Volume 22 Issue 2 - October 2016

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2016/17 ● Harmony Singers of Etobicoke The Harmony Singers of Etobicoke is a 35-voice women’s chorus that has been entertaining audiences since 1965. It presents concerts at Christmas and in the spring, and often performs at civic functions, private parties, hospitals and retirement homes. The Harmony Singers have sung the national anthems at Blue Jays games and appeared in a video with the group Down With Webster. The conductor is composer and arranger Harvey Patterson and the accompanist is renowned pianist Bruce Harvey. The Singers will present their Christmas concert “Winter Song” on Sunday, December 11 at 3pm at Humber Valley United Church. On Friday, December 16 at 8pm the Singers will be guest artists at the Etobicoke Community Concert Band’s concert “Christmas Sweater Swinging” in Etobicoke Collegiate Auditorium. The Harmony Singers welcome new members. To arrange a simple audition contact the conductor. Harvey Patterson 416-239-5821 theharmonysingers@ca.inter.net www.harmonysingers.ca ● I FURIOSI Baroque Ensemble I FURIOSI Baroque Ensemble is one of the world’s most innovative Baroque ensembles, comprised of four of Canada’s leading early music specialists: soprano Gabrielle McLaughlin, violinists Aisslinn Nosky and Julia Wedman, and cellist/gambist Felix Deak. Now in its 18th season, I FURIOSI’s Toronto concert series has been revitalising the face of early music in Canada, inspired by the practice of the Baroque era while invoking the “bizarre and unnatural” aesthetic both cherished and despised in its time. Thematic programming allows the performers to present Baroque music in a uniquely relevant way. This year’s concerts: Friday, October 21, 2016, Saturday, January 7, 2017, Friday, April 21, 2017 and Friday, June 2, 2017. All concerts take place at Calvin Presbyterian Church at 8pm. Gabrielle McLaughlin 416-536-2943 ifuriosi@ifuriosi.com www.ifuriosi.com ● International Resource Centre for Performing Artists The goal of the IRCPA is to be a hub that assists Canada’s musicians to achieve sustainable, fulfilling careers that meet or exceed their goals. The mission is to connect individual musicians with one another, with artistic coaches, other professionals and current leaders in the industry for knowledge exchange, coaching and employment opportunities. By 2020, the IRCPA plans to establish and operate a physical centre which, in time, will be self-sustaining, where artists can rehearse, audition, develop business practices, gain confidence and find support in their careers. Ann Summers Dossena 416-362-1422 info@ircpa.net www.ircpa.net ● Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario in Kingston, the new award-winning Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts brings together exceptional spaces and programs for Queen’s students and the Kingston community. This 90,000 square foot venue was designed by Oslo/New York-based firm Snøhetta and Ottawa’s N45, with acoustics and theatre design by ARUP and Theatre Projects Consultants, and includes the 566-seat Concert Hall, 100-seat Studio Theatre, 92-seat Film Screening Room, Rehearsal Hall and Art & Media Lab. Anchored by a transformational gift to the Initiative Campaign from Drs. Alfred and Isabel Bader, the Isabel was inspired by the Baders’ love – of the arts, of Queen’s, and of each other – and is named in Isabel’s honour. Every season, the Isabel presents four dynamic performance series. The 2016/17 season features the Bader and Overton International Violin Festival with phenomenal artists such as Viktoria Mullova, Midori, James Ehnes and Ashley MacIsaac, and the season features such artists as Jan Lisiecki, Marc-André Hamelin, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Oliver Jones, and Measha Brueggergosman. The inaugural Isabel Overton Bader Violin Competition will take place April 26 to 29, 2017. Tricia Baldwin, director Box office: 613-533-2424; or toll free 1-855-533-2424 ibcpaboxoffice@queensu.ca www.theisabel.ca ● Jazz Performance and Education Centre (JPEC) The Jazz Performance and Education Centre (JPEC) – a non-profit, charitable organization – is the result of a collaboration between business people, musicians and arts professionals who are passionate about jazz in Toronto. Officially incorporated in 2008, the concept for JPEC was born when jazz aficionados Raymond and Rochelle Koskie assembled a committee of fellow enthusiasts to