Volume 16 Issue 5 - February 2011

Just the Spot | Favourite Musical PlacesGABRIELLE McLAUGHLINKnox College Chapel, University of TorontoWHEN I FURIOSI WAS in its toddler years, it staggeredaround the city looking for a place to set up its playpen.With a small but growing audience, this was a tricky search.Large venues seemed empty with our crowd, and tiny places madeour somewhat unrestrained baroque ensemble feel like we wereinvading the audience’s personal space. Yes, chamber music ismeant to be intimate, but no one wants to feel like the performers oraudience can smell sweat.After trying a few spots around town, we landed on Knox CollegeChapel. Tucked away in King’s College Circle, Knox Collegeis the Presbyterian theology school of the University of Toronto. Itand access, but the chapel itself is on the King’s end of the building. ear. The intimate acoustic allows for chamber music to be performedwith ease, but the chancel is distant enough from the pewsto circumvent any odour problems. We always found the Knox stafffriendly and there are enough toilets in the building to make for ashort intermission.The décor is spectacular – high vaulted ceilings with gothicwood, stone and glass panels. The passageway leading from StGeorge to the chapel also leaves the traveler with a Hogwarts-esquefeeling. Aside from the beauty and communion of the setting, KnoxCollege Chapel contains two organs of note. The organ in theis a Wolff tuned to a 5th comma meantone. All this is hidden in oneof the best-kept secret concert venues in the city.I Furiosi lasted happily in this space until early adolescence, atwhich point it had to seek larger accommodations. The glass doorsat the entrance to the chapel still reverberate with the “BRAVO”yelled by one memorably drunken audience member, who stormedout, apparently overcome.Although we are now in our adult digs and we do our ownlaundry and remember to have showers, we sometimes miss theearly days with our friends at Knox. This is still the perfect spotfor an up-and-coming chamber group. The acoustic is particularlybeautiful for early music. Highly recommended for ensembles withimpeccable personal hygiene.The WholeNotedelivers toOver 70 amateur &professional choirsOver 80 restaurants, fine foodstores, bakeries, coffee shops& tea housesOver 90 churches, communitycentres & seniors homesOver 100 orchestras, bands &concert venuesOver 110 schools, musicdepartments & conservatoriesOver 120 book, video, audio &music shopsOver 130 libraries & librarysystems.Add it up and it all makes aWholeNote of sense.Now add yourself!416-323-2232 x33circulation@thewholenote.comTheWholeNote is Ontario MusicTHEFebruary 1 - March 7, 2011 thewholenote.com 55