Volume 21 Issue 2 - October 2015

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2015/16 Opera York continues to provide affordable and accessible lectures, operatic concerts for seniors and educational programming. November 5 and 7, 2015: Puccini’s Tosca, Richmond Hill Centre for the Arts. March 3 and 5, 2016: Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Richmond Hill Centre for the Arts. 905-763-7853 info@operayork.com operayork.com Tickets: 905-787-8811 rhcentre.ca ● Orchestra Toronto Orchestra Toronto, Toronto’s premier community symphony orchestra, conducted by music director Kevin Mallon, is the Orchestra in Residence at the Toronto Centre for the Arts and offers five Sunday afternoon season concerts in the George Weston Recital Hall. The 2015-16 season will be our 62nd and features music from “around the world”. We perform powerful symphonic masterpieces as well as new works and our annual April light classics concert. Each concert is preceded by a pre-concert talk by our conductor Kevin Mallon. We also have an exciting roster of soloists: Stewart Goodyear, piano, Tom Allen as narrator, Joel Quarrington, double bass as well as Irish folk musicians. Our December concert, “The Music of Youth” will feature Stephanie Morin, flute, our concerto competition winner, as well as some holiday treats and our popular Long & McQuade Instrument Petting Zoo. We will continue this year with our RBC Student Fellowship Program, and Apprentice Conductor and Stage Manager programs as well as our annual Concerto Competition for Young Musicians. Samantha Little, Executive Director 416-467-7142 info@orchestratoronto.ca orchestratoronto.ca ● ORGANIX Concerts Inc. ORGANIX Concerts Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Glionna Mansell Corporation, is the producer of important musical events specific to organ performance and education. The musical highlight of the year is the annual international ORGANIX music series showcasing Toronto’s finest pipe organs. This series offers the public an opportunity to hear and experience rarely performed repertoire brilliantly executed on magnificent instruments by passionate Canadian and international artists. ORGANIX 16 will feature select solo concerts but will for the most part be enjoying a sabbatical after 10 seasons of continuous concerts. ORGANIX is a music series unlike any other! Gordon Mansell, president and artistic director 416-769-5224 1-877-769-5224 organixconcerts.ca ● ORIANA Women’s Choir ORIANA Women’s Choir is an auditioned, amateur ensemble of about 35 female singers. Under artistic director Mitchell Pady, ORIANA promotes choral music in Canada by striving for excellence and versatility in performing compositions for women’s voices. The choir is expanding the repertoire for women’s choirs by commissioning and performing works from Canadian composers. The singers delight in supporting each other, improving their technique, and expressing their enjoyment of beautiful music, beautifully performed. ORIANA is now in its 44th season and is currently inviting new members. Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays, 7:30pm to 10pm, at North Toronto Collegiate Institute. ORIANA presents three subscription concerts every year, usually in November, February, and May, at Grace Church on-the-Hill. This season the choir’s third subscription concert will be a collaboration with the Indo-jazz trio Autorickshaw. ORIANA also performs around the GTA at venues such as Roy Thomson Hall, the McMichael Collection, and various community events. Julia Lee 416-978-8849 info@orianachoir.com orianachoir.com ● Orpheus Choir of Toronto The Orpheus vision is “to celebrate the transformational power of choral music as an agent of social change and a passionate medium of artistic expression.” Celebrating our 52nd season of innovative music-making, the Orpheus Choir, under the charismatic direction of artistic director Robert Cooper, champions the rare and different in choral performance. 