address the need for a full-time jazz venue in the city. Over the course of that first year, the committee identified what continues to be its primary goal: to create a performing music hub similar to New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. Since then, JPEC has presented over 30 jazz concerts and events, as well sponsoring over 60 workshops in schools. JPEC brings professional musicians into schools in underserved areas to present workshops for students of all ages. In addition, JPEC showcases student groups from Ontario Jazz Colleges, providing them with experience by performing in various venues. Nancy Miller, marketing director 416-461-7744 millerneighbour@rogers.com www.jazzcentre.ca ● Jubilate Singers Jubilate Singers is a mixed-voice chamber choir that celebrates the multicultural origins of Torontonians by performing folk and contemporary works in many languages, in addition to French and English. A few of the choir’s recent performances have included works in Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Yiddish and Zulu. The choir performs music from a wide variety of choral styles and periods, with a special focus on works by Canadian composers. Since 2001, the choir has benefited from the gifted direction of Isabel Bernaus. The talented Sherry Squires has been the choir’s accompanist for over 20 years. Every season, Jubilate Singers present a series of three concerts. Please check the listings in The WholeNote. In addition, the choir performs at community events around Toronto. Norm Martin 416-488-1571 olatunje1@gmail.com www.jubilatesingers.ca ● Ken Page Memorial Trust The Ken Page Memorial Trust is a non-profit charitable fund supporting jazz and the musicians who create the music. The aims of the Trust are to encourage emerging talent, foster an understanding of the evolution of the music, promote jazz education through workshops, masterclasses and outreach programs conducted by established professionals and provide financial aid to jazz musicians on an emergency basis. The KPMT holds Annual Jazz Fundraisers featuring some of the world’s leading jazz artists and honours jazz professionals with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Last year the Trust provided grants to the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, Humber College Community Music School, the Ken Page Memorial Trust Scholarship in memory of Ron Collier, the Banff Centre, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and the All-Canadian Jazz Festival Port Hope. Donations are our lifeline. Board members are unpaid and every dollar is dedicated to furthering our mission. Contributions are gratefully received and if you are currently a donor we extend our sincere appreciation. If you would like to help us make a difference please visit our website. Anne Page 416-515-0200 anne@kenpagememorialtrust.com www.kenpagememorialtrust.com B12 | theWholeNote 2016/17 PRESENTER PROFILES

● Kindred Spirits Orchestra The Kindred Spirits Orchestra has performed to great acclaim, sold-out audiences and standing ovations at the renowned CBC Glenn Gould Studio, in downtown Toronto. As of 2011, the KSO has also been presenting a full subscription series at the Flato Markham Theatre, in addition to several community-outreach events and educational programs. An ardent supporter of contemporary music, the KSO also brings to life great pieces of the 20th and 21st centuries during its annual Markham Contemporary Music Festival. Led by the charismatic maestro Kristian Alexander, the KSO continues to attract avid audiences across the GTA. This season, the orchestra will welcome internationally-renowned soloists from the Canadian Opera Company (violinist Aaron Schwebel and violist Keith Hamm) and National Arts Centre (cellist Rachel Mercer), as well as acclaimed pianists Michael Berkovsky and Rudin Lengo. In addition to masterworks by Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and many others, a highlight of the season will be a performance of Harold en Italie by Berlioz as well as Symphony No. 10 by Shostakovich. The Orchestra will also return for a highlyanticipated concert at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio, led by Italian maestro Stefano Vignati. Kristian Alexander, music director Michael Berec, associate conductor Jobert Sevilleno, president and CEO Office: 905-604-8339 Box office: 905-305-7469 info@KSOrchestra.ca ● King Edward Choir Since 1952, the King Edward Choir has been a musical