RIVERDALE YOUTH nNGER5 IS LOOKING FOR A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR J{iverdale Youth Singers has been a thriving community choir since its inception five years ago. We are currently looking for someone to lead the RYS Youth division (ages 10-18) and. to provide an overall artistic vision for our choral organization. Requirements for this position include a strong background in choral direction and o thorough knowledge of choral repertoire. We ore looking for someone who enjoys working with children as well as someone willing to be a part of a strong board of community volunteers. Deadline for applying: January 15, 2005. For more information about RYS. contact Charis Cotter at 416-461-8142 or charisc@sympotico.ca. or check out www.riverdaleyouthsingers.org h A Community of Faith and minds? I truly hope it's more than a warm and fuzz.y notion that will disappear with the echo of the final notes ... The tradition of the Nine Lessons and Carols (being repeated ·many cimes at churches across the city in December) is that one lone young voice begin the service from the back of a dark church with the familiar simple line ''once in Royal David's cicy ... ", beginning, as any story would, with the setting of a scene. It's funny and strange how such a simple. single musical line has the potential to fill one with happiness and sadness, joy and tragedy. hope and foreboding. It's a powerful tradition. I hope that this Christmas and the coming year may bring rrue peace and joy and hope to us all, individually and in our disparate communities in this great city. Thank goodness we can sing together. it's hard to imagine a world without music. Christmas in the Community Offsetting cynicism about the crass commercialism of Christmas is the indomitable spirit of community chat the celebration engenders. The listings this month are filled with special choral events. These are all BIG occasions from dedicated organizations, many of whom can't at ford a wide-ranging publicity campaign. So. though there are wonderful offerings from our stellar groups - Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Tafelmusik, Elmer Jseler Singers. Exultate Chamber Singers, Toront0 ·Children's Chorus - there are also some intriguing concerts featuring groups of which we don't hear enough. Spiritual community seeks song leader (guitarist/pianist) to provide musical leadership for weekly gathering of 20-30 persons on Sundays ( l 0:30 a.m.- I 2:30 p.m. approximately). Queen Street East location (just east of Broadview Ave.). Our expression is based on ecospirituality and creation-ce ntred spirituality. Competitive salary offered. Conta c t us: 4 I 6-459-0912 or emai I: magt@patl1 c-= o .:.: m .:.:·.:.c o .:,1;. n ;... _ ___ ___ 111!1_-.l . The Royal Conservatory of Music offers a wide variety of music classes: • DJ Techniques • Guitar Classes • \X'orkl Music Classes • 1\dult Singing Classes • Progr ams (or children from newborn • Private ICS$oas for all instruments and voice • And much more ... All ages. All levels. For everyone. In January, The RCM in Toronto is moving to: 90 Croatia Street, near Bloor & Duffcrin 416-408-2825 www.rcmusic.ca For example, the Scarborough Choral Society has a celebratory event on December 4 in Markham. That same night, the East York Choir gives a multi-cultural concert in Leaside, and the next afternoon, the Penthelia Singers offer a really interesting program entitled Songs of Peace and Joy. The listings of the December 11- 13 weekend include fascinating "happenings" from the Rainbow Voices of Toronto, the Counterpoint Chorale, Echo Women's AUDITIONS for the 2004-2005 season The Laehan Jewish Chamber Choir announces auditions for all voice parts. We are looking for qualified singers who can read music proficiently and commit to all rehearsals and concert dates. Lachan is a 30-voice choir, committed to the highest level of artistry and to the accessible and passionate performance of all kinds of music that comes out of the Jewish culture. Please contact Laurence Jacobs at 4 I 6 630-1259 for more infonnation and audition appointm7nts. Choir and the