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Volume 25 Issue 2 - October 2019

  • Text
  • Performing
  • Orchestra
  • Symphony
  • Musical
  • Concerts
  • Arts
  • Jazz
  • Choir
  • October
  • Toronto
Long promised, Vivian Fellegi takes a look at Relaxed Performance practice and how it is bringing concert-going barriers down across the spectrum; Andrew Timar looks at curatorial changes afoot at the Music Gallery; David Jaeger investigates the trumpets of October; the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution (and the 20th Anniversary of our October Blue Pages Presenter profiles) in our Editor's Opener; the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at 125; Tapestry at 40 and Against the Grain at 10; ringing in the changing season across our features and columns; all this and more, now available in Flip Through format here, and on the stands commencing this coming Friday September 27, 2019. Enjoy.

BLUE PAGES

BLUE PAGES 2019/20 SECTION I: PRESENTERS & PERFORMERS ●Trio ● Arkel Trio Arkel is a chamber music ensemble presenting classical music in the heart of Toronto. Leading musicians Marie Bérard and Winona Zelenka collaborate with renowned guest artists in three eclectic programs each season, performing both favourites and lesser-known works in concerts that fascinate and delight. Winona Zelenka 416-409-6824 winonazelenka@gmail.com www.trioarkel.com ●●University of Toronto Faculty of Music The University of Toronto Faculty of Music is a vital destination for professional and scholarly study of music in North America. As part of one of the world’s top universities, the Faculty is home to a diverse and dynamic community. With superb educators in every area of music study and dozens of areas of specialization, we offer an education that is both broad and deep. Our community members have garnered honours such as the Oscar, the Leonardo da Vinci Prize, Peabody, Grammy, JUNO and National Jazz Awards, and occupy prominent positions with major performing arts organizations including the Toronto Symphony, National Arts Centre and National Ballet of Canada Orchestras, the Canadian Opera Company and CBC/Radio-Canada. The 2019/20 season marks the beginning of the Faculty of Music’s second century and we are thrilled to welcome distinguished visitors (including Barbara Hannigan and Brett Dean, Kris Davis, Tamara Wilson, Eric Owens, Rob Kapilow and André Mehmari), and to offer over 150 public concerts and events. We encourage you to check our website often for the many additional student recitals, lectures, masterclasses and special events posted throughout the season. Don McLean, dean and professor Box Office: 416-408-0208 (ticketed events only) Faculty of Music General Inquiries: 416- 978-3750 (all other concerts & events) www.music.utoronto.ca ●●Upper Canada Choristers The Upper Canada Choristers is a mixed voice community choir in Toronto with a history of collaboration with international choirs and local children’s choirs. Performing with a wide variety of guest artists, the choir has a diverse repertoire and is committed to excellence. Cantemos is the auditioned latin american chamber ensemble of the Choristers. Founding artistic director and conductor, Laurie Evan Fraser and accompanist Hye Won Cecilia Lee provide the professional musical leadership for this vibrant organization. The choir performs 15 to 20 concerts in the community annually. Our 2019/20 concert season opens with “Christmas Fantasy!” on December 6 at Grace Church on-the-Hill; the program will feature Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols with baritone, Bradley Christenson, as well as carols dating from the 15th century to the present day. Our spring concert on May 8, “Inti Ukana,” a celebration of Latin American cultures from prehispanic times to the present, will include Misa Criolla by Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez. Laurie Evan Fraser 416-256-3809 lef@uppercanadachoristers.org www.uppercanadachoristers.org ●Vesnivka ● Choir This award-winning women’s ensemble, established by Halyna Kvitka Kondracki in 1965, has delighted audiences around the world with its rich repertoire of Ukrainian classical, sacred, contemporary and folk music. Vesnivka