Volume 23 Issue 3 - November 2017

describes his music as “a love
letter. Not just to one person…but
to each of us, to our country, and to
a generation that will be paying for
this war emotionally or financially
(looking after the injured and next
of kin) for another generation.”
As Ryan concludes in the program
note: “Afghanistan: Requiem for a
Generation marks one particular
war for one particular generation,
but its message is universal and
timeless.”
On a Canadian National
Treasure: Ruth Watson Henderson
Ruth Watson Henderson has had
a storied career as a performer on
piano and organ. Having served
29 years as the accompanist of the Toronto Children’s Chorus, with
the Festival Singers under Elmer Iseler, and as a church musician,
her prolific contributions to choral music have been incomparable.
Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt has spent years interviewing and researching
Watson Henderson for her new book I Didn’t Want To Be Boring.
To commemorate the book launch, the Canadian Music Centre is
hosting a concert on November 22 featuring soprano Amy Dodington,
accompanied by Watson Henderson herself, and joined by members of
the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Exultate Chamber Singers as well as
by Apfelstadt. Three days earlier at Kingsway-Lambton United Church,
November 19, Dodington will sing Watson Henderson’s Prayer of
St. Francis accompanied by the composer herself in an unofficial book
launch and 85th birthday celebration.
In an excerpt, Apfelstadt describes Henderson: “Initially a highly
gifted young solo pianist, Ruth became a collaborative artist whose
work with choral ensembles led to her development as a composer
whose music is frequently sung and respected for its craftsmanship
and expressivity. And along the way, she embodied the term “working
mother” as she raised a family of four, built a career as a practising
musician and successful composer, and held a church music director
position until the age of 80. As I write, she is 84 and still composing
music. Hers is a remarkable story.” The paperback copy of the book is
available in stores November 22.
T H E T O R O N T O C H O R A L S O C I E T Y P R E S E N T S
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
at Koerner Hall
QUICK PICKS
Nov 4, 7:30pm. The Guelph
Chamber Choir presents
“Celebration 150.” The Guelph
choral community’s contribution
to Canada 150 commemorations
brings together five regional
choirs: the Guelph Chamber Choir,
Guelph Community Singers,
Guelph Youth Singers, Rainbow
Chorus of Waterloo/Wellington
and the University of Guelph
Symphonic Choir.
Nov 10, 8pm. The Kingston Road
Village Concert Series presents
“Remembrance Day Concert with
Scott Good and Friends.”
Ruth Watson Henderson
Nov 11, 8pm. Barrie Concerts
presents “Songs from the Great
World Wars,” featuring the UTSC Concert Choir and conducted by
Lenard Whiting.
Nov 11 and 12, 8pm. That Choir presents their annual first concert
of the season “That Choir Remembers,” featuring the music of Eric
Whitacre, Eleanor Daley and more.
Nov 12, 4:30pm. The Cathedral Church of St James presents “Service
of Remembrance,” featuring the large choral work of Sir Charles
Hubert Hastings Parry, Songs of Farewell, a collection of six songs
composed in accapella polyphony. These songs will be presented as
part of a religious service.
Nov 15 and 16, 8pm. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents
“Oundjian Conducts Vaughan Williams.” Marking one of the signature
performances of the TSO with Oundjian at the helm in his outgoing
year as music director, the orchestra is joined by Louis Lortie, piano;
Sarah Jeffrey, oboe; Teng Li, viola; Carla Huhtanen, soprano; Emily
D’Angelo, mezzo-soprano; Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Tyler Duncan,
baritone; and the Elmer Iseler Singers.
Nov 29 to Dec 3, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir
presents “Four Weddings, a Funeral, and a Coronation.” Promising a
Baroque-inspired soundtrack to festivities, these performances mark
the first choral performances for Tafelmusik this season. Musical celebrations
written by Purcell, Lully, Handel, Pachelbel, John Blow’s
Anthem for the Coronation of James II and Charpentier’s Messe des
morts are all on the program.
Dec 3, 3pm, the Harmony Singers of Etobicoke present their holiday
concert, including many pop and classics favourites. The choir is also
singing We’re in the Same Boat Now, written by former Premier Bob
Rae. The Singers also provide an annual scholarship to a student at the
Etobicoke School of the Arts who performs with the choir. This year,
that recipient is Martina Myskohlid.
Dec 5 and 6, 7:30, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir presents “Festival
of Carols” featuring the Salvation Army Canadian Staff Band. The
often-sold-out concert is being presented over two nights to accommodate
extra patrons.
Follow Brian on Twitter @bfchang Send info/media/tips to choralscene@thewholenote.com
TELUS Centre
Conductor:
Geoffrey Butler
Featuring:
The Talisker Players
December 6, 2017, 7:30 PM
Tickets from $45 TorontoChoralSociety.org
30 | November 2017 thewholenote.com