Blue PagestheWholeNote Presenter Profiles | 2010-2011Autorickshaw is committed to their role as musiceducators through school performances, lecturedemonstrations, workshops and masterclasses ontopics as diverse as jazz improvisation, south Indianand western vocal and choral technique as well aspercussion from around the world.Suba Sankaran416-686-2370autorickshaw@autorickshaw.cawww.autorickshaw.caBach Children’s Chorus & BachChamber Youth ChoirBCC consists of 180 auditioned singers in choirs atdiffering levels of ability – three treble choirs forchildren aged 6-16 and an SATB choir, for boys withchanged voices and girls aged 16 and up. Each choirrehearses weekly in east Scarborough and participatesin weekend excursions involving festivals,workshops and concerts with other youth choirsand world-renowned clinicians. Educational programmesfor all treble choirs emphasize vocal technique,theory and music reading. The BCC is a company-in-residenceat the Toronto Centre for the Artswhere this season’s concerts will be held on Saturday,December 11 and Saturday, May 14.The choir has released five CDs and has won severalprovincial and national choral awards, includingthe prestigious CBC Competition for Amateur Choirs(2004) and the Elmer Iseler Award for Best Choir atthe Toronto Kiwanis Festival. Founder and artisticdirector Linda Beaupré is well-known throughoutToronto as a guest conductor and clinician and is awinner of the Leslie Bell award for conducting.Jane Greenwood 416-431-0790bachchildrenschorus@bellnet.cawww.bachorus.orgBel Canto SingersThe Bel Canto Singers, directed by Linda Meyer, isa 40-voice community-based SATB choir which providesgood music, fun and fellowship. Audition, todetermine voice range, required. We perform twoconcerts per year, fall and spring. We also sing forsenior residences and in fundraisers for other organizations.Repertoire is varied, and includes folk,movies, swing, spirituals, Broadway and classical selections.Rehearsals are 7:30-10pm, Tuesdays at St.Nicholas Anglican Church, Birchcliff.Elaine, membership 416-699-4585www.belcantosingers.caBell’Arte SingersBell’Arte Singers have an exciting season plannedwith our new director, Dr. Gerard Yun. We havethree wonderful and varied concerts scheduled forthis season: “The Changing Light” (November 27,2010 at St. Simon-the-Apostle Anglican Church, 525Bloor St. E., Toronto) deals with the changing seasonsfrom autumn into winter and from RemembranceDay into the Christmas holiday, and includespercussion, soloists and global music selections.“Letters Home” (March 5, 2011, at Christ ChurchDeer Park, 1570 Yonge St., Toronto) will focus onthemes of home including readings of letter excerpts,and photographic images of Toronto. “EarthSongs in C” (May 7, 2011, also at Christ Church DeerPark) will combine choral standards, jazz and choralimprovisation, and will feature works all linked bynatural phenomena. Vocal and instrumental arrangementsare included.All concerts begin at 8pm. Come and join us!Bell’Arte Singers rehearse at the Toronto UnitedMennonite Centre, 1774 Queen St. E. on Saturdaymornings.Membership christinshmanka@hotmail.comTug Williams, bas.manager@gmail.comwww.bellartesingers.caBirthday Series at Heliconian HallThe Birthday Series celebrates the lives and music ofcomposers of art songs and chamber music with programsof their works on their actual birthdays. Professionalperformers and students from Voice Studiesat University of Toronto present well-known andrarely performed vocal and instrumental music. Ourfriendly events combine music, education and joyfulcelebration, with insightful narration, home-bakedcookies, birthday song sing-alongs in the composer’slanguage, CDs of the composers’ music as doorprizes and complimentary birthday cake served withcoffee and tea.Our five-concert season begins and ends withRussian composers: Dmitri Shostakovich (September25) and Peter Tchaikovsky (May 11), with baritoneDavid Playfair, tenor Paul Williamson and our residentstring quartet. We celebrate German composersFanny Mendelssohn Hensel (November 14) and MaxReger (March 19), with singers Maria Thorburn, JuliaMorgan and Trish O’Reilly, a piano trio and a stringtrio. A special Austrian Composers concert (January30) celebrates our first birthday with works fromHaydn and Mozart to Webern and Joseph Marx. Joinus to honour the composers and enjoy their works!Michelle Kyle, founder & artistic director416-944-2655michelle@birthdayseries.cawww.birthdayseries.caBrott Music FestivalBrott Music Festival, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada!The 24 year old Brott Music Festival is Canada’s largestorchestral music festival and is based in Hamilton,ON. Most notably, it is home to the NationalAcademy Orchestra of Canada, the country’s onlyprofessional training orchestra. Both were foundedby visionary conductor Boris Brott and feature performances,orchestral musicians and soloists of thehighest calibre. The Festival’s main activity is fromMay to August with additional performances in thefall and winter.Brott Music Festival presents over 40 performancesincluding symphonic, chamber, pops, jazz,education and opera-in-concerts.Tickets & information:905-525-7664, 1-888-475-9377www.brottmusic.comCanadian Children’s Opera CompanyThe Canadian Children’s Opera Company is one ofonly a few in the world in this category. It commissions,produces, records and tours new operas andchoral music, with children as both the principalperformers and main audience. The Company alsoregularly collaborates with other leading arts organizationsand prominent individual performers, conductorsand directors. The Company comprises sixdivisions, with over 200 children and youth ages 3-19.The 2010-11 main opera production is the remountof the popular A Dickens of a Christmas by Errol Gayand Michael Patrick Albano, based on A ChristmasCarol by Charles Dickens (Dec 3-5, 2010, HarbourfrontCentre).Other highlights of this season include Die Zauberflötewith the Canadian Opera Company, performanceswith the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and aplanned European tour. If you are interested in auditioningfor the CCOC, call us or download an applicationform from our website.Ann Cooper Gay, artistic director416-366-0467info@canadianchildrensopera.comwww.canadianchildrensopera.comCanadian Chopin FestivalThe Canadian Chopin Festival is an organizationbased at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre inMississauga, whose mission is to celebrate the legacyof Fryderyk Chopin and to nurture the developmentof young Canadian pianists by providing performanceopportunities and by enabling the topprize winners to compete in the International FryderykChopin Piano competition in Warsaw, Poland.A national competition is held every five years andthe top winners of the Canadian Chopin Competitionare funded to travel to Poland for the InternationalCompetition. First prize winners include Li Wang(1999), Avan Yu (2004) and Leonard Gilbert (2010).The 2010 Festival included lectures, workshopsand master classes at the John Paul II Polish CulturalCentre in Mississauga and culminated with theGala Winners Concert of the Third Canadian ChopinCompetition in Koerner Hall.Dr. Janet Lopinski, artistic director905-306-9900www.chopinfestival2010.comCanadian Men’s ChorusA new ensemble is making its debut in the Torontochoral scene: the Canadian Men’s Chorus, under thedirection of UTM Music grad, Greg Rainville, willpresent two concerts in its inaugural 2010-2011 season.The CMC will perform works from the classicalrepertoire with an emphasis on commissioningand premiering at least one new Canadian compositionat each concert. This season will showcase thepremieres of commissioned works by emerging Canadiancomposers, Sean King and Avalon Rusk. Byproviding male voices a new opportunity to performTTBB repertoire, the CMC raises the profileof this beautiful music within the existing chorallandscape.The CMC’s first concert, “A Gentlemen’s Christmas”will take place on Friday, November 26, 2010,8pm, at the Glenn Gould Studio. Featured will beseasonal music by Loomer, Willan, Hatfield, Biebl,and others. Tickets are available from the Roy ThomsonHall Box Office online or by calling 416-872-4255.Watch TheWholeNote for details about our secondconcert in the spring.Auditions: greg.rainville@utoronto.cawww.canadianmenschorus.caCanadian Opera CompanyThe Canadian Opera Company (COC) is the largestproducer of opera in Canada and one of the largestin North America. The company enjoys an internationalreputation for artistic excellence and creativeinnovation.A not-for-profit organization since 1950, the COCrelies on charitable giving, sponsorship, specialevents and ticket revenue to offset production andadministrative costs. More than 140,000 patrons annuallyattend