The Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chorus brings vocal artistry to the stage alongside the renowned Canberra Symphony Orchestra.

Under the direction of award-winning conductor and singer Tobias Cole and supported by rehearsal pianist Maria Searles, the chorus performs in a range of major orchestral projects each season.

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chorus has sung in thrilling large-scale concerts including Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and other significant works. Performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Holst’s The Planets will be highlights on the 2025 choral calendar.

We are looking for exceptional voices to join us. Whether you are an experienced chorister or a talented singer from the community, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chorus offers a rare opportunity to perform alongside a much-loved professional orchestra.

What our choristers say

I have a very stressful job and rehearsing with the choir is the highlight of my week. The challenge of learning new pieces with such a talented group and getting to the right standard gives me a focus that pushes any work issues I may have far into the background. Barbara

The experience of singing with the CSO is fabulous — I love being part of it. A highlight was performing Beethoven's Ninth. Thanks CSO Chorus and the unsurpassable Toby Cole! Sally

Singing in the CSO Chorus brings me so much joy. The well-structured and planned rehearsals allow me to carve out time in my week to dedicate to music and connecting with other musicians. The brilliant performances are always a highlight, where all our work and dedication comes together. Annabelle

Contact us

If you are passionate about singing and eager to be part of a dedicated ensemble, find out more by contacting Jack Bolton at jack.bolton@cso.org.au. Auditions are held annually or on a project basis.

He sees every rehearsal and every performance, whether as a conductor, singer, actor or MC, as an opportunity to remind people of their humanity and inspire them to tap their enormous potential.

Tobias Cole is a Green Room Award winning singer (Xerxes, Victorian Opera) and highly sought-after choral director based in Canberra. From Julius Caesar to Akhnaten, Tobias has performed most of the principal countertenor roles with major companies in Australia and overseas. In 2019 to 2021 he performed the role of Captain Corcoran in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore in Sydney and regional NSW.

Tobias is dedicated to youth music development, directing many choirs and vocal ensembles including Canberra Children’s Choir (Music for Canberra), Vocal Fry and Sing with Toby (ANU Community Music Centre) and ANU Chamber Choir. As an ensemble singer himself he has been a guest artist with The Song Company for over 20 years and in 2014 established his own professional vocal quartet Clarion which has given over 100 performances of Evensong in the National Portrait Gallery. His opera company Handel in the Theatre was launched in 2016 and has since staged three highly acclaimed productions of Handel’s English operas in the Canberra Playhouse. He is host of Classical Capers, a classical open-mic, every month at Smith's Alternative and prepares a choir annually for the Australian of the Year Awards.

Since 2022 he has been the director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chorus (Messiah, St John Passion, Beethoven 9) and has presented five Opera Salon programs at Smith's Alternative. His sixth program Glorious! A Handel Celebration will be presented in The Theatre at Belconnen Arts Centre as part of Smiths@Belco in December.