Hart House Clubs & Committees

Other ways to Get Involved

Board of Stewards

Hart House’s system of governance is based upon a commitment to collaborative and democratic decision-making. The Board of Stewards is Hart House’s highest governing body and oversees the affairs of the House in concert with the Warden. Students comprise a majority of the membership on the Board of Stewards that includes:

The President of the University (ex officio) or his or her designate
The Warden of Hart House, (ex officio)
An appointee of the Governing Council
Two appointees of the President of the University
The Chair of the AlumniCommittee (ex officio)
An appointee of the Association of Part Time Undergraduate Students
An appointee of the Graduate Students' Union
An appointee of the University of TorontoStudents' Union
A student member of the Finance Committee (to be chosen by said committee)
The Student Secretaries (ex-officio) of the Art, Debates, Farm, House, Literary & Library, Music, Recreational Athletics, Theatre and Social Justice Committees, and any other Standing Committees as may be constituted by the Board of Stewards (to be elected by and from the membership of their respective committees)
A student representative of the Universityof Torontoat Scarborough.
A student representative from the University of Toronto at Mississauga
A Senior Member (to be elected by and from the membership of the Recreational Athletics Committee)

Hart House Bridge Club

The Hart House Bridge Club is dedicated to teaching and playing bridge. New members of all levels of play (from never played before to never go a week without playing) are always welcome. The club also organizes regularly scheduled weekly bridge play as well as scheduled lessons, clinics, tournaments and individual one-on-one tutoring by club members.

How to get involved: This ACBL sanctioned club is your first s for learning or perfecting your bridge game at the University of Toronto. Join us for regular club weekly play on Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the South Sitting Room.

For more information: visit www.utoronto.ca/bridge/ or contact the Programme Advisor david.pereira@utoronto.ca.

Hart House Camera Club

Founded in 1919, HHCC has since existed as an organization that gathers avid photographers and provides them with the equipment and space needed to do what they enjoy. The club first started by offering darkroom facilities for its members, with the advancements in digital photography, a digital darkroom (equipped with a desk computer with various photo-editing applications, flatbed scanner, and colour printer) was also set up to satisfy those who have a passion in this area. Courses for various realms of photography at different skill levels allow students to learn new concepts and techniques.

HHCC acts as a portal to photography news and events all around Toronto, and seeks to build a positive community, both online and offline, where members can share and learn with each other.

For more information: contact us at hhcamera@utoronto.ca or visit the HHCC web site www.harthousecameraclub.com

Hart House Chamber Strings

Our purpose is to provide Hart House members and U of T students with the opportunity to learn valuable and technical performance skills and perform classical and modern music arrangements for a chamber strings orchestra. Through the leadership and musical guidance of a trained conductor, our members will both improve their own skills while learning from each other. The chamber strings are a non-auditioned group committed to learning in a fun and supportive environment. Chamber Strings endeavours to broaden its reach by working with community and student musicians in an annual Pops concert which frequently features commissioned work or new collaborations.

How to get Involved: The Chamber Strings are non-auditioned group who take on members at the beginning of the year but frequently continue to accept members until second term. Students are expected to commit to attending rehearsals and performing at concerts. Weekly rehearsals are held on Mondays in the East Common Room at Hart House.

For more information: contact chamberstrings@gmail.com. For concert dates, information about the conductor and past repertoire please visit www.hhchamberstrings.sa.utoronto.ca.

Hart House Chess Club

The Hart House Chess Club offers a friendly gathering place for chess-playing U of T students of all skill levels. We seek to build community and learning opportunities around the game of chess both at the University of Toronto and in the Greater Toronto Area.

How to get involved: We meet for casual and serious play in the Reading Room at Hart House on Fridays beginning at 4:00 pm. Participate in our regular internal competitions, lectures and open tournaments as well.

For more information: contact hhchess@utoronto.ca or visit our web site http://hhchess.sa.utoronto.ca/

Hart House Chorus

The aim of the Hart House Chorus is to provide talented musicians the opportunity to pursue excellence in music in a friendly, focussed environment alongside individuals who share similar interests.

The Hart House Chorus is an 50-voice choir auditioned from musically talented students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Toronto. Since its inception in 1972, as a reincarnation of the long-standing men's Glee Club, the Chorus has maintained a reputation for the highest standard of performance locally, nationally, and abroad. In 1993 the Chorus was a finalist in the Large Choir category of the CBC Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs and in 2002 it was featured in the University of Toronto's first reading of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol." In addition to other engagements, the Chorus performs twice annually in the Great Hall at Hart House.

