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Volume 23 Issue 7 - April 2018

  • Text
  • April
  • Toronto
  • Jazz
  • Musical
  • Symphony
  • Arts
  • Performing
  • Choir
  • Theatre
  • Orchestra
In this issue: we talk with jazz pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo about growing up in Toronto, building a musical career, and being adaptive to change; pianist Eve Egoyan prepares for her upcoming Luminato project and for the next stage in her long-term collaborative relationship with Spanish-German composer Maria de Alvear; jazz violinist Aline Homzy, halfway through preparing for a concert featuring standout women bandleaders, talks about social equity in the world of improvised music; and the local choral community celebrates the life and work of choral conductor Elmer Iseler, 20 years after his passing.

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Classified Advertising | classad@thewholenote.com WholeNote CLASSIFIEDS can help you recruit new members for your choir or band / orchestra or find a new music director! Advertise your help wanted needs or promote your services starting at only /issue. INQUIRE BY April 21 for the MAY 2018 issue. classad@thewholenote.com AUDITIONS & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Available pro bono positions with the KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA: Oboe, Horn, Trumpet, sectional Violins, Violas, Violoncellos and Contrabasses. The KSO is an auditioned-based civic orchestra in residence at Flato Markham Theatre. For information, visit KSOchestra.ca or e-mail GM@KSOrchestra.ca BAND TEACHER POSITION WITH NEW HORIZONS BAND OF TORONTO FOR 2018-19 SEASON. Experience teaching high school or adult concert band program a must. Openings for day or evening band classes are available. This is a growing organization focussed on delivering a quality music experience to mature adults in a positive and supportive environment. Toronto west area. See www.NewHorizonsBandToronto.ca for more details and a link to TVO documentary. Send CV and cover letter to nhbdirector@gmail.com BASS/BARITONE SINGER NEEDED for established Toronto vocal quartet 4skör. Visit our website at 4skör.ca Interested singers should contact apply@4skor.ca. ORIANA WOMENS’ CHOIR is always welcoming new singers! Sopranos and altos can contact the choir to set up an audition by emailing auditions@orianachoir.com or drop by a rehearsal at Earl Haig Secondary School Tuesday nights 7:00pm-10:00pm. PLAYERS NEEDED for children’s concert band program at St. Albans Boys and Girls Club. Age 9+. All levels welcome. Wednesdays from 6-7:30. 0 for 12 week session. Please contact Michelle Clarke for more info 416-534-8461. stalbansclub.ca/st-albans-band BUY & SELL BUY OR SELL INSTRUMENTS with a WholeNote classified ad! What’s in YOUR closet? Does your old guitar gently weep? Give that nice old clarinet / drum kit a new life. Ads start at .00 INQUIRE BY APRIL 21 for the MAY edition. classad@thewholenote.com CLASSICAL RECORD AND CD COLLECTIONS WANTED. Minimum 350 units. Call, text or e-mail Aaron 416-471-8169 or A@A31.CA. DIGITAL ORGAN FOR SALE Superb two-manual, 37 stop Allen Quantum Q265D drawknob organ (2012) seven channel audio, seven tonal suites, occasionally used by dealer as concert rental instrument, available immediately. Organ may be played and inspected by appointment. K, price negotiable, financing available, includes delivery in Ontario. Call/Text: 416-571-3680 or email: gdmansell@sympatico.ca. FRENCH HORN: nice double horn in excellent condition. Hard case. One owner since 1978. mjbuell@gmail.com TRUMPET Bach Stradivarius model 37 (never used); SAXOPHONE Bundy Selmer alto; BASSOON Linton; TUBA Besson ¾ size, in hard case with wheels. TENOR saxophone, Yamaha. Phone 416-964-3642. VIOLINS BY EUROPEAN VIOLIN MAKER call after 6pm 905-886-7374. Weekends anytime. INSTRUCTION FLUTE, PIANO, THEORY LESSONS. RCM exam preparation. RCM certified advanced specialist. Samantha Chang, FTCL, FLCM, Royal Academy of Music PGDip, LRAM, ARCT. Toronto, Scarborough 416-801-9196, samantha.studio@gmail.com. www.samanthaflute.com. JAMMING WITH A COACH - a 10 week Adult Band Workshop seeks singers, piano, guitar, bass, drums and horns etc for a weekly workshop. For those who want to reconnect with music, play in a band, make friends and most of all have fun. Like School of Rock but for adults. Marc Enkin Music 647 522-4213. marcenkin@gmail.com. LESSONS FOR ALL! Friendly and firm - I’m an experienced musician and mom teaching piano and singing to children (and the young at heart) in my Toronto home (East Leslieville). To discuss your child’s need for music-making please contact kskwhite@gmail.com. PIANO, VOCAL, THEORY LESSONS in Etobicoke and East Mississauga with RCM piano advanced certified specialist. MUSIC THERAPY SERVICES and ADAPTED LESSONS. www.lmmtstudio.com larissa@lmmtstudio.com 416-574-0018. SERVICES ACCOUNTING AND INCOME TAX SERVICE for small business and individuals, to save you