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Volume 17 Issue 2 - October 2011

  • Text
  • Choir
  • Concerts
  • Toronto
  • Artistic
  • Choral
  • Singers
  • Arts
  • Orchestra
  • Performances
  • Musical

Blue PagestheWholeNote

Blue PagestheWholeNote 2011-2012 PRESENTER PROFILESon December 18. Metropolitan houses the largestpipe organ in Canada and the oldest tuned carillonin North America. Metropolitan also has a variety ofchildren’s, youth and handbell choirs which are opento all. Please contact us for a concert brochure or formore information.Patricia Wright, artistic director416-363-0331 x26patriciaw@metunited.orgwww.metunited.org●●MUSIC GALLERYFounded in 1976, the Music Gallery is Toronto’s centrefor presentation and promotion of innovation, experimentationand cross-pollination between audiences,genres and disciplines in all forms of music.The 2011/12 season, the tenth at St. George theMartyr Church, will be the last season programmedby respected artistic director Jonathan Bunce. Thetheme of the Music Gallery’s sixth X Avant New MusicFestival, “Tales of Two Cities,” explores the exchangeof musical ideas between Toronto and other internationalnew music hubs. Featuring performancesby Lee Ranaldo and Leah Singer, Tim Hecker, Oval,Mantra Percussion Ensemble and others, X Avant alsoincludes lectures by composers-in-residence TimBrady, Markus Popp and Michael Gordon.The Music Gallery’s concert season continues untilJune and comprises five streams: Post-Classical (contemporaryclassical, electroacoustic, sound art), PopAvant (leftfield pop, rock, techno), Jazz Avant (jazzand improv), New World (music beyond WesternEurope and North America), and the Emergents series(new music pioneers from Toronto and beyond).The Music Gallery also offers affordable productionservices for performances, recordings and rehearsalsat St. George the Martyr Church.Jonathan Bunce, artistic director:jonny@musicgallery.orgJason Aviss, director of operations:jason@musicgallery.orgAdam Bradley, production manager:adam@musicgallery.org●●MUSIC TORONTOFabulous at forty! Music Toronto celebrates 40 seasonsof great chamber music downtown. We’ve planned aseason of celebrating what we do, including performancesby string quartets, solo pianists and youngerCanadian artists.Reasons to attend:1) An audience serious about music (but not solemn)and casual and friendly at intermission.2) Praised as “A chamber series with a pedigree” byDavid Perlman, publisher of The WholeNote.3) A special opening concert with the Tokyo Quartetand pianist Markus Groh and a new quartet by JeffreyRyan commissioned for the occasion.4) Six more of the world’s best string quartets andthe Gryphon Trio.5) Five pianists with something to say, includingthe inimitable Richard Goode.6) The Discovery series (tickets just .50): threeconcerts of younger Canadian artists.7) Traditional repertoire: Mozart, Schubert,Schumann, Brahms.8) The best of new music: Jordan, Golijov, Arcuri.9) Our prices: top price only ; students any agejust , accompanying adult half price; 18 to 35, payyour age (that’s up to 40% off).You can’t afford to miss music this good!Jennifer Taylor, artistic producer, 416-214-1660Box Office: 416-366-7723; 1-800-708-6754;www.stlc.comFax: 416-214-1663www.music-toronto.com●●MUSICIANS IN ORDINARYNamed after the singers and lutenists who performedin the most intimate quarters of the Stuart monarchs’palace, the Musicians In Ordinary for the Lutes andVoices dedicate themselves to the performance of earlysolo song and vocal chamber music. Led by HallieFishel, soprano and John Edwards, lutenist, the ensemblehas been a fixture on the Toronto early musicscene for over ten years, and also performs acrossNorth America, lecturing at universities and museums.Audiences delight in the liveliness of their innovativeconcerts and the infectious passion of the performers.This year, MIO’s season opener features a renaissancestring band playing Elizabethan and Jacobeanconsort songs, ayres, frisky galliards and statelypavans.Each New Year‘s Day, MIO provides Messiah-wearyand polka-shy audiences with a program of 17th and18th century cantatas and sonatas.For this season’s concerts at the Heliconian Hall,MIO are joined by frequent collaborator ChristopherVerrette (violinist and occasional concert masterwith Tafelmusik), violinist Edwin Huizinga, tenorBud Roach and others. MIO are at 212–1585 Bloor St.,W., Toronto.416-535-9956musinord@sympatico.cawww.musiciansinordinary.ca●●NATHANIEL DETT CHORALEThe Nathaniel Dett Chorale is a 21-voice SATB professionalchoir based in Toronto and dedicated toperforming Afrocentric music of all genres, includingclassical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues.Founded by artistic director Dr. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor in 1998 and named after internationally-renownedAfrican-Canadian composer R. NathanielDett, the Chorale is Canada’s premiere performerof Afrocentric composers and a touchstone for theeducation of audiences and communities regardingthe full spectrum of Afrocentric choral music. Themission of the Chorale is to build bridges of understanding,appreciation and acceptance between communitiesof people through the medium of music. TheChorale has a three-concert subscription series, toursextensively each season and has released several CDsand DVDs. Membership is by audition.Alexandra Asher416-340-7000alexandra@nathanieldettchorale.orgwww.nathanieldettchorale.org●●NATHANIEL DETT YOUTH CHORALEThe Nathaniel Dett Youth Chorale is a training choirthat meets on a weekly basis for instruction inAfrocentric history, music theory and vocal ensemble.Each young singer also receives a weekly voicelesson. The Youth Chorale comes together with theNathaniel Dett Chorale professional ensemble forworkshops, mentoring and occasional public performances.Singers who graduate from the TrainingChoir program will have the opportunity to becomeapprentices with the professional ensemble.All the instructors for these two initiatives are eitherboard members or current members and alumni ofthe professional ensemble. Through this unique programwe are furthering our mission to build bridges ofunderstanding, appreciation and acceptance throughthe medium of music.Karen Scovell416-340-7000karen@nathanieldettchorale.orgwww.nathanieldettchorale.org●●NEW MUSIC CONCERTSNMC’s 41st season opens September 25 at GlennGould Studio with “Secret of the Seven Stars,” anevening of world premieres by Canadian composersHope Lee, Alice Ho and Andrew Staniland, plus a memorialtribute to the late Ann Southam.Two events at the Betty Oliphant Theatre follow,the first featuring the Canadian premiere of eminentAmerican composer Charles Wuorinen’s massivePercussion Symphony for 24 players along with new musicby Canada’s Eric Morin and Chris Paul Harman onOctober 30. The second is an innovative evening withvirtuoso trombonist and composer Vinko Globokaron December 11.“Legends,” at Harbourfront’s Enwave Theatre onJanuary 29, features new vocal works by Omar Danieland Jeffrey Ryan and a woodwind and piano quintetwith electronics by Thomas Kessler. ProminentHungarian composer/conductor Peter Eötvös leads aconcert of his own works along with music by ZoltánJeney and Stravinsky’s Octet at Glenn Gould Studioon March 10. The season closes April 27 at the intimateGallery 345 with “Small Is Beautiful,” a recital ofCanadian piano works performed by Yoko Hirota.Robert Aitken, artistic directorDavid Olds, general manager416-961-9594nmc@interlog.comwww.newmusicconcerts.com●●NINE SPARROWS ARTS FOUNDATIONNine Sparrows Arts Foundation marks its 18th anniversarythis season under thecontinuing leadershipof artistic director Eric Robertson. Since theinaugural performance of “Hasten to Come BeforeWinter,” Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation has presenteda rich variety of concerts for Toronto audiences.In addition to its weekly recital series, NineSparrows Arts Foundation has presented internationalgroups such as King’s College Cambridge Choir,Clare College Singers and St. John’s College Choir andhas featured Canadian artists including John Neville,Erica Goodman, Colin Fox, the True North Brass, theGryphon Trio, Christine Duncan’s Element Choir andpercussion ensemble NEXUS.Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation is a not-for-profitorganization dedicated to bringing Toronto audiencesthe best in inspirational arts programming. Itis governed by an elected volunteer board of directorsand operates with the assistance of advisors froma variety of backgrounds and professions, includingevent management, promotions, finance and business.Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation, in co-operationwith Christ Church Deer Park, will begin its 2011/12season on October 13 with the first recital in its weeklyseries, “Lunchtime Chamber Music.”E. Burns, president416-241-12989sparrows.arts@gmail.com● ● NOCTURNES IN THE CITYNoctures in the City began as Nocturnes atMasaryktown 11 years ago and moved downtownin 2007. This series presents Czech and Slovak artiststo Canadians, mainly from the Czech andSlovak communities.This year, the seven-concert season takes placein the Community Hall of St. Wenceslaus Church,496 Gladstone Ave. (Bloor and Dufferin subway).Beginning with internationally known pianist BorisKrajný in September, the season highlights includeIain Scott’s audio-visual presentation of Czech operas,a thrilling performance by mezzo soprano MartaHerman, an interpretation of Czech composers bypianist Jan Novotný and the virtuosity of violinistIvan Ženatý.289-234-0264www.nocturnesinthecity.com

●●NUMUS CONCERTSExciting, challenging, ground-breaking — NUMUSis new music, now. NUMUS invites audiences to explorethe bold sounds and ideas of a new generationof composers and performers while celebrating theinnovators of the past.Founded in 1985 by composer Peter Hatch and basedin Waterloo, Ontario, NUMUS is one of Canada’s foremostnew music organizations, renowned for itselectrifying contemporary programming and highstandards of artistry. Under the artistic direction ofcomposer Glenn Buhr, NUMUS showcases establishedand emerging talent from across Canada andthe globe.NUMUS occasionally presents in Toronto. PastToronto venues have included The Music Room andGlenn Gould Studio. You may find selected NUMUSproductions on the CBC website under “concertson demand.”Glenn Buhr, artistic director and general mangerMeghan Bunce, director of operations519-896-3662info@numus.on.cawww.numus.on.caOFF CENTRE MUSIC SALON, INNA & BORIS●●NYCO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAThe NYCO Society is dedicated to the performance ofclassical music in a range of styles, encouraging participationand development within our membershipand appreciation and enrichment of classical musicfor a wide public.NYCO offers audiences of every age exposure toclassical music and musicians of every age variedperformance opportunities. The NYCO SymphonyOrchestra, under the baton of David Bowser, musicdirector and conductor, offers an affordable fourconcertsubscription series at St Michael’s CollegeSchool Centre for the Arts.In addition to our subscription performances,NYCO performs throughout the city to a diverse audiencethrough outreach and community programs. TheNYCO Symphony Orchestra performs in communitycentres and long-term care facilities, while the NYCOChamber Players performs an education concert seriesin schools across Toronto. We believe music isfor everyone.Please visit our website for this year’s programming.416-628-9195nyco.on.ca●●OFF CENTRE MUSIC SALONWelcome to Off Centre Music Salon’s 17th season — ayear of surprises! Because we know the suspense iskilling you, we’ll reveal some plans right away, butwe’re keeping the rest up our sleeves. We begin with“Russia in Two Acts,” a programme in which we timetravelbetween the world of Shostakovich (the conformingnon-conformist) and that of Tchaikovsky’sEugene Onegin. Our surprise host will be criticallyacclaimed Toronto novelist Sheila Heti. The next salonis devoted to our beloved Schubert (in our 17th annualSchubertiad!), master of both the grander-scalecontemplative sonata and the intensely concise lied(19th-century twittering!). Next, to ward off yourend-of-March blues, Off Centre presents the Torontopremiere of Pietro Mascagni’s light and sunny operetta-in-concertSi, starring the great Italian sopranoSerena Farnocchia. We close the season with a salondevoted to love and suffering. Will it be our “RussianSalon?” Or our “Spanish Salon?” Let us surprise you!All concerts take place Sundays at 2pm at GlennGould Studio. Subscriptions: 6 (adults); 8 (seniors/students).Prices include HST.Inna Perkis and Boris Zarankin,founders and artistic directorsBox Office: 416-466-1870tickets@offcentremusic.comwww.offcentremusic.com●●ONTARIO