The Hart House Chorus is active in the international choral community, having hosted choirs from the United States, Austria and Finland in recent years. In the summer of 1999, the Chorus completed a successful tour of Scandinavia. Most recently, in the summer of 2003, the chorus toured the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.

How to get involved: Share your quest for musical excellence with fifty other dynamic voices in a focused yet friendly environment. Perform in two end of- semester concerts in the Great Hall, and in various other special events. For audition dates or information check the Chorus website http://hhchorus.sa.utoronto.ca/ during the first two weeks of September.

Sign-up for an audition in person or by phoning the HUB
Weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Concerts: Fall Concert TBA

For more information: contact our executive secretary for 2010-2011 at peter.hitchcock@utoronto.ca. Facebook: “I Sold My Wednesday Nights to Hart House Chorus”

Hart House Debating Club

The Hart House Debating Club ranks among the most prestigious debating clubs in the world. In 1986, the University of Toronto Debating Union – a university-wide debating club dating back to the 1940s – approached the Hart House Debates Committee and came to an agreement that secured support for the Union from Hart House. The organization, renamed the Hart House Debating Club, has since been the only debating club at the University of Toronto open to all students from all colleges and campuses. The HHDC accepts all members, regardless of experience.

How to get involved: The Club hosts prestigious tournaments, acclaimed formal debates, and -notch meetings every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the school year. You are welcome to join weekly meetings on Tuesdays at 7:00pm or Wednesdays at 4:00pm at Hart House (please view the Hub’s boards for rooms). Stay connected with all that’s happening in the HH Debating Club by signing up for our mailing list (see Listserv below) or on facebook group “Hart House Debating Club” or contact Programme Advisor david.pereira@utoronto.ca.

Listserv: The Hart House Debating Club uses a listserv to circulate periodic newsletters, updates and important information regarding the club. If you would like to subscribe to the listserv, please send “SUBSCRIBE HHDC-BULLETIN-L” as the message body (leave the subject blank) to listserv@utoronto.ca.

Alternatively, you can use the links provided below:
Subscribe listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca?body=%20SUBSCRIBE%20HHDC-BULLETIN-L to the Hart House Debating Club listserv.
Confirm listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca?body=%20CONFIRM%20HHDC-BULLETIN-L renewal of subscription to the Hart House Debating Club listserv.
Leave listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca?body=signoff%20HHDC-BULLETIN-L the Hart House Debating Club listserv.

For more information: Contact us at hhdebate@gmail.com. CUSIDnet: There is also a forum we use called CUSIDnet. Register for a free account and email/pm me for access to the Hart House forum. www.cusid.ca/community/index.php

Hart House Film Board

The Hart House Film Board exists to provide assistance to film and video artists who are students at the University of Toronto or senior members of Hart House. The Film Board fulfills this mission through the following means:

Equipment Loans
Workshops
Screenings
Special Projects.

How to get involved: Email rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca or visit the Hart House Film Board website for more info www.hhfilmboard.com.

Hart House Investment Club

The Hart House Investment Club is a group that caters to students from diverse academic backgrounds that have an interest in learning, discussing and further developing their knowledge about the fields of finance, business, economics and investing. The club provides a forum that is easily accessible, friendly and welcoming, enabling members to achieve their desired learning objectives. This is done through the various events that are held or co-hosted by HHIC.

How to get involved: Attend our speaker events, discussion forums, contests and competitions, participate in conferences, create and distribute our publications on financial ics, and come to tutorials on learning facilities offered at UofT (ie. The Rotman Finance Lab). HHIC programming has proven to be a valuable learning resource to members throughout the 23 years of club history. HHIC is always looking to provide new and innovative events to enhance the learning experience that it provides.

For more information: contact us at hhinvestmentclub@gmail.com or visit our web site http://hhic.sa.utoronto.ca/ or facebook group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2217614980&ref=ts

Hart House Jazz Choir

We are the University of Toronto's Hart House Jazz Choir, otherwise known as Onoscatopoeia: a mixed, 28-voice choir that sings jazz, pop, and R&B music. Most importantly, we sing acappella! Harmonies blend to form all the necessary lines to a piece of music. Our only instruments are our voices, and what may sound like a wailing trumpet may just be one of our sopranos.

We strive to develop our musical skills while balancing an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie. Ultimately, we want to make great music! Sing with Us!

