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Volume 21 Issue 2 - October 2015

Vol 21 No 2 is now available for your viewing pleasure, and it's a bumper crop, right at the harvest moon. First ever Canadian opera on the Four Seasons Centre main stage gets double coverage with Wende Bartley interviewing Pyramus and Thisbe composer Barbara Monk Feldman and Chris Hoile connecting with director Christopher Alden; Paul Ennis digs into the musical mind of pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, and pianist Eve Egoyan is "On the Record" in conversation with publisher David Perlman ahead of the Oct release concert for her tenth recording. And at the heart of it all the 16th edition of our annual BLUE PAGES directory of presenters profile the season now well and truly under way.

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2015/16 Annual auditions are held each April or May. The innovative GET MUSIC! Educational Outreach and Leadership Initiative for secondary school students, community choirs and conductors provides workshops and audio/video recording mentorship culminating in shared performances. Lydia Adams is the Artist Recipient of the 2013 Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and the 2012 winner of the Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition from the Toronto Arts Foundation Arts Awards. The Elmer Iseler Singers’ Greatest Hits CD was launched in December 2013 to great critical acclaim and is available from our website. Lydia Adams, conductor and artistic director Jessie Iseler, general manager 416-217-0537 info@elmeriselersingers.com elmeriselersingers.com ● Ensemble Vivant Ensemble Vivant, “Canada’s Chamber Music Treasure” (Toronto Star), has dazzled audiences worldwide with innovative, genre-diverse programming for three decades. A pioneer among piano chamber ensembles, Ensemble Vivant garners accolades internationally from the classical and jazz worlds. Often expanding from a trio, Ensemble Vivant includes Catherine Wilson, piano; Corey Gemmell, violin; Sybil Shanahan, cello; Norman Hathaway, viola; Jim Vivian, bass; Don Thompson, O.C., vibes. “This group is of the highest caliber. No matter the genre, there is magic in Catherine Wilson and Ensemble Vivant’s music-making.” Rick Wilkins, CM Opening Day Recording Artists. “(Homage to Astor Piazzolla)…a truly beautiful CD.” Don Thompson, OC “…precisions of sonority, dynamics and rhythm that Ensemble Vivant fully deliver…(Burke’s) intricate ensemble writing is performed magnificently…a moving experience…Wilson’s playing is evocative.” WholeNote “…thoroughly enjoyable…” Boston Herald, USA “…beautiful, poised performances...these musicians capture the passion and verve…Wilson’s piano gives this music unerring drive and plenty of sparkle.” Toronto Star “To my heart, your rendition of ‘Oblivion’ is the most touching I have ever heard: Bravo!” Radio Classique, Montréal “…joyous and compelling…” Music Magazine Catherine Wilson 416-768-8856 cwpianist@me.com ensemblevivant.com ● Esprit Orchestra For over 30 years, Esprit Orchestra has been at the forefront of presenting contemporary classical music, educational programs and collaborative arts events. Commissioning, performing and promoting fine Canadian compositions, along with important music from around the world, constitute Esprit’s core activities. Concerts offer audiences music otherwise unavailable in Canada and are performed with the highest standards to be found under music director and conductor Alex Pauk. Concert series are presented in Toronto at the acoustically acclaimed Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In addition to an annual concert series, Esprit reaches out to the community through various outreach and education programs including informal pre-concert chats, the Creative Sparks Mentoring and Leadership Program, the Toward a Living Art Education Program, the New Wave Composers Festival and national and international touring. Esprit has been the recipient of three Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Awards, the Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award, the Vida Peene Award and the SOCAN Award for Imaginative Orchestral Programming. Esprit’s annual New Wave Composers Festival celebrates young Canadian artists, providing a platform to connect composers and performers with new audiences. Rachel Gauntlett 416-408-0208 (box office) info@espritorchestra.com espritorchestra.com ● Etobicoke Centennial Choir Entering its 49th season, the Etobicoke Centennial Choir (ECC) is an auditioned SATB community choir with a history of choral excellence. Dedicated to enriching the cultural life of its choristers and community through high-calibre vocal music performance, our three-concert season