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Volume 24 Issue 8 - May 2019

  • Text
  • Theatre
  • Symphony
  • Concerts
  • Singers
  • Arts
  • Jazz
  • Choral
  • Musical
  • Toronto
  • Choir
What a range of stuff! A profile of Liz Upchurch, the COC ensemble studio's vocal mentor extraordinaire; a backgrounder on win-win faith/arts centre partnerships and ways of exploring the possibilities; an interview with St. Petersburg-based Eifman Ballet's Boris Eifman; Ana Sokolovic's violin concert Evta finally coming to town; a Love Letter to YouTube, and much more. Plus our 17th annual Canary Pages Choral directory if all you want to do is sing! sing! sing!

CANARY PAGES

CANARY PAGES theWholeNote 2019/20 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY eager to support our community by volunteering to perform at district events as well as presenting our own concerts in the Burlington Performing Arts Centre several times a year. Learn more about our professional a cappella chorus of amateur singers on our website. SANDY BELL 519-822-6153 president@harbourtownsound.ca www.harbourtownsound.ca ●The ● Harmony Singers Under conductor Harvey Patterson, this dynamic 35-voice women’s chorus memorizes, stages and performs a sparkling repertoire of pop, show, folk, jazz and light classical music. Our accompanist is the renowned pianist Bruce Harvey. The group proudly presents “A Song to Remember” on May 26 in Humber Valley United Church. Special guest is vocalist Asia Rosa, winner of the 2019 scholarship presented to an outstanding graduate of Etobicoke School of the Arts. The group has sung at a Blue Jays game and recently took part in a Festival of Friends choral concert in Mississauga. There are a few openings for new members - choral experience and sight-reading ability are not mandatory, but certainly helpful. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from late August to May in Martin Grove United Church. HARVEY PATTERSON 416-239-5821 theharmonysingers@ca.inter.net www.harmonysingers.ca ●●Hart House Chorus The Hart House Chorus is a 50-voice choir auditioned from musically talented students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Toronto. Since its inception in 1972, as a reincarnation of the long-standing men’s Glee Club, the Chorus has maintained a reputation for the highest standard of performance locally, nationally, and abroad. In 1993 the Chorus was a finalist in the Large Choir category of the CBC Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs, and in 2002 it was featured in the University of Toronto’s first reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” In addition to other engagements, the Chorus performs twice annually in the Great Hall at Hart House. The aim of the Hart House Chorus is to provide talented musicians with the opportunity to pursue excellence in music in a friendly, focused environment. AMY CHEN 647-859-9631 hhchorus@gmail.com www.hhchorus.wixsite.com/harthousechorus ●●Healey Willan Singers The Healey Willan Singers was originally formed as a youth choir to celebrate Dr. Willan’s 125th anniversary in 2005. Since 2007, the choir has reinvented itself into a women’s ensemble and has become one of the finest women’s ensembles in the city. Rehearsals run from September to April on Saturday mornings from 10:15am to 12:30pm. This coming season, the choir will present our annual Christmas concert in December and at the end of April with “Women and Songs V,” our biennial celebration of women’s composers and poets. The choir performs repertoire from Gregorian chants to contemporary new works, especially music by women and Canadian composers. Auditions are held throughout the year. Rehearsals and concerts are held at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 151 Glenlake Avenue in Toronto’s west end. RON CHEUNG 416-519-0528 rkmcheung@yahoo.ca www.healeywillansingers.com ●●Hillcrest Village Choir Since 2003, this SATB teaching choir has enabled amateur singers to improve their singing technique and performance skills in full choir, small group and solo settings. In an open and engaging atmosphere, members enjoy an eclectic