Speaking of camaraderie, we are always interested in meeting and singing with other similar groups from around North America. If your university or college a cappella group is coming through the Toronto, Canada area (especially around the time of our end-of-term concerts), we'd love to try to arrange a workshop and/or performances with you. Drop us a line!

How to get involved: Be a part of the acappella harmonies of jazz, pop and R&B and focus on developing musical skills in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie. Celebrate with us as we continue to promote our latest CD, ‘the EH list’ in the coming year.

Weekly rehearsals: Mondays 5:00pm to 7:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am to 12:00pm
Enjoy a weekend of bonding and music making at Hart House Farm
Perform in two end-of-term concerts at Hart House Friday December 4, 2010, 7:00pm to 9:00pm Friday March 26, 2011, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

For more information: Facebook: “Onoscatopoeia” / Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/Onoscatopoeia / Email: onoscatopoeia@utoronto.ca / Web http://hhjazzchoir.sa.utoronto.ca

Hart House Jazz Ensemble

The HHJE is a small group of jazz enthusiasts who love everything about jazz. Conducted by Ernesto Cervini, this group holds one open rehearsal at the beginning of the year followed by auditions. The groups provides clinics, workshops and sectionals for its members and a yearly trip to the farm. They perform 2 concerts per year at Hart House and 2 concerts at The Rex, they also work with noted jazz musicians and guest vocalists in Toronto on special occasions. The group is committed to learning and growing in the jazz genre through performance, rehearsals and extra activities. The HHJE builds community through collaborations with faculty staff, community musicians and external performances.

How to get Involved: Open rehearsals and auditions are held at the beginning of the year. Weekly rehearsals are held on Monday evenings in the South Sitting Room at Hart House.

For more information: contact zoe.dille@utoronto.ca or visit the web site harthousejazz.sa.utoronto.ca/

Hart House Orchestra

The Hart House Orchestra is an auditioned group that provides its participants with opportunities to perform in a challenging orchestra led by Principal Conductor Henry Janzen and Assistant Conductor Bill Rowson. The orchestra has a large membership of dedicated but non-professional members who enjoy classical music. We perform 3 concerts a year at Hart House, as well as one concert at a location out of town. We often collaborate with other groups, run an annual concerto competition and enjoy tackling a difficult and rich repertoire. The orchestra exists to help those people interested in fine tuning their playing skills and techniques to reach a higher level of proficiency.

How to get Involved: The Orchestra holds two open rehearsals at the beginning of the year and several auditions days following that. Concerto Competition is usually held in the second term and is open to anyone. The orchestra often has spots available in the string section well into the first term and usually requires ringers for specialized solos, so please contact us if you are interested.

Weekly rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings in the Great Hall at Hart House.

For more information: contact zoe.dille@utoronto.ca or visit the web site www.harthouseorchestra.ca

Hart House Singers

The Hart House Singers are a non-auditioned choir that provides an opportunity for first-time and experienced singers to share in the joy of choral singing, to learn the art of song, to have fun, and to sing a culturally and historically diverse repertoire.

The art of song is an old tradition at Hart House, beginning with the all-male Hart House Glee Club, which amalgamated with the co-educational University of Toronto Chorus in 1972 to form the Hart House Chorus. This group accepts members by audition and continues to flourish today.

How to get involved: An exciting opportunity for first time and experienced singers to share the joy of choral singing within this non-auditioned choir conducted by David Arnot–Johnston. Learn the art of song, have fun and sing a culturally diverse repertoire.

For sign-up dates visit our website hhsingers.sa.utoronto.ca/, bring a $30 refundable music deposit, $15 club fee, and student card or Hart House community card.
Weekly rehearsals: Monday 7:15pm to 9:30pm.
Perform at two end of term concerts in the Great Hall. Sunday November 21, 2010, 3:00pm to 5:00pm Sunday March 27, 2011, 3:00pm to 5:00pm

There are three ways that you can register for the Singers:

Come out and join us at one of two registration dates.
Have a friend register on your behalf, bringing your fees (if applicable) and identification. Note: One person can only register either him/herself OR one other individual in their absence, but CANNOT register both or multiple individuals.
If you are unable to do either (1) or (2), contact us hhsingers.sa.utoronto.ca/contact.html by email, provide us with your name and voice part, and we will put you on the appropriate waiting list. Note: If on the waiting list, you are encouraged to attend rehearsals weekly and share music off your neighbour. We will take people off the waiting list as space becomes available in the choir.

