To submit relevant listings click here.
NEW!! Against the Grain Theatre. Opera Pub: Quarantines. Jun 04 at 8pm. Hosted by David Eliakis with musicians Phillips Addis and Emily Hamper. Sit back, enjoy your drink of choice, and tune in to AtG TV's Opera Pub through www.facebook.com/AtGtheatre/
NEW!! Arts@Home. A vibrant hub connecting Torontonians to arts and culture. Designed to strengthen personal and societal resilience through the arts. Features resources for educators and people of all ages in several diverse and broad-based categories: Art, Dance, Music, Theatre, Media, and More. Subsections include Film and Photography, as well as offerings from Indigenous arts organizations. All tools and activities are free of charge, and available to everyone. Created and curated by representatives from the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada’s National Ballet School, Harbourfront Centre, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Prologue Performing Arts, The Royal Conservatory of Music, TO Live, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Young People’s Theatre, with the support of the City of Toronto, and in consultation with arts educators from various school boards. Visit artsathome.ca to learn more about this exciting collaborative initiative.
NEW!! Array Ensemble. Living Room Talks. A monthly series featuring weekly interviews with artists, past recorded performances, and a digital booklet that all are invited to discuss online at the end of each month -- Array's Musical Booklet Club. In Week #3 we feature composer Rebecca Bruton and a performance of her work three gold roses (2017), written with support from the Canada Council for the Arts for our Array Ensemble, which performed its world premiere at our annual Four New Works concert at The Array Space in January, 2018. For Rebecca's program note, please see our booklet (pictured above). To watch our video talk with Rebecca please visit vimeo.com/418737695. To watch our Array Ensemble perform Rebecca's work three gold roses in concert, visit vimeo.com/253843416. To check out all our offerings in the month of May's Living Room Talks, complete with artist bios, program notes, and more, visit flipsnack.com/arraymusic/array-living-room-talks/full-view.html.
Brampton Folk Club. Online Open Mics via Zoom. May 22 7:30. For information on how to join please contact info@bramptonfolk.ca, 647-233-3655, or visit bramptonfolk.ca.
Canadian Brass: welcomes friends around their virtual fireplace for learning and laughs. All events take place on facebook.com/canadianbrass.
NEW!! Canadian Music Theatre Fund. Song Session for the Frontline. Jun 07 at 1:00pm. In support of the Canadian Music Therapy Fund. Host: George Stroumboulopoulos and special guest performances throughout the day. Streaming Platform: Instagram @cdnmusictherapy
Canadian Opera Company #Opera at Home is an initiative to share one clip every day on social media channels to help bring opera to our audiences during this challenging time. With one clip, every day at 11am there are already 44 of these for viewing, so you might have some catching up to do! Find the link on their homepage coc.ca.
NEW!! Canadian Opera Company. Virtual Choir. A new initiative shows how the power of music can connect us all even in times of isolation. Price Family Chorus Master Sandra Horst guides opera fans and singing enthusiasts alike through a rousing rendition of the famous Anvil Chorus from Verdi’s Il Trovatore. COC Ensemble Studio members Anna-Sophie Neher, Joel Allison and Rachael Kerr teach the high and low voice parts in a series of video lessons.
Participants can record and contribute their vocal and rhythm tracks for the chance to become one of our many virtual choir members featured in the final performance video! While our stage may be dark, the show must go on! FREE but advanced registration is required. To learn more and register, please visit coc.ca/VirtualChoir. No previous musical experience is required and participants are encouraged to be as creative as they like in recording their submissions. Recordings must be submitted by May 30, 2020.
NEW!! Canadian Opera Company. Opera Makers: Activities for Young Creatives. A new video series that teaches young people a wide range of creative skills. Each week, a new video tutorial led by one of the country’s leading teaching artists will focus on a different aspect of producing an opera. With topics ranging from singing and composing to movement and set design, young people will get hands-on experience to develop invaluable skills they can use both on and off the stage. Registration is not required but parents/guardians can sign up to receive these FREE mini-tutorials straight in their inbox by visiting coc.ca/OperaMakers.
May 27 - Sing Like an Opera Singer.