includes a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary music. Choristers enjoy the opportunity to enhance their vocal skills, learn a diverse choral repertoire and share the joy and camaraderie that comes with joining voices in song. Our season begins on December 5 with “Sacred Traditions”, featuring Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Susa’s Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest and Poulenc’s Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noel. On April 2, “When Daffodils Begin to Peer” will feature a wide-ranging selection of classical, contemporary and jazz-inspired music to usher in spring. On June 4, “Cherished Opera” will present stunning arias and favourite choruses from the opera repertoire. Rehearsals are held Tuesdays from 7:15-10:00 pm at Humber Valley United Church in Etobicoke. The ECC always welcomes new members. Interested singers are invited to attend a rehearsal. Henry Renglich, music director Greg Pimento, choir president 416-622-6923 416-201-2107 info@etobicokecentennialchoir.ca etobicokecentennialchoir.ca ● Etobicoke Community Concert Band The Band recently completed its very successful 20th Anniversary Season and is ready to move forward with a new and exciting 21st year. Our mission is to enliven the spirit of the community with high quality musical entertainment. Not only do we perform a four part concert series each year, we are very involved in a variety of community based events. The 2015-16 season begins on November 6, 2015 with “Fall Fair”, a musical experience that reminds you of your neighbourhood fair. Special guest is the Etobicoke Swing Orchestra playing a tribute to Glenn Miller. “Christmas in the City” on December 18, 2015 is our annual seasonal event with guests the Etobicoke Youth Choir. A special celebrity will read Clement Moore’s classic “T’was the Night Before Christmas”. Look for something different on April 1, 2016 “April Fools”, who knows what can happen. Our guest is Canada’s newest crooner Andy DuCampus with a tribute to Sinatra. The final show “Summer Prelude” on May 27, 2016 prepares you for those lazy, hazy days of summer as we present “Great music... Right in your own backyard!”. Rob Hunter, President John Edward Liddle, conductor / musical director 416-410-1570 info@eccb.ca eccb.ca ● Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra Our programming this year features world-class soloists, two children’s concerts with a local radio personality as narrator, and our own superb 60-piece orchestra under the direction of Maetro Sabatino Vacca. Our 2015-16 symphony season opens on Friday, October 23 with the first of seven concerts this season. These include five symphonic concerts with our full orchestra and two fun filled family concerts sharing the stage with the talented performers of the Etobicoke Suzuki Strings and the Mimico Children’s Choir. Advanced orchestral musicians of all ages interested in joining us are welcome to apply for membership by contacting our personnel manager. We also offer student scholarships by audition every Spring. Rehearsals begin Wednesday September 9, 2015 at Martingrove Collegiate from 7:30-10:00 and continue every Wednesday until mid-May. Please join us this year in the audience or on the stage. See you at the symphony! Danielle Johannes, personnel manager manager@eporchestra.ca 416-239-5665 info@eporchestra.ca eporchestra.ca B8 | theWholeNote 2015/16 PRESENTER PROFILES

● Exultate Chamber Singers Over a 35-year history, the Exultate Chamber Singers have garnered praise from all quarters for sensitive, precise and seamless performances. Founded by conductor John Tuttle, the choir is enriched not only by the excellent musicianship of its members but also by their varied academic and professional backgrounds. Now led by Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, the ensemble continues to share its affinity for Canadian repertoire, as well as other music for chamber choir. Our new CD, Winter Paths, features works for the Christmas season by Canadian composers. We engage audiences through a four-concert subscription concert in Toronto, and collaborate with other groups in the community. Elana Harte 416-971-9229 exultate@exultate.net exultate.net ● Flato Markham Theatre Flato Markham Theatre is one of Canada’s premier theatre houses serving the GTA and Markham residents. With over 300 live performances each year, the Theatre presents a performance calendar that showcases the cultural diversity of the community. Live theatre, concerts, comedy shows and family entertainment provide an ever-changing array of performing arts. Flato Markham Theatre continues to honour respected international artists and Canadian talent in performances offered throughout the annual