For more information: email carly.stasko@utoronto.ca or visit the web site or our facebook group. Web: hhsingers.sa.utoronto.ca/ / Facebook: “Hart House Singers”

Hart House Symphonic Band

The Hart House Symphonic Band is an amateur music group composed of U of T alumni and students. HHSB strives to bring together a diverse group of people with a wide range of academic, cultural, religious and musical backgrounds. We aim to create a cohesive group that is connected by each member's desire to play and perform varied and challenging repertoire in a fun and relaxed musical atmosphere. Our weekly rehearsals led by dynamic conductor Mark Saresky, culminate in at least two public concerts per year, one at the end of each term. The Symphonic Band is committed to giving students the opportunities to conduct as well as to perform folk, modern and classical music.

How to get Involved: HHSB has an open rehearsal and auditions at the beginning of the year and sometimes requires additional musicians during the first and second term. Weekly rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings in the Great Hall.

For more information: email keara.white@utoronto.ca or visit the Band’s website hhsb.sa.utoronto.ca

Alumni Committee

The Hart House Alumni Committee presents an number of enjoyable programs and events each year. Attend a wine-tasting seminar, dine with a guest at the Annual Dinner Series or enjoy an evening of dancing & intrigue at the Saints and Sinners Supper Club.

The Allumni Committee coordinates a number of events throughout the year:

Annual Dinner Series: featuring a number of outstanding speakers in a relaxed, informal dinner setting.
Wine Seminar Series: an opportunity for wine lovers to sample a number of international vintages, paired with a tasting menu.
Annual Trivia Challenge: meet and mingle with other members while enjoying a delicious selection of hors d'oeuvres and testing your trivia knowledge in pursuit of some fantastic prizes!
Annual Reception: join us for great food and great company.

How to get involved: New ideas and people are always welcome; do not hesitate to contact us at 416.978.7076. To reserve tickets for events, contact the UofTtix at 416.978.8849 or visit them online at www.uofttix.ca

For more information: Contact 416.978.8400 for general inquiries regarding the Alumni Committee.

Hart House Art Committee
Join Contemporary Art enthusiasts in curating the walls and halls of Hart House, studio visits of Toronto's foremost artists, trips to prominent local galleries, selection and acquisition of new work for the House, and programming art education activities. The Hart House Art Committee provides students who are passionate and/or curious about the world of art (outside of lecture halls) an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and work together to connect Hart House to Toronto's vibrant Contemporary Art scene. The Committee was started in 1922 and has continuously provided its members with a sense of community and invaluable professional experience.

How to get involved: Become a part of the Art Committee's exceptional history--bringing the best in Contemporary Art into the walls of Hart House, or be added to the Art Committee email list by emailing jmb.gallery@utoronto.ca

For more information: or to be added to the Art Committee email list please email jmb.gallery@utoronto.ca.

Hart House Debates Committee

The mandate of the Hart House Debates Committee is to provide opportunities for debate and dialogue on the important issues of the day, through major events like formal debates, public lectures, community service projects, hosting tournaments, and sending a team to the World University Debating Championship tournament. Past ics include the limits of free speech in a pluralistic, democratic society, sharia law in Ontario, H1N1, Religion and Science, and debates among political candidates at the mayoral, provincial and federal level.

Past speakers include: author Chrisher Hitchens, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, Israeli Ambassador Alan Baker, Former Prime Minister John Turner, Nobel Laureate Professor John Polanyi, and more.

How to get involved: The HH Debates Committee is student run, and students are at the heart of planning, organizing and hosting debates and panel discussions. If you would like to gain valuable event organizing skills, be involved in exploring current and sometimes controversial events, then join the HH Debates Committee in their by-weekly meetings by contacting the Secretary at harthousedebates@gmail.com or Programme Advisor david.pereira@utoronto.ca.

For more information: Stay connected with all that’s happening in the HH Debates Committee on facebook group “Hart House Debates Committee” or hhdce.sa.utoronto.ca/

Hart House Literary and Library Committee

The Hart House Literary and Library Committee provides opportunities to explore the various facets of the literary arts to students on all three U of T campuses. The Committee houses eight subcommittees that each cover an area of the literary world: Algonquin Square Table meets every other Sunday and provides writers of poetry a chance to workshop with their peers as does the Writers Co-op which meets on Fridays for writers of poetry and prose. The facilities subcommittee maintains the Hart House Library, the Book Crossings zone and the magazine collection located in the Map Room. Our Readings subcommittee organizes readings for the Hart House/ University of Toronto community with renowned and emerging writers while our WRITuals subcommittee organizes monthly open mic nights. The Literary and Library Committee publishes the annual Hart House Review literary and art journal and coordinates the poetry and short story contests whose winners are then published in the Review.

