About the Ottawa Carleton Male Choir (OCMC)

Founded in 1997 by Henk Huizenga, the Ottawa Carleton Male Choir (OCMC) has a long-standing tradition of sharing beautiful choral music with the wider community. Henk continues to provide leadership to the choir today, serving as Choir Coordinator and overseeing the ongoing organization and direction of the ensemble. The choir regularly presents concerts and brings music to a number of retirement homes throughout the year.

The Ottawa Carleton Male Choir is comprised of more than 25 men from all walks of life who share a passion for choral singing. Our repertoire spans a wide range of musical genres, including classical, sacred, spiritual, and secular works, performed in several languages. Since its founding, nearly 100 individuals—singers, directors, and accompanists—have contributed to the choir’s rich history.

Our current Choir Director is Christine Admiral, who began her role in October 2023. Previous Choir Directors include Aude Urbancic (4.5 years), Margaret Van Dyk (10 years), Archie Smith (10 years), and Christina Stapper (1 year).

Over the years, the choir has had the privilege of collaborating with many distinguished artists. These include virtuoso organist Andre Knevel of St. Catharines, Ontario; renowned organists Sander van Marion, Martin Zonneveld, Harm Hoeve, and Jonathan Oldengarm; and celebrated choir directors Martin Mans and Freddy Veldkamp. The choir has also performed with Dutch pan flutists Liselotte Rokyta and Noortje van Middelkoop, as well as with several male choirs from the Netherlands, England, and Canada.

In 2022, the Ottawa Carleton Male Choir proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary. In recognition of his outstanding dedication and vision, founder and choir coordinator Henk Huizenga was awarded a special plaque honoring his commitment to the choir.

The anniversary celebrations continued in September 2023 with a memorable concert tour to Italy, marking another significant milestone in the choir’s ongoing journey.

Concert Tours and Community Support

Over the years, the Ottawa Carleton Male Choir (OCMC) has undertaken a number of memorable concert tours, both across Canada and internationally:

September 2023: A 10-day concert tour in Italy.
May 2011: A 10-day concert tour to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, with performances in Oxford, Tatamagouche, Halifax, Truro, and Charlottetown.
May 2007: A two-week concert tour to the Czech Republic and the Netherlands in celebration of the choir’s 10th anniversary. This tour also marked the retirement of Choir Director Archie Smith.
May 2002: A 10-day concert tour in the Netherlands.

Community Impact

Giving back has always been an important part of the Ottawa Carleton Male Choir’s mission. Through benefit concerts held over many years, the choir has donated a total of $57,900 to support healthcare, social services, faith-based initiatives, international development projects, and community care organizations. These contributions reflect the choir’s commitment to using music as a means of encouragement, compassion, and service.

Organizations supported through these charitable contributions include:

Dundas Manor, Winchester
Salvation Army
Kidney Foundation
C.H.E.O. (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
Perley & Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre
Winchester Hospital
Bone Marrow Transplant Fund
Churches and Organ Building Funds
Operation Go Home
Osgoode Township Care Centre
Ottawa Rotary Home Foundation
The Gideons
Canadian Cancer Society
Aphasia Centre
A.L.S. Society
United Ostomy Support Group
Canadian Council of the Blind
Salvation Army of Ottawa
Palliative Care Outreach Program, Ottawa
Queensway Carleton Hospital
Ryan’s Well Foundation
TEMBO (Tanzania Education and Micro-Business Opportunity)
Mental Health Association (Ottawa Branch)
Ottawa Hospital Foundation – Testicular Cancer Research (in memory of Robert Wubs)
Ottawa Inner-City Ministries
Ottawa Food Bank (donated twice)
Ottawa Mission