Volume 30 Issue 2 | October & November 2024

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BLUE PAGES 2024/25 blend of repertoire from gospel to sacred to pop to oratorio. World-class, professional Canadian soloists enjoy performing with the choir time and again. The PS also makes a point of incorporating young emerging artists into their season, giving them a chance to perform alongside some of the more seasoned performers. Specially commissioned music from Canadian composers is part of the regular repertoire. The Singers hold weekly music classes, enabling young musicians to gain the skills required for choral music performance. The PS appreciates the wonderful support given by the community. Peggy McCracken 707-745-1820 singers@peterboroughsingers.com www.peterboroughsingers.com www.facebook.com/ PeterboroughSingers www.twitter.com/PtboSingers www.instagram.com/singersptbo ●The Rose Orchestra The Rose Orchestra is excited to enter its second decade of inspired performances at the worldclass Rose Theatre, delivering high-quality live entertainment that caters to a diverse range of musical tastes. Our community orchestra boasts a vast pool of talented musicians, many of whom have been delighting Brampton audiences for over 20 years. We believe music transcends generations, which is why we provide opportunities for Brampton’s young musicians through our Rosebud Orchestra, where children aged 8 to 18 receive coaching and training. Many Rosebuds join the Rose Orchestra family, perpetuating a tradition of multigenerational music-making. This upcoming season, we are thrilled to present a variety of themed concerts: “Fall for Romance” with Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Piano Concerto No. 1 and excerpts from Romeo and Juliet; “Hymns to Freedom” featuring gospel vocal dynamo, Jackie Richardson, a Christmas concert with the Brampton Children’s Chorus & St. Roch Chorale; “Too Darn Hot” celebrating Cole Porter; “Legendary Journeys” with the Star Wars Suite; and “Natural Melodies, Life & Love” showcasing Rachmaninoff’s The Rock, Fantasy Op. 7 and Dvorak’s Carnival. Three of our concerts will also highlight the talented Rosebuds. Helen Graham 905-874-2800 info@theroseorchestra.org www.theroseorchestra.org www.facebook.com/theroseorchestra ● RCCO Toronto Founded in October 1924, the Royal Canadian College of Organists’ Toronto Centre is the city’s foremost advocate for the pipe organ and its music. We host public concerts, featuring both internationally-acclaimed artists and local performers, as well as masterclasses, workshops, lectures and other special events. Many of our events are intended for general audiences, while some of our educational offerings are specially designed to support organists and church musicians in their professional work. Join us as we celebrate our centennial season! Stefani Bedin rccotoexecutive@gmail.com www.rcco.ca/toronto https://www.facebook.com/RccoTO ●The Royal Conservatory of Music The Royal Conservatory’s Koerner Hall is “the greatest venue in this city” and “magnificent in its acoustics, as much as in its design” (Toronto Star). This concert season has a diverse lineup of more than 80 inspiring performances in store for you, featuring exceptional artists representing Canada and the world. Experience the thrill of live music in the magnificent Koerner Hall with unforgettable classical, jazz, roots, and global music concerts. Radostina Ivanova 416-408-2824, x368 radostina.ivanova@rcmusic.ca www.rcmusic.com/concerts www.facebook.com/koernerhall www.twitter.com/KoernerHall ● Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra Under the direction of Ron Royer, who brings years of experience as a conductor, musician, composer and music educator, the SPO has developed as a lively community orchestra and a Canadian composition incubator, while also producing live and digital chamber concerts by orchestra ensembles. SPO is also a local resource as a co-producer of recording projects by local ensembles, artists and choirs. Orchestra Canada included SPO in its “Digital Toolkit” as an exemplar for small orchestras citing its podcast, streaming content, and recording production skills. The SPO has been an anchor cultural organization in Scarborough for 45 years. and presents, on average, six main-series concerts, plus performing/presenting at festivals and community celebrations, plus recording, developing and presenting substantial Canadian programming, as recognized by the Canadian Music Centre in awarding SPO the 2021 John Beckwith Award, The orchestra has a professional core augmented by highly achieving community amateur musicians. Annually, it offers a unique program for New Generation artists and composers, as well as residency programs. Linda Rogers 416-805-1566 lrogers@spo.ca www.spo.ca www.facebook.com/SPOGreatMusic www.x.com/SPOGreatMusic www.instagram.com/SPOGreatMusic www.youtube.com/SPOGreatMusic ● SoundCrowd Love Pitch Perfect? Looking for a welcoming, fun and exciting place to sing? SoundCrowd is the place for you! SoundCrowd is an auditioned community a cappella ensemble, led by Founder and Artistic Director Scott Pietrangelo, heading into its ninth year with a bang. Continuing our “VS” concert series, SoundCrowd’s first show of the year is “Spice Girls vs. Backstreet Boys” at the Paradise Theatre in January. April will see a trip to NYC to perform at the annual “Total Vocal” concert, with choirs from all over the world at the Lincoln Centre, under the direction of the godfather of contemporary a cappella, Deke Sharon. Our final concert is back at the Isabel Bader Theatre in May, with details coming soon... We would love for you to join in the fun! All audition info can be found at soundcrowd.ca/singwith-us. Solo and small group opportunities are open to all members for consideration each year. SoundCrowd rehearses Tuesday nights, 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Knox Presbyterian (630 Spadina Ave) and occasional Sunday afternoons. Membership fees are 0 for the choir year (September to September). All voice, no limits! Scott Pietrangelo 647-970-1397 scottpietrangelo@gmail.com www.soundcrowd.ca www.facebook.com/ soundcrowdtoronto www.twitter.com/SoundCrowd www.instagram.com/ soundcrowdtoronto ● Soundstreams Soundstreams is a global leader in the presentation of innovative, carefully curated, and immersive musical experiences. Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney is committed to showcasing the work of living Canadian and global composers/musicians. Our 2024/25 season offers new music for chamber ensemble, choir and opera. The program “with you and without you” asks important questions about the vulnerability of human relationships through the lens of the love song in provocative works by Ana Sokolovic, Oliver Knussen and Tansy Davies. Tarik O’Regan’s I Sleep But My Heart Waketh, performed by the illustrious Vancouver Chamber Choir, is inspired by the Biblical Song of Songs, considered by many the greatest love song ever written. If we seek spiritual guidance from some thing or some being beyond ourselves, what would we ask for? Letters to God, featuring Japan’s legendary Fujii Percussion and choirs, explores some of those questions, including some astonishing 60 | October & November 2024 thewholenote.com

ones from children. Invocations explores our yearning for spiritual connection through various traditions including: the “nign”, a wordless and improvised prayer dating back to medieval Hasidic Judaism; and German Romanticism. Kayla 416-504-1282, x106 kirkt@soundstreams.ca www.soundstreams.ca www.facebook.com/soundstreams www.twitter.com/soundstreams www.instagram/Soundstreams ● St. James Cathedral The Choir of St. James Cathedral sings for two choral services each Sunday, the morning eucharist and afternoon evensong. The choir includes both eight professional singers and experienced amateur singers. Handel’s Messiah is presented on December 14th, and an annual choral concert in May, both with orchestra. The Advent and Christmas candlelight carol services are always very popular. Organ recitals on the large 5,100 pipe organ are presented each week of the year on Tuesdays at 1pm. Admission is free. St. James Cathedral also supports an artist-inresidence and an organ scholar. All enquiries about our music may be directed to Thomas Bell, Director of Music. Thomas Bell 416-364-7865 info@stjamescathedral.ca www.stjamescathedral.ca www.facebook.com/stjamesto www.instagram.com/stjamesto ● St. Michael’s Choir School Since 1937, St. Michael’s Choir School (SMCS) has nurtured creativity, academic achievement and musical excellence in a unique faithbased environment. Located in downtown Toronto, SMCS is a fullcurriculum school of 250 boys from grades 3-12 that provides sacred music for St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. SMCS is devoted to helping boys realize their full academic, musical and spiritual potential. Our academic and music programme results in the formation of well-rounded young men of character and faith. The commitment to sacred music that characterizes St. Michael’s Choir School provides students with a deep sense of the beauty and joy of the Catholic spiritual tradition and helps them mature in their faith while fulfilling the school’s mission of the formation of Catholic men through the service of sacred music and the pursuit of knowledge. Pina Povolo 416-723-8171 povolo@smcs.on.ca www.smcs.on.ca www.facebook.com/ THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC stmichaelschoirschool www.twitter.com/smchoirschool www.instagram.com/ stmichaelschoirschool www.youtube.com/@ StMichaelsChoirSchool ● St. Thomas’s Anglican Church St. Thomas’s music program not only elevates our worship, but also creates community and connection - attracting skilled choristers, nurturing the next generation of musicians, presenting guest artists in concert, and welcoming all who come to hear them. Led by Organist and Choirmaster Elizabeth Anderson and Assistant Organist and Choirmaster Manuel Piazza, excellent choral and organ music are offered on Sunday at the 11am High Mass and 5pm Evensong (featuring the British cathedral heritage as well as contemporary composers). We welcome experienced choristers who value a high standard of ensemble singing to audition: contact us at eanderson@stthomas.on.ca. Through Friends of Music at St. Thomas’s (honorary co-chairs, Larry Beckwith and Molly Johnson), we host renowned guest artists in an exciting concert series. The program supports the St. Thomas’s Choristers, a free music program for children (grades 2 to 12). The Choristers learn ensemble singing, vocal technique, and music theory in a fun atmosphere. No church membership/religious affiliation is required. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 4:30pm to 6:30pm, and the children sing at the 9:30am service on Sundays. The program runs from late August to late May. Info and auditions at www.stthomas.on.ca/choristers. Julia Armstrong 416-483-5488 communications@stthomas.on.ca www.stthomas.on.ca www.facebook.com/stthomastoronto www.twitter.com/stthomastoronto www.instagram.com/ smokytomsonhuron www.youtube.com/@ st.thomasshuronstreet5235 ●Tafelmusik Every now and then a group of musicians comes along and changes the way we think about music. For over four decades, Tafelmusik has been synonymous worldwide with dynamic, engaging, and soulful performances informed by scholarship, passion, and artistic excellence. Performed on instruments and in styles appropriate to the era, 17th- to 19th-century instrumental and choral music share the stage with exciting multimedia programs, bold new commissions, and intriguing cross-cultural collaborations. From a vibrant home season in Toronto, to international tours, award-winning recordings, and inspiring education programs, Tafelmusik is a musical powerhouse with a reputation for thrilling and delighting audiences. Lana Leprich 416-432-1148 lleprich@tafelmusik.org www.tafelmusik.org www.facebook.com/tafelmusik www.instagram.com/tafelmusikbocc www.youtu.be/ inJxFravmDE?feature=shared ●Tallis Choir of Toronto The Tallis Choir of Toronto is a chamber ensemble of 36 voices which has earned a reputation for innovative programming and polished performances. Works from Gregorian Chant to contemporary choral music are represented, but the choir is best known as one of the few ensembles in Canada specializing in the music of the Renaissance, particularly 16th-century Italy and England. David Martin thewholenote.com October & November 2024 | 61