Paul and full of clever, dramatic, moving musical content. Soloists include the wonderful Meredith Hall and Laura Pudwell. The Mendelssohn Choir ends its season on May 12 with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Pierre Mercure's Cantate pour une joie and a new piece based on the popular Kahlil Gibran extended spiritual poem The Prophet, by a young composer named David Stone. Like Bach's Mass, Beethoven's 9th needs to be heard regularly, not necessarily for only its oft-quoted Ode to Joy theme, but for its scope, attention to detail and incredible journey, not to mention astounding orchestration, brilliant structure and poignancy. Also on May 12, the Exultate Chamber Singers celebrate their 25th anniversary by pulling out some gems from their varied repertoire, including works by Debussy, Elgar, Rachmaninoff and Kenneth Leighton. The steady and reliable John Tuttle has Jed his charges with humility and humour through many highs. They've recorded several superb eds, won many honours in the CBC Choral Competition (including the coveted Healey Willan Prize more than once) and maintained a consistent high quality of music-making and programming. Let's hope they're around for many more years! Echo 's Becca Whitla The 70-voice Echo Women's Choir also celebrates an anniversary - their 15th - on May 14. Entitled Bread and Roses, the concert features "peace songs, gospel numbers, tunes from Eastern Europe and the Republic of Georgia, and fun songs like a cleverly updated version of Shuffle off to Buffalo " . Congratulations to co-directors Becca Whitla and Alan Gasser and the choir on reaching this milestone! Also on May 14, the Elora Festival Singers come to town with a program of 20th century English standards - including Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music and Britten's Hymn to St. Cecilia. The choir has been offering two concerts in Toronto for the past few presents Songs My Mother Taught Me Sunday, May 14th, 2006, 2:00pm Trinity-St. Paul's United Church 427 Bloor St. W. AUDITIONS Auditions continuing for children and youth ages 4 to university. Semi-finalists in CB.C Competition '06 Carol Woodward Ratzlaff, Artistic Director Contact Laura Menard for more information. t: 416.788.8482 e: info@vivayouthsingers.com www .vivayouthsingers.com Ontario's only instrumental ensemble dedicated to accompanymg choirs TALlSkER Pi.AVERS M AY l - JUNE 7 2006 416-466-1800 talisker@istar.ca www.taliskerplayers.ca WWW.THEWHO LENOTE, COM Acms 6 TO ') (auditions not required) Co1vrMlTNI'lY P1m1,0RMANCES \'{li.-.EKIY REHEARSALS (Sep to j un) ]',CRHY'lHl\lICS joVEMFNT 'L'RAININC Mrsrc FRol\l. I\iANY Cm:nr1u,.s Vorc:F &:. EAR TRAININAch 416-234-0121 3086 Bloor Street West, Toronto, O ntario M8X l CS Sharon M. Burlocofl, ARCT B.Mus MA MFA, Executive Director
