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Volume 17 Issue 2 - October 2011

  • Text
  • Choir
  • Concerts
  • Toronto
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  • Choral
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Blue PagestheWholeNote

Blue PagestheWholeNote 2011-2012 PRESENTER PROFILESstrings and guitar. The Fraser Institute has rankedboth elementary and secondary academic programshighly. Admission is based on a musical audition, entranceexamination and interviews.W. Edward McCall, executive directorMr. Barry White, principalDr. Jerzy Cichocki, artistic director,conductor — Senior ChoirsMs. Teri Dunn, conductor — Elementary ChoirMs. Charissa Bagan, conductor — Junior ChoirPlease contact Matthew Warszawski,director, development and communications,for further information.416-393-5518www.smcs.on.ca●●ST. PHILIP’S ANGLICAN CHURCHThe Church of St. Philip in Etobicoke (25 St. PhillipsRd.) is one of the oldest Anglican churches inToronto. Established in 1828, St. Philip’s welcomesall people to vibrant celebrations on Sunday morningsat 8:30am and 10:30am and to an eclectic seriesof Sunday afternoon concerts (4pm) that includejazz, blues, polka, fado, mariachi, klezmer and Latinmusic. Performances feature some of Toronto’s finestmusicians. Come and celebrate with us in our beautifuland historic church!Rev. Canon Allan Budzin416-247-5181www.stphilips.net●●SYRINX SUNDAY SALONS“Syrinx Sunday Salons,” as part of Syrinx ConcertsToronto, is a chamber music concert series that was establishedin 2004 to support and encourage Canada’sfinest musicians. In the past we have celebrated oneCanadian composer each season by featuring worksby that composer in every concert, along with themore traditional repertoire.Our schedule this year will feature five differentCanadian composers. The performers have been requestedto programme a Canadian work they especiallyenjoy playing or a new work they have wantedto programme but haven’t had the opportunity toperform before.This year we will feature the music of Canadian composersAlexander Levkovitch, Dmitri Levkovich, AnaSokolovic, William Rowson, Harry Somers and JohnBurge. Our performing artists are Dmitri Levkovichwith Anjhelika Fuks, The Hochelaga Trio, PeterLongworth and Benjamin Bowman, Ishay Shaer andMade In Canada Piano Trio.416-654-0877dorothyglick@hotmail.comwww.syrinxconcerts.org●●TAFELMUSIK BAROQUE ORCHESTRA& CHAMBER CHOIRThrill to the gorgeous music of the 17th and 18th centuriesperformed by Tafelmusik, Canada’s nine-timeJUNO Award-winning baroque orchestra and chamberchoir.Highlights of the 2011/12 season:World premiere of Alison Mackay’s multi-disciplinary“House of Dreams” concert (February 8 to 12);“Virtuoso Vivaldi” with Marion Verbruggen, recorder(February 23 to 26); “Bach and the Violin” withguest soloist Rachel Podger (May 2 to 6); and a choralextravaganza celebrating the 30th anniversary ofour Chamber Choir, directed by Ivars Taurins (March29 to April 1).New this season is Tafelmusik’s three-concert seriesat Koerner Hall: Handel’s Messiah (December 14 to17), Handel’s Hercules with concert staging by OperaAtelier’s Marshall Pynkoski (January 19 to 22), andBeethoven’s “Eroica Symphony” (May 24 to 27).Also for the holiday season: Sing-Along Messiah with“Maestro Handel” at Massey Hall (December 18).Tafelmusik continues its three-concert series atGeorge Weston Recital Hall: “Mozart and Friends”(November 8); “Virtuoso Vivaldi” with MarionVerbruggen, recorder (February 21); and the ChamberChoir’s 30th anniversary concert (March 27).Ages 30 and under can purchase tickets starting at for Tafelmusik’s Toronto season concerts. Alsofor ages 30 and under — Pay-What-You-Can Fridays!Jeanne Lamon, music directorTricia Baldwin, managing directorBox Office: 416-964-6337Administrative Office: 416-964-9562info@tafelmusik.orgwww.tafelmusik.orgwww.facebook.com/tafelmusik.org●●TALISKER PLAYERSTalisker Players is a unique ensemble of instrumentalistsdedicated to working with singers. Founded in1995, it has earned an enviable reputation for excellencein choral accompanying. A flexible-sized group,it performs with choirs large and small in repertoireranging from baroque (on original or modern instruments)to 21st century.The ensemble also presents its own concert seriesat Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, in the more intimaterealm of chamber music. Core members of the groupare joined by some of Canada’s leading vocal soloists,exploring the interaction of words and music in threeadventurous programmes.“Rumours of Peace” (November 15 and 16, 2011) offersreflections on the cost of human conflict andthe hope for lasting peace. “Starry Night” (January31 and February 1, 2012) explores the wonder and theterror of the night, the world of sleep and dreams.