PHILHARMONICCurrently in its 55th season, the Ontario Philharmonichas established itself as one of the most highly respectedprofessional regional orchestras in Canada. It isunder the musical direction of one of Canada’s mostbrilliant conductors, Marco Parisotto.The 2011/12 subscription series highlights includeElgar’s Enigma Variations, the Brahms Violin Concerto,Handel’s Messiah, Respighi’s Pines of Rome, Gershwin’sRhapsody in Blue and a stellar array of world-renownedsoloists.For more information on the concerts, dates, ticketsales and subscriptions, please visit OP’s website.Marco Parisotto, music directorMonica Anguiano, executive director905-579-6711contact@ontariophil.cawww.ontariophil.ca●●ONTARIO REGISTERED MUSICTEACHERS’ ASSOCIATIONORMTA (Ontario Registered Music Teachers’Association, founded 1885) is an association of independentmusic teachers. Membership is open tomusic teachers of all instruments and voice who meetthe professional requirements.ORMTA has branches across Ontario and is part ofthe CFMTA (Canadian Federation of Music TeachersAssociation), with parallel branches in other provinces.The Central Toronto branch covers most ofwhat used to be the old city of Toronto. We holdvarious events throughout the year for our membersand guests, and provide support and networkingopportunities including workshops on a range ofmusic-related subjects, general membership meetings,student auditions and recitals and teacher performances.Members can also participate in zone, provincialand national events and attend provincial andnational conventions. Students of members can participatein a range of competitions for both performingand composing, qualify for a variety of scholarshipsand play for guest artists in ORMTA-hosted masterclasses.ORMTA teachers are listed in a printed directoryand on our website.416-694-0296www.ormtatoronto.org●●OPERA ATELIEROpera Atelier is Canada’s premier baroque opera/balletcompany, producing opera, ballet and drama fromthe 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon theaesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goesbeyond “reconstruction” and infuses each productionwith an inventive theatricality that resonates withmodern audiences. Over the past 25 years, lead byfounding artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski andJeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier has garneredacclaim for its performances at home as wellas in the United States, Europe and Asia. Based inToronto, Opera Atelier performs at the historic ElginTheatre in the heart of downtown. The 2011/12 seasonopens with a brand new period production ofMozart’s outrageous comedy Don Giovanni (October 29to November 5, 2011), which will also travel to OperaColumbus. The season continues with Lully’s Armide(April 12 to 21), one of the most enthralling love storiesof all time, which is also part of the 2012 GlimmerglassFestival. Both productions feature a spectacular arrayof Canadian and international singers, TafelmusikBaroque Orchestra and the artists of Atelier Ballet.Marshall Pynkoski andJeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, co-artistic directors416-703-3767www.operaatelier.comTickets: 1-855-622-ARTS(2787)www.ticketmaster.ca● ● OPERA BELCANTO OF SOUTH SIMCOEOpera Belcanto is a mixed-voice group of some 30choir members and soloists of all ages, under the directionof Maestro David Varjabed. Our passion foropera, our love of music and our dedication to excellenceare what bring us together! Since 2006, OperaBelcanto has brought favorite operatic arias and chorusesto audiences throughout York Region and SimcoeCounty. In 2010 we presented our first staged performance,La Traviata.Our upcoming performances will be:October 19 and 21: Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci(double bill).December 4: “An Operatic Christmas!” featuring seasonalfavourites, Neapolitan songs and opera excerpts.April 5 and 7: Tosca (Puccini).Performances will take place at the Richmond HillCentre for the Performing Arts, 7:30pm. For ticketsplease see contact information below.We invite both soloists and community memberswishing to audition for the choir to contact MaestrotheWholeNote 2011-2012 PRESENTER PROFILES

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