The committee helps to bring positive attention to Hart House both on campus and throughout the city with the events it hosts and its contributions to the greater Toronto community.

How to get involved: Email litlibsecretary@yahoo.com or staff advisor, Day Milman day.milman@utoronto.ca.

For more information: HH Library & Literary Committee Blog hhlitandlib.wordpress.com/ and facebook page http://www.facebook.com/search/?flt=1&q=hart+house&o=69&s=60#!/group.php?gid=31454030513&ref=search

Hart House Review: email: harthousereview@gmail.com / website: www.harthousereview.com and facebook www.facebook.com/search/?flt=1&q=hart+house&o=69&s=60#!/group.php?gid=39373660226&ref=ts

University of Toronto Poet in Community: www.harthouse.utoronto.ca/student-engagement/poet-in-community and she has a facebook page under Poet in Community www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=156735094125&ref=search

Hart House Music Committee

The Hart House Music Committee creates partnerships and presents professional and aspiring musicians, students, and community members in an inclusive environment. The Committee supports a wide array of cultural and musical styles in the spirit of using music as a universal language that draws a diverse audience in a common artistic experience. We are responsible for Jazz at Oscars, Stages, Open Mic, Sunday Concerts, Midday Mosaics and other special events held at Hart House.

We are committed to:

Contributing to the enhancement of student life
Offering amateur musicians and student musicians an opportunity to showcase their work and to attend FREE quality shows in their own environment
Providing a forum for musical/artistic expression through the outlets of DEMO magazine and CIUT
Providing an opportunity for students on the committee to gain valuable skills and learn outside the classroom
Creating entry points for students to liaise and work with a large musical community on and off campus

How to get Involved: The Music Committee takes on students primarily at the beginning of the year but there are opportunities to contribute to our existing series or propose new special events during the school year. The DEMO music magazine’s sub-committee also accepts students interested in writing, editing or designing for the magazine during the year. DEMO is published in the second term. Students interested in subscribing to our listserve to get notification about upcoming shows can log onto www.harthousemusic.com

All concerts are Free and open to the student community and the general public.

For More Information: Contact the Music Committee secretary matt.poot@utoronto.ca or Staff Advisor zoe.dille@utoronto.ca or visit our web site www.harthousemusic.com

Recreational Athletics Committee
Help plan programmes and classes such as fitness, dance, pilates, yoga, racquet sports and martial arts. Plan special events such as the Indoor Triathlon and the Bike to Work Breakfast. Participate in the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment. Set policies for the Athletics Wing of Hart House which includes a 25-yard pool, indoor track, weight room, squash courts, gymnasium and much more.

How to get involved: Meetings are generally held once a month on a Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.

For more information: Contact: 416.978.2447

Hart House Social Justice Committee

The mission of the Hart House Social Justice Committee is to raise awareness of social justice issues through proactive engagement in partnerships, networks and the student body as a whole. We seek to facilitate deep dialogue based around awareness, appreciation, and action into the lives of individuals and communities within and around the University of Toronto. Through broad-based programmes that engage to the entire student body, we aim to introduce many different issues and opportunities for participation around Social Justice. Our events are free, accessible and secular.

Pillars:

Sustainability
Equity
International and Community Development
Empowerment through Education

The Hart House Social Justice Committee (SJC) is dedicated to raising awareness about social and environmental issues by hosting events that provide an open forum for members of on- and off campus social justice groups to meet and collaborate. SJC values involve equity, activism and action. The primary purpose of the SJC is to connect students and community members to opportunities for education and participation, and to encourage involvement in social justice projects. The SJC seeks to provide accessible and creative ways to learn about a range of social justice issues.

Programming includes:

Social Justice Awareness Week provides programming that encourages involvement and reaches out to groups doing work in areas of social justice
Workshops and Coffee Houses explore how to deal with a range of social issues affecting our community
Community Kitchens bring student community members together to learn how to prepare nutritious meals while expanding their knowledge of food-related social justice issues

How to get involved: For more information on how to get involved, please contact hhsocialjustice@gmail.com or staff advisor Carly Stasko carly.stasko@utoronto.ca

For more information: Website: socialjustice.sa.utoronto.ca/ Facebook: Hart House Social Justice Committee ~ Community Kitchens / Hart House Social Justice Committee 2009/2010

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