Blue PagestheWholeNote 2012/13 PRESENTER PROFILESper year in December and May, as well as concertsat smaller venues such as nursing homes, churchfundraisers and local events. We also travel internationally,on occasion, and the latest trip toNew York, NY at the UN-sponsored “Rhythms ofOne World 2012” choral festival was an “event ofa lifetime.” Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:30pmto 10pm. Auditions are the first two Wednesdaysof September and January. Our Christmas showthis year will be at St. Thomas Anglican Church,Brooklin, December 7 and 8, 2012.Ken Hurst905-239-9000ctsinfo@countytownsingers.comwww.countytownsingers.com●●DA CAPO CHAMBER CHOIRThe DaCapo Chamber Choir was founded in1998 in Kitchener-Waterloo under the directionof Leonard Enns. The mission of the DaCapoChamber Choir is to perform outstandingchoral chamber works of the past 100 yearsand to champion music of Canadian and localcomposers. The performance season consistsof three annual concerts in Kitchener-Waterloo.The 2012/13 season is centered around the theme“Hear to Be Moved” — through time (November 10,11), on the ground (March 2, 3) and through waterand air (May 4, 5). The November concert willalso feature the 2012 NewWorks winning entry,Song of Invocation by Sheldon Rose.DaCapo was the 2011 winner of the NationalCompetition for Canadian Amateur Choirs inthe contemporary category (and second placefinalist in the chamber category). The choir alsoreceived the ACCC’s 2010 award for OutstandingChoral Recording for its most recent CD, Shadow-Land, featuring the JUNO-nominated Nocturne byLeonard Enns. For more information about thechoir, its current season, the NewWorks choralcomposition competition, the ShadowLand CDor to purchase tickets online, please visit thechoir’s website.519-725-7549info@dacapochamberchoir.cawww.dacapochamberchoir.ca●●EGLINTON ST. GEORGE’SUNITED CHURCHThe choir of Eglinton St. George’s United Churchis a mixed-voice ensemble of 45, with eightprofessional singers. Its 50 year history demonstratesdepth, breadth, and excellence.While the main goal is preparation of eclecticand inspiring music for weekly Sunday worship(10:30am), the program is enriched by eventssuch as the community Hymn Sing (e.g. “AmazingGrace” on November 4), and an OutreachConcert on December 9 ( Vaughan Williams:Fantasia of Carols). The Trillium Brass are regularguests (e.g. Easter Day,) and the Sundays ofApril 2013 bring interaction with Toronto’s leadingjazz musicians with the choir in worship. Jointhe men’s choir for a day! Join the women’s choirfor a day! In early May, the full choir will presentan evening extravaganza in the cabaret mode,featuring entertaining solos, quartets, choraland instrumental numbers (to say nothing ofthe ravishing refreshments!).Our ministry is characterized by hard work,a joyful spirit and variety. We always extend awarm welcome to new members of any age fromyouth to senior.Fred Graham, interim music director416-481-1141 x340fred@esgunited.orgwww.esgunited.org●●ELMER ISELER SINGERSThe memorable 20-voice Elmer Iseler Singers,led by artistic director and conductor LydiaAdams, enters its 34th season in 2012/13. Thisfully-professional choral ensemble has built anenviable reputation through concerts, broadcastsand recordings throughout Canada, theUnited States and internationally, performingrepertoire that spans 500 years with a specialfocus on Canadian composers.Touring is a major component of the ElmerIseler Singers’ activities. In addition, they selfpresenta five-concert series in Toronto and arefeatured frequently at various concerts, workshops,symposiums and festivals.Annual auditions are held each April or May.The innovative GET MUSIC! Outreach and LeadershipInitiative for secondary school students,community choirs and conductors providesworkshops and audio/video recording mentorshipculminating in shared performances.The international launch on the ECM RecordLabel of Peter A. Togni’s Lamentations ofJeremiah, featuring bass clarinet virtuoso JeffReilly, represents a significant made-in-Canadawork on the ECM Record label. The biographyElmer Iseler: Choral Visionary by Walter Pitman(Dundurn Press, 2008) continues to be an artsin Canada bestseller.Lydia Adams, conductor and artistic directorJessie Iseler, general manager416-217-0537info@elmeriselersingers.comwww.elmeriselersingers.com●●ELORA FESTIVAL SINGERSThe Elora Festival Singers (EFS), a Grammy- andJUNO-nominated chamber choir, was founded in1980 by Noel Edison as principal choral ensembleof the Elora Festival. In 1992, the Elora FestivalSingers was incorporated as a separate organizationto manage its year-round activities.Since 1997, the choir has been the core of theToronto Mendelssohn Choir and the TorontoMendelssohn Singers, and it is the choral ensemble-in-residenceof the Elora Festival. Throughregular concerts and recordings, EFS has establisheda