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Volume 17 Issue 2 - October 2011

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  • Choir
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Blue PagestheWholeNote

Blue PagestheWholeNote 2011-2012 PRESENTER PROFILESinfo@grandphilchoir.comwww.grandphilchoir.com●●GRAND RIVER CHORUSOF BRANTFORDThe Grand River Chorus of Brantford is a mixed voiceconcert choir presenting an annual series of classicalchoral music, featuring masterworks of the choraltradition and performances by Canadian and internationalsoloists. Occasionally the choir sings at communityevents and joins in performances sponsoredby other groups in the community, including appearanceswith the Brantford Symphony Orchestra at theSanderson Centre in Brantford. The Grand RiverChorus seeks every opportunity to raise the profileof choral music in the Brantford-Brant and Norfolkareas. It is a registered non-profit corporation supportedthrough patron and community donations. Itsown annual gala fundraiser, the “Grand Fête du Vin,”is most enjoyable and has been successful in each ofthe past twelve years. From its inception, the GrandRiver Chorus has performed to a high choral standard.Today, under artistic director Richard Cunningham,the chorus exists as a vital part of the arts in the greaterBrantford area. The tireless efforts of its singers andconductor are the driving force behind the success ofthe Grand River Chorus.Monica Admiral, president905-768-3893grandriverchorus@rogers.comwww.grandriverchorus.com●●GRYPHON TRIOSince coming together in Toronto in 1993, the GryphonTrio has firmly established itself as one of the world’sleading piano trios. With a repertoire that rangesfrom the traditional to the contemporary and fromEuropean classicism to New World jazz and popularsong, the Gryphons are committed to redefiningchamber music for the 21st century.The two-time JUNO Award winning trio tours extensivelyto venues large and small and their 13 recordingsare an encyclopedia of works for the genre.The trio has commissioned over 50 new works, frequentlycollaborating on special projects with composers,actors, writers and dancers. Committed tothe education of audiences and young performersalike, the Gryphons conduct masterclasses and workshopsat universities and conservatories across NorthAmerica and are artists-in-residence at the Universityof Toronto’s Faculty of Music.2011/12 will see the Gryphon Trio releasing three newrecordings on Analekta and Naxos labels, travellingthroughout Canada, the US, Switzerland, Belgium, theNetherlands, Italy and Kuwait and producing theirflagship educational project Listen Up! in Midlandand Hamilton, Ontario.647-385-2068dschotzko@gryphontrio.comwww.gryphontrio.com●●HAMILTON CHILDREN’S CHOIRThe award winning Hamilton Children’s Choir isknown for performances going far beyond technicalexcellence while dazzling audiences with a focusedsound, brilliant repertoire and captivatingstage presence.Under the guidance of world renowned ZimfiraPoloz and a talented artistic team, the HCC offers aunique opportunity to learn and grow through thestudy of choral music with a variety of different choirprograms for approximately 150 young singers rangingin ages from 4 to 18 years who live in Hamiltonand surrounding areas.Our performances give us the opportunity to shareour gift of song with others and our musical standardsenable us to offer a programme that helps contributeto the world class arts community found in the greatercity of Hamilton and surrounding areas.Vocal skills and abilities are developed through theuse of choir camps/retreats, rehearsals (in Hamilton),workshops, performances and tours (local, nationaland international). By participating in these activities,choristers are able to experience the joys ofsinging, teamwork, musical understanding and artisticexpression.Tricia Le Clair, executive director905-527-1618www.hamiltonchildrenschoir.com●●HANNAFORD STREET SILVER BANDThe Hannaford Street Silver Band is Canada’s awardwinningprofessional brass band and resident companyof Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.Its mission is to honour the traditions of this art formand at the same time place it in a contemporary contextwith a unique Canadian point of view.The HSSB has redefined what a brass band is capableof doing by facilitating innovative, creative projectsand collaborating