Volume 21 Issue 2 - October 2015

● Peterborough Singers
The Peterborough Singers, under the energetic
and creative leadership of founder and music director
Syd Birrell, is an auditioned 100-voice choir
of all ages which attracts audiences from Peterborough,
the Kawarthas, Northumberland and
locations along the Lakeshore.
This season we are excited that our “Yuletide
Cheer” concert includes soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian.
As well as joining the choir in singing old
favourites she will perform the world-premiere
performance of our newly commissioned piece
created by her husband, Canadian composer Serouj
Kradjian. Also welcomed back for “Yuletide
Cheer” is the Venabrass Brass Quintet.
Bach’s St. John Passion and Handel’s Messiah
will spotlight seasoned soloists as well as emerging
young artists in the leading roles. The Beatles
musical songbook is back by popular demand.
Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:30-9:30 pm at
Murray St. Baptist Church, 175 Murray Street,
Peterborough.
Peg McCracken, office contact
705-745-1820
singers@peterboroughsingers.com
peterboroughsingers.com
● RCCO Toronto
The Royal Canadian College of Organists offers
opportunities for professional certification,
publishes the magazine Organ Canada/Orgue
Canada, publishes new compositions for organ
and/or choir, and organizes workshops and
annual conventions.
RCCO Toronto is a community in the GTA for
professional and amateur organists, church
and synagogue musicians, choral conductors
and others who value the “King of Instruments.”
We begin with a visit to the R.S. McLaughlin
Estate – Parkwood National Historic Site in
Oshawa on Saturday, September 19, 2015, led by
Alan Jackson, including a unique look at the rare
Aeolian player-pipe organ at the historic home.
Our annual free Halloween concert, “Phantoms
of the Organ,” takes place on Friday October 30
at 9pm, at Metropolitan United Church. A stunning
organ performance is expected in November
with Stefan Engels. Other events in 2016 include a
Hymn Festival with John Schwandt (February), “A
City BACH-WALK” in March, and an organ recital
with organist Maurice Clerc (April). See online
for details.
Please feel free to contact David Weind, (president)
at 416-789-1175. To become a member of the
Royal Canadian College of Organists, go to www.
rcco.ca or contact Hazel Ogilvie (membership
secretary) at 905-881-7266.
Ron Jordan
905-683-0562
to.rcco.enotice@gmail.com
rccotoronto.ca
ORPHEUS CHOIR OF TORONTO
● Roy Thomson Hall
In 2015-2016, the world’s greatest musicians and
speakers take to the Roy Thomson Hall stage.
Classical music giants performing at the Hall
include Renee Fleming, Yundi, Orpheus Chamber
Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman and more,
while Raffi, Paco Peña, the Indigo Girls with the
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, “Classic Albums
Live”, a live jazz accompaniment of animated
film The Triplets of Belleville and others round
out the diverse musical offerings this season.
“National Geographic Live!” returns with a season’s-worth
of adventurers, scholars, photographers
and other compelling characters that
share their insights, experience and amazement
at the world around us, while the free choir and
organ concert series continues into its 19th year.
416-872-4255
reachus@rth-mh.com
roythomson.com
●The Royal Conservatory of Music
Take in a concert by international classical, jazz,
pop, and world music stars at one of the world’s
finest concert halls, Koerner Hall, or one of The
Conservatory’s other two concert venues. Artists
range from Yo-Yo Ma to Mavis Staples, from
Los Lobos to Ramsey Lewis, plus The Conservatory’s
own world-renowned faculty. Koerner
Hall is “the greatest venue in this city” and “magnificent
in its acoustics, as much as in its design.”
(Toronto Star)
416-408-0208
performance.rcmusic.ca
● Scaramella Concerts
Scaramella presents period instrument chamber
music concerts from musicians from Canada
and abroad. The roster changes from concert to
concert, enabling a wide range of musical styles
and a fresh, vivacious and accessible performance.
Children 14 and under are admitted free
of charge. For 2015-2016, we begin with a Bach
program, embracing Johann Sebastian’s own
quirk of ‘recycling’ music in new settings. His
sixth Brandenburg concerto may have originally
called for two violas paired with two viols, but it
also resonates beautifully when brought to life by
an entire consort of low viols. Our second program
moves to the opposite end of the overtone
spectrum, featuring the pardessus de viole, an
instrument that was championed historically by
women players, played by Mélisande Corriveau.
Our final concert pairs two sensational young
artists: soprano Dawn Bailey and fiery baroque
trumpeter Justin Bland, backed by an ensemble
of strings and harpsichord. Tickets available at
the door, or for advance purchase using the order
form on the website. November 28, 2015: Bach –
Alio Modo; March 5, 2016: Délices de la solitude;
April 16, 2016: Sound the Trumpet!
Joëlle Morton
416-760-8610
info@scaramella.ca
scaramella.ca
● Scarborough Philharmonic
Orchestra
The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, in its
36th season, is a community orchestra led by
music director Ronald Royer. We offer fulfilling,
and convenient live entertainment experiences
at affordable prices with performances by many
amazing artists. SPO is fertile ground for young
up-and-coming performers and composers, too.
It is part of SPO’s commitment to providing the
community and performers with the opportunity
to enjoy the very best the music world has to offer.
For SPO’s 2015/16 concert season, the tradition
continues. In addition to SPO’s impressive roster
of Canadian composers featured this season,
we are always proud to spotlight many Canadian
BRUCE REDSTONE
theWholeNote 2015/16 PRESENTER PROFILES | B19