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ended up with three winners-Paul<br />
Steenhuisen, Melissa Hui, and Hugh<br />
Peaker-a diverse group which illustrates<br />
the artistic pluralism that distinguishes<br />
Continuum's programming.<br />
Afterwards we received a number of<br />
unsolicited rejoinders from unhappy<br />
contestants. My favourite came from<br />
Edmonton, to the effect that once<br />
again the West had been screwedthis<br />
in spite of the fact that all three<br />
winners were from British Columbia.<br />
It shows $It being an Artistic Director<br />
is hardly a popularity contest-it's<br />
more like being a lightning rod."<br />
"It takes a huge amount of work<br />
to program effective, balanced, and<br />
affordable concerts," he says, "especially<br />
with a mandate for diversity<br />
such as Continuum's. Jennifer is<br />
very patient in her pursuit, following<br />
leads which may (or may not) bear<br />
fruit several seasons hence. Her<br />
work may be invisible, but the results<br />
are evident - scime of the best<br />
and freshest new music to be heard<br />
in Toronto, and musicians who<br />
make it sound so good."<br />
"She's a real idea person, " Scott<br />
Wilson says, committed to a genuine<br />
. intellectual curiosity about what<br />
she's doing, why she's doing it, and<br />
its place in the broader world. "It's<br />
nice to find someone still excited by<br />
the field after many years of hard<br />
work. : .. There' re a lot of jaded people<br />
out there, people who have devoted<br />
their lives to music, but can't<br />
find a single thing to like in a whole<br />
concert or even a whole festival."<br />
Continuum's ensemble for the tour is<br />
Anne Thompson (f1ute), Peter Stoll<br />
(clarinet), Benjamin Bowman (violin),<br />
Paul Widmer (cello), Laurent<br />
Philippe (piano), Graham Marshall<br />
(percussion) and Rosemary Thomson<br />
(conductor).<br />
"It's hard for people to appreciate<br />
the sacrifice that musicians make by<br />
participating in a tour like this" Jennifer<br />
says. "You have to realize that<br />
Canacta is largely what you'd call a<br />
"gigging culture" for musicians.<br />
They go gig to gig, contract to contract.<br />
Whether it be teaching, stage<br />
shows, the orchestra pit for opera<br />
and ballet, playing with Esprit or<br />
New Music Concerts or Array, -<br />
the list goes on and on - each of<br />
these people is forgoing a significant<br />
part of their revenue stream by being<br />
away."<br />
"So I hope people will take <strong>November</strong><br />
6 in the spirit of an invitation<br />
to come and see us off. Setting<br />
up the tohr has been a huge undertaking<br />
and it would be gratifying<br />
if people came out to wish us well.<br />
This is partly because I feel that we<br />
go not only for ourselves but on behalf<br />
of the Canadian community."<br />
Working on behalf of the community<br />
is something gaining ground<br />
among new musi\,: organiz.ations in<br />
town. Continuum has participated<br />
actively in recent efforts to build a<br />
strong local new music coalition. "Is<br />
the increased interaction a result of<br />
the coalition, or is it the other way<br />
round?" I asked.<br />
"It's chicken and egg. There were<br />
a few events and efforts that helped<br />
to break down barriers and promote<br />
There's evident excitement in the<br />
way Jennifer speaks about Continuurn's<br />
upcoming <strong>November</strong> 6 "Pre-<br />
Tour" concert at the Music: Gallery. · interaetion. The local new music<br />
It's an opj:Jortunity to prepare for the culture was one of mutual suspicion<br />
tour, and a great excuse "for repeat and non-
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