professional entertainment season held September through May. “Live Arts Matter” Duncan Fletcher 905-415-7537 x5580 markhamtheatre.ca ● Flute Street Flute Street is Toronto’s Professional Flute Choir, comprised of the full range of instruments from piccolo through treble, concert, alto, bass and contrabass flutes, performing music from the rapidly expanding flute choir repertoire of exciting original compositions, sprinkled with a few transcriptions and well-crafted settings of folk songs, jazz and popular tunes. In our first season we delighted our audiences with world and Canadian premieres and featured international guest soloists, piccoloist, Jean-Louis Beaumadier and low flutes specialist, Peter Sheridan. The 2015-16 season will be a two-concert series, “All About the Bass,” in February, with a spotlight on Flute Street’s lower flute section (including a surprise appearance), and a concert in May featuring Atlanta composer and piccolo virtuoso Kelly Via. Check with WholeNote for details. Allan Pulker 416-778-7535 allanpulker@gmail.com ETOBICOKE CENTENNIAL CHOIR ● Gallery Players of Niagara Now in its 21st season, the Gallery Players of Niagara has become one of Niagara’s most prominent presenters of classical chamber music. Each season the organization presents a huge variety of music from Vivaldi & Brahms to improvised music for silent movies. This season the Gallery Players presents baritone Brett Polegato, the Eybler Quartet, Glissandi, and many other exciting performers from around the Golden Horseshoe. The season typically runs November to June and subscriptions can be purchased, offering significant savings over single tickets. To celebrate its first 20 seasons the group released Transformation, a CD featuring three new transcriptions of Beethoven, Schumann and Ravel, performed by Brett Polegato, the Eybler Quartet, Joseph Phillips, Timothy Phelan, Carol Lynn Fujino, Douglas Miller, James Mason, Julie Baumgartel, Peter Shackleton, & Lelsie De’Ath. The group’s musical depth, and its ability to communicate with audiences is it’s huge appeal. The Gallery Players commissions new Canadian works, presents baroque repertoire on period instruments, and covers the standard chamber music repertoire in between! Please see the website for more information 905-468-1525 info@galleryplayers.ca galleryplayers.ca ● Georgetown Bach Chorale The Georgetown Bach Chorale, now in its 16th season, continues not only to perform choral music at its highest level, but also to present orchestral works and intimate chamber music as experienced by listeners long ago. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings with 24 auditioned choristers circled around a harpsichord, led by their fearless leader Ronald Greidanus. Highlights of this year’s concert program include: Our first house concert, “Chamber Music for clarinet, cello and piano”, featuring music by Brahms, Bruch and Scriabin. This is followed by Advent Cantatas by Bach and a Double Harpsichord Concerto. House concerts then continue with, “Christmas and All that Jazz” and “Romantic Piano for a Winter’s Day” featuring RG and the music of Rachmaninoff and Chopin. 2016 begins with a programme of Romantic choral music. Bach, Leo and Allegri provide “Music for Good Friday”. Edwin Huizinga will join us for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons interspersed with choruses from Bach cantatas. In short, a wonderful and varied collection of authentically performed instrumental and choral music. Ronald Greidanus 905-873-9909 info@georgetownbachchorale.com georgetownbachchorale.com ● Glionna Mansell Corporation Glionna Mansell Corporation is a music marketing agency, organ dealer and concert producer in the organ and choral performance genre. As a respected leader in the industry, the company is an active supporter/promoter of emerging artistic talent alongside experienced world-stage performers. The activities operating under the Glionna Mansell banner include: Glionna Mansell Arts Foundation for Performance Excellence, ORGANIX Concerts Inc., Allen Organ Company in Ontario and Mosaic Canadian Vocal Ensemble. Glionna Mansell is the exclusive Ontario dealer of Allen digital and digital-pipe organs and enjoys a well established reputation for profound quality – seen and unseen. President and artistic director Gordon Mansell is Music Director and Organist at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church where he directs a large music program and presides over a world-renowned Casavant Frères mechanical-action pipe organ, Op.2805. Regarding this organ, famed English organist Peter Hurford pronounced it to be one of the finest baroque-styled theWholeNote 2015/16 PRESENTER PROFILES | B9

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