Views
8 years ago

Volume 11 Issue 2 - October 2005

  • Text
  • Toronto
  • Choir
  • October
  • Concerts
  • Theatre
  • Jazz
  • Musical
  • Singers
  • Orchestra
  • Arts

Sir Andrew Davis,

Sir Andrew Davis, conductor laureate Loie Fallis, director of artistic administration Andrew R. Shaw, president and CEO # 550-212 King Street West, Toronto ON M5H 1K5 Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street at King Street W. 416-593-7769 Box office: 416-593-4828 www.tso.ca TORONTO THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY The Toronto Theatre Organ Society (TTOS) was formed in the late sixties to rescue from Maple Leaf Gardens the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ originally built in 1922 for Shea's Hippodrome on Bay Street. A home was found in Casa Loma, and the massive instrument was installed over several years by a team of dedicated society members. Ongoing maintenance and tonal improvements, particularly in the last dozen years, have made this one of the finest sounding organs of its kind. Canada's largest Wurlitzer is one of the last remaining examples in the country of what was probably the most versatile single musical instrument ever devised, the analog ancestor of today's digital synthesizers. A non-profit volunteer organization, the TTOS has been fulfilling its mandate by presenting public concerts since 197 4, most recently under the banner Wurlitzer Pops at Casa Loma because these are no ordinary pipe organ recitals. Musically our presentations are more like symphony pops concerts performed by a single musician who is at once an orchestrator, arranger, improvisor and recitalist - usually from memory! Geoffrey Paterson, president 38 Clareville Cres., Toronto ON M2J 2Cl 416-499-6262 www.theatreorgans.com/toronto/ TORONTO WELSH MALE VOICE CHOIR The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir was founded in 1995 to kindle the tradition of four-part Welsh male voice singing in Toronto. Practices are held Wed. 7:30- 10.00pm (September -June) at Dewi Sant Welsh United Church, Toronto (Yonge/Lawrence). Membership requires a love of, and ear for, choral music and an elementary voice test. Being Welsh is not mandatory! The choir's key personnel are: David Low - director; Lenard Whiting - associate director; and Kathryn Tremills - accompanist. The choir performs approximately 10 concerts a year featuring traditional Welsh music, spirituals, operatic choruses, North American folk songs and show tunes. Gordon Brown: 416-482-0292 president@twmvc.com www.twmvc.com TRILLIUM BRASS QUINTET The Trillium Brass Quintet - Philip Seguin and Scott Harrison, trumpets; Christine Passmore, horn; Cathy Stone, trombone; and Karen Bulmer, tuba - is a versatile professional chamber ensemble. Committed to commissioning new works as well as transcribing music from many styles and eras, TBQ actively seeks to expand the diversity of repertoire available to the modern brass quintet. Formed in 1996, TBQ has performed throughout southern Ontario including recital appearances at the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, the inaugural Brass in the Crass Festival, and the Toronto International Chamber Music Festival. The quintet has collaborated with the Exultate Chamber Singers, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Pax Christi Chorale, and the Cantores Celestes Women's Chamber Choir, among others. During the summers of 2002 and 2003, TBQ attended the Musicians at Large programme at the prestigious Banff Centre. TBQ's recordings include their debut CD, Revecy. and Seasons of the Spi1itwith the Pax Christi Chorale. Please visit our website for audio and video samples, and more information about this dynamic ensemble. information@trilliumbrass.com www.trilliumbrass.com TRUE NORTH BRASS True North Brass is: Jim Gardiner, Raymond Tizzard - trumpets.Joan Watson -horn, Alastair Kay-trombone, andJ. Scott Irvine - tuba. • Truly Musical: True North Brass is comprised of five of Canada's most virtuosic soloists, whose wealth and diversity of experience give the group its brilliant presentations. • Truly Canadian: True North Brass takes pride in its Canadian roots. Composer/arrangers Alastair Kay and J. Scott Irvine have created wonderful music for the group together with friends/writers like Howard Cable, Jim McGrath, Gary Kulesha and Laryssa Kuzmenko. • Truly Unique: In 8 years, True North Brass has developed standing ovation recitals, 3 brilliant CD's, a stunning orchestra show, an equally electric show with band, the marvellous TNB Magic- an educational tool for keeping the fun in learning to play a musical instrument, a library of sheet music and a website featuring (among other things) articles on Canada's brass legends! The members of True North Brass are Yamaha artists, working passionately with Yamaha to keep the joy in music and music education. 