Volume 25 Issue 2 - October 2019

●●New Music Concerts
2019/20 begins an exciting new adventure for
New Music Concerts as it embarks on its 49th
season. Brian Current comes on board as coartistic
director with founder Robert Aitken and,
along with new general manager Adam Scime,
prepares to take us boldly into our second
half century. Here are some season highlights.
“Kasemets@100” is a celebration of Estonian-Canadian
composer Udo Kasemets, in cooperation
with the University of Toronto, Nov 12. “Aitken@80”
features works written for the world-renowned
flutist by a number of world-renowned composers,
on December 8. “The Mouths That Roar”
features Gabriel Dharmoo’s solo performance
piece Anthropologies imaginaires, and works
for soprano performed by 2018’s Friend of Canadian
Music Award-winner Janice Jackson, on
January 10. Brian Current curates “Serious Smile”
on February 13 featuring György Ligeti, Alexander
Schubert, Keiko Devaux, Corie Rose Soumah
and Brandon Chow. The PEP ensemble
(pianist Corey Hamm and erhu virtuoso Nicole
Ge Li) perform works created especially for their
unique ensemble on March 26. And the season
concludes on May 31 with a portrait concert featuring
renowned German composer/conductor
Matthias Pintscher.
Adam Scime, general manager
416-961-9594
nmc@interlog.com
www.newmusicconcerts.com
●●newchoir
newchoir is Toronto’s first adult rock choir.
Entering our 15th season, newchoir specializes
in performing choral arrangements of rock and
pop songs accompanied by a rock band and other
professional instrumentalists to support the
sound. Members are auditioned for the ensemble
and come from across the GTA to rehearse every
Monday night at the Church of the Redeemer
(161 Bloor West). newchoir presents two concerts
each season, with the final concert of the
season being at Koerner Hall. The choir invites a
well-known Canadian artist to collaborate with
for the Koerner Hall show. This gives the membership
the opportunity to work with a professional
musician and to actively support musicians
in this genre of music. newchoir is committed to
promoting and working with Canadian talent as
an active member of the arts community.
Caroline Suri
647-203-3408
carolinesuri@rogers.com
www.newchoir.ca
●●Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation
Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation marks its 26th
season under the continuing leadership of artistic
director Eric Robertson. Nine Sparrows
OFF CENTRE MUSIC SALON
Arts Foundation has presented a rich variety
of concerts for Toronto audiences, including
its popular weekly recital series, as well
as international groups such as King’s College
Cambridge Choir, Clare College Singers and St.
John’s College Choir. It has also featured Canadian
artists including Erica Goodman, Colin
Fox, Beverley Johnston, John McDermott, Sharlene
Wallace, Anne Lindsay, John Johnson, the
True North Brass, the Gryphon Trio, and NEXUS.
Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation is also involved
in the “City Carol Sing,” a large annual charity
event that raises money for food banks across
Canada. Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation is a notfor-profit
organization dedicated to bringing the
best in inspirational arts programming. It is governed
by an elected volunteer board of directors
and operates with the assistance of advisors
from a variety of backgrounds, including event
management, promotions, finance and business.
Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation, in cooperation
with Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, begins
its 2019/20 season in September with its weekly
Lunchtime Chamber Music series.
Colleen Burns
416-241-1298
9sparrows.arts@gmail.com
www.9sparrowsarts.org
●●Nocturnes in the City
Nocturnes in the city, in its 19th season, started
originally as concerts for the Czech community
at the Prague restaurant in Masaryktown, Scarborough.
After a few years of four to six classical
and jazz concerts per season, the classical
portion of our program moved to the cozy and
acoustically superb St. Wenceslaus Church in
downtown Toronto - and we present seven concerts
this season.
We’ve presented singers such as Eva Urbanová,
Zdenek Plech, Gustáv Beláček, and John Holland;
pianists Antonin and Karolina Kubalek, Adam
Piotr Żukiewicz, Boris Krajný, Martin Karlíček;
clarinetists Joaquin Valdepeñas and Peter Stoll;
the Kocian, Prazak and Zemlinsky quartets; great
jazzmen such as Emil Viklický, George Grosman,
Drew Jurecka, Miro Letko, Joe Musil and Martin
Kratochvíl; conductors Jiří Bělohlávek and Kerry
Stratton, as well as music lectures by Iain Scott
and Catherine Belyea.
The highlights of the next season include:
violinist Ivan Ženatý; the Dvořák piano quartet
with Slávka Vernerová Pěchočová; and
a solo recital by pianist Radka Hanáková.
It is one of the least expensive concert series (a
subscription for all seven concerts is only $100)
and great catering will be provided after the concerts.
Visit our website for all of the information.
Dr. Milos Krajny
416-481-7294
mkrajn1057@rogers.com
www.nocturnesinthecity.com
●●Oakville Chamber Orchestra
Entertaining Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga
since 1984, the Oakville Chamber
Orchestra (OCO) performs favourite classics,
contemporary music, and rare gems, in various
locations, including the Oakville Centre. This season
features “Beethoven & Friends” on October 5
and 6; “The Fun Classics” on November 16 and
17; “4 Elements & 4 Seasons” on February 29; and,
rounding out the season, “Upbeat!” on April 25
and 26. Founded as a group of amateur string
players, the OCO has steadily grown in size and
quality to become the well-loved and exceptional
orchestra it is today. The OCO enriches Oakville’s
cultural landscape by sharing a passion for chamber
music, helping local, amateur musicians of all
ages develop their artistry, and promoting Canadian
soloists. In addition to bringing scintillating
chamber music to the doorsteps of Oakville residents,
OCO musicians play at charity, private and
corporate events, and participate in community
outreach. OCO’s annual Youth Concerto Competition
is recognized for fostering exceptional talent.
theWholeNote 2019/20 PRESENTER PROFILES | B15