time and money, customized to meet your needs. Norm Pulker, B. Math. CMA. 905-251-0309 or 905-830-2985. AUDIOLOGY SERVICES FOR MUSICIANS. Treatment for tinnitus, hyperacusis, misophonia. Custom musician ear plugs, hearing testing, clinical hypnosis for peak performance. All services by Doctor of Audiology. Telemedicine option available. Short walk from Stouffville GO train/bus station. www.auditorypathways.ca 647-527-7107. CD LINER NOTES, PROMO MATERIAL, CONCERT PROGRAMS, LIBRETTI, WEB SITE CONTENT AND MEMOIRS need proofreading and editing for correct spelling and grammar, clarity and consistency. Contact Vanessa Wells, wellsread@editors.ca, for a copy editor with a music background. Quick turnaround and reasonable rates! wellsreadediting.ca. DO YOU NEED MUSIC FOR A BIRTHDAY, WEDDING, ANNIVERSARY OR OTHER SPECIAL OCCASION? Aquarius DJ Service plays music for all ages to fit your budget. Motown, sixties-and-up and your requests. For more information, phone Jen at 416-693-8875, or send an e-mail to mejen@bell.net. KARAOKE FOR ALL OCCASIONS! We offer on-site karaoke services for your private party, team-building event, or fund-raiser. All equipment provided plus a skilled and friendly karaoke host to run things smoothly and make your guests feel like stars. Sing musical theatre favourites, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday, Beatles, Queens of the Stone Age, and everything in between. Contact jason@jasonrolland.com or call 416-809-4311. RESTORE PRECIOUS MEMORIES lost on old records, tapes, photos etc.? Recitals, gigs, auditions, air checks, family stuff. on 78’s, cassettes, reels, 35mm slides etc?. ArtsMediaProjects will lovingly restore them to CD’s or DVD’s. Call George @ 416-910-1091. VENUES AVAILABLE / WANTED ARE YOU PLANNING A CONCERT OR RECITAL? Looking for a venue? Consider Bloor Street United Church. Phone: 416-924-7439 x22. Email: tina@bloorstreetunited.org. PERFORMANCE / REHEARSAL / STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE: great acoustics, reasonable rates, close to Green P Parking, cafés & restaurants. Historic church at College & Bellevue, near Spadina. Phone 416-921-6350. E-mail ststepheninthefields@gmail.com. RESTORE & PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES Recital and gig tapes | 78’s & LPs | VHS and Hi8 | 35mm Slides |News clippings | Photos & more, transferred to digital files: CD’s, DVD’s, or Video slideshow ArtsMediaProjects 416.910.1091 NEED HELP WITH YOUR TAXES? Specializing in personal and business tax returns including prior years and adjustments HORIZON TAX SERVICES INC. • free consultation • accurate work For CRA stress relief call: 1-866-268-1319 hts@horizontax.ca www.horizontax.ca LessonShop.net Sign up now for free! NEW eCommerce website for music teachers. LessonShop.net manages your lesson bookings and gives you free marketing. Get paid upfront directly to your bank account for lessons you sell. 416 996-7566 support@LessonShop.net The Best Music Teachers Are Here! Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, Est. 1936 ormta.org BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS Economical and visible! Promote your services & products to our musically engaged readers, in print and on-line. MAY EDITION DEADLINE: April 16 classad@thewholenote.com ADVERTISE music-related needs, skills and services Recruit new members for choirs, bands, orchestras. Find a new music director | Find a music teacher | Buy or sell Just for the first 20 words. .20 for each additional word. Discounts for 3x, 5x and 10x insertions. INQUIRE BY APRIL 21 for the MAY edition. classad@thewholenote.com DO YOU DRIVE? Do you love The WholeNote? Share the love and earn a little money! Join The WholeNote’s circulation team: 9 times a year, GTA and well beyond. Interested? Contact: circulation@thewholenote.com 64 | April 1 – May 7, 2018 thewholenote.com

April’s Child KIYOSHI NAGATA MJ BUELL WE ARE ALL MUSIC’S CHILDREN NEW CONTEST Who is MAY’S CHILD? Kiyoshi Nagata lives in Scarborough, but spends most of his time in Richmond Hill caring for his mother, or in downtown Toronto with his musician girlfriend. Besides living and breathing taiko music, Kiyoshi religiously goes to the gym each morning to work out, clear his head and prepare for each day. During the school year, he teaches taiko drumming at U of T’s Faculty of Music. Kiyoshi loves drinking sake, red wine and craft beer on a nightly basis (not all three at the same time), and enjoys trying new local restaurants, usually on Sunday evenings. On his off days, which are rare, his favourite things to do are to walk along Toronto Islands, or catch a small independent movie with his girlfriend. Kiyoshi Nagata is the artistic director of the taiko drum ensemble Nagata Shachu, formed in 1998. Rooted in the folk-drumming traditions of Japan, the ensemble makes innovative and exciting music that continues to create a new voice for the taiko. These physically demanding, spirited performances feature diverse repertoire for