Views
8 years ago

Volume 13 - Issue 7- April 2008

The Investors

The Investors GroupThursday Night Concert Series(Brampton, ON)June 5 - August 28905-874-2936www.bramptondowntown.comToronto Summer MusicAcademy & Festival(Toronto, ON)July 22 - August 174 16-597-7840www. torontosummermusic. cornUpTown Waterloo Jazz(Waterloo, ON)July 10 - 13519-885-1921www.uptownwaterloojazz.caVancouver Early MusicFestival (Vancouver, BC)July 2 1 - August 15604-732-1610www.earlymusic.bc.caWasaga Beach Festival(Wasaga Beach, ON)June 20 - 22416-698-2152www.wasagabeachfest.comWaterfront Blues(Toronto, ON)June 6 - 8416-698-2152www. waterfrontblues. eaWestben Concerts at The Barn(Cambellford, ON)Spring Concerts June 8 - 22Summer Concerts at the BarnJune 28 - August 31-877-883-5777www. westben. on. eaWhat Is Classical? Globalclassical music festival(Toronto, ON)July 25 - 27416-973-4000www.harbourfrontcentre.comYl08 Picnic in the Park(Hamilton, ON)August 24 12-92 1-9379www.Yl08.comA Choral Life Q&ACOMPILED AND EDITED BY MJ BUELLfeaturing Ron Ka M ing CheungWhat was your first ever choralexperience ?My first choral experience was at St.Stephen's College, a boarding school inHong Kong. The choir was an extra-curricularactivity and music was also an importantpart of the academic program . I was also inthe band and orchestra, and excused fromclasses to prepare for music festivals andschool concerts. It was great being part ofthat process, especially since we regularlywon at our music festivals.What choirs have you sung with?I came to Canada at 16 and sang with myhigh school choir at York Memorial C. I.(the only boy among thirty girls), and thenwith the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir.Attending McMaster University,I sang with the McMaster University Choir,Westdale United Church Choir and Bach­Elgar Choir in Hamilton. After graduation, Imoved back to Toronto and sang with TorontoMendelssohn Choir and Choirs of GraceChurch on-the-Hill. And in 1990 I was partof the National Youth Choir.Are you currently with a choir?I am not currently singing in a choir, since I ambusy as the conductor of three choirs in the GTA:Voices, a mixed voice chamber choir, HealeyWillan Singers, a women's ensemble (both basedin Toronto) and the Xiao Ping Chorus, a Chinesecommunity choir in Markham. I do miss singingon a regular basis, so occasionally I sing with thechoir during the rehearsal.Where does your choral singing fit into other aspectsof your life?Choral singing is my life. I enjoy working withpeople who love to sing. To guide singers throughthe process of learning and interpreting a musicalscore, and then to perform for an appreciativeaudience is very satisfying. Singing and conductingis keepi ng me in good health: it is a workoutwhen you do it at least three times a week for twohours at a stretch. It is good for the body and thesoul.What kind of concerts do you like to attend? Howoften?ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SEARCH~,q,~Letters of Interestby April 15thPlease have references readySent to: Singing OUT!P.O. Box 1010 Stn FToronto ON M4Y 2T7or selectioncommittee@SingingOUT. cornovnPP.IDE· MUSIC· ll[LOIIGUIGwww.SingingOUT.com/ ADJobDescription .htmlIi 1,09'~:A Toronto LGBTChorus (SATB)in its 17th year.56 WWW. THEWHOLENOTE.COMRon Ka Ming Cheung (front at left) with Voices. Ron willconduct Voices on April 5, and the Healey Willan SingersonApril19.Mostly I like to attend choral concerts, but I wi ll goto hear a chamber music group or an orchestra.Unfortunately, with my schedule and the high costof concert tickets, I don't do that too often. But Ialso work at the Roy Thomson Hall Music Store, soI get to hear concerts going on inside the auditoriumwhile I work - not a bad compromise!What qualities make you admire a choral conductor?I love working with someone who really understandsthe music, not just technically, but the innerbeauty of the music, who can instil! their love ofmusic making to the singers, and to bring out thatlove in their performance. Too often, a concert iswell performed but lacks that certain feeling -when the music truly speaks to you in the audience.Another quality I admire is a sense of humour: aconductor who stays positive and is not condescending,even when they are frustrated.What are the differences between paid and unpaidchoral opportunities?In my experience, an auditioned choir that has apaid core of singers or section leaders has a specialchallenge: to create an environment where all singersfeel equal in their contribution to the choir.PROFESSIONALCHORISTER AUDITIONSOpen auditions are being held for all sections ofThe Choir of St. James' CathedralTuesday, April 8th -· Friday, April 11 th.For more information, please contactAndrew Ager, Director of Musicat 416-364-7865x224 oremail: musicdirector(fystjamescathedral.on.caThe Cathedral Church of St.JamesAPRIL 1 - MAY 7 2008

