September 2009 - The Wholenote Magazine

orchestra. I arrived well in advance of thescheduled 8:00pm start time, set my music onthe stand, warmed up and awaited the downbeat.The conductor, a string player, startedby working with the string sections on somesections where they were having difficulty.I listened with my trombone on my lap asthe string players were coached on bowingtechniques etc. I played my very first note at9:30pm. I never returned.In another community symphony, I arrivedwell in advance of the scheduled downbeatonly to find that the librarian had forgotten allof the low brass music at home. Rather thanoffer to rush home to retrieve the music, itwas suggested that I “come back next week.”I didn’t.On the excellent side, I had the pleasure,for many years, of playing under the guidanceof the late Clifford Poole. From Gilbertand Sullivan pit orchestras to the York RegionalSymphony, Cliff was always considerateand sympathetic to the concerns of allof his orchestra members. Rehearsals beganwith sections requiring all orchestra membersand ended with those components requiringonly the strings. In that way every memberplayed until there were no more notes forthem to play. Rather than sit around listeningto other sections labouring over difficultparts, these members were free to leave whenthey had nothing more to do.Also on the excellent side is the youngconductor Steffan Brunette and his UxbridgeCommunity Concert Band (UCCB). Unlikethe vast majority of community groups wediscuss here, this is a summertime-only ensemble.After their final concert on August30, members folded their respective tentsand went back to their regular fall and wintergroups until next May. This conductor is themost organized of any I’ve had the pleasureto work with. At the first rehearsal of the seasonevery member is given his or her musicfolder for the season. In addition to the music,the folder contains a sheet with the completerehearsal and performance schedule,detailing which selections will be rehearsedeach night. Also included is a sheet coveringall information from rehearsal expectations,contact phone numbers to concert informationand membership fees.Earlier, mention was made of concertprogrammes with a theme. The UCCB hasan interesting theme this year. “The ClassicalConnection” features works by Bach,Beethoven, Fauré and Mozart. In contrast,we have works by contemporary composerswhich, if not directly inspired by these, tooksome inspiration from the form. The BachToccata in D Minor is paired with Frank Erickson’spopular Toccata for Band, The FauréPavane is contrasted with Morton Gould’sPavane, and other masters are similarlypaired. It works well for both the performersand the audiences.beat by beat: worldviewSomething for EveryoneBy Karen AgesLooking to expand your own musical horizons but don’t know where to start? Below is ashort list (by no means comprehensive) of community education organizations offering classesin a variety of world music traditions.But first, some concert highlights for this month. The 8th Annual Small World MusicFestival runs September 24 to October 4 at various venues, and features 23 artists from 20countries, including Zakir Hussain with Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer (September 29, partof the Grand Opening concert series at the RCM’s new Koerner Hall), Tasa, Bajofondo,Electric Gypsyland, Beyond the Pale, Omnesia Live, to name just a few. See our listings, orvisit www.smallworldmusic.com for full details. The Klezmer Kids, from Winnipeg, performSeptember 12 at the Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Ave., followed by a workshop thenext day. (www.winchevskycentre.org or call 416-789-5502); and KlezFactor, Toronto’s“alternative” klezmer band, performs at the Tranzac Club, September 29. Finally, BernardoPadron and his band are at Hugh’s Room, October 1 (Venezuelan influenced jazz, with AlanHetherington, Mark Duggan, Marylin Lerner and Andrew Downing).Arabesque Academy1 Gloucester Street, Suite 107416-920-5593www.arabesquedance.caIn addition to being one of the best places inthe city to study the art of belly dance, (includingan auditioned professional course),Arabesque Academy offers classes in Arabicinstrumental music. At the time of writing,the fall schedule was not available, but checktheir website for updates. Music classes areoffered by noted local Arabic musicians Dr.George Sawa, Bassam Bishara and SuleimanWarwar on a variety of traditional instrumentsincluding dumbek, Qanoon, Naye,Oud, Voice, Violin, Saz, as well as historyand theory.Clapping Land – songs, movement andrhythm for young childrenSophia Grigoriadis416-220-8161sophia@clappingland.comwww.clappingland.com“Through moving, singing and instrumentplay, music opens those crucial pathways foryour child’s language and social developmentand physical coordination, giving opportunitiesfor creative thinking and exploration.”Classes begin soon in the following ageranges: Newborn to 18 months; 18 months to3 years; 3 to 5 years. Check the website forschedules and registration.Gamelan Degung Sora Priangan“Voice of the Spirit of the Ancestral Mountains”Arraymusic studio, 60 Atlantic Ave. Suite218 (rehearsal location)atmar@istar.ca (Andrew Timar, contact)Sora Priangan is the Evergreen Club ContemporaryGamelan’s community group,directed by Andrew Timar. The instrumentsand repertoire are indigenous to the highlandSundanese people of West Java, Indonesia.Sora Priangan’s mission is to foster an understandingand appreciation of the gamelandegung music of West Java, and the uniquerepertoire commissioned by its parent group,the public, and the group presents concertsand workshops. Rehearsals are Tuesdays 6-9pm.Sora Priangan in concert at the Music GalleryKathak Dance355 College St., second floor416-504-7082joanna@mdo-tte.orgwww.mdo-tte.orgIn partnership with the Toronto Tabla Ensemble,Joanna de Souza offers classes inNorth Indian Kathak dance, from beginner toprofessional levels, in the Kensington Marketarea. For full schedule and registration, visitthe website.Koffler Centre of the ArtsProsserman JCC’s Donald Gales Family Pavilion4588 Bathurst St416-638-1881 x4269registration@kofflerarts.orgwww.kofflerarts.orgIn addition to a number of music classes andworkshops offered by the Koffler Centre,new this fall is the opening season of the TorontoJewish Chorus, under the direction ofJudy Adelman Gershon. Auditions to be heldin the fall.Miles Nadal JCC750 Spadina Ave., at Bloor416-924-6211info@mnjcc.orgwww.milesnadaljcc.caIn addition to a vast array of recreationaland cultural activities, the Miles Nadal JewishCommunity Centre offers a number ofComing Events: Please see the listings sectionfor full details.Please write to us: bandstand@thewholenote.comthe Evergreen Club. Membership is open toContinued on page 4328 WWW.THEWHOLENOTE.COM September 1 - October 7, 2009