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Volume 22 Issue 2 - October 2016

  • Text
  • October
  • Toronto
  • Choir
  • Jazz
  • Orchestra
  • Symphony
  • Concerts
  • Arts
  • November
  • Musical
In this issue: David Jaeger and Alex Pauk’s most memorable R. Murray Schafer collabs, in this month’s installment of Jaeger’s CBC Radio Two: The Living Legacy; an interview with flutist Claire Chase, who brings new music and mindset to Toronto this month; an investigation into the strange coincidence of three simultaneous Mendelssohn Elijahs this Nov 5; and of course, our annual Blue Pages, a who’s who of southern Ontario’s live music scene- a community as prolific and multifaceted as ever. These and more, as we move full-force into the 2016/17 concert season- all aboard!

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2016/17 songs to our gatherings. Internationally-recognized hymn writers Dan Damon, Mary Louise Bringle, Carl Daw, Michael Hawn and Brian Wren have also been guests. October 30, 2016: Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto, 2:30pm to 4:30pm. “Heart Songs of the World.” Saya Ojiri and Becca Whitla, sacred music students at Emmanuel, introduce hymns of Japan and Cuba. February 26, 2017: Salvation Army Headquarters, 2 Overlea Blvd., 2:30pm to 4:30pm. “Sing a New Song.” Craig Lewis introduces the Salvation Army’s new hymnal. April 23, 2017: 2:30pm to 4:30pm, location TBA. Celebrating 150 Years of Canadian Confederation. Join Margaret Leask and friends on a romp through the music of Canada’s early days. Ila Vaculik 416-694-6436 www.sochs.org ● St. Anne’s Anglican Church & Choir Continuing its long tradition of musical excellence, St. Anne’s presents a season of innovative performances that befits our stunning sacred space boasting religious artwork by the Group of Seven. Throughout the year, the Choir of St. Anne’s will join other professional musicians from across Ontario. Through our newly-instituted organ and choral scholarships, emerging artists will have the opportunity to gain practical experience. We are thrilled to welcome The Junction Trio as St. Anne’s Ensemble-in-Residence! Over the past six seasons, The Junction Trio has presented colourful chamber music, ingeniously incorporating meditative improvisation and a wide range of guest artists. Their programming pushes the boundaries of classical music and performance art. Each year, the St. Anne’s Music and Drama Society (MADS) presents one of the operettas of Gilbert & Sullivan. Founded in 1964, MADS has a fall season of rehearsals leading up to January and February performances. This season, MADS presents The Grand Duke. For more information or to participate in our music program, please contact us! John-Luke Addison, director of music 416-536-3160 music@saintanne.ca www.saintanne.ca ● St. Michael’s Choir School Founded more than 75 years ago by Monsignor John Edward Ronan, St. Michael’s Choir School has served the Archdiocese of Toronto by educating and training musicians who sing at St. Michael’s Cathedral. The school is unique – offering an enriched academic program for boys from grades 3 to 12, with extended French instruction, as well as a lively ministry of sacred music. Choirs from SMCS perform annually on tour and at many local concerts and events. From September to June, the choirs sing weekly Masses at St. Michael’s Cathedral. Auditions are held annually between January and March. Kate Rosser-Davies 416-397-6367 musicoffice@smcs.on.ca www.smcs.on.ca ● St. Olave’s Anglican Church St. Olave’s, Swansea, is an Anglican church in the Prayer Book tradition, with Communion or Morning Prayer services (sung Sundays at 10:30am), Evensong (for festivals) and extras at Christmas and Easter. It’s noted for a fine organ and excellent acoustics, making it home for performing groups like the Windermere String Quartet. Choral Evensongs (on certain Sundays at 4pm) are followed by afternoon tea and a music event, as listed in The WholeNote: visiting choirs leading the service, illustrated music talks or recitals by guest singers, solo musicians, instrumental ensembles or our Arts Guild. Sung Evensongs (various weekdays at 6pm) are followed by supper and talks on travel, history, applied religion, etc. Our director of music, John Stephenson, is continuing our campaign to expand our choir. Anglican services include much singing (hymns, canticles, psalms, anthems), so we need a strong choir to lead the congregation. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 7:30pm to 9pm, with a warm-up Sundays at 10am. Call to ask about paid positions, or come to a rehearsal to see what it’s all about. Singers are also welcome to join us at sung Evensongs. Judy Beal, church secretary 416-769-5686 stolaves@stolaves.ca www.stolaves.ca ● Syrinx Concerts Toronto Syrinx will present five Sunday concerts during the 2016/17 season. Each concert will feature a work by a Canadian composer, integrated within a more familiar repertoire. Our concerts are held in an intimate chamber music setting and after each concert there is a reception. On December 11, Syrinx will open the season by welcoming three prominent musicians: Jeanie Chung, piano, Shalom Bard, clarinet and Thomas Wiebe, cello. The February 5 concert puts the spotlight on composer and pianist Walter Buczynski, along with pianist Richard Herriott. The two will perform a diverse program, including two works by Buczynski himself. On March 5, Syrinx welcomes back distinguished pianist Peter Longworth. On April 23 Syrinx presents a special concert featuring all six of Srul Irving Glick’s Suite Hebraiques. The performers include Angela Park, piano; James Campbell, clarinet; Elissa Lee, violin; Barry Shiffman, violin; Susan Hoeppner, flute; Cameron Crozman, cello; Wallace Halladay, saxophone; and Sharon Wei, viola. This recording will be mastered for CD release. Syrinx’s final concert on May 28 features celebrated Israeli pianist Ishay Shaer. Dorothy Glick 416-654-0877 info@syrinxconcerts.ca www.syrinxconcerts.ca ●Tafelmusik Music of the 17th and 18th centuries, performed on period instruments with Tafelmusik’s renowned “passion and refinement.” (The Globe and Mail) Join Tafelmusik in the 2016/17 season as we welcome guest artists and returning favourites to the beautiful Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall, while continuing our popular series at Koerner Hall and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Celebrated guest artists join Tafelmusik to lead the orchestra in diverse programs sure to delight all audiences, including violinists Elisa Citterio and Rodolfo Richter, cellist Christophe Coin, and father-daughter duo Alfredo Bernardini, oboe, and Cecilia Bernardini, violin. Other highlights include the 35th anniversary of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir in Let Us All Sing, and Visions & Voyages: Canada 1663- 1763, our latest multimedia creation by Alison Mackay celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. Choral highlights include the always-popular Messiah and the 30th anniversary of “Sing-Along Messiah,” as well as The Baroque Diva featuring Karina Gauvin, soprano, and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, with Julia Doyle and Joanne Lunn, soprano. William Norris, managing director Box office: 416-964-6337 Administrative office: 416-964-9562 www.tafelmusik.org ●Talisker Players Talisker Players is a unique ensemble of instrumentalists dedicated to working with singers and exploring the interaction of words and music. The group presents an adventurous concert series in Toronto, and also performs throughout southern Ontario and across the country. The roots of the ensemble are in the choral tradition, and it maintains a busy schedule of engagements with choirs of all sizes in music ranging from Baroque to contemporary, sacred and secular. The ensemble’s own concert series, at Trinity- St. Paul’s Centre, takes its collaborative skills into the intimate realm of chamber music. Core players are joined by leading vocal soloists and actors in an annual series of themed programs that are as theatrical as they are musical. Songs of Enchantment (October 25 and 26, 2016) – tales of wonder, spells and transformation; ’S Wonderful (January 29 and 31, 2017) – the B22 | theWholeNote 2016/17 PRESENTER PROFILES

est of the Gershwin songbook; Land of the Silver Birch (March 28 and 29, 2017) – songs of Canada’s first European settlers; A Mixture of Madness (May 16 and 17) – the fine line between insanity and revelation. Mary McGeer, artistic director Elizabeth Shannon, administrative director 416-466-1800 words.music@taliskerplayers.ca www.taliskerplayers.ca ●Tallis Choir The Tallis Choir is a chamber ensemble of 36 voices that has earned a reputation for innovative programming and polished performances across Southern Ontario. Works from Gregorian Chant to contemporary choral music are represented, but the choir is best known as one of the few Canadian ensembles specializing in the music of the Renaissance, particularly 16th-century Italy and England. The choir consists primarily of auditioned amateur singers, built around a small core of professional musicians. Founded in 