festival Youth Choir (MFYC) is a Canadian nonprofit choral organization dedicated to providing multicultural choral music education and performance opportunities to youth in the Mississauga community. Founded in 1997 by Deborah Bradley, MFYC aims to nurture young singers of all ages and backgrounds through diverse musical repertoire from around the world[1][5].

History and Mission

Established to offer accessible and inclusive choral music experiences, the MFYC has cultivated a welcoming environment for youth aged 6 to 17, including treble voices and boys undergoing vocal changes. The choir emphasizes both musical excellence and enjoyment in learning, fostering a sense of community through shared cultural expression[1][5].

Activities and Performances

The choir regularly performs locally in Mississauga and its surrounding areas, contributing to various significant community events. Some notable performances include appearances at the Mississauga Arts Council Awards Gala Dinner, celebrations honoring Mayor Hazel McCallion during Mississauga Youth Week, the Mayor’s Levee on New Year’s Day, the Grand Opening of Mississauga Celebration Square, and festivals such as the Bread and Honey Festival. Additionally, the choir has performed for sporting events like those of the Mississauga Steelheads and Raptors 905. Beyond local engagements, MFYC has toured and performed in cities such as Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Santiago de Cuba[1].

Recognition and Affiliations

Over its more than two decades of activity, MFYC has received numerous honours at choral festivals and was a finalist for the MARTY awards in 2009. The organization functions as a registered not-for-profit charitable entity with the business registration number 889181129RR0001. It is an affiliate of the City of Mississauga and a member of both the Mississauga Arts Council and Choirs Ontario. Financial support is provided by the City of Mississauga Office of Arts and Culture[1].

Leadership

Following its founding by Deborah Bradley, the choir has been under the musical direction of Abigail Freeman, who continues to guide the choir in offering a multicultural music experience to young voices[1].

The Mississauga Festival Youth Choir remains an important cultural institution within Mississauga, fostering musical education, cultural diversity, and community engagement among the youth of the region.