taiko (including the massive O-Daiko drum), bamboo flutes, the three-stringed shamisen, gongs, cymbals, shakers and wood blocks. Born and raised in Richmond Hill, ON, Nagata’s father worked in the auto fleet department of Ontario Hydro and his mother was a secretary/bookkeeper. He says that his parents always listened to Japanese enka music (a popular traditional/ballad style) but his father also liked Nat King Cole and Benny Goodman. He attended Bayview Secondary School in Richmond Hill, graduated in political science from U of T and then moved to Japan to further his taiko training. Nagata has taught a credit course in taiko at the U of T’s Faculty of Music since 1998. He also established a public taiko course at the RCM in Toronto and is regularly invited by CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS! universities and community taiko groups to conduct workshops and present lectures. He composes and performs taiko music for dance, theatre, film and radio, and collaborates with artists from all genres of music including traditional Japanese instrumentalists. About your childhood photo? This was definitely taken at Halloween. I guess I was a banjo-playing Mountie! I never played the banjo but it was probably the very first instrument that I ever owned. The photo reminds me of a very happy childhood with loving parents. Coming from a working-class family, we didn’t have much, but we had a lot of fun. First memories of hearing music? My parents had one of those large furniture phonograph consoles that I played records on. I do specifically remember listening to 78 rpm records of Old MacDonald, and Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head. My grandmother played the three-stringed shamisen and my mother and three sisters did Japanese dance with it. Your first recollection of making music? I remember clearly: the first time I made music was playing the taiko drum at age 12 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. I learned a simple song called Don Doko Bayashi which was a simple four-bar pattern repeated over and over again. It was exhilarating. Later I played tenor sax in the school band where the main objective was to be unified and sound as one. This was a very appealing concept for me. When I started learning taiko I became obsessed with the philosophy of working together to create something new, exciting and in the moment. Do you remember when you first performed for an audience? My very first performance was at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square in 1982 where the Japanese community held its annual Obon Festival On April 15 Koerner Hall will resound with “Taiko Plus!” when Nagata Shachu teams up with Esprit Orchestra for the Canadian premiere of Mono-Prism, by Maki Ishii (Japan). Expect irresistible energy and a sound like no other. Program also includes three other premieres: Chris Paul Harman’s …with silverbells and cockle shells…, Scott Wilson’s Dark Matter, and Concentric Circles, by Fuhong Shi (China), which will feature soprano Meredith Hall. A pair of tickets each is waiting for RICHARD SMITH and ZOE BROWN. espritorchestra.com On their DVD/CD recording Toronto Taiko Tales Nagata Shachu celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of its hometown in Toronto. This professional studio recording, released in 2017, features 13 of the ensemble’s signature pieces interspersed with evocative scenes of the city. A copy each goes out to CHRISTIAN MUELLER and EILEEN BEST. Regina, 1973 Don’t you have a capo? I’m a mezzo! She sang some serious sorcery in a very recent Dido and Aeneas. If you liked her in Briefs or heard her in a Shelter before she went barefoot in Messiah you can now catch her from until April 14 in a brand new Overcoat. In June she’ll be joining streams of sound to match another little girl’s passion. Her last name is the first name of a famous composer. Know our Mystery Child’s name? WIN PRIZES! Send your best guess by April 21 to musicschildren@thewholenote.com Previous artist profiles and full-length interviews can be read at thewholenote.com/musicschildren (to honour the dead). That’s when the performing bug hit me! What helped to form your appetite for staged performance, and for the multigenre collaborations you do today? My first time seeing the Kodo drummers from Japan in the early 1980s really set the stage for me (no pun intended). I was entranced by the fact that these drummers were making music using their entire bodies. The combination of physical strength, spirit and musicality had a lasting impression on me. Another concert which really opened my mind was to see John Wyre’s (NEXUS) concert of World Drums. That helped me to understand the potential of making music together without the need of spoken language or a score. Kiyoshi Nagata’s full-length interview and a list of upcoming engagements can be read at thewholenote.com/musicschildren thewholenote.com April 2018 | 65

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