reputation as one of the finest chamberchoirs in Canada and beyond, contributing tothe musical life of the community and reachingan international stage.With nine releases on the Naxos label andother privately produced CDs, the EFS is knownfor its rich, warm sound and clarity of texture.The choir is renowned for its diverse styles, itscommitment to Canadian repertoire and its collaborationswith other Canadian artists.Auditions for the Elora Festival Singers areheld each January.519-846-0331; 1-888-747-7550auditions@elorafestival.comwww.elorafestival.com●●ENSEMBLE VIVANTFounded by pianist Catherine Wilson, EnsembleVivant, “Canada’s Chamber Music Treasure”(Toronto Star), has dazzled audiences worldwidewith imaginative, innovative, unique, genrediverseprogramming, both in concert and ontheir many recordings, since the group’s inceptionin the 1980s. A pioneer among piano trios,Ensemble Vivant has garnered accolades internationallyfrom critics, peers and audiences fromthe classical and jazz worlds. Their 2011 recording,Homage to Astor Piazzolla (Opening Day), featuresbrilliant arrangements written for EnsembleVivant by Piazzolla expert Julien Labro and jazzgreat Rick Wilkins. Often expanding from a trioto a quartet or larger, the musicians of EnsembleVivant are of the highest calibre.Rave reviews for Homage to Astor Piazzolla:“… a truly beautiful CD.” — Don Thompson“… wonderful playing …” — Rick Wilkins“… these musicians capture the passion aswell as the verve … Wilson’s piano gives thismusic unerring drive and plenty of sparkle.”— John Terauds, Toronto Star“To my heart, your rendition of Oblivion isthe most touching I have ever heard: Bravo!”— Francois Pare, Radio-Classique, MontrealCatherine Wilson416-465-8856cwpianist@me.comwww.ensemblevivant.com●●ESPRIT ORCHESTRAFor 30 years, Esprit Orchestra has presentedcontemporary classical music, educational andcollaborative arts events while commissioning,performing and promoting fine Canadian compositions,along with important music fromaround the world. With its subscription concertsoffering audiences music otherwise unavailablein Canada, Esprit Orchestra has continuallybeen developing a Canadian musical legacy,expanding and enhancing its innovative artisticprojects and experiencing steady audiencegrowth. Concerts are programmed imaginativelyand performed with the highest standardsunder founding music director and conductorAlex Pauk.The orchestra presents an annual four-concertseries in Toronto’s acoustically acclaimedKoerner Hall. In 2012/13, the Esprit Orchestra willcelebrate its 30th anniversary with concerts andspecial events, reflecting our accomplishmentsand introducing new directions.Esprit’s activities include the Creative SparksOutreach Project, Toward a Living Art EducationProgram and national and internationaltouring. Esprit has received three LieutenantGovernor’s Arts Awards, the Jean A. ChalmersNational Music Award, the Vida Peene Awardand the SOCAN Award for Imaginative OrchestralProgramming. Esprit’s annual New WaveComposers Festival celebrates young Canadianartists, connecting composers and performerswith new audiences.Alex Pauk, music director and conductorElena Koneva, operations manager416-815-7887info@espritorchestra.comwww.espritorchestra.com● ● ETOBICOKE CENTENNIAL CHOIRFounded in 1967 to celebrate Canada’s centennial,the Etobicoke Centennial Choir (ECC) hasa long tradition of choral excellence. Under the
leadership of Henry Renglich, the choir enjoyscamaraderie, innovative programming andcollaboration with other arts groups. A threeconcertseason includes both classical andcontemporary repertoire.Our season begins on December 3 with “SacredTraditions”, featuring Benjamin Britten’s Ceremonyof Carols, Haydn’s St. Nicholas Mass andseasonal carols.On April 6, 2013, “Haydn and Brahms” showcasesBrahms’ German Requiem and Haydn’sTe Deum.“Canada and Beyond: A Mosaic of Song” onJune 8 features an audience- and choir-pleasingprogram including Borodin’s Polovtsian DanceNo.17, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Somer’s FiveSongs of the Newfoundland Outports and songs byAllistair MacGillivray, Healey Willan and PabloCasals among others.Weekly rehearsals are held Tuesdays from7:30pm to 10:00pm at Humber Valley UnitedChurch, Etobicoke. Membership is by auditionand interested singers are invited to attenda rehearsal.Henry Renglich, music directorLindsay Dodge, choir president416-622-6923info@etobicokecentennialchoir.cawww.