“Muse of Fire” (April 17 and 18, 2012), a collaborationwith Groundling Theatre Company, celebrates theworks of William Shakespeare through the marriageof music and words.“Good for the ears, and good for the soul”— Toronto Star.Mary McGeer, artistic director and general managerElizabeth Shannon, administrativedirector (Chamber Music Series)416-466-1800words.music@taliskerplayers.cawww.taliskerplayers.ca●●TALLIS CHOIRFounded in 1977, the Tallis Choir, directed by PeterMahon, specializes in renaissance chamber musicbut performs a wide variety of musical styles. The2011/12 four-concert season begins October 22 with“A Celebration of Victoria: 1611-2011,” a concert thatmarks the 400th anniversary of the death of TomasLuis da Victoria and features Victoria’s Missa ProVictoria and Magnificat Primi Toni as well as works byGuerrero, Lobo and Esquivel. Our December 10 concert,“Charpentier: Midnight Mass for New France,1725” recreates a high mass for Christmas in colonialQuebec and includes Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit andNoëls by Daquin, Delalande and Raison. On March 3,the passion of Holy Week will come alive in dramaticmasterpieces of the 17th century Italian Baroqueincluding Palestrina’s Stabat Mater and Monteverdi’sMissa In Illo Tempore. Our season closes May 5 as wecelebrate the English anthem with a cappella masterpiecescomposed by Tallis, Byrd, Stanford and Harris.Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at Trinity College,University of Toronto.Peter Mahon416-533-6179www.tallischoir.com●●TAPESTRY NEW OPERANow in its 32nd season, Tapestry New Opera is aninternational home for creators, developers and performersof new opera, including all collaborators intelling stories that surprise, thrill and move audiences.The Tapestry process begins at the annual Composer-Librettist Laboratory where writers and composersare introduced to collaborative creation. Successfulpartnerships move on to create short operas, rangingin length from 15 to 45 minutes, before full lengthworks are accepted into the Creative DevelopmentProgramme and go on to full production.The 2011/12 creative development season brings thereturn of our five minute bite-sized operas, “OperaBriefs,” presented at Theatre Passe Muraille MainSpace. Tapestry’s home, the Ernest Balmer Studio,will showcase Toronto’s premiere of Pub Operas afterits debut in London UK; The “Tapestry Songbook,”a concert of bravura arias from the extensive libraryof Tapestry produced operas; six new works in developmentat the New Opera Showcase; and, finally,the workshop continuation of the electrifying newopera in development, The Enslavement and Liberationof Oksana G.Wayne Strongman, managing artistic director416-537-6066tapestry@tapestrynewopera.comwww.tapestrynewopera.com●●TORONTO BRASS QUINTETThe Toronto Brass Quintet was formed in 2009 andis emerging as one of Toronto’s top chamber ensembles.As dedicated educators and passionate performers,they have come together to create exciting andunique concert experiences.A major component of their season consists ofeducational outreach. The quintet’s educationalperformances have been described as “informative,entertaining and musically inspiring.” In the 2011/12season the Toronto Brass Quintet will continue to excitethe musical imagination of kids with innovativeand interactive shows in Ontario as well as provideclinics and workshops.Upcoming projects for this season will include abrand new recital series, collaboration with otheremerging artists and performances of commissionedworks.info@torontobrass.comwww.torontobrass.com●●TORONTO CENTRE FOR THE ARTSThe Toronto Centre for the Arts is a vibrant and excitingdestination where Toronto comes to celebratethe art and culture of this great and diverse city andwhere artists of all backgrounds find an exquisite platformfor their artistic expression. With classical andpopular concerts, plays, musicals, comedy, spokenword and dance events filling out the calendar in ourMain Stage, George Weston Recital Hall and StudioTheatre, there is always something for everyone andwe hope to have you back again and again. Welcometo Your Centre!416-733-9388Tickets:1-855-985-ARTS (2787);www.ticketmaster.ca416-733-0545 (subscriptions only)www.tocentre.com● ● TORONTO CHAMBER CHOIRNow in its fifth decade, this 40-voice SATB choir distinguishesitself in the early music scene by its presentationof large-scale, often little-known, works ofrenaissance and baroque repertoire, performed in authenticstyle. TCC also sponsors a mentoring partnershipwith Rosedale Heights Secondary School ofthe Arts.

