Available now for your online "flip-through" reading pleasure, The WholeNote Volume 28 no.2. For Openers, my uncle had a barn; then: Trichy Sankaran at 80; the return of the professional chamber choir; what makes music theatre more than just theatre; how to fit three violin concerti into one concert; and more.
ALSO GEARING UP: CHORAL
ALSO GEARING UP: CHORAL QUICK PICKS ELMER ISELER SINGERS The Elmer Iseler Singers (EIS), conducted by artistic director Lydia Adams, enters its 44th Anniversary Season in 2022/23 as a 20-voice fully-professional choral ensemble. Ffounded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, their repertoire spans 500 years, but has a focus on Canadian composers. Upcoming: Handel’s Messiah, December 9, at 7:30 pm with special guest choir The Viva Chamber Singers of Toronto. And next: Spirit in Song, April 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm, featuring a premiere work by Matthew Emery. TAFELMUSIK CHAMBER CHOIR Upcoming: Handel’s Messiah, Dec 16 & 17, 7:30pm; Ivars Taurins once again leads the Orchestra, Chamber Choir, and a stellar cast of soloists in this long-awaited reunion. And next: Bach’s St. John Passion, March 23, 24 & 25, 2023. CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY CHORUS With seven shows this season, where will the chorus show up next? Flying Dutchman and Carmen are over already. Upcoming: Marriage of Figaro, followed by Salome, Macbeth, Tosca and Pomegranate. THAT CHOIR Upcoming: That Choir Remembers, Nov 11, an evening of contemporary choral music inspiring reflection. Their first program as a professional ensemble. And next: That Choir Carols (December 17), and That Choir Unplugged (May 13.) NATHANIEL DETT CHORALE Just finished: Nathaniel Dett’s oratorio The Ordering of Moses; up next, An Indigo Christmas Dec 3, featuring Margaret Bonds’ and Langston Hughes’ The Ballad of the Brown King which honours the African King Balthazar, depicted as one of the three magi who came looking for Jesus, the newborn king. AMADEUS CHOIR Enlivening Toronto’s arts community for 48 years, the awardwinning Amadeus Choir offers up next Let Us All Be Merry, Dec 17, holiday favourites by Canadian composers with opportunities for you to stretch your lungs and join in the singing. This concert features Emerging Canadian Voices - the Choir’s in-house octet of emerging professional choral singers led by Associate Conductor Nila Rajagopal. That Choir, led by Craig Pike (centre) at Church of the Holy Trinity (Toronto) in a May 2022 recording session for their 2022 self-titled album. That Choir is now a professional 16-member choir that offers all singers wages and health benefits. This recent shift to professional status fosters “a work culture in which artists feel healthy, creative, and valued.” ELORA SINGERS Under the direction of Mark Vuorinen, one of Canada’s finest professional choirs. Founded in 1980, it is the ensemble-in-residence of the Elora Festival for three weeks each summer. In addition to presenting a regular concert series they produce recordings touri across Canada and internationally. Up next: Dec 4 Handel’s Messiah at St Joseph’s Church in Fergus, followed Dec 12 and 13 by their Festival of Carols, and March 5, in Kitchener, by Baroque Meditations, and April 2, in Guelph, Arvo Part: Passio. For a bigger picture, search “Choral” in our online searchable listings at thewholenote.com/just ask. Lydia Perović is an arts and culture writer in Toronto. Sign up to receive her newsletter at longplay.substack.com. ECHO 13 Christmas at Metropolitan United Jonathan Oldengarm, Minister of Music Sunday Dec. 4 at 1pm Deck the Halls! Carol Sing: Metropolitan Silver Band, Organist Jonathan Oldengarm, Singers & Mystery Musician! Sunday Dec. 18 at 7pm Candlelight Lessons & Carols with The Metropolitan Choir Saturday Dec. 24 at 5pm Family Christmas Eve: A Contemporary Service Saturday Dec. 24, 11pm Choral Candlelight Christmas with Communion metunited.ca 56 Queen St. E. Toronto 14 | November 1 - December13, 2022 thewholenote.com
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 4:30PM A traditional candlelight choral presentation featuring choirs and musicians of Yorkminster Park. NINE LESSONS & CAROLS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 4:30PM Following the historic tradition of King’s College in Cambridge. Admission is FREE for both events Doors open at 3:30pm Yorkminster Park Baptist Church 1585 Yonge St. (1 block north of St. Clair Ave.) thewholenote.com November 1 - December13, 2022 | 15
