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Volume 25 Issue 3 - November 2019

  • Text
  • Orchestra
  • Composer
  • Performing
  • Symphony
  • Musical
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  • Toronto
  • November
On the slim chance you might not have already heard the news, Estonian Canadian composing giant Udo Kasemets was born the same year that Leo Thermin invented the theremin --1919. Which means this is the centenary year for both of them, and both are being celebrated in style, as Andrew Timar and MJ Buell respectively explain. And that's just a taste of a bustling November, with enough coverage of music of both the delectably substantial and delightfully silly on hand to satisfy one and all.

ONE SHOW ONLY with

ONE SHOW ONLY with Rutter’s. As he states: “Politicians need to take note […], and our educators, those who decide education budgets, church budgets, just need to remember [choral music is] not a frill.” Ratzlaff’s first experiences in choir were from middle school in St. Catharines ON. Since then, she has sung with several esteemed choirs, including the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. She shares: “Choral singing has been one of the great joys of my professional and personal life. I am temperamentally suited to group singing and collaborative creative work. I am particularly intrigued by the rich connections that are fostered between choristers themselves, between choristers and audience, and the changing role of the conductor in this landscape.” I asked her what she tries to instill in singers as a choral director. She replied: “I try to empower them to make decisions along with me, to take ownership of our creative journey, and to make something beautiful with their voices. […] I seek a balance between meeting individual and group needs.” Ratzlaff shares that she loves “the process of discernment in seeking how to teach a piece of music. [She loves] sound and the capacity of the human voice to produce many expressive colours to tell a story.” The last word on this topic goes to John Rutter again: “Choral music is like a great oak that rises up from the centre of the human race and spreads its branches everywhere. That’s what music does for us. And choral music must stand as one of the supreme examples of it.” Gloria! Toronto’s Christmas Tradition featuring St. Michael’s Choir School continues at Roy Thomson Hall Repertoire to include John Rutter’s celebrated ‘Gloria’ and an array of seasonal favourites Conductors Maria Conkey, Teri Dunn, S. Bryan Priddy, Joshua Tamayo Accompanist William O’Meara Guest Instrumentalists True North Brass SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 3PM John Rutter Concerts around the GTA Speaking of Rutter, we can listen to some of his works that will be included in a few concerts over the next months. Under artistic director, Oliver Balaburski, the King Edward Choir will perform Rutter’s Angels’ Carol and Candlelight Carol during their concert, “Gloria!” on November 30. The Aurora United Church Chancel Choir Tickets – ROY THOMSON HALL 416 872.4255 www.roythomsonhall.com present Winter Light with guest artists Ariko Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm Grace Church on-the-Hill www.annexsingers.com 30 | November 2019 thewholenote.com

2019/20 Elmer Iseler Singers Lydia Adams, Conductor Fri. Dec. 13, 2019 @ 7:30pm Yorkminster Park Baptist Church Glorious Sounds of Handel Messiah conducted by Craig Pike Featuring the Bach Youth Chamber Choir With special guest artists, The Amadeus Choir and soloists DECEMBER 14, 8PM St. Andrew's Presbyterian 73 Simcoe Street, Toronto ON All tickets are PAY WHAT YOU CAN and available at thatchoir.com Leslie Fagan soprano Daniel Cabena countertenor Michael Colvin tenor Alexander Dobson baritone 416-217-0537 elmeriselersingers.com LISTEN TO US ON YOUTUBE FESTIVAL OF CAROLS Toronto Mendelssohn Choir with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra DAVID FALLIS CONDUCTOR SIMON RIVARD TSYO CONDUCTOR EZRA BURKE ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR Join us for a joyous celebration of music for the season – by Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams and Rutter — and add your voice to the audience carol sing-along with full orchestral accompaniment. Tues, Dec 3 & Wed, Dec 4 at 7:30 pm Yorkminster Park Baptist Church (just north of Yonge and St. Clair) Tickets start at VoxTix for patrons 30 and under Tickets: Call RCM Tickets at 416-408-0208 or purchase online at www.tmchoir.org thewholenote.com November 2019 | 31

Volumes 26-29 (2020- )

Volumes 21-25 (2015-2020)

Volumes 16-20 (2010-2015)

Volumes 11-15 (2004-2010)

Volumes 6 - 10 (2000 - 2006)

Volumes 1-5 (1994-2000)