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca●●ETOBICOKE COMMUNITYCONCERT BANDBuilding on years of scintillating performancesin Toronto West, the Etobicoke CommunityConcert Band thrills audiences with its programming,magnificent sound and communityservice. Committed to an intense performancecalendar, the ECCB cultivates Canadian talentthrough its four-part Concert Hall SubscriptionSeries, presents an “al fresco” summer seriesand explores big band repertoire with its spinoff,the Etobicoke Swing Orchestra. In 2012/13,the ECCB and music director John Edward Liddlecontinue with fresh programming. OurOctober 26 concert, “Something Old — SomethingNew,” launches the band’s new CD WellAlright with artist Candi McNeil and selectionshighlighting each instrument section. Our popularannual Christmas Concert, “Dashing to theShow,” will be held Friday, December 14. “A Nightat the Oscars” (March 22) features music fromwinning movies. The final concert, “Around theWorld in 80 Minutes,” (May 31) will be an eclecticblend of music from around the world. The ConcertBand and Big Band will also lend music tocharitable events all season, plus performancesby the Etobicoke Wind Quintet and Brass Quintet,and the Etobicoke Dixieland Flyers.Rob Hunter, presidentJohn Edward Liddle, music director416-410-1570info@eccb.cawww.eccb.ca●●ETOBICOKE PHILHARMONICORCHESTRAThis year we offer five great evenings of symphonicmusic in Etobiocke with our 60-pieceorchestra, under the direction of our maestro,Sabatino Vacca. Professional musicians lead thesections, supported by high level communityplayers.ETOBICOKE CENTENNIAL CHOIRMusical highlights include concertiperformed by youthful North York Music Festivalwinners, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5,a Christmas concert, Oscar movie themes,“Russian Spectacular” — with Arthur Ozolinsperforming the famous Rachmaninoff Piano ConcertoNo.3 — and more. Our grand finale featuresopera highlights in celebration of Verdi’s 200thanniversary with opera singers extraordinaire,including Canadian superstar Richard Margisonand the EPO chorus.Advanced orchestral musicians of all agesinterested in joining us are welcome to applyfor membership in the EPO. Contact our personnelmanager. Rehearsals begin WednesdaySeptember 12, 2012.Singers interested in joining our newly formedEPO chorus should contact us to perform for theVerdi Anniversary concert.Young string players may be interested inthe Etobicoke Youth Strings program whichprovides opportunities for performance in ourensemble and as a soloist. Visit our website forprogram details.See you at the symphony!General Information416-239-5665; info@eporchestra.caJudy Gargaro, personnel manager416-232-2275; jgargaro@quickemail.comwww.eporchestra.caEtobicoke Youth StringsShari Lundy, music director416-239-0523; eys@eporchestra.cashari.lundy@gmail.com●●EXULTATE CHAMBER SINGERSOver a 32-year history, the Exultate Chamber Singershas garnered praise from all quarters forsensitive, precise and seamless performances.The choir was established in 1981 by conductorJohn Tuttle and is enriched not only by the excellentmusicianship of its members but also bytheir varied academic and professional backgrounds.Together, they form a passionate,committed ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoirewhich was awarded the Healey WillanGrand Prize for a third time at the 2004 CBC Competitionfor Amateur Choirs. Exultate’s fourthCD, All Around the Circle, features folk songs fromacross Canada and was launched at the first performanceof Exultate’s 25th anniversary seasonin October 2005. Exultate presents a four-concertsubscription series in Toronto and makes guestappearances in various Ontario communities.Auditions are held as required to fill vacanciesin the fixed-membership group.Karen Grylls, conductorElana Harte, operations manager416-971-9229exultate@exultate.netwww.exultate.net●●FLATO MARKHAM THEATREThe Flato Markham Theatre’s DiamondSeries 2012/13 Season encompasses brilliantperformances with quality, diversity and anunprecented variety. Our professional series runfrom “Totally Classical” to “Jazz Divas,” “WorldStage” to “Nostalgia” “Afternoon Matinees” to“Great Canadian Performers” and more!Expect the best of world class performanceswith Flato Markham Theatre’s most flexiblepricing offers – yet unmatched in the GTA! Withglobally acclaimed artists, Canadian and GTApremieres and exclusive presentations, this 530-seat theatre, with not a bad seat in the house,offers an experience that creates unforgettablememories. We are located at 171 Town CentreBlvd., Markham, ON, L3R 8G5. Free parking onsite.Box Office: 905-305-7469Toll Free: 1-866-768-8801 (not available in416/647 area codes)www.markhamtheatre.ca● ● FOREST HILL YOUTH CHORUSNew this fall — the Forest Hill Youth Chorus! TheFHYC is a community choir for children ages 9to 17 that sings the best of sacred and secularrepertoire in a variety of languages, includingeverything from Tallis to folk music to Broadwaytunes, and performs on the Grace MusicConcert Series and at different venues throughoutthe city and beyond. Each rehearsal beginswith music theory and sight singing skills beforemoving on to vocal technique and repertoire.There is no membership fee for this outstandingtheWholeNote 2012/13 PRESENTER PROFILES
