It was a bright and early start as the lads left Rhos at midnight, heading to Heathrow Airport filled with excitement for their Canadian adventure. After a smooth and enjoyable flight, the choir settled into Toronto, quickly preparing for their first performance at the iconic Timothy Eaton Church.
The concert at Timothy Eaton was met with an enthusiastic, sold-out audience who were thoroughly thrilled by the choir’s powerful and emotive performance. The crowd’s demand for an encore was a testament to the choir’s impact, and it was especially heartwarming to see so many faces from Wales and Wrexham among the attendees.
“ It was an absolute delight to see Johns’ Boys perform in Toronto. As a proud Wrexham-ite, it may well have been the highlight of my year. It’s astonishing to think that every member of the choir possesses a voice worthy of La Scala or the West End – but they truly do. A magical, unforgettable evening. Diolch bois!”
Over the next few days, the choir enjoyed some sightseeing around Toronto, soaking in the vibrant city atmosphere. They also had the chance to watch the Toronto Blue Jays play a home game—although the result wasn’t quite what the local fans hoped for!
The next stop was a double concert in the charming Elora Theatre, Fergus, Ontario. The warm and friendly audience greeted the choir with great enthusiasm, showing their appreciation with cheers throughout the evening. The highlight came during the encore when Johns’ Boys performed the Canadian National Anthem, O Canada, receiving the biggest applause of the night.
The journey continued to Niagara, where the choir took a brief detour to visit a local winery—though what happened there is best left to their stories! The choir then proudly served as guest artists at the prestigious Ontario Welsh Festival in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Members from across Canada gathered for this special conference celebrating Welsh heritage and music.
Many of the choir members took part in the lively Noson Lawen (fun evening), a spirited gathering filled with laughter and song. The highlight of the festival was the closing concert, held in the sold-out Brock Niagara Falls-Fallsview and St. Andrews United Church, where the choir once again captivated the audience.
The penultimate day of the tour was a pretty important one, as Wrexham AFC had the chance to seal promotion to the Championship. The lads managed to get the game on the big screen and shared in the historic moment, celebrating the club’s incredible achievement from halfway across the world.
To conclude the festival, the choir performed in a traditional Gymanfa Ganu (hymn singing) service led by conductor Aled Phillips. Aled provided fascinating insights into each hymn, sharing the rich history and stories behind the music—many connected to composers from Rhos. The service even featured a delightful organ prelude and a lively choir rendition of Let’s Go Blue Jays, blending Welsh tradition with local spirit.
Here’s what our musical director, Aled, had to say about the trip:
“Our recent tour of Canada was truly unforgettable—sold-out audiences and the warmest of welcomes. It was an honour to be part of the Welsh Society, rich in tradition and spirit. It was also wonderful to meet so many people with connections to North Wales and Wrexham, which made the experience even more special. This tour has opened exciting international doors for Johns’ Boys Choir, with invitations now coming in from the USA, Australia, and Asia. Most importantly, it gave our lads the chance to grow closer, build camaraderie, and enjoy the fun and friendship that go hand in hand with the hard work we do together.”
Johns’ Boys’ Canadian tour was not only a musical triumph but also a celebration of culture, community, and friendship. The choir’s heartfelt performances and engaging presence left a lasting impression on audiences and festival-goers alike, strengthening the bonds between Wales and Canada through the universal language of song.