begins its 54th season on October 27 with a concert featuring the music of Ukrainian composer Oleksander Koshyts. Koshyts led the National Choir of Ukraine on a concert tour in North America in the 1920s and later taught in Winnipeg. Joining Vesnivka and its partner, the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir (TUMCC), will be St. Nicholas Choir. On January 12, Vesnivka and TUMCC present their ever-popular annual “Ukrainian Christmas” concert with guest soloists and a folk instrumental ensemble. The season wraps up on March 29 with a concert commemorating the 180th anniversary of the publication of Kobzar - a collection of poetry and prose by Ukraine’s famous literary figure Taras Shevchenko – featuring music written by Ukrainian composers inspired by his poignant words. Guest artists will include soloists from the Ukrainian Art Song Project. Vesnivka also sings Christmas and Easter Liturgies on January 7 and April 19 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (Toronto). Nykola Parzei 416-246-9880 nykola@vesnivka.com www.vesnivka.com ●Victoria ● Scholars Men’s Choral Ensemble The namesake of the Victoria Scholars, Tomás Luis de Victoria, was an outstanding Renaissance composer whose music is renowned for its spirituality and emotional expressiveness. The Victoria Scholars bring clarity and balance of sound so characteristic of Renaissance music to all their repertoire, encompassing Medieval plainchant, works from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary eras, and newly-commissioned works. Past winners of the Healey Willan Grand Prize in the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs, the Victoria Scholars have performed with many exceptional arts organizations (including Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Kiev Chamber Choir) and vocal soloists (including Sondra Radvanovsky, Michael Schade, Russell Braun and Norine Burgess). They have toured nationally and internationally and are heard regularly on CBC Radio 2 and Classical 96.3FM. For the 2019/20 season, we are pleased to offer the following concert series: “Twas the Night Before Christmas” (December 22 and 23); “A Cappella with the Victoria Scholars” (March 1); and “Those Opera Composers” (May 31). Please visit us on our website or Facebook for further details. Ulla Knowles 416-476-4078 info@victoriascholars.ca www.victoriascholars.ca ●Village ● Voices Village Voices is a non-auditioned community choir with our home base in Markham, Ontario. We perform major concerts in December and in May. We provide opportunities for members to sing together in fellowship, and encourage and promote each individual’s musical growth. We also provide choral music presentations to community-based groups, such as seniors’ homes, local fairs, festivals and churches. Gloria Fung 905-294-7373 fungg@rogers.com www.villagevoices.ca ●Visual ● and Performing Arts Newmarket (VPAN) Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket (VPAN) was organized in 1988 with the aim of bringing together arts lovers and campaigning for a performing arts facility. In 1997, with a new Newmarket theatre in place, VPAN created “Three For The Show” - a three-concert series of classical music on Sunday afternoons during the winter months. Most recent artists to appear include Janina Fialkowska, Gryphon Trio, Quartetto Gelato, Mary Lou Fallis, Adi Braun, Martin Beaver, Broadsway, Cecilia String Quartet, the Vandikas Family, Canadian Guitar Quartet and Drew Jurecka Trio. Eighteeen years ago, VPAN added a popular fourth concert “Young Artists Showcase,” where young up-and-coming artists are invited to perform. We are entering our 23rd season by presenting Leslie Fagan, with Guy Few and Lorin Shalanko, on Nov 3; Bridge+Wolak Duo on March 1; and Rivka Golani and Angela Park on March 29. All “Three For the Show” concerts take place Sundays at 2pm at the Newmarket Theatre, 505 Pickering Cres., with free parking. The “Young Artists’ Showcase” takes place at the newly refurbished Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St. Call us for box office or visit www.newtix.ca. Marcia Sinclair 905-953-5122 vpanconcerts-newmarket@rogers.com www.vpan.ca B24 | theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES

●VIVA ● Singers of Toronto Celebrating our 20th anniversary, VIVA is a vibrant community of singers and educators committed to equity, excellence, and the belief that every voice matters. VIVA empowers singers of all ages, abilities, and experiences in each of seven choirs through innovative and high-level choral pedagogy and performance experiences. Two vital choir components highlight VIVA’s philosophy: the TD Inclusion Program for singers with disabilities; and the Choral Mentoring and Leadership Program for aspiring conductor-educators. VIVA’s youth choruses include: Preparatory (ages 4-6); Junior (ages 6-10); Main (ages 9-16); Senior Treble (ages 13-16), Everyone Can Sing for those aged 13 and up with disabilities; adult choirs include: Community Choir (SATB; non-auditioned) and Chamber Choir (SATB; auditioned). All singers perform annually in our “Series Concerts” in Jeanne Lamon Hall at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, and other professional engagements. VIVA is the official children’s choir of The National Ballet of Canada, performing annually in The Nutcracker. Special events this year include VIVA’s 20th “Anniversary Commissions,” and a performance tour to Scotland in July. Charlotte Burrage 416-788-8482 charlotte@vivayouthsingers.com www.vivayouthsingers.com ●VOCA ● Chorus of Toronto The VOCA Chorus of Toronto is a dynamic, auditioned ensemble under the leadership of artistic director Jenny Crober. We perform a wide range of repertoire, including arrangements by Ms. Crober, in collaboration with superb guest artists from a variety of disciplines. Our season consists of two concerts, cabarets, community performances and workshops. Our talented, versatile accompanist is Elizabeth Acker. Several remarkable artists have joined VOCA as guest clinicians, including composer Ola Gjeilo, conductor Ivars Taurins and jazz musician Dylan Bell. At our Saturday, December 7 “Comfort and Joy” concert, VOCA will present Vivaldi’s Gloria and Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia On Christmas Carols, featuring soloists Dallas Chorley, Lindsay Connolly and Parker Clements and the VOCA Chamber Players, along with selections by Ola Gjeilo, Pentatonix, Elise Letourneau and others. We’re thrilled to have been invited to perform in Roy Thomson Hall’s 23rd annual “Choir and Organ Series” on April 9. This event, along with our Spring concert on Saturday, May 9, will feature guest artists Shawn Grenke, organ; Colleen Allen, sax; and Jamie Drake, percussion. Rehearsals are Monday evenings at Eastminster United, just west of Chester subway. Jenny Crober 416-947-8487 crober.best@gmail.com www.vocachorus.ca WYCHWOOD CLARINET CHOIR ●● VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert is Canada’s only company dedicated exclusively to the presentation of rare opera programming. Our performances rely on the power and beauty of the human voice, the dramatic inflexion of text and poetry accompanied by orchestra or piano. The 2019/20 season opens with a double bill presentation of Maurice Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges and L’heure Espagnole on October 20, with featuring artists Holly Chaplin, Anika-France Forget, Danlie Rae Acebuque and Joshua Clemenger, with chorus director Robert Cooper and Suzy Smith as music director. Katya Kabanová by Leoš Janáček is next on December 1, with music director and pianist Jo Greenaway, and featuring Lynn Isnar, Emilia Boteva and Michael Barrett. A Canadian opera, Kamouraska by Charles M. Wilson follows on February 16, featuring Jennifer Taverner, Aaron Dimoff and Matt Chittick, with conductor and chorus director Robert Cooper. The finale of the season is Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur on April 5, featuring Sally Dibblee, Romulo Delgado and Geneviève Lévesque, with Narmina Afandiyeva as music director and chorus director Robert Cooper. Yuki Azuma 416-366-7723 www.operainconcert.com ●Vox ● Choirs Vox Choirs is a non-profit music organization comprised of two sibling choirs, Univox and Florivox, that share the same core principles: musical excellence, social responsibility, and relationship building. Univox, led by artistic director and conductor, Dallas Bergen, is a mixed-voice community choir for young adults. Performed works are primarily a cappella and span a wide range of the choral spectrum: Renaissance madrigals and motets, choral classics, modern composition, spirituals, and international folk songs. Univox aims to fill the niche for young adults who wish to continue to have a rewarding choral experience with others in their age group. Florivox, led by conductor Josh Tamayo, is a nonauditioned choir for treble voices. Just like its sister choir, a love of singing and a strong sense of community are guiding principles of Florivox. Members meet once a week to explore a wide variety of styles and to develop choral/singing skills, all within a friendly and supportive environment. Both choirs perform 3 principal concerts a year, and this year promises to be another exciting program as the choirs continue to deliver a high quality and passionate musical experience. Matthew Pollishuke marketing@voxchoirs.com www.voxchoirs.com ●Westben ● Centre for Connection & Creativity Through Music Westben is now a year-round Centre for Connection and Creativity Through Music. The Centre focuses on the year-round convergence of people, ideas and activities and is a cultural hive where professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts meet and are nurtured through the joy of music. Artist residencies, “Lunchtime Tick Talks,” “House Concerts,” and “Concerts to a Tea” are just some of the new year-round programming. In 2020, Westben will celebrate its 21st season of “Concerts at The Barn” featuring classical, jazz, folk, fiddle, and Broadway offering the incredible opportunity to experience world class music in a natural setting. Also returning is the one-of-a-kind in Canada, peer-driven, Performer-Composer International Residency. Westben is where the best of music and nature spring to life in your company! Ask about our oneof-a-kind experiences such as “Chocolate Voices,” “Secret Concert” and the expanded “Dare to Pair” series. Nestled amongst the peaceful hills theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES | B25

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