Our music director since July 2008, Mark Vuorinenis one of Canada’s rising choral conductors, with morethan ten years of experience.Our 2011/12 season opens with a “Kaffeemusik” performanceof the rich surround-sound sonorities ofOckeghem’s 36-voice motet Deo Gratias and his MissaCuiusvis Toni. At Christmas we’ll thrill you with anevening concert of seasonal motets and carols. InMarch, the Cardinal Consort will join the choir in aprogramme spanning street cries and cathedral classicsof the Renaissance and the Baroque. To finish ourseason we return to a TCC mainstay, J.S. Bach. Cometo hear Cantata 39, “Break your bread for the hungry,” andcontribute to our food drive.All concerts are held at Christ Church Deer Park,1570 Yonge St, just north of St. Clair.Mark Vuorinen, music directorMary Ella Magill, president416-763-1695info@torontochamberchoir.cawww.torontochamberchoir.ca●●TORONTO CHILDREN’S CHORUSToronto Children’s Chorus is celebrating its 5th seasonunder artistic director Elise Bradley, with its“Mystery and Mastery” series. Building on the legacyestablished by founder Jean Ashworth Bartle, Bradleyhas developed a program of comprehensive musiceducation for children aged 6 to 17, including sightsinging,ear training and music theory, along withextraordinary musical performances. With a reputationfor excellence in education and musicianship,the Toronto Children’s Chorus enhances the developmentof leadership and life skills in children throughthe choral art.The 2011/12 concert season opens following acclaimedperformances at the 9th World Symposiumon Choral Music in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. As thesole children’s choir and one of only 25 choirs invitedto participate, the Chorus reinforced its reputation asone of the finest treble choirs in the world. In additionto its annual outstanding concert series, the Chorusperforms as guests with the Toronto SymphonyOrchestra and represents Canada on regular worldtours. These young ambassadors have performed insuch revered venues as the Musikverein, CarnegieHall, the Kennedy Center and Royal Albert Hall.Carol Stairs, general information416-932-8666 x231www.torontochildrenschorus.com●●TORONTO CHORAL SOCIETYThe Toronto Choral Society was founded in 1845 topresent concerts and foster the development of thelocal musical community. Today, under the leadershipof artistic director Geoffrey Butler, the 140-voice TCSchoir presents great works of the choral repertoire,produces innovative concerts celebrating our city’srich history and diversity and participates in specialcommunity events. The 2011/12 season will include aRemembrance Day concert, “The Larks, Still BravelySinging,” on November 11; Liszt’s Missa Choralis onDecember 14; Brahms’ Requiem, a co-production withScarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, on February25; and a choral exploration of Toronto’s ghost storieson May 16.The Toronto Choral Society includes two smallerchoirs in addition to the main TCS choir. Street HavenWomen’s Choir, drawn from clients of Street Haven atthe Crossroads, performs at concerts and communityevents in downtown Toronto. North 44 Ensemble,an auditioned chamber choir, performs by request onspecial occasions.Please call or visit our website for information aboutmembership in TCS.416-410-3509TORONTO CONSORTinfo@torontochoralsociety.orgwww.torontochoralsociety.org●●TORONTO CLASSICAL SINGERSThe Toronto Classical Singers goes platinum singingtimeless treasures for 20 years! In 1992, The TorontoClassical Singers presented its first concert with orchestra,soloists and a dedicated group of eager singers,establishing a tradition that has endured over thepast 20 years. Since then, TCS has flourished underthe direction of its artistic founder, Jurgen Petrenko.TCS produces three performances each year, enthrallingaudiences with its versatility and tenacity andtackling the works