Consciously or not, when there are paid singers in the choir, therewill be a sense of inequality: that some are good enough to pass theaudition but not good enough to be paid.Another concern is that singers who are not paid might not work ashard, since there is someone they can rely on. The argument for paidleads is that they enhance the choir's performance, but do they reallyin the long run? Do they actually help the volunteer singers to singbetter, or will they stay at the same level and not experience theirown growth as musicians?In terms of repertoire, a totally volunteer group might not be ableto do certain popular major works on their own, but is that really thereason why we sing? Are we there to sing pieces that can have asell-out audienceevery concert, or toprovide all singerswith a balanced repertoirethat will challengeboth the singersand audience?These are difficultquestions with noanswer that will beagreeable to all whoparticipate in the artof choral singing.As a postscript. .."Since singing is sogood a thing, I wishall would learn tosing."(Eight Reasons forSinging, WilliamByrd, 1588)To Inquire and QuestionAs SeniorsTo Pursue Life's Greater PotentialAmong Seniors (55+)Join Uswww.ulyssean.on .ca416 410-1892Music Leader for Children and YouthRoyal York Road United Church seeks anenergetic and dedicated leader for musicprogram for children and youth. Primaryduties include leading a junior choir (ages 6-12) and contemporary youth band (13 yearsand older).Contract to begin September, 2008;remuneration commensurate with experienceand subject to annual review. Applicationletter, resume, and names of 3 references tobe received by May 1, 2008.For further information contact musicdirector Lydia Pedersen at 416-231-9401 orlydiapedersen@attglobal.net.HOLD YOUR NEXT RECITAL 1111111heliconian hallA beautiful restored Carpenter's Gothic board and batten churchbuilding in the heart ofYorkville can be rented at reasonablerates for musical events. Steinway Grand piano includedA high, vaulted ceiling provides excellent concert-hall acoustics.Capacity up to 120. Tel: 416-922-3618 Fax: 416-922-24311@¥ilffiit+i:f M,t9M,H,ii·FH,iffiWNIHIMi,IM:i9M,&,iiWCLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGINSTRUCTIONEVE EGOYAN seeks advanced, committedpiano students (emu@interlog.com or416-894-6344)PIANO LESSONS: All oges, styles - beginner,classical, jazz, pop, RCM exams. Feel the joyof making music' Peter Ness, ARCT416-767-9747.PIANO, VOICE, VIOLIN & GUITARTEACHERS WANTED for immediate position.Please fax resume: 905-709-3607 or emailto yrcm@rogers.comSUMMER VOICE WORKSHOPS in fabu ­lous Prince Edward County (Picton), ON, 5minutes from Sandbanks! Five-day workshops:Vocal Technique (Beginner, Intermediate),Jazz Singing (Beginner, Intermediate).Forapplication: summersinging@gmail.comTHEORY, SIGHT-SINGING, EAR­TRAINING LESSONS: All grades, RCMexam prep (rudiments, harmony, history, counterpoint).Learning can be fun and easy' PeterNess, ARCT 416-767-9747.INSTRUMENTS BOUGHT & SOLDNEW 4 1/3 OCTAVE MARIMBA by GlobalPercussion. Padauk keys and white ashframe on wheels. High quality craftsmanship.65.00 + GST Also 2 l/3 and 2 1/2 octavemarimbas available. 5.00 and up.647-500-7122.MISCELLANEOUSARE YOU PLANNING A CONCERT orrecital? Looking for a venue? Consider BloorStreet United Church. Phone: 416-924-7439 x22Email: tina@bloorstreetunited.orgMUSICIANSAVAILABLEBARD - EARLY MUSIC DUO playing recorderand virginal available to provide backgroundatmosphere for teas, receptions or otherfunctions - greater Toronto area. For ratesand info call 905-722-5618 or email us atmhpape@interhop.netMUSICIANSWANTEDCOUNTERPOINT COMMUNITY ORCHES­TRA needs volunteer musicians. Mondayevening rehearsals. Next concert May 31.All sections, esp. violins. Terry 416-658-5359or info@ccorchestra.org - web: http://www.ccorchestra.org/MUSIC DIRECTOR: First Unitarian Congregationof Waterloo, Ont. Is recruiting a Part­Time Music Director to commence July/August.8 hours/week. This is a great opportunityto work collaboratively with our Minister,Music Committee and other volunteers to growour music program. A full job description iscontinuesPRIVATE INVESTMENT ADVICEInvestment skills.Advice skills.Best of all, listening skills.Ca ll Roel Olay,FCSI, CIM, FMA,Investment Advisor(4 16) 279-1471WaterhouseWealth of b:pi!riencePRIVATE CLIENT SERVICEStdwaterhouse.caTD Warerhouse Priv ;i ce l11vernnem Ad vice 1} :i d1 v1srnn ofTD Wa.terhouse Canada Inc., a rn bsidiary of The Toron10Oon11n1on Sank. TD Wam house Lrnada In c. -Member CIPF. TD Waterhouse i1 a trade-mark of theTornn to-Domiriion Bank, used un der licenseCheeses from around the world,meats, groceries, dry goodsgift baskets ...Everything you needfor reception planning.416-364-7397www.pasqualebros.com16 Goodrich Rd., Etobicoke(south of Bloor, west off Islington)APRIL 1 - MAY 7 2008 WWW.THEWHOLENOTE.COM 57

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)