mainstage performances, with over12,000 active subscribers.The COC presents full operas and about 80 freeconcerts at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for thePerforming Arts. The Four Seasons Centre featuresR. Fraser Elliott Hall, a traditional five-tiered, Europeanhorseshoe-shaped auditorium, specifically designedfor opera with excellent acoustics and unparalleledintimacy between the audience and thestage.The COC encourages the creation of operaticworks, and fosters the training and developmentof young artists. The COC Ensemble Studio is Canada’spre-eminent training programme for youngsingers, directors and coaches. World-recognizedalumni from this programme include Ben Heppner,Wendy Nielsen, Gidon Saks, John Fanning and IsabelBayrakdarian.
Alexander Neef, general directorAdministration 416-363-6671Ticket Services 416-363-8231info@coc.cawww.coc.caCanadian SinfoniettaThe Canadian Sinfonietta is a professional chamberorchestra led by father-daughter duo, artistic directorand founder Tak-Ng Lai and concertmaster JoyceLai. The orchestra’s season consists of five subscriptionconcerts: four full orchestra concerts performedat the Glenn Gould Studio and one intimate chamberplayers wine and cheese concert at Heliconian Hall.The orchestra’s mission is to bring live chambermusic back to the GTA with a focus on multi-culturaland youth outreach. To engage a new generation ofconcert goers, concerts are known to be “traditionalwith a twist.” Ethnic Music, Interdisciplinary Artsconcerts, Intimate Salon Style music and new Canadianmusic are all interspersed with traditionalrepertoire.Highlights this season include violinist LaraSt. John performing Vivaldi and Piazzolla Seasonswith new art and poetry from Kristen Peterson andPhoebe Tsang; erhu-ist George Gao, mezzo-sopranoKatarzyna Sadej premiering a new work by MichaelPepa; and pianists Alexander Tselyakov and JosephBanowetz. The wine and cheese features core membersperforming the Mendelssohn Octet and Mahler’sPiano Quartet with pianist Dr. Michael Esch.Tak-Ng Lai, artistic director & conductorJoyce Lai, concertmaster416-221-3623canadiansinfonietta@gmail.comwww.canadiansinfonietta.comCantemus SingersCantemus Singers, conducted by Michael Erdman,perform mainly Renaissance and early Baroque repertoire.Our 16-voice group gives equal time to religiousand secular compositions of the period in a varietyof languages and highlighting the rich, complex5 to 8 part repertoire. Our choristers are a mix of enthusiastic,well-trained amateurs and semi-professionals,all sharing a common interest in early music.Membership is by audition.Our 2010-2011 season begins October 2 and 3 withan all-English programme, “Good Queen Bess” featuringworks by Tallis, Farnaby, Byrd and Morley. Atour Christmas concert on December 4 and 12, we joinforces with the Community Baroque Orchestra of Torontoto perform Heinrich Schütz’s Christmas Oratorio,plus seasonal carols and motets. Our final programmeof the season on April 30 and May 1, “Saintsand Sinners”, will be a potpourri of madrigals, chansonsand motets celebrating nymphs, shepherds,holy and not so holy characters.Performances are at Hope United Church (Main &Danforth) on Saturday evenings at 7:30pm; Church ofSt. Martin-in-the-Fields (Keele & Bloor area) on Sundayafternoons at 3pm.Michael Erdman, conductor416-578-6602cantemus.ca@gmail.comwww.cantemus.caCathedral Bluffs Symphony OrchestraCathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), one ofToronto’s premier community orchestras since 1985,will be celebrating its 25th anniversary season in thestate-of-the-art P.C. Ho Theatre in the Chinese CulturalCentre of Greater Toronto, 5183 Sheppard AvenueEast.Under the baton of Maestro Norman Reintamm,the CBSO will present a thrilling and unique seven-concertseason including five subscription seriesconcerts with an amazing lineup of guest artists.The Orchestra is noted for facilitating performanceopportunities for young musicians, and always welcomesnew members.Norman Reintamm, artistic director/principalconductorInes Pagliari, concertmasterColleen O’Dwyer, general managerBox Office: 416-879-5566boxoffice@cathedralbluffs.cominfo@cathedralbluffs.comwww.cathedralbluffs.comCathedral Church of St. JamesThe Cathedral of St. James has two choirs servingthe musical requirements of its Sunday and specialliturgies.The Parish Choir sings at the 9am Sung Eucharistand consists