39-37th St., Etobicoke ON MSW 3L5 866-509-0724 www.truenorthbrass.com TRYPTYCH TrypTych, Canada's passionate advocate of the vocal arts was formed in 1999 by the three co-directors. All are well-known performers, producers and directors (stage and music) who bring a wealth of experience to concert and operatic production. TrypTych's mission is to present concerts, theatre and opera featuring the best of Canadian vocal talent and to provide educational and developmental opportunities for young and upcoming singers. The repertoire ranges from Baroque to the new music of the 21st century. Since its inception TrypTych has presented many works including Handel's Saul, Fri d's The Diary of Anne Frank (a Canadian premiere and an appearance in Prague, Czech Republic), Wolf's only opera Der Corregidor (a Canadian premiere) and Britten's The Beggar's Opera in Chichester, Great Britain. Entering its seventh exciting season, TrypTych will again produce concerts featuring our own Ensemble TrypTych Chamber Choir, including Bach's St. John Passion in March. As well, we will present the third annual Toronto International Chamber Music Festival Wholenote MEMBERS' PROFILES 2005-2006 823 (in celebration of the 250th birthday of Mozart) in January 2006 at the Isabel Bader Theatre. Edward Franko, William Shookhoff, Lenard Whiting, co-directors Barbara Goodbody, administrator 583 Durie Street,Toronto ON M6S 3H2 416-763-5066 info@tryptych.org www.tryptych.org u FACULTY UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (MUSIC FACULTY OF Music ,,- The University ofToronto Faculty of ,-.1 ., Music is widely regarded as a leading ~ • centre for the scholarly and profes- ~ ~ sional study of music in North America. u NI vrns In For almost a century, many of Cana- OF TORONTO da's greatest musicians have studied and taught at the Faculty, including John Weinzweig, Lois Marshall, Elmer Iseler, Teresa Stratas, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet. The Faculty presents over 100 events annually featuring its students, faculty and distinguished guests. The goal is to enrich the University and its surrounding community with music presentations of the highest professional calibre. Highlighting the 2005-2006 season are appearances by baritone Russell Braun, composers Steve Reich and Brian Cherney; music educator Patricia Shehan Campbell; violinists Erika Raum, Lara St. John and Mayumi Seiler; conductor Raffi Armenian; pianists James Parker, Cameron Stowe, Midori Koga and Lydia Wong; cellist Shauna Rolston;jazz artist Renee Rosnes; chamber ensembles Borromeo Quartet, Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, St. Lawrence String Quartet and Gryphon Trio. For more information visit our website, or call the Faculty of Music box office. Dr. Gage Averill, dean Dr. Cameron Walter, associate dean & performance coordinator Edward Johnson Building, 80 Queen's Park, Toronto ON M5S 2C5 Box office: 416-978-3744 www.music.utoronto.ca UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO OPERA DIVISION, FACULTY OF Music The fall production features four performances of Otto Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor, November 10 - 13, conducted by Sandra Horst, with stage direction by Michael Patrick Albano. The spring production will feature Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, March 9 -12, conducted by Raffi Armenian, with stage direction by Michael Patrick Albano. The Division's highly successful (and often sold-out) Opera Tea Series at 2.30 on the stage of MacMillan Theatre features Puccini's La Boheme on November 27, and The Art of the Prima Donna, on January 22. Concluding the opera season are two performances of operetta and musical theatre, titled Kurt WeiII in Amelica: A Musical Theatre Entertainment on April 22 & 23, 2006. For performance times, venues, tickets or other info, please visit the website or call the box office. Stephen Ralls, musical director and coordinator, Opera Division Edward Johnson Building, 80 Queen's Park, Toronto ON M5S 2C5 Box office: 416-978-3744 www.music.utoronto.ca CONTINU ED ON PAGE 824

UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT Music AND ARTS SCHOOL The University Settlement Music and Arts School has been providing quality, affordable music lessons and group classes for over 80 years in downtown Toronto. We believe that the arts are a right, not a privilege and we offer music and arts programs to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, perceived talent, disability or ability to pay. Individual lessons are available on a wide variety of musical instruments, in voice and theory. Group activities include: Children's Choir, Teen Drama, Community Choir, Community Orchestra, Chamber Music, Ear Training for Kids and Adults, and Dance Qazz, tap and ballet). Our faculty consists of highly qualified professionals. Lesson fees are modest, and we offer subsidies to lowincome families who qualify. Scholarships, practice facilities and instrument rentals are also available to our students. Regular student recitals offer excellent performance opportunities to our students in a family environment. We also present faculty concerts, special events with special guests, and workshops. For specific information, call the office. Office hours are: Monday 9:30- 4:30, Tuesday to Friday 9:30- 7:30, and Saturday 10:30- 2:30pm. Anne Yardley, music & arts director Natasha Bartels, program assistant 23 Grange Road, Toronto ON MST 1C3 416-598-3444 #243 /244 UPPER CANADA CHORISTERS The Upper Canada Choristers is a mixed voice community choir in Toronto committed to musical excellence and community service within a joyful, co-operative learning culture. The choir numbers about 50 and is in its 12th year of operation. Founding artistic director, Laurie Evan Fraser and accompanist, Nicole Belamy provide the professional musical leadership for this vibrant, growing organization. The choir performs regularly in a variety of community venues - hospitals, nursing homes, seniors' residences, schools, churches -as well as singing at special events and other public concerts. The members' diversity is reflected in a wide range of choral repertoire. Highlights of our 2005-2006 season will be Gloria, a concert on December 2, 2005 at Eglinton-St. George's United Church featuring Vivaldi's Gloria and songs of the season including our traditional carol sing along; and Opera, Anyone?showcasing famous operatic choruses as well as Benjamin Britten's Noyes Fludde on May 12, 2006. Laurie Evan Fraser, conductor/artistic director: 2 Romar Crescent, Toronto ON M6B 1R8 416-256-0510 www.chorister.org URBAN ARTS BRASS ENSEMBLE The Urban Arts Brass Ensemble is dedicated to the creation and development of new music. Comprised of Brian O'Kane and James Freeman - trumpets, David Haskins - horn, William Carn - trombone, Al Carter - tuba, and Roger Travassos - drums, the UABE represents a broad spectrum of musical talent. In collaboration with composers such as Scott Godin, Michael Oesterle, Andrew Downing, and Richard Underhill the UABE has embarked on a journey of fearless musical exploration, cultivating new sounds drawn from many diverse stylistic influences. James Freeman, artistic director 416-929-4704 info@urbanartsbrass.com v VESNIVKA CHOIR Founding director Halyna K vitka Kondracki established Vesnivka Choir in 1965. This award-winning 40-member women's ensemble has delighted audiences around the world with its rich repertoire ofUkrainian liturgical, classical, contemporary and traditional folk music. Vesnivka opens its 40'h anniversary concert season with Women in Song, featuring selected works from four contemporary women composers, one of which is Toronto's own Laryssa Kuzmenko. A special highlight of this concert will be the premiere performances of two recently commissioned works. The New Year commences with Vesnivka and The Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir presenting their ever-popular annual A Ukrainian Christmas on January 8, 2006. On April 9, 2006, Vesnivka and TUM CC will join forces with The Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir, Orpheus Choir and the Gryphon Trio, with a special guest appearance by international opera singer Pavlo Hunka, in a concert commemorating the 20 1 h anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, being held at Roy Thomson Hall. Vesnivka also sings Christmas and Easter Liturgies on January 7, 2006 and April 23, 2006 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto. Halyna K vitka Kondracki, artistic director Nykola Parzei, administrator 78 Brule Gardens, Toronto ON M6S 4J2 416-763-2197: nykola@vesnivka.com www.vesnivka.com VICTORIA SCHOLARS MEN'S CHORAL ENSEMBLE The namesake of the Victoria Scholars, Tomas Luis de Victoria, was an outstanding composer of the Renaissance period whose music is renowned for both its spirituality and emotional expressiveness. The