with the very best of Canada’s andthe world’s diverse cultures and outstanding artists.The HSSB’s 29th eclectic season opens on November12, featuring The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace with theAmadeus Choir. The season continues with more brilliantbrass concerts on December 13, January 22, andApril 15.Raymond Tizzard, general directorDavid Archer, administrative directorAlain Trudel, principal guest conductor416-425-2874hssb@interlog.comwww.hssb.caTickets: www.stlc.com; 416-366-7723●●HARBOURFRONT CENTREFor more than 30 years, Harbourfront Centre hasbeen on the cutting edge of all that is current andcreative. We continue to bring together the best inboth Canadian culture and the rich mosaic of culturesfrom around the world. A non-profit charitable organization,we attract more than 12 million visits annuallyto our ten acres of revitalized waterfront land.Harbourfront Centre presents over 4,000 eventseach year and works with more than 450 communitygroups. A leader in local and international musicpresentations, Harbourfront Centre has offered audiencestheir first taste of various kinds of music. Oursummer festival season in particular features musicfrom different cultures within weekend festivals.We also programme the City of Toronto’s nearbyToronto Music Garden with classical music concertsoutdoors all summer long, in a setting inspired byBach. Harbourfront Centre’s exciting dance series“NextSteps” celebrates its sixth season this year withan incredible range of home-grown choreography thatbrings together an astonishing breadth of dance companiesin Toronto. Our many venues are also popularrental facilities for musical acts.416-973-4000info@harbourfrontcentre.comwww.harbourfrontcentre.com●●HARMONY SINGERS OF ETOBICOKEThe Harmony Singers of Etobicoke is a 35-voicewomen’s chorus that has been in existence since1965. The group memorizes and stages songs in awide range of genres including pop, folk, sacred andlight classical. The singers recently performed thenational anthem at a Blue Jays game and appeared ina music video with the group Down With Webster.Each year they entertain at hospitals, retirementhomes and civic gatherings. Their accompanist isthe renowned pianist Bruce Harvey.This season they will present “December Time,” aconcert of seasonal favourites on December 11. Specialguest will be Elizabeth Perkins, winner of the 2010Harmony Singers scholarship. In May the chorus willpresent two evenings of swing music with specialguests The Canadian Singers.The group rehearses on Monday evenings at MartinGrove United Church, at Martin Grove and Mercuryin Etobicoke. There are a limited number of openingsfor new members. Singers interested should contactthe conductor.Harvey Patterson, conductor.416- 239-5821theharmonysingers@ca.inter.netwww.harmonysingers.ca●●HIGH PARK CHOIRSUnder artistic director Zimfira Poloz, the childrenof the High Park Choirs work together to create abeautiful, shimmering sound. We offer four skillsbaseddivisions for children ages 5 to 18: Piccolo Choir,Intermezzo Choir, Brio Choir and Allegria Choir.Weekly rehearsals held in Bloor West Village includemusic theory and ear training. Children are engagedin the creative process through performance ofand involvement in the creation of new music. Thechoirs perform two annual concerts as well as numerouscommunity engagements. They also participatein workshops, retreats and tours. The High ParkChoirs are the Children’s Choir in Residence at theUniversity of Toronto’s Faculty of Music.We celebrate our 25th season with concerts onNovember 27 and May 12, collaborations with theUniversity of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, a trip to thePodium choral conference in Ottawa and a variety ofconcerts within the community. Auditions are heldmany times throughout the year and new membersare always welcome.Zimfira Poloz, artistic directorHelen Nestor, general manager416-762-0657info@highparkchoirs.orgwww.highparkchoirs.org●●I FURIOSI BAROQUE ENSEMBLEI Furiosi Baroque Ensemble is one of the world’s mostinnovative baroque ensembles, composed of four ofCanada’s leading early music specialists: sopranoGabrielle McLaughlin, violinists Aisslinn Nosky andJulia Wedman and cellist/gambist Felix Deak. Thesefour daring musicians bring their skill and expertiseto this edgy new voice in the early music world.I Furiosi’s Toronto concert series has been