1977, the choir presents an annual four-concert subscription series, including a cappella programs, small chamber ensembles, organ works and, on several occasions, largerscale productions featuring choir, professional soloists and chamber orchestra. The Tallis Choir has earned particular acclaim from audiences for its presentation of themed concert programs and historical recreations, placing both well-known and rarely-heard choral masterpieces in their broader historical context. The Tallis Choir can also be engaged for special performances outside their regular concert series. Customized programs featuring both current repertoire and new music can be developed to suit individual needs and budgets. David Martin 416-286-9798 info@tallischoir.com www.tallischoir.com ●Tapestry Opera Tapestry Opera is a professional company creating and producing opera from the heart of here and now. For 37 years, the company has presented award-winning works by preeminent artists, brought to life by some of the most talented and versatile performers of the contemporary stage. As Canada’s leader in opera development, Tapestry Opera is committed to cultivating new creators and performers to serve the evolution of the form and build a lasting Canadian repertoire. Amy Gottung 416-537-6066 info@tapestryopera.com www.tapestryopera.com TALISKER PLAYERS ●That Choir Celebrating its ninth season, That Choir is one of Toronto’s most exciting a cappella chamber choirs, combining high-calibre performance with storytelling through choral music. Founded in 2008 by artistic director Craig Pike, That Choir now draws 36 auditioned singers with diverse backgrounds in work and study. That Choir’s 2016/17 season features three self-presented concerts: “That Choir Remembers” - November 11, 2016; “That Choir Carols” - December 18, 2016; and “That Choir: Borealis” - May 7, 2017. Other highlights include a four-part cabaret series and a performance at Georgian Music in Barrie (March 2017). It is That Choir’s goal to share our passion for choral music and to inspire audiences both young and young at heart. We look forward to sharing our music with you in our exciting new season! Please follow us @ thatchoir on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Colin Frotten, general manager 416-706-5221 info@thatchoir.com www.thatchoir.com ●TO.U Collective TO.U is an initiative to exhibit contemporary music performers who, out of curiosity and the need for growth, have made a commitment to the contemporary repertoire. TO.U offers these performers not only a stage to make music, but also an opportunity to speak of their individual artistic development and aspirations. TO.U aims to make a connection. Through this direct, complex, intense and demanding repertoire, TO.U showcases passion and discipline, the driving forces behind our own evolution as artistic people and our core relevance. Xin Wang 416-593-5600 x231 toucollective@gmail.com www.toucollective.com ●Toronto Chamber Choir The Toronto Chamber Choir explores the topic of Music & Memory in its 48th season. Our mission is to present programs of Renaissance and Baroque repertoire accompanied by period instruments. We also perform music from later periods that complements this core repertoire. Our season consists of two full-length evening concerts and two Sunday afternoon Kaffeemusiks, a combination of music, commentary or narration and slideshow. On the theme of Music & Memory, we present: A survey of the complex relationship between music and memory drawing on sources from ancient Greece to neuroscience, with the premiere of David Barber’s Remember Not (October 30); A Tour of Carols from a dozen nations (December 17); A performance of Heinrich Biber’s masterful Requiem in F Minor (March 18), and sacred music from Latin America (May 28). We have about 35 singers and are now in our third season with artistic director Lucas Harris. He auditions new singers throughout the season as necessary. Interested singers should bring a rich choral background and a deep love for early repertoire. Mary E. Thomas Nagel 416-763-1695 info@torontochamberchoir.ca www.torontochamberchoir.ca ●Toronto Children’s Chorus The Toronto Children’s Chorus, celebrating its 39th season and tenth year under artistic director Elise Bradley, has given thousands of children exceptional musical opportunities. Auditions are held in May and early September for membership in one of five choral levels. KinderNotes classes for children aged three to six, and the Toronto theWholeNote 2016/17 PRESENTER PROFILES | B23

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