Volume 21 Issue 9 - Summer 2016

Olivia Shortt
seeking out more traditional styles of music and art practices but there
isn’t as much for those seeking workshops that offer an approach
to more current music,” adds Shortt. “Especially as a saxophonist,
Toronto doesn’t offer much in the way of workshops and opportunities
to network as a classical/new music performer. I’ve often had to
seek these opportunities in other cities.”
A project like TCML couldn’t come at a better time of year for people
like me. Taking place at the end of June means that TCML can create
these opportunities in Toronto, for participants, who at any other time
would be busy at work, schools or conservatories all over the world.
And for both organizers, June offers a moment to reflect on the rest of
the year, and put their observations into action.
“[TCML] fits in well with my day-to-day life,” explains Doell. “I’m
a full-time composer and I also create music educator programs, so a
lot of what we are trying to accomplish at TCML is in the front of my
mind regularly.” And for Shortt, an incoming masters student at the
University of Toronto, being on the giving rather than the receiving
end of a summer workshop has so far been a valuable experience.
“This is one of the first projects for me that hasn’t been something I’m
organizing for myself, like a recital or a tour,” she says. “And there’s a
lot that school couldn’t teach me, so this has been the most practical
educational opportunity that I’ve been a part of.”
For my part, the workshop will be a refreshing break from my restof-the-year
schoolwork, and a welcome challenge after some time
away from my instrument. It will be, in other words, the perfect
summer vocation.
The final concert of TCML, featuring all of the premieres workshopped
during the week’s rehearsals, takes place on June 24 at the
918 Bathurst Centre; details at tcml.ca.
Of course, Shortt and Doell aren’t the only ones with exciting
musical plans in the works for the next three months. After speaking
with them, we were inspired to get in touch with other local musicians
to ask them this one thing:
How do you make use of Toronto’s long musical summer to
recharge your musical batteries for the season ahead?
Here are some of their responses.
Name: Gordon Mansell
Instrument: Organ
Summer Vocations continues on page 89
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