Maple Reserve came together in August 2013 and began as a trio of high school friends. Greg Mallett (lead) contacted Jonah Lazar (baritone) and Reuven Grajner (bass) attempting to qualify for the International Collegiate Barbershop Contest the following year in Las Vegas. At the time, Chris Tanaka-Mann (tenor) was the Toronto Northern Lights’ newest baritone and after a brief conversation was asked to join the quartet…on tenor. Introductions were made, music was learned, and so began the quartet under the name Yonge Guns.

The quartet quickly prepared for Ontario’s 2013 provincial contest, held in October each year, where they won the Novice trophy and were ecstatic to place 5th overall. Six months later they were off in search of the bright lights and big city, qualifying for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Collegiate Quartet Contest to be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in July 2014. Placing 10th, they continued to work and placed 3rd the following year, earning Ontario’s first collegiate medal since Chameleon in 2006.

More recently, the quartet has represented Ontario and Canada in the open division of the BHS contests, travelling to cities like Las Vegas (again), Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Louisville, and Denver and placing as high as 11th and earning the highest placing for an Ontario quartet in decades! Outside of contest, these guys are veterans of the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, having put on a week long run of shows in August 2018. This festival boasts 3500 shows and 2.5 million tickets sold each year and was an absolutely unforgettable experience.

All of the guys have been proud members of the 2013 International Barbershop Chorus Champions, the Toronto Northern Lights, and have gained a wealth of experience through its leadership. They value the camaraderie and brotherhood of the chorus highly and have had the opportunity to tour Europe with the chorus, a truly incredible experience!

In 2023, after nearly 10 years as Yonge Guns and no longer being the starry-eyed teenagers of yesteryear, it was decided that an update was needed. The same group that has performed all around Ontario, at everything from choral festivals, to middle school and high school workshops, to performing for Toronto’s ever-growing a cappella community will continue to entertain audiences as Maple Reserve.

If you’re interested in working with us, whether for a performance, workshop, or collaboration, get in touch!