revitalizingthe face of early music in Canada, inspired by thepractice of the Baroque era while invoking the “bizarreand unnatural” aesthetic both cherished and despisedin its time. Intelligent and inspired programming inaddition to a captivating performance style has garneredthis group a reputation as a revolutionary forcein the Canadian and international early music scene.In the 2011/12 season I Furiosi will again welcomeworld-class soloists as guests to help ignite the stagefor each performance.416-536-2943; 416-910-8740www.ifuriosi.comwww.myspace.com/ifuriosi● ● INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE CENTREFOR PERFORMING ARTISTSIncorporated in 1985, the International ResourceCentre For Performing Artists is a non-profit charitableorganization whose mandate is to help freelanceclassical performing artists make the transitionfrom graduation to steady employment and to helpaudiences understand and support the preparation

and needs of the artists they will eventually enjoyin performance.Two traditional events take place each year. InNovember there is the “Career Moves” workshopfor members of all disciplines to exchange informationand discuss who does what and why with artsprofessionals and presenters. In the June Opera Week“Interaction with Employers” programme, the IRCPAoffers artists coachings, assessments and directionconcluding in a showcase and gala concert. Otherprojects include “Opera In The Streets” for artists toappear at summer festivals in one-act, semi-stagedoperas around southern Ontario.Ann Summers Dossena416-362-1422www.sumarts.com●●INTERNATIONAL TOURINGPRODUCTIONSEstablished in 2001, ITP has a mission to bringgreat orchestral music to Ontario. Orchestras thathave toured under ITP auspices include the GeorgSolti Chamber Orchestra of Budapest, the ViennaConcertverein, the Czech Philharmonic ChamberOrchestra, Orchestra Internationale d’Italia and theSlovak Sinfonietta.In 2010 ITP was invited to administer the TorontoConcert Orchestra, which debuted with tenorSalvatore Licitra. TCO has since been the officialorchestra of the first Toronto International PianoCompetition and performed in the Phoenix NightClub and Concert Hall, the Windsor Arms Hotel andEcho Beach at Ontario Place. This autumn the orchestrahas a six-city tour of Ontario and anticipates moretouring in 2012/13. Visit our website for concert informationor audition opportunities.The Grand Salon Orchestra, ITP’s authentic palmcourt orchestra, has toured extensively with its signatureconcert, “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” an infectiousprogram of Gershwin, Kern, Cole Porter and others.As part of its ongoing adult education program ITPpresents “A Little Night Music at the Toronto Centre.”www.torontoconcertorchestra.comwww.kerrystratton.comwww.grandsalonorchestra.com●●IRISH CHORAL SOCIETY OF CANADAA Hundred Thousand Welcomes! The Irish ChoralSociety of Canada welcomes anyone enthralled bythe lyrical songs originating in the Irish diaspora, aswell as Irish Canadian compositions, to join our smallbut enthusiastic and fun-loving community of singers.Family roots in the Emerald Isle are not required formembership, but we do revel in the enjoyment of allthings Irish and Celtic. Originally founded in 1960, thesociety was re-invigorated in 2002 under the musicaldirection of Karen D’Aoust. In 2007 the group touredand performed in Ireland. Under the current musicalleadership of Sinead Sugrue, we are planning a performancetour of Canada’s East Coast in July 2012 andof Ireland in 2014. Annual activities include participationin Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, performanceat the Rose of Tralee Ball, a musical adventureaboard a Toronto Islands boat cruise, concerts devotedto raising funds for worthy causes, informal pubnights, and a host of other grand events. We look forwardto meeting you. Cead Mile Failte!info@irishchoralsociety.com.www.irishchoralsociety.com●●JEUNESSES MUSICALES ONTARIOJeunesses Musicales Ontario (JMO) is a bilingual (EN–FR) non-profit arts organization that fosters the careersof outstanding young professional musiciansat home and abroad, and has enjoyed a presence inOntario since 1979. JMO promotes the developmentHAMILTON CHILDREN’S CHOIRof the arts in Ontario by touring some of Ontario’sand Canada’s leading emerging artists across Ontario.JMO also tours an all-inclusive opera productioncomplete