essence of the Scholars' music is an emphasis on the clarity and balance of sound so characteristic of Renaissance music, which the ensemble presents through the unique sonority of male voices. Their repertoire encompasses medieval plainchant, works from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras, contemporary and newly commissioned works. Past winners of the Canada Council Healey Willan Grand Prize in the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs, the Victoria Scholars have performed with many of Canada's exceptional vocal soloists, including Michael Schade, Russell Braun, Richard Margison, Monica Whicher, and Norine Burgess, have recorded two widely acclaimed recordings and have been broadcast nationally on CBC Radio, most recently an all Canadian programme for In Performance. Auditions for the ensemble take place in the fall each season. 2005/2006 concert series: Christmas ComesAnew(Dec. 18); Canadian Scholars (Mar. 5); Let Tour Voice Be Heard Oun. 11). Jerzy Cichocki, music director 146 Willowridge Rd., Toronto ON M9R 3Z7 416-761-7776 info@victoriascholars.ca www.victoriascholars.ca VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS NEWMARKET Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket was organized in 1988 with the aim of bringing together arts lovers and campaigning for a performing arts facility. In 1997, VPAN was able to take advantage of a new state-of-theart theatre in Newmarket and created Three For The Show, a three-concert series of classical music on Sunday afternoons. Many outstanding artists have a p­ peared on stage, including John Arpin, Maureen Forrester, Mimi Blais, Antonin Kubalek, Alexander Tselyakov, True North Brass, Susan Hoeppner, Beverley Johnston, Trio Lyra and Toronto Children's Chorus. Five years ago, VPAN added a popular fourth concert, Young Artists' Showcase, featuring talented young musicians, many of whom plan to make their careers in music. This ninth season VPAN proudly presents Vadim Serebryany (piano) November 6, 2005; Ensemble Vivan! (piano trio with Catherine Wilson) February 12, 2006; and Quartango April 2, 2006. All concerts take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Newmarket Theatre. Subscription tickets are (adults), (seniors) and (students). Single tickets (after October 15) are , , . For tickets, call 905-953-5122. Judy Craig, president PO Box 95524, 350 Davis Dr., Newmarket, ON L3Y 8J8 VIVA! YOUTH SINGERS OF TORONTO VIVA! Youth Singers ofToronto was founded in 2000 at a time of widespread cuts to school arts programs. VfVA! is comprised of four choirs organized by age, experience, and ability. The Preparatory Chorus is composed of children ages 5-7. These young singers engage in fun, age-appropriate, musical activities. Singers in Main Chorus I, ages 7 -10, and Main Chorus II, ages 10-16, receive regular structured instruction in vocal technique, theory, and sight-singing. The fourth level is a projectbased SATB Youth Choir devoted to large choral works with orchestra, and is a choir from which vocal coaches, voice teachers, and teaching assistants are drawn. All choristers produce a beautiful singing tone as they work through a varied repertoire. VIVA! is committed to providing young singers with the opportunity to participate in artistically excellent endeavours with an integrated arts approach, to commission original works annually, and to support Canadian musicians and artists. Rehearsals are Monday nights at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church. Carol Woodward Ratzlaff, artistic director Susan Suchard, Prep. Chorus conductor Brad Ratzlaff, co-conductor and accompanist Sarah Morrison, assistant conductor Laura Menard, general manager 427 Bloor St. West, P.O. Box 5, Toronto ON M5S 1X7 416-788-8482 vivayouth@vivayouthsingers.com www.vivayouthsingers.com VOCAL ART FORUM The Vocal Art Forum was founded in 1999 to provide an opportunity for instructors of the highest competence to conduct workshops in their fields of expertise in the realm of classical vocal performance. Conceived as an alternative or supplement to institutionalised training, The Vocal Art Forum provides an opportunity for singers to focus on those individual elements of training required at a particular phase of their professional development. Workshop sessions are offered according to the availability of the instructors and the needs of singers. All workshops conclude with public performances. The vision of the Vocal Art Forum also includes pro- 824 Wholenote MEMBER PROFILES 2005-2006

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)