of composers who have earned aplace in music history for both their notorious livesand their wonderful music. Come join us as we celebrateour milestone with these timeless treasures:highlights of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio on December4, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Schubert’s Mass in G Major onMarch 4 and Verdi’s Requiem on May 6. Concerts areheld at 4pm in the relaxed and informal setting ofChrist Church Deer Park (wheelchair accessible).Rehearsals are held on Mondays, 7:30pm to 9:30pm,September to May, at Christ Church Deer Park, 1570Yonge St. Auditions are held in September. Seasontickets / and singles /.416-443-1490members@torontoclassicalsingers.cawww.torontoclassicalsingers.ca●●TORONTO CONSORTOne of Canada’s premiere period music ensembles,the Toronto Consort breathes life into the music ofthe Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque.Founded in 1972, the Consort presents an annual subscriptionseries at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre in downtownToronto. The Consort has toured extensivelyand has recorded 11 CDs as well as music for filmand television, including the hit television series TheTudors and The Borgias.Artistic director David Fallis has programmeda treasure trove of music for 2011/12: “VenetianSplendour” (October 21 and 22), “A SpanishChristmas” (December 9, 10 and 11), “English TenorCharles Daniels in Recital” (January 27 and 28), “AMusical Bestiary” (March 23 and 24) and “TheOriginal Carmina Burana” (April 27, 28 and 29). Fortickets and information visit our website and followus on Facebook for updates.Returning this season: “Sunday Sampler” — 2 concertsat 3:30 pm. This Sampler series consists of “ASpanish Christmas” on December 11 and “The OriginalCarmina Burana” on April 29.David Fallis, artistic director and general manager416-966-1045Box office: 416-964-6337www.torontoconsort.org●●TORONTO HELICONIAN CLUBThe Toronto Heliconian Club was founded in 1909 togive women in the arts and letters an opportunity tomeet socially and intellectually. It continues to holdto its original purpose while responding to the changesof contemporary life.To mark its centennial in 2009, the TorontoHeliconian Club instituted a series of concerts featuringsingers, pianists and other instrumentalistsdrawn from the club’s professional musicians andfrom across Canada. Reflecting the multidisciplinarynature of the club, select concerts highlighted visualand literary artists. The series flourished and continues,with the final concerts of 2011 to be held onSeptember 23 and October 28. Please contact the clubfor details about the 2012 series beginning in January.Heliconian Hall, the club’s visual and acoustic gemdating from 1875, is available to rent for recitals andcorporate events at reasonable rates. Recently theconcert hall’s seven foot Steinway “B” was completelyrebuilt and new state-of-the art stage and houselighting was installed.Emma Walker416-922-3618rentals@heliconianclub.orgGeneral Information info@heliconianclub.orgwww.heliconianclub.org● ● TORONTO JEWISH FOLK CHOIRThe Toronto Jewish Folk Choir offers an opportunityto sing beloved Yiddish songs and music of theJewish people in other languages. You don’t need tobe Jewish — just enjoy singing with a friendly groupfrom around the world! Canada’s longest continuingJewish choir aims to preserve and maintain oursecular heritage and experience while also enhancingcontemporary Jewish culture through newer worksby Jewish Canadian composers and arrangers. Lastseason concluded with a performance to an enthusiasticcrowd at Montreal’s International Festival ofYiddish Theatre.This season’s line-up includes a concert commemoratingour late long-time leader Ben Shek,intergenerational and Chanukah concerts and thetheWholeNote 2011-2012 PRESENTER PROFILES

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