staple in the Barrie community. Founder Jean Dobson gathered together a small group of teachers and parents and formed the King Edward Ladies’ Choir. The group quickly increased in size and reputation and, before long, both the choir and its audience had grown significantly. Our mandate is to offer choristers and audience alike opportunities to experience new choral music, to expand the appreciation of world musics, to collaborate with other artists and artforms, and to create educational opportunities for youth in our community. The King Edward Choir, led by artistic director Floydd Ricketts, is formed of trained and amateur singers who are committed to creating beautiful music together in a passionate, informed and evocative manner. Our 2016/17 Season: E.T.A. Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: A Storybook in Concert, November 26, 2016; St. Augustine, a new oratorio, with music by Floydd Ricketts and lyrics by Dr. Bruce Meyer, February 25, 2017; The Coronation of King Edward VII, a dramatic re-enactment, May 6, 2017. Peter Sullivan, board president 705-739-7281 KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA pesullivan71@gmail.com www.kingedwardchoir.ca ● Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society The Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society (KWCMS) is perhaps the most active chamber music presenting organization in Canada, with some 70 concerts in the calendar year. We offer concerts in a true “chamber” – our Music Room is a very large living room seating just 85, with a superb Steinway for concerts requiring piano. Located in central Waterloo, overlooking Waterloo Park, with good restaurants and fine hotels within walking distance. Concerts range from solo piano, violin and guitar, to all chamber music combinations – especially string quartets. Many of our artists are world-famous; most are of national note in Canada; a few are local, including amateur events. Our current season includes a three-concert set of the ten Great Mozart Quartets by the Aviv Quartet of Israel, a five-concert tour of all the Shostakovich quartets by the brilliant Lafayette Quartet from Victoria, B.C., and Bach’s unaccompanied violin music in two concerts by Movses Pogossian, now at the University of Southern California. Go to www.k-wcms. com for much more, and an invitation to our e-list. Jan Narveson 519-886-1673 kwcms@yahoo.ca www.k-wcms.com ● Lawrence Park Community Church Lawrence Park Community Church has a long tradition of fine music, both in worship and in concert. Sunday services are held at 10:30am in the renovated and air-conditioned Sanctuary. Musical groups include the Adult Choir (volunteer and professional singers), the Lawrence Park Handbell Ringers and a Youth Band “Pancake Lunch.” There are monthly music sessions “Sundays with Kenny” for young people with saxophonist and percussionist Kenny Kirkwood. New members are warmly welcomed in all the groups. On Friday, November 11 at 8pm, Fridays @ 8 and the Toronto Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists present organ virtuoso David Briggs in a Remembrance Day Recital. On December 18 at 10:30am, the Choir leads in a Service of Lessons and Carols. Mark Toews 416-489-1551 x28 mark@lawrenceparkchurch.ca www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca ● Li Delun Music Foundation The Li Delun Music Foundation was established in 2002 in Toronto as a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural exchange between the East and the West through musical events. Named after the renowned Chinese conductor Li Delun, who founded the first symphony orchestra in the People’s Republic of China, the foundation is now well known in the community as a presenter of high-quality musical events such as the annual “East Meets West New Years Concert” at the Toronto Centre for the Arts each year, and recitals by acclaimed musicians. Aside from forming the Toronto Festival Orchestra, which gives talented young aspiring musicians a chance to work alongside seasoned professionals, the foundation also provides a platform for young up-and-coming soloists to play on the concert hall stage accompanied by a professional orchestra in front of a live appreciative audience. The Li Delun Music Foundation also holds masterclasses and workshops given by internationally-acclaimed artists such as Lang Lang, Sa Chen and Prof. Lee Kum-Sing. Rosalind Zhang 647-281-8768 rosy@lidelun.org theWholeNote 2016/17 PRESENTER PROFILES | B13