FROM UP HEREANGELAGARWOOD-TOUWliving a Zone 10classical lifeSOPHIA PERLMANThe “up here” in this month’s column is (mostly)Timmins, where Angela Garwood-Touw has a busyschedule. The New Brunswick born violinist isConcertmaster for the Timmins Symphony Orchestra,regular First Violinist for the Sudbury and North BaySymphonies, and is an active contributor to the chambermusic scene with an array of ensembles – as well asteaching students from across the region and raising afamily. We talked about her musical journey north, andthe joys (and challenges) of playing classical music (andbeyond) in WholeNote’s “Zone 10” region.WN: You grew up in New Brunswick, and your bio lists ahuge number of different ensembles, large and small. Can youtalk a little bit about the musical community you grew up anddeveloped within?AGT: My beginnings in music were relativelyhumble. Money was tight and wemoved around and I had to change schoolsseveral times but the two elementaryschools I attended did offer a great introductionto classical music, singing, movement,and eventually musical notation. [...]each had a school funded music programwhere you could learn a stringed instrument.I finally had my chance to join, relativelylate at the age of 10, but thanks to some magical combinationof my exposure to music up to that point, my love for music and theviolin, and a very nurturing teacher, Mr. McCausland, I was able tolearn very quickly.I was not able to afford regular lessons, except for a few with anolder student one year, however there was always something to strivefor: the school orchestras, the provincial youth orchestra, the musicfestival and eventually the symphony. [...] Again with Mr. McCausland,supporting me and encouraging me all along the way.Can you tell me a little bit about the decision to move toNorthern Ontario?[...] My teacher, (who I’ll just call Bob now since he keeps comingup), first told me about the job. The timing was perfect as I’d recentlymoved home after being away at university, I had a day job, and myonly work in music was teaching a few private students through alocal conservatory and the occasional gig. So I was very eager to takeon what seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity – concertmasterand teacher at the music school. [...] I later met my husband here andstarted my own family.Can you talk a little bit aboutwhat it’s like being based outof Timmins, and what yourregular “commutable distance”looks like?It takes about three and a halfhours to travel to Sudbury andfour to get to North Bay. Thosearen’t commutes I make all of thetime and more often than not,I’m carpooling with my friendsand colleagues Joanna [Millson]and Yu [Pei] who also freelance.We keep ourselves quite busyin town with teaching, gigs andso on. Joanna, Yu and I alsorecently started a crossover groupcalled Bella Corda. We’ve beenhaving a ton of fun planning andBella Cordaplaying shows that feature a blend of classical and pop arrangements.Admittedly, getting to wear fancy dresses that AREN’T concert black isone of the highlights.Any advice for Northerners of all ages who want to learn to play?Especially those who live in smaller communities?Each community is a little different. Both the North Bay andSudbury Symphonies have music schools affiliated with them.Although, I think North Bay might have recently changed their set up.Then there are other professionals in the community who have theirown private studios and set ups.My advice to anyone living in a remote area wanting music lessonswould be to start by reaching out to anyone you know in yourcommunity that has any ties to music, whether it be a school teacher,family friend, church member, and so on. While they may not be ableto teach you, they might be able to point you in the right direction.Next, I would suggest nearby cities who have community orchestras.Lastly, online lessons can be a really great option. While they mightKATELYN MALO24 | February & March 2025 thewholenote.com
not be perfect for everyone (and I suggest having in-person lessonswhenever possible) you can get pretty far with the right teacheronline. The best part is, you don’t need to limit yourself geographically:if you hear of a great teacher in the US for instance, there’snothing stopping you from studying with them.I have had students from as far away as Smooth Rock Falls andCochrane which are just over an hour away. I’ve had online studentsfrom two hours away in Chapleau, who then came to Timmins to playin the music festival.A big adjustment?Yes, because the landscape here is just so different. In a place likeToronto, there’s a teacher on every corner. If you don’t jive withyour teacher, there’s 100 more to choose from. If a teacher quits ajob, there’s a line up of people waiting to take that job. A remotecommunity is very different. When there’s a vacancy, you might haveonly a handful of applicants and even fewer of them are qualified,willing to move here and a good fit.A student could get lucky and find a great music teacher in a remotecommunity. Maybe that teacher moved there because they followedtheir spouse who works in another field. Maybe that person staysfor 50 years and passes on a love of music to several generations. Or,maybe they stay for just one year before moving on. My late friend SueSteel, who passed away too young of cancer in recent years, was theperfect example of someone who had a tremendous impact on themusical community here. She dedicated her life to raising a familyhere and permeating every corner of the music landscape here. Shewas truly one of a kind, a phenomenal musician and just a trulyspecial person. Her impact here is still felt though she left some reallybig shoes to fill.Any final thoughts? Things you’d like to share with a primarilysouthern Ontario audience, who may not be aware of the classicalmusic landscape north of the Festival of the Sound?When you’re one of the few professionals in town, as I am, there areso many amazing opportunities that you just wouldn’t get elsewherebecause there’s too much competition. I love being able to teach, playsolos, chamber music and orchestral music with amateurs and professionalsalike and still have an amazing husband and two beautifulchildren. Did I mention I can get pretty much anywhere I need to goin town in under ten minutes? You can’t do that in Toronto!Sophia Perlman grew up bouncing around the jazz, opera,theatre and community arts scene in Toronto. She now eagerlyawaits the arrival of her regular WholeNote to Hornepayne,Ontario, where she uses it to armchair-travel and inform herInternet video consumption.ADVENTURES IN ZONE 10Want to catch Angelain performance?You might find yourselfvisiting some of these venues.Clockwise from top right:The Capitol Centre, North Bay;St. Matthew’s AnglicanCathedral, Timmins; Écolesecondaire catholique Thériault,Timmins; Sheridan Auditorium,Sudbury Secondary SchoolTimmins Symphony Orchestra timminssymphony.comSun Jan 26, 2pm at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, TimminsChamber Voices, featuring the Timmins Symphony Choir and theTSO Chamber Ensemble. Joshua Wood, conductor / Sat Feb 15, 8pm at École Secondaire Catholique Thériault, TimminsFlowers & Romance featuring Chloe Weston, piano & the TimminsSymphony Chorus. Joshua Wood, conductor / Sat Mar 29, 8pm at École Secondaire Catholique Thériault, TimminsDancing Queen, the Music of ABBA (Jeans ‘n Classics) Joshua Woodconductor. tickets / Sudbury Symphony Orchestra sudburysymphony.comSat Feb 1, 2pm at Sheridan Auditorium, Sudbury Secondary School.A Knight of Mozart, SSO with Geoff McCausland, violin.William Rowson, conductorSat Mar 1, 2pm and 7:30pm at Sheridan AuditoriumSSO Goes to Italy with Joey Niceforo, tenor, William Rowson,conductor. / North Bay Symphony Orchestra northbaysymphony.orgSat Feb 22, 6:30pm at The Capitol Centre, North BayMEET THE ORCHESTRA: An NBSO Family Concert with a 5:30pmInstrumental Petting Zoo. Conductor Joshua Wood / |CHILD - FREE*thewholenote.com February & March 2025 | 25
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