with surtitles, sets, costumes and pianoaccompaniment. JMO performs in urban, rural andremote communities.JMO’s youth concerts feature professionally trainedmusicians performing in schools and community centresacross Ontario. These concerts allow children andfamilies the opportunity to discover the magic of livemusic. All performances are interpretive and theatricalin nature and offer exceptional musical encountersbetween performers and audience whilst presentingmusic of various cultures and eras. These concertsreach over 82,000 children nationwide — 20,000in Ontario. Programmes are offered in English andFrench. JMO is affiliated with Jeunesses MusicalesCanada and Jeunesses Musicales International, thelargest music NGO in the world!JMO concerts are available in English and French.Vanessa J. Goymour, generalmanager and artistic advisor416-536-8649vgoymour@jmcanada.cawww.jmcanada.ca●●JOHN LAING SINGERSFounded in 1982, the John Laing Singers is a classicalchamber choir of singers from the Golden Horseshoewho have represented Canada in the USA and abroad.Besides our regular concerts in Hamilton and neighbouringcommunities, we perform as solo guest artistsand collaboratively for special events and classicalmusic concerts. In June 2011 we were featured atThe Oakville Arts Festival, and in July 2011 we providedthe choral music for a service at the NationalConvention of the RCCO. Recordings include: My LoveDwelt in a Northern Land (1998), Merrily Sing We (2008)and A Noel Tapestry (2011). Beginning September 11 (followingJohn Laing’s retirement), The “New” JohnLaing Singers will be under the direction of Dr. RogerBergs, B.Mus., M.M., Mus.Doc. As we move forwardwith the 2011/12 concert season, we look forward tocontinuing our standard of excellence.905-628-5238www.johnlaingsingers.com●●JUBILATE SINGERSThe Jubilate Singers is a mixed-voice chamber choirof approximately 35 singers in Toronto. Our seasonconsists of three concerts and one or two communityappearances. Our repertoire includes choral musicfrom all periods and different genres, often multilingual.This year the choir welcomes back our directorIsabel Bernaus. Our season begins with musicfrom around the Mediterranean, 14th century tothe present. Our winter concert in March 2012 willbe Argentinian, with Carlos Guastavino’s amazingIndianas, traditional songs, contemporary music andtangos by Piazzola, Carlos Gardel and others, alongwith a tango ensemble and tango dancers. Our Juneconcert will be Canadian compositions of music rootedin traditions from around the world. We rehearseon Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:45 at St. Leonard’sAnglican Church, 25 Wanless Ave., one block northof the Lawrence subway station. We welcome newmembers and encourage you to sit in on a rehearsalto check us out.David Reddin, membership coordinator416-286-8927www.jubilatesingers.ca●●KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRAThe Kindred Spirits Orchestra has performed to greatacclaim, sold-out audiences and standing ovations forthe past two seasons at the CBC Glenn Gould Studioin downtown Toronto. For our 2011/12 season, the orchestrawill be presenting five subscription concertsat Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts, in additionto two community outreach concerts and oneeducational concert. Led by the charismatic MaestroKristian Alexander, the Kindred Spirits Orchestrawill perform Mendelssohn’s “Italian Symphony,”Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony,” Grieg’s Piano Concertowith Christina Petrowska-Quilico and Tchaikovsky’sViolin Concerto with Jing Ye, as well as masterworksby Mozart and Beethoven, our Broadway Kids Live!show, and premieres of contemporary Canadian andAmerican compositions as part of Markham NewMüsic Festival. December highlights include a performanceof the immortal oratorio Messiah by Handelwith stellar cast and guest choir Village Voices. TheKindred Spirits Orchestra offers sophisticated livemusic and high quality entertainment to the residentsof York Region. Parking at Markham Theatre is freeand the admission is only (adult) or (students,children, seniors).Kristian Alexander, music directorAndrew Cheung, associate conductorKeith Reid, assistant conductorJobert Sevilleno, chief executive officer905-604-8339; 905-489-4621theWholeNote 2011-2012 PRESENTER PROFILES

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