MUSICIAN IN OUR MIDST:
MUSICIAN IN OUR MIDST: PORTRAIT #7 Plug ·into an electrifying season of new music Donna Green In conversation with Donna Green two dominant personality traits became evident - a (family-inherited) flair for business and an irrepressible desire to help people. Schooled as a pianist, Donna Green forged a twelve year career as a folk, pop and country music singer/songwriter. She also formed a record company. Snowy River Records, with Ottawa singer/songwriter, Alex Sinclair, geared to talented artists not yet signed by big labels. Starting a family eight years ago meant the end of professional singing and the record company, replaced in part by performing and teaching music in schools with her husband Mike. Then two years ago she discovered the joy of choral music, singing for a short time in the Amadeus Choir before moving on to the Toronto Choral Society, whose eclectic repertoire is very much to her liking. "Choral singing," she says, "is an amazing expression of pure joy, inexpressible in other ways. It requires total engagement - you really feel part of something larger than yourself in a choir." Hard to realize, Donna is legally blind, having only about a pencil width of vision. "Having adapted for the last 15 years to a retinal degenerative eye condition called RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) leading to blindness, I am now heavily involved with the RP Research Foundation-Fighting Blindness." · And she has a new company. D.G. Concert Productions once again gives expression to her philanthropic/entrepreneurial bent. The five extraordinary choral groups involved in her innovative first venture, Spring Sing for Sight, March 1 at Convocation Hall , are, with the exception of the Victoria Scholars, not yet widely known. The event gives them exposure; at the same time, the revenue they generate will benefit eye research. Buy the Cheapseats pass for only , pay only to get into any concert listed on the Cheapseats calendilr· Plus, enjoy savings on recordings at the Canadian Music Centre, and earn free tickets to the l_"oronto Symphony Orchestra. Passes available at th~ Canadian Music Centre (416) 961-6601 and the Music Gallery (416) 204-1080 Arraymusic Ensemble Canadian Electronic Ensemble Composer's Orchestra Continuum Esprit Orchestra Evergreen Club Gamelan Gamelan Summit Toronto '97 Glass Orchestra Hemispheres Music Gallery Music Toronto Music Umbrella New Music Concerts Queen of Puddings Toronto Symphony Orchestra .c u {new < .• • mUSIC student pass Musician in Our Midst is photographed by Michael Shaw, Ashley & Crippen Photographers 200 Davenport Road 416 925-2222 TORONTO'S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE MONTHLY CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY CONCERT LISTING SOURCE
Entrust your CD project to on industry professional * Canada's most acclaimed producer/engineer of classical recordings * 30 years professional experience in Europe and N . America * 12 JUNO winning CDs- over 70 JUNO nominations * World-Class recording at affordable rotes Welcome to Part Five of WholeNote's ongoing 1997-8 Member Profiles Series This month, we extend a wann WholeNote welcome (or welcome back) to Beach Art Centre, and to Patrons of Wisdom BEACH ARTS CENTRE Artistic Director: Elain Daviau Address: 1852 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON M4L 1H1 Phone & Fax: 416-690-4552 For over seventeen years the Beach Arts Centre has been providing quality instruction in dance, drama, music and visual arts. Students of all ages and levels benefit from the high standard of teaching and a focus on the student as an individual. Learning amidst a community of artists encourages collaborations and new ideas. Students also have the opportunity to perform and to take exams. At the heart of the BAC is the goal to promote, sponsor and encourage interest in the arts and in their study. Since moving to a new building in 1996, the BAC has continued to serve this goal, and has become a venue for concerts, plays, exhibitions and workshops. Find out more about our classes - including private music lessons - concerts, March Br~ and summer camps and what's on in our theatre space. PATRONS OF WISDOM Founder: Kenneth G. Mills Mailing address: P.O . Box 175, Station A, North York ON M2N 5S8 Phone: 416-225-4 750 Patrons of Wisdom is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1980 by Canadian musician and philanthropist Kenneth G. Mills. Dedicated to the advancement of artistic and educational forays into the future of man's attainment, it present! the annual New Artists Series of concerts and the international Competition for Advanced Music Study, among other initiatives. The New Artists Series, under the artistic direction of Glen Sawich, is now in its seventh season. It provides upcoming artists in Canada with the opportunity to perform for a public interested in encouraging the development of promising musicians with serious intention and commitment to their art. For 1998, the New Artists Series concerts showcase winners from the Canadian Music Competitions, artists sponserec by the Province of Quebec, and young Canadian pianists who an European competition winners. All previously published Profiles are available from WholeNote by calling (416) 406-6758. See page 20 for a complete list of available Member profile~ PJ Productions Incorporated . . Phone: (905) 639-9029 I Fax: (905) 639-9872/ antonk@msn.com .- - . We sell VIOlinS. And violas. And cellos. And bows. And cases. And strings. And all accessories. And Suzuki. TM And a whole lot of other cool stuff. Call for a free copy of our catalogue. Shflr~ 26 Cumberland. 2nd Floor • Tel : 1·416·960·8494 • Free Parking! Oh, did I mention sheet music? We sell tons of sheet music, too. Ill 11'11'1111111!1111 lffiflffifjjjjflffiflffif XAXOS 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 DISC OF THE MONTH -February- VIVALDI THE FOUR SEASONS (great any season) ONLY .99 at fine record stores everywhere !I! Ill ill 1111111!1 !I! lffiflffiflffifjjjjflffif XAXOS 11111 11111 11111 11111 11111 Classical music for Everyone 1,500 all digital classical CD's for under each Ask for a free catalogue: tel: 416- 491 - 2600 fax: 416 - 491 - 2621 email: nax:os@idirect.com TORONTO'S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE MONTHLY CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY CONCERT LISTING SOURCE
