There’s a
world of
music out there
by Karen Ages
Always
wanted to explore a new
musical tradition but didn’t know where to begin? Below is a list
of community education organizations that offer classes in everything
from
Arabic music to Canadian fiddling to Indonesian gamelan and more. Many
have
classes starting soon, so don’t delay in contacting them if you’re
interested.
But first, some concert highlights this month: The 7th Annual Small World Music
Festival runs September 18–30, bringing a variety of global sounds to
town. “A
number of exciting debuts and some local favourites perform a wide
range of
styles from a capella to turntable,” says Small World Music director
Alan
Davis. The festival kicks off with Zimbabwean singer Chiwoniso at the
Lula
Lounge, and continues with a host of other performers representing
musical
traditions from Mexico, Hungary, Turkey, Greece, Israel, and Mali.
Please check
our listings and visit www.smallworldmusic.com
for details. Toronto’s Indian/jazz
fusion ensemble Autorickshaw performs at the Lula Lounge
September 25,
with special guest Brazilian/jazz pianist/composer Gordon Sheard. The
concert
will feature The Trouble With Hari, a new composition by
Sheard,
combining the Brazilian ‘Baiao’ rhythm with melodic elements from the
‘Hari
Kamboji’ raga. If you’re inspired by the above, read on to see how you
can
expand your own musical horizons!
Arabesque Academy
www.arabesquedance.ca
1 Gloucester Street, Suite
107
416-920-5593
In addition to being one of
the best places in the city to study the art of belly dance, Arabesque
Academy
offers classes in Arabic instrumental music. At the time of writing,
the fall
schedule was not available, but check their website for updates. Music
classes
are offered by noted local Arabic musicians Dr. George Sawa, Bassam
Bishara and
Suleiman Warwar on a variety of traditional instruments including
dumbek,
Qanoon, Naye, Oude, Voice, Violin, Saz, as well as history and theory.
Clapping Land
www.clappingland.com
Riverdale Presbyterian
Church,
662 Pape Ave.
416-220-8161
Clapping Land offers classes
involving songs, movement and rhythm for young children. Run by Toronto
musician Sophia Grigoriadis, Clapping Land is now accepting registrants
for the
fall. Visit the website for full details—note that classes for babies
begin the
week of September 2. The three levels offered are: Kindermusik Village
(Newborns to 18 months), Sound Adventures (18 months to 3½
years), and Sound
Explorers (3½ to 5 years).
Gamelan Degung—Sora Priangan
“Voice of the Spirit of the
Ancestral Mountains”
Royal Conservatory of Music
(rehearsal location)
atimar@istar.ca
Andrew Timar
Sora Priangan is the
Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan’s community group, directed by
Evergreen
Club member Andrew Timar. The instruments and repertoire are
indigenous
to the highland Sundanese people of West Java, Indonesia. Sora
Priangan’s
mission is to foster an understanding and appreciation of the gamelan
degung
music of West Java, and that of the unique repertoire commissioned by
it’s
parent group, the Evergreen Club. Sora Priangan’s membership is open to
the
public, and presents concerts and workshops. Rehearsals are
Tuesdays 6–9
pm.
M-DO, Toronto Tabla Ensemble
www.tablaensemble.com
www.mdo-tte.org
355 College St. West, 2nd
floor
416-504-7082
Sister organizations since
1988, M-DO and the Toronto Tabla Ensemble were established through the
shared
visions of Kathak dancer Joanna de Souza and Tabla drummer Ritesh Das.
Classes
are offered in both disciples to the general public at beginner to
advanced
levels. Fall classes begin the week of September 8. See the websites
for
details.
Miles Nadal JCC
www.milesnadaljcc.ca
Corner of Spadina/Bloor
416-924-6211 x133 Harriet
Wichin
The Massey Hall (open to all), offers classes in a wide variety of
areas,
including some music. Check the website for full details. Classes
include:
Klezmer Music Ensemble (taught by Eric Stein of Beyond the Pale), the
Community
Choir, Women’s Chorus, and Tots & Tunes for Babies and Toddlers.
Fall
registration began in August, but there may still be openings.
RCM Community School
www.rcmusic.ca
273 Bloor St. West
416-408-2825
The RCM Community School, a
division of the Royal Conservatory of Music (set to re-open this fall
at its
newly renovated and expanded Bloor Street location), offers classes in
World
Music: global percussion classes include Taiko drumming, Ghanaian
drumming,
West African drumming and dance for kids, and Brazilian Samba. There’s
also a
general hand-drumming course, World Music Chorus, Latin Jazz Ensemble,
Tin
Whistle, and Canadian/Scottish/Irish Fiddling. Fall classes begin
September 20
and later.
Worlds of Music
www.worldsofmusic.ca
various locations
416-588-8813
In operation since
1994, Worlds of Music Toronto
has been offering “workshops in traditions from around the world to
students
from all walks of life.” At the time of writing, the fall schedule of
classes
was not yet complete, but the following have been confirmed: Canadian
Fiddling
with Anne Lederman, Dumbek drumming with Suleiman Warwar, Klezmer music
with
Eric Stein, Latin Percussion with Rodrigo Chavez, and Brazilian dance
in the
tradition of Maracatu Nunca Antes. Some of the workshops are offered in
partnership with the RCM Community School and the Miles Nadal JCC.
Other
locations and classes to be announced, so check the website.
Karen Ages is a
freelance oboist who has also been a
member of several world music ensembles. She can be reached at
416-323-2232 or
worldmusic@thewholenote.com
