Competitions
Sep 01: Azrieli Music Prizes. Celebrating Excellence in New Composition. Call for submissions closes Sep 1. Further information at azrielifoundation.org/music.
Sep 02: Queen’s University. Bader and Overton Canadian Cello Competition. Applications accepted until Sep 2. Further information at getaccepted.com/theisabel.
Sep 30: Schulich School of Music, McGill University. Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers. Application deadline: Sep 30. Further information at mcgill.ca/gsc.
Dec 01:Toronto Mozart Violin Competition. Application deadline: Dec 1 but applications are being accepted now. Further information at mozartproject.ca.
Film Screenings
Sep 25 6:30: Cameron Tingley. Life As We Know It. Humorous short films about modern society set to a dynamic musical score. Riverdale Public Library, 370 Broadview Ave. 416-469-3033. Free.
Galas and Fundraisers
Sep 19 5:00: Mississauga Symphony Orchestra. 24th Annual Giant Used Book Sale. All proceeds from this sale go to the Mississauga Symphony. Over 60,000 items in excellent condition at bargain prices: Adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction, music sheets, scores and books, vinyl, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and games. Sheridan Centre, 2225 Erin Mills Pkwy, Mississauga. Also Sep 20 (10am), 21 (10am), 22 (11am). Cash only.
Oct 06 2:00: Orpheus Choir of Toronto. Sidgwick Scholars 30th Anniversary Fundraiser. Opera hits in celebration of the 30th anniversary of our emerging artists program. Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst St. 416-530-4428. Free admission (suggested minimum donation $150).
Lectures, Salons and Symposia
Sep 16 4:30: The International Resource Centre for Performing Artists. An up-close and personal conversation with Barbara Hannigan, soprano, conductor and director, Equilibrium Program for young professional singers and conductors. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave. Have questions for Barbara? Send them to barbara@ircpa.net. Have questions about the event? Call 416-362-1422. Free. Pre-register via the website: ircpa.net
Sep 19 7:00: North York Central Library. Queen of Soul: Aretha Franklin. An informative talk by musicologist Dr. Mike Daley about life of American soul and gospel singer Aretha Franklin. Musical and video examples will be included. North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge St. 416-395-5639. Free. Registration required.
Sep 21 10:30am: SweetWater Music Festival. String Instrument Showcase: Luthier Exhibit. Some of Canada’s best string instrument makers show off their creations. Harmony Centre, 890 4th Ave. E. Owen Sound. 519-477-1403. Free.
Sep 21 1:15: SweetWater Music Festival. Luthier Performance and Talk. Featuring Mark Fewer and music journalist Robert Harris, who will also moderate a talk with outgoing and incoming artistic directors Mark Fewer and Edwin Huizinga. Local musicians play along with featured SweetWater musicians led by incoming artistic director Edwin Huizinga. Harmony Centre, 890 4th Ave. E., Owen Sound. 519-477-1403. Donations appreciated.
Sep 22 2:00: Toronto Opera Club. Eric Domville, guest speaker. Edward Johnson Bldg., Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park, Room 330. 416-924-3940. $10.
Sep 29 2:00: Classical Music Club Toronto. Tchaikovsky on Original Instruments. Continuing the recent trend of performing Romantic period music on period instruments, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra is presenting a series of concerts at Koerner Hall Sep 19 to 22 featuring Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and several pieces by Mendelssohn. Our program will include performances by Orchestra MusicAeterna under its founding conductor, Theodor Currentzis, as well as Jos van Immerseel and his Anima Eterna period ensemble. For further information, visit classicalmusicclubtoronto.org or contact John Sharpe at 416-898-2549 or torontoshi@sympatico.ca. Annual membership: $25(regular); $10(sr/st). Free for first-time visitors. Donations accepted for refreshments.
Oct 06 2:00: Toronto Opera Club. Iain Scott, guest speaker. Edward Johnson Bldg., Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park, Room 330. 416-924-3940. $10.