of four section leads and a group of volunteers.It rehearses on Thursday evenings at 6 pmduring the year and at 8:30am on Sundays before tothe service. Singers interested in volunteering theirtime are most welcome to contact Andrew Adair, assistantorganist.The Cathedral Choir is a fully professional,18-voice ensemble which sings the 11am ChoralEucharist and Choral Evensong at 4:30pm every Sunday.Auditions are held each year after Easter. Organrecitals take place in the Cathedral every Tuesday at1pm and Sunday at 4pm (preceding Choral Evensong)throughout the year.Andrew Ager, director of music &composer-in-residence416-364-7865 x224musicdirector@stjamescathedral.on.caAndrew Adair, assistant organist416-364-7865, x231adair@stjamescathedral.on.cawww.stjamescathedral.on.caChamber Music Society of MississaugaSince 1997, CMSM has created, produced and performeda family concert series on Saturday eveningsand as many school shows as funding permits,to develop future audiences. Currently the main productionsin the CMSM repertoire are Peggy’s Violin: aButterfly in Time, The Storyteller’s Bag, Meet the Musician,The Snow Queen and The Little Mermaid by Canadiancomposer Patrick Cardy.A Juno nomination for Best Children’s Albumfor Peggy’s Violin: a Butterfly in Time in 2005 launchedCMSM onto the international stage. Peggy’s Violin: aButterfly in Time, Le Violon de Peggy : une histoire de papillonand The Storyteller’s Bag have been recorded, andthe CDs are distributed by The Children’s Group.In 2008, CMSM recorded and produced a CD calledClassical Fairy Tales which included The Snow Queenand The Little Mermaid. This CD is now available onlineor through the Canadian Music Centre. Watchfor the new concert series called “Tales and Tunes forToonies.”Peggy Hills, artistic director905-848-0015pmviolin@rogers.comwww.chambermusicmississauga.orgChoirs Ontario, Ontario Youth ChoirThe Ontario Youth Choir provides a unique opportunityfor young singers from across Ontario to workwith some of Canada’s outstanding choral leaders.Every summer 40 talented young singers are selectedto participate in OYC’s exceptional choral experience.The choristers are challenged with the finestchoral repertoire while enjoying an exciting programmeof rehearsals, masterclasses and voice lessons.The conductor of the 2011 choir is internationallyrenowned conductor Hilary Apfelstadt. OYC iswho has seen the winds?search thewholenote.com/bluean unforgettable experience; fun and friendship forthe singers, and extraordinary training with skilledprofessionals. Visit our website for details aboutspring auditions for the 2011 programme.Choirs Ontario is a not-for-profit arts service organizationdedicated to the support, promotion andcelebration of choral music throughout Ontario. Jointoday to connect with your choral community andtake advantage of the many services included withmembership such as free concert listings and borrowingprivileges from our extensive choral library.Connect chorally — make life sing!Elizabeth Shannon, executive director416-923-1144, 866-935-1144info@choirsontario.orgwww.choirsontario.orgChorus NiagaraThe Power of 100! Chorus Niagara is a passionategroup of 100 voices of diverse ages and walks oflife. Its mission is to entertain, educate and inspirethrough the performance of fine choral music. Asthe Niagara Region’s premier symphonic chorus, CNperforms both classic choral masterpieces as well asnew, modern and seldom-heard works, provides ashowcase for emerging Canadian talent, and attractssingers of all ages with its Chorus Niagara Children’sChoir (CNCC) and Side by Side High School Chorale(SxS). The 2010/2011 season features “CN Cinema:The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (November5, 6, 2010), Handel’s Messiah (December 11, 12, 2010),“Sounds of Light” (March 5, 2011) and “Feel theSpirit!” (May 14, 2011), under the direction of RobertCooper, C.M.Pam Gilmore, auditions 905-357-1616Diana McAdorey, managing director 905-934-5575Lyn Hibbitt, administrator CNCC 905-945-2049cnadmin@becon.orgwww.chorusniagara.caChrist Church Deer ParkMusic plays a very important part at this busy Anglicanparish church. Eric Robertson is the organist &director of music. The Choir of Christ Church DeerPark is an auditioned mixed-voice choir that rehearsesThursday evenings and sings on Sunday morningstoronto youth wind orchestratheWholeNote Presenter Profiles | 2010-2011