2015/16 highlights include the 1925 silent film classic Phantom of the Opera with live choral soundtrack; Christmas favourites with the Hannaford Street Silver Band and songstress Jackie Richardson; a multi-media Canadian Première: Bach’s Mass in B Minor with German filmmaker Bastian Clevé’s dramatic film The Sound of Eternity; and a celebration of the lyrical Shakespeare with Stratford star Geraint Wyn-Davies. Education initiatives include our highly successful Sidgwick Scholars Program, providing challenging, professional opportunities for rising vocal stars, and an Apprentice Conductor position. New this season, the Vocal Apprentice Program offers high-school singers superb performance experience. The Orpheus Choir is a vital and inclusive choral community meeting Tuesday evenings at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. We welcome enthusiastic singers for an “expect something different” experience! Lisa Griffiths, managing director Box Office: 416-530-4428 lisa.griffiths@orpheuschoirtoronto.com orpheuschoirtoronto.com ● Pax Christi Chorale Known for presenting rarely heard choral masterpieces, Pax Christi Chorale has a reputation for passionate singing and performance of dramatic masterworks with professional soloists and orchestra. Their concerts bring people together in a musical community without borders, in an artistic experience that deeply touches performers and audience alike. Under the artistic direction of Stephanie Martin since 1997, the choir has performed ambitious works including Handel’s Solomon, Britten’s Saint Nicolas, the North American premiere of Parry’s Judith, and Elgar’s The Kingdom in Koerner Hall. In addition to their annual community concert, “The Children’s Messiah”, Pax Christi Chorale will present three concerts in 2015-16: “Hands Across the Water” with England’s renowned Gloucester Cathedral Choir; Berlioz’s tender and endearing L’enfance du Christ; and “A Cappella Masterworks” with the Menno Singers. The choir also has a chamber choir and a choral scholarship program. Rehearsals are on Monday nights in North York. Auditions are held in May and August. Jennifer Collins, general manager jennifer.collins@paxchristichorale.org boxoffice@paxchristichorale.org paxchristichorale.org ● Penthelia Singers A vibrant ensemble of women, Penthelia Singers is a chamber choir committed to excellence in performing a culturally diverse and musically sophisticated repertoire spanning the Renaissance to the 21st century. Founded in 1997, the choir is named after the ancient Egyptian priestess-musician, Penthelia. Entering its 18th season, Penthelia Singers has earned a reputation for presenting innovative concerts of four to eight-part choral repertoire in a multitude of languages. Guest artists, dance, creative themes and unique programming make attending a Penthelia performance an original and engaging concert experience. Penthelia Singers aims to demonstrate the diversity of choral music and to cross ethnic and cultural boundaries by reaching out and connecting with our community through music. Penthelia Singers rehearses Wednesdays from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Rosedale Presbyterian Church (129 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Toronto). Choir admission is by audition in August or January. Strong sight-singing and/or choral experience required. Our major concerts for the 2015/2016 season are on Sunday, November 22, 2015 and Sunday, June 5, 2016. Alice Malach, artistic director 416-579-7464 pentheliasingers@yahoo.ca penthelia.com B18 | theWholeNote 2015/16 PRESENTER PROFILES

● Peterborough Singers The Peterborough Singers, under the energetic and creative leadership of founder and music director Syd Birrell, is an auditioned 100-voice choir of all ages which attracts audiences from Peterborough, the Kawarthas, Northumberland and locations along the Lakeshore. This season we are excited that our “Yuletide Cheer” concert includes soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian. As well as joining the choir in singing old favourites she will perform the world-premiere performance of our newly commissioned piece created by her husband, Canadian composer Serouj Kradjian. Also welcomed back for “Yuletide Cheer” is the Venabrass Brass Quintet. Bach’s St. John Passion and Handel’s Messiah will spotlight seasoned soloists as well as emerging young artists in the leading roles. The Beatles musical songbook is back by popular demand. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:30-9:30 pm at Murray St. Baptist Church, 175 Murray Street, Peterborough. Peg McCracken, office contact 705-745-1820 singers@peterboroughsingers.com peterboroughsingers.com ● RCCO Toronto The Royal Canadian College of Organists offers opportunities for professional certification, publishes the magazine Organ Canada/Orgue Canada, publishes new compositions for organ and/or choir, and organizes workshops and annual conventions. RCCO Toronto is a community in the GTA for professional and amateur organists, church and synagogue musicians, choral conductors and others who value the “King of Instruments.” We begin with a visit to the R.S. McLaughlin Estate – Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa on Saturday, September 19, 2015, led by Alan Jackson, including a unique look at the rare Aeolian player-pipe organ at the historic home. Our annual free Halloween concert, “Phantoms of the Organ,” takes place on Friday October 30 at 9pm, at Metropolitan United Church. A stunning organ performance is expected in November with Stefan Engels. Other events in 2016 include a Hymn Festival with John Schwandt (February), “A City BACH-WALK” in March, and an organ recital with organist Maurice Clerc (April). See online for details. Please feel free to contact David Weind, (president) at 416-789-1175. To become a member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, go to www. rcco.ca or contact Hazel Ogilvie (membership secretary) at 905-881-7266. Ron Jordan 905-683-0562 to.rcco.enotice@gmail.com rccotoronto.ca ORPHEUS CHOIR OF TORONTO ● Roy Thomson Hall In 2015-2016, the world’s greatest musicians and speakers take to the Roy Thomson Hall stage. Classical music giants performing at the Hall include Renee Fleming, Yundi, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman and more, while Raffi, Paco Peña, the Indigo Girls with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, “Classic Albums Live”, a live jazz accompaniment of animated film The Triplets of Belleville and others round out the diverse musical offerings this season. “National Geographic Live!” returns with a season’s-worth of adventurers, scholars, photographers and other compelling characters that share their insights, experience and amazement at the world around us, while the free choir and organ concert series continues into its 19th year. 416-872-4255 reachus@rth-mh.com roythomson.com ●The Royal Conservatory of Music Take in a concert by international classical, jazz, pop, and world music stars at one of the world’s finest concert halls, Koerner Hall, or one of The Conservatory’s other two concert venues. Artists range from Yo-Yo Ma to Mavis Staples, from Los Lobos to Ramsey Lewis, plus The Conservatory’s own world-renowned faculty. Koerner Hall is “the greatest venue in this city” and “magnificent in its acoustics, as much as in its design.” (Toronto Star) 416-408-0208 performance.rcmusic.ca ● Scaramella Concerts Scaramella presents period instrument chamber music concerts from musicians from Canada and abroad. The roster changes from concert to concert, enabling a wide range of musical styles and a fresh, vivacious and accessible performance. Children 14 and under are admitted free of charge. For 2015-2016, we begin with a Bach program, embracing Johann Sebastian’s own quirk of ‘recycling’ music in new settings. His sixth Brandenburg concerto may have originally called for two violas paired with two viols, but it also resonates beautifully when brought to life by an entire consort of low viols. Our second program moves to the opposite end of the overtone spectrum, featuring the pardessus de viole, an instrument that was championed historically by women players, played by Mélisande Corriveau. Our final concert pairs two sensational young artists: soprano Dawn Bailey and fiery baroque trumpeter Justin Bland, backed by an ensemble of strings and harpsichord. Tickets available at the door, or for advance purchase using the order form on the website. November 28, 2015: Bach – Alio Modo; March 5, 2016: Délices de la solitude; April 16, 2016: Sound the Trumpet! Joëlle Morton 416-760-8610 info@scaramella.ca scaramella.ca ● Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, in its 36th season, is a community orchestra led by music director Ronald Royer. We offer fulfilling, and convenient live entertainment experiences at affordable prices with performances by many amazing artists. SPO is fertile ground for young up-and-coming performers and composers, too. It is part of SPO’s commitment to providing the community and performers with the opportunity to enjoy the very best the music world has to offer. For SPO’s 2015/16 concert season, the tradition continues. In addition to SPO’s impressive roster of Canadian composers featured this season, we are always proud to spotlight many Canadian BRUCE REDSTONE theWholeNote 2015/16 PRESENTER PROFILES | B19