Masterclasses
Sep 07 9:00am: Honens Festival. Master Class. William Fedkenhauser (violinist of the Miró Quartet) and Nicolas Namoradze (piano) share their artistic advice and experience with the best and brightest of Albertan musicians. TransAlta Pavilion (piano) & Room ED2008 (violin), Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mt. Royal Gate SW, Calgary. 403-299-0140. Free.
Sep 10 12:10: University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Voice Studies Performance Class. Includes panel discussions and master classes with special guests and performances by Voice Studies students. Visit music.utoronto.ca for details. Walter Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park. 416-978-3750. Free. Also Sep 19, 24, Oct 1.
Sep 20 1:00-3:00: University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Master Class with Barbara Hannigan. Ligeti’s Mysteries of the Macabre with the Contemporary Music Ensemble and Maeve Palmer, soprano. Walter Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park. 416-978-3750. Free.
Sep 20 3:00-4:00: University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. In Conversation with Barbara Hannigan and Brett Dean. Q&A with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Visiting Artists. Walter Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park. 416-978-3750. Free.
Sep 30 12:00noon: University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Tamara Wilson: Riki Turofsky Master Class in Voice. American soprano Tamara Wilson has given master classes and lectured to students throughout the US. Geiger-Torel Room, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park. 416-978-3750. Free.
Sing-alongs, Jams, Circles
Sep 02 7:00: Synergy Dance Lab. A new monthly event for dancers and dance lovers. Jen Gillmor will host an open creative movement jam with her live music offerings. At 8:15pm the space will be opened to the public to enjoy watching as various dancers will improvise performances with Jen at the musical helm. One or more dancers will be the pre-programmed special guests each month while other dancers from the jam are encouraged to take the stage for this low-pressure, spontaneous and supportive performance opportunity. Everyone is welcome. No experience necessary. Come enjoy the synergy of improvised music and dance. Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave. 416-532-3019. For further information: Jen Gillmor at gillmor.jennifer@gmail.com or 416-899-3342. Also Oct 7. $12.
Sep 21 12:00. SweetWater Music Festival. Classical Jam: Community Play Along. Local musicians play along with featured SweetWater musicians led by incoming Artistic Director Edwin Huizinga. Harmony Centre, 890 4th Ave. E., Owen Sound. 519-477-1403. Free.
Tours
Sep 22 10:30am: Canadian Opera Company. 90-Minute Tour of the Four Seasons Centre. Led by a trained docent. Includes information and access to the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre and R. Fraser Elliott Hall, as well as backstage areas such as the wig rooms and dressing rooms, the orchestra pit, and other spaces that only a stage door pass could unlock. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. 416-363-8231. coc.ca. $20(adults); $15(sr/st). Also Sep 29 & Oct 6.
Workshops
Sep 21 10:30am: SweetWater Music Festival. Mozart for Munchkins. Violinist Edwin Huizinga and guitarist Graham Campbell lead a program for children and their families. Includes an Instrument Petting Zoo so kids can get a chance to play an instrument. Harmony Centre, 890 4th Ave. E., Owen Sound. 519-477-1403. Free.
Sep 21 11:00am: Thin Edge Music Collective. Workshop. Guest artists Ko Ishikawa and Miyama McQueen-Tokita will discuss the intricacies of writing for the traditional Japanese instruments sho and bass koto. Includes a panel discussion with composers Daryl Jamieson, Hiroki Tsurumoto, Yuka Shibuya, and Takeo Hoshiya. Canadian Music Centre, 20 St. Joseph St. 416-961-6601. Free.
Sep 22 2:00: CAMMAC Toronto Region. Reading for Singers and Instrumentalists of Bach’s Magnificat. Lydia Adams, conductor. Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. 416-781-4745. $10; $6(members).
Sep 28 10:30am: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Singsation Saturday Choral Workshop. As part of TMC’s 125th-anniversary celebrations, conductor David Fallis will lead participants through some of the great choral works commissioned by the TMC. Cameron Hall, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. More information at tmchoir.org/singsation-saturdays. $10 fee includes refreshments.
