The Long And McQuade Musical Instruments Singing Contest With John Santos is truly one of a kind. As you surf this site you can get a great overview of our history and all the elements that make us unique. Our prizes are bigger and better than ever including 3 professionally recorded albums, promotional videos, industry workshops, individual vocal training and more. All of our finalists get a chance to experience recording a song in a professional studio and to appear on our compilation CD. We offer singers the chance to sing in any language they prefer with world class coaching along the way.
Our finalists have ranged in age from 10 to 65 and have represented the cultural mosaic of Canada as widely and wonderfully as imaginable. Over the course of a season, they earn the opportunity to showcase their outstanding talent at a gala event while being accompanied by some of Toronto’s finest musicians.
From our qualifying rounds to our dazzling Grand Finale we treat our contestants like the artists they dream of becoming and make the journey the time of their lives.
The little contest that John and Lisa Santos started way back in 2006 has become a well-established and highly respected vocal & performance development program presented the format of a singing competition. Review our rules and schedule to get an overview of how the contest operates. Take a look through our magazine, which is truly one of a kind. Take a look through the Where Are They Now section. In the past year alone, we have seen past contestants getting incredible opportunities including performances on television (The Launch, The Next Step), in Portugal’s famous Festival da Canção, mainstage performances at some of the GTA’s most prestigious festivals and the list goes on and on. Keep up with the blossoming career of “little” Heather Russell and stay tuned for more exciting news from all of our past contestants.
Remember The Long And McQuade Musical Instruments Singing Contest With John Santos is not about who wins and loses. We work hard to offer a great opportunity for singers at all levels. Sure, someone is going to win in both the Juvenile and Adult categories but our objective is to offer a great growth and learning forum for all our singers at all levels. For our youth, it’s a great step forward and positive experience with the joys of performing. For our older singers, it’s a chance to strut their stuff one more time and hear that applause yet again.
Welcome to our contest. It’s going to be a fantastic season and we are very pleased to have you with us.