repertoire that evolves with the interests of the membership. The director/ conductor, Ben D’Cunha, trains members in vocal technique, sight-reading, theory and improvisation, and writes the arrangements for the choir. Choir rehearsals are held September to June on Tuesdays, 7pm to 9pm, with sectionals on Mondays, 7pm to 9pm. Concerts: January 25 and June 20, 2020. Solo opportunities with pro backing bands in Cabarets. November and March our composer study will be focused on the music of George Gershwin, with a performance in April 2020. Learning to sing is fun! Join us! BEN D’CUNHA 647-688-7765 hillcrestvillagechoir@gmail.com ●●Incontra Vocal Ensemble Incontra Vocal Ensemble is a choral-arts collective of like minded conductors, composers, vocal pedagogues, professional-level singers, and emerging artists. Entering its sixth season, Incontra (Latin for “encounter”) is transforming itself to now offer professional development opportunities for its members, showcasing their artistry as singers, conductors and composers through high-level musical collaborations. Pushing the boundaries of traditional, Western choral music, Incontra is committed to innovative and diverse choral repertoire from across the globe, alongside authentic interpretation and exceptional vocalism. Through its programs and performances, Incontra offers a profoundly unique choral ‘encounter’ for its members and audiences. MATTHEW OTTO 647-241-3623 matthew.otto@gmail.com www.incontravocalensemble.com ●●Islington United Church Choirs The extensive and active music program at Islington, under the direction of Jason Locke and assisted by many talented and committed musicians including two music associates, includes the Junior (grades 1-6), Youth (grades 7-12), and Senior choirs, along with two handbell choirs, chimes, string and brass ensembles. Supported by a magnificent Schoenstein organ and grand piano, music rings through the Modern Gothic sanctuary for two morning services each Sunday and numerous special services, events and concerts. The accomplished Senior choir, with 25-30 talented singers enriched by section leaders, is attentive to musical detail and expressiveness to enhance worship, singing Renaissance to the 21st century, a cappella to orchestral accompaniment, spirituals to Bach cantatas. JASON LOCKE, MINISTER OF MUSIC 416-239-1131 x226 jason@islingtonunited.org www.islingtonunited.org ●●Jubilate Singers The Jubilate Singers is a mixed-voice community choir of about 30–35 voices with both a non-auditioned main choir and an auditioned chamber choir. We sing choral music from the Renaissance to the present, in original languages and reflecting the cultural diversity of Toronto. We perform three concerts a year, plus community concerts at seniors’ residences and community centres. Our 2019/20 season features Navidad Nuestra by Ariel Ramirez in an all–Latin American program, a concert themed “Seas,” and a concert “Of Love and Nature.” We rehearse Tuesday nights near Yonge and Lawrence. Interested singers are encouraged to sit in on a rehearsal; auditions for the chamber choir are available. A welcoming, friendly experience, and music you won’t hear anywhere else. PAULINE MCKENZIE 416-223-7690 paulinemckenzie@rogers.com www.jubilatesingers.ca ●●King Edward Choir Founded in 1952 by Jean Dobson, Barrie’s King Edward Choir began as a ladies’ choir, named after the school in which they practised. Today it is a group of 50 dedicated musicians encompassing all voices, under the leadership of artistic director, Oliver Balaburski. We strive to present a repertoire that is broad and engaging to both chorister and audience; recent years have seen performances of works by Britten, Mozart, Bernstein, Freedman, Rutter, Handel and Dvořàk, with offerings of Renaissance motets, Spirituals, folk songs and show tunes. King Edward Choir frequently collaborates with other artists and groups, and enjoys community sing-outs. Rehearsals for our three annual performances take place Monday nights. Open auditions occur each September, but new members are welcome any time! PETER SULLIVAN 705-739-7281 pesullivan71@gmail.com www.kingedwardchoir.ca C8