Riverdale Youth Singers. Forte, the Toronto Men's Chorus wins the "best concert title" award ("Don We Now Our Gay Apparel") for its Christmas event on December 17 and tbe Upper Canada Children's Chorus invades the Weston Recital Hall on December 19 to raise the roof. While this selection just scratches the surface, it gives you an idea of lhe cross-section of concerts on tap this month and the positive, energetic effon going into music-making across the city from people of all ages and walks of life. Merry Christmas everyone, and let's make 2005 a year full of lusty singing! · - Larry Beckwith BOSLEY JtSttY )t'AL t.:au:tt tro .. u.u.YC• REAL ESTATE PETER MAHON Sales Representative 416-322-8000 pmabon@trebnet.com www.petermahon.com WWW. THEWHOLENOTE.COM DECEM6ER 1 2004 -FEBRUARY 7 2005
WoRLD View by Karen Ages A \'Hll,: AGO I was handed one of the new twenry dollar bills. On examining this more colourful ver- sion. with its new ami-coumerfeit 1.:omponents, holographic strip. Gamelan fans can hear the corn- ltal ian-Jewish composer (c. 1565- munity ensemble Gamelan Gong 1628) was employed by the ducal Sabrang, which specializes in the court in Mantua. The concert feacourtly music of Central Java. in tures his Songs of Solomon and a fundraising concert December 2 other sacred and secular works. ' at the Indonesian Consulate. Fea- Arabic-Canadian singer tured is guest dancer !ta Dewi Le- stari; part of the funds are in sup- port of the group's sister ensem- Maryem Tollar launches her CD "Book of Life" (see CD. review, this issue) December 18 at Glenn ble. an all-women neighbourhood Gould Srudio. Guests include Rougroup in Solo. Central Java. De- la Said and her belly-dance troup cember 7, the York University The Rouleues. Not a hworld mu Gamelan Ensemble. lead by lman sic" concert but still on a Middle Murtadza, will also present a pro- gram of Javanese classical dance and Peter Skoggard presents his oratraditional music. in Winters Senior Common Room. They will perfonn again on February 4. Eastern theme. Elora composer torio Bayt Lahm, •·a story of trag edy and hope in contemporal'y 'Bethlehem··. December 28 (with Four concerts with African possible repeat on the 29th) at the themes: December 4, U of T's ,Rive r Run Centre in Guelph. Faculty of Music presents Based on the Palestinian-Israeli "Christmas Gahu", with the Mac- contlkt. the work is inspired by Mill an Singers. Nathaniel Deu the poetry of Arab women and oth Chorale and Ghanaian master ers and the words of an Israeli drummer Kwasi Dunyo in an Afro- woman who lost her daughter to a centric program of singing, danc- suicide bombing. This challenging ing and drumming. The Gemini modern score is realized by eight award-winning Nathaniel Dett vocal soloists. members of the Chorale. recently back from tour- Guelph Youth Singers and an ining BC and performing at Poly- follia 2004. an international cho- strumental ensemble. New Chinese music is presentral showcase in France, also per- ed by NUMUS Concerts, Januform December 15 & 17, a pro- ary 13 in Waterloo. Performers gram titled "An Indigo include the Penderecki String Christmas ... De Mornin' Come". They explore the rhythms of the Caribbean with guests the Signal Hill Alumni Choir from Tobago, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Quartet, Pentaedre Wind Quintet and others. February 6, the Ca nadian Music Centre presents Chinese Music - Old and New, with George Gao, erhu, and a tra The contemporary Ensemble ditional Chinese music ensemble Noir. (see interview wirh leader al the ROM. Miscellaneous: December 3, Small World Music presents vocalist Sima Bina & Dasran Ensemble in the folk and classical music Bongani Ndodana in last month's of Iran (Toronto Centre for the issue) opens its 2005 season Janu Arts). December 6. U of T's Faculty ary 22 at the Winchester Theatre of Music holds its end-of-term with works by African composer World Music Ensembles concert Kevin Volans and others. January in the lobby of the Edward Johnson building. December 14. On and more aged Elizabeth, I noticed 28, Lakeshore Arts presents in tiny print a quote from Canadi- Nja
