The choir was invited to perform at a special event hosted by the Consulate General of The Republic of Croatia, in co-operation with the Canadian Croatian Chamber of Commerce, marking the first time Croatia held the six-month term of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union since joining the EU in 2013. The gala at downtown Toronto’s Church of the Redeemer saw many distinguished guests attend, including Canadian politicians, notably MPP Laurie Scott and former long-time Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, as well as Croatian and EU embassy and consular staff. Other attendees included leaders from the Croatian community across the GTA and Croatian folklore groups. The CCCS’s Adult and Youth choirs, accompanied by Merit Award Recipients Julijana Hajdinjak, Mia Miličević, Adam Mezgec and trumpeter Natalie O’Donnell performed select Croatian music and ended the evening with a stirring rendition of the EU’s anthem, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.
Photo’s courtesy of Marianne B.