●●Kingsway Children’s Choir & Drum Ensemble/Kingsway Chamber Singers Discover the joy of choral singing at the Kingsway Conservatory of Music! Venturing outside the bounds of traditional choir training, the Kingsway Children’s Choir & Drum Ensemble is a unique, liberating choral experience for children aged 7 and up. Directed by a professional music educator with extensive choral conducting experience, the choir explores vast repertoire spanning world music, folk songs and classic choral works. Weekly rehearsals are an invigorating musical work-out encompassing voice and body warm-ups, vocal technique, singing skills and drum circle. For more experienced singers, the Kingsway Chamber Singers offers an enriched, multi-part choral experience. Throughout a 30-week season, both choirs take their music to a variety of stages, including festivals, recitals, and corporate and community events. SHARON OF BURLACOFF 416-234-0121 sharonkcm@bellnet.ca www.kingswayconservatory.ca ●●Lawrence Park Community Church Choir LPCCC sings at weekly Sunday worship services, September to June, and rehearses Thursday evenings. Consisting of 25 members, including professional section leads, the choir also presents special seasonal musical offerings. John Rutter’s Requiem was performed on April 19. On May 10, our “Fridays@8” Concert Series presents Missa Gaia (Earth Mass) by the Paul Winter Consort with the LPCCC, instrumental ensemble and special guests, members of Vox Youth Choir. The choir has commissioned anthems from composers including Bob Chilcott, Ruth Watson Henderson and Paul Halley and has recorded several CDs. The Lawrence Park Handbell Ringers rehearse Tuesday afternoons from September to May and are directed by Mark Toews. MARK TOEWS 416-489-1551 x28; 416-515-8326 mark@lawrenceparkchurch.ca www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca ●●Lirit Women’s Chamber Choir Founded by soprano and conductor, Renée Bouthot, Lirit Women’s Chamber Choir is a Toronto-based group of experienced choral singers. Committed to exploring the joy and vast range of Jewish music, whether through Jewish texts, themes, or composers, they perform one major concert per year, as well as smaller community events. Funded by the Judy Dan Arts and Education Award, Lirit welcomes singers of all backgrounds and interests. Rehearsals take place Mondays evenings at Temple Emanu-El in North York, from October to June, with a two-month winter hiatus. Lirit is always looking for more altos and sopranos to join this lively group. Please call to arrange a stressfree meeting and audition. RENÉE BOUTHOT 416-577-6513 reneebouthot@gmail.com www.lirit.ca ●●London Pro Musica Choir London Pro Musica is an auditioned, mixed-voice choir based in London, Ontario, Canada. LPMC is an inclusive and multi-generational, member-managed adult choral organization under professional leadership, dedicated to engaging audiences by providing and promoting artistic excellence in the London area and beyond, through education, outreach and high quality performances of choral music. We perform an extensive range of classical music - from the medieval to the contemporary - both for accompanied and unaccompanied voices. MELANIE VAN DEN BORRE 519-914-5769 marketing@londonpromusica.ca www.londonpromusica.ca ●●Lyrica Chamber Choir of Barrie Founded in 2000 by the late Natalyia Gurin and directed since 2005 by Steve Winfield, Lyrica Chamber Choir of Barrie strives to present eclectic and evocative programs of excellent choral chamber music. The 40 singers of Lyrica demonstrate a strong desire to present artistically varied choral programs with a high degree of musicianship to the community of Barrie and surrounding area. Recent highlights include performances of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël, Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Ola Gjeilo’s Dark Night of the Soul and Josef Rheinberger’s Missa in G “St. Crucis” Op. 151. Professional soloists and instrumental musicians regularly join Lyrica for performances. Our accompanist, Brent Mayhew, enhances the choir’s performances. STEVE WINFIELD 705-722-0271 steve.winfield@sympatico.ca www.lyricachoir.ca ●●Masterworks of Oakville Chorus & Orchestra We are a community-based group, dedicated to performing the great works of the Western Classical tradition, particularly sacred works for choir and orchestra. We have a strong commitment to artistic excellence and are proud to preserve and continue a great musical tradition. Masterworks is an extraordinary community group – with a chorus of over 100 voices and a commitment to performing the most challenging choral works. Masterworks exists with the enthusiasm of its choristers and orchestra players, which is the hallmark of its performances. CHARLES DEMUYNCK 905-399-9732 info@masterworksofoakville.ca www.masterworksofoakville.ca ●●MCS Chorus MCS Chorus, a chamber choir of 35 auditioned voices, is Mississauga’s only adult choral organization committed to the choral classical repertoire. MCS Chorus offers a diversified season of extensive community engagement events and ticketed concerts performed with chamber orchestras, instrumental ensembles and soloists. This wide range of programming contributes a strong and unique voice to the cultural fabric of the city. MCS is dedicated to bringing the choir’s performances into the communities of Mississauga under the dynamic leadership of artistic director Mervin William Fick. SANDY 905-278-7059 info@mcschorus.ca www.mcschorus.ca HART HOUSE CHORUS theWholeNote 2019/20 CANARY PAGES DIRECTORY C9

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