June 3 - Music and Motifs
June 10 - Setting the Stage
June 17 - Let’s Talk Opera
June 24 - Composer’s Corner
July 2 - Brain & Body Boost
July 8 - Aria Mad Libs
Canzona Chamber Players. Jessica Tong, Violin: Livestream Solo Recital. May 31, 2:00. Livestream: YouTube.com/CanzonaChamberPlayers.
Classical Jukebox Founded as a response to the days of COVID-19 social separation, this site is designed to provide you the ability to sing and perform your favorite classical pieces from the comfort of your own home, with accompaniments by organ and piano accompanist, Matthew Larkin. In addition, Classical Jukebox offers another service - assisting with the creation of Virtual Choirs and virtual choir videos for those missing that collaborative and artistic outlet in their lives. classicaljukebox.ca
Danny Michel Live From Lockdown Sundays, May 03, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31, at 3:00. A weekly live, interactive online concert on Sundays at 3pm, on ZOOM from his studio in the woods. Unlike Facebook live, fans can see each other, interact, chat, play along & be a part of the show.Buy a ticket for $7.00, get a private link in your email and join the party on Zoom (free download available) dannymichel.com
NEW!! Dr. Mike Daley Joni Mitchell Story Jun 01 at 9:00. A 90-minute online video lecture covering the life and music of the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Mike brings her story to life using vintage video clips and recordings, Mike discusses Joni's brilliant career against the backdrop of popular music trends beginning in the 1960s. Following the posting of the lecture, Mike will answer your questions on Jun 11. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-joni-mitchell-story-tickets-105011121090. Link is open for 2 weeks to view the lecture at your convenience. Info at jolaforty@gmail.com.
NEW!! Esprit Orchestra. Soundbites Series. A focused glimpse into selected excerpts from compositions Esprit has performed in recent seasons. The composers of the works have themselves selected these segments from their own pieces and, in the associated Soundbite Insights links, have provided brief personal commentaries on how the music was inspired and created, why the music is meaningful to them and what effect it is intended to have on the listener. Soundbites and Soundbite Insights, on a regular basis, will provide you a way for deeper appreciation of pieces you’ve heard at our concerts or provide you with a new musical adventure! Visit espritorchestra.com/media/soundbites.
NEW!! Georgian Bay Symphony Jun 13 at 7:00. The Nature of Music: A Virtual Concert. Featuring a variety of classical music with guest pianist Younggun Kim. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ7bma0i-LJaLv_-5rklbvQ. Link to concert will be available a few days prior to concert on our website, Facebook and YouTube.
NEW!! The Holy Gasp will congregate on Jul 1 in the basement of the Historic Kiever Synagogue in Toronto’s Kensington Market for a live stream performance of Grief. Conducted by Maestro Pratik Gandhi, this new performance piece is written for 10 vocalists, 2 pianists, and percussion. To be performed from sunset to sunrise without break, and is intended to fabricate a communal mourning ritual for those who have suffered the sorrows of losing a loved one. Beginning April 23, the public is invited to record the names of their deceased loved ones in The Holy Gasp’s Database of the Dead wantandable.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1826c2f709f12d8931190bb88&id=8de2570de2&e=53aaca823b. Each name entered into the database will later be inscribed into a scroll, from which The Holy Gasp frontman Benjamin Hackman will read throughout the evening as the ensemble performs Grief. For every name entered into the database, a candle will be lit on screen to memorialize the dead. The performance will be considered complete only after every name has been read, and the sun has come up. Those who wish to send candles to commemorate their loved one may send it here: The Historic Kiever Synagogue c/o The Holy Gasp, 25 Bellevue Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 1K8.
NEW!! Kingston Symphony. Finale of Beethoven’s Third Symphony (Eroica). Forty members of the orchestra perform the finale of the Eroica, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 while in isolation in their homes. To view the virtual performance, please click on youtube.com/watch?v=F2eVauBqiAY&feature=youtu.be. For more information on the Kingston Symphony, please visit kingstonsymphony.ca.
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Friday Night with the KWS. Online broadcasts of archival concerts every Friday at 8pm. Select broadcasts will feature video and others will be audio-only. Content for each concert will be announced each week via KWS social media platforms.facebook.com/kwsymphony and youtube.com/user/kwsymphony/videos.
Koerner Hall CONCERTS FROM HOME There are more than 25 classical, jazz, and roots music concerts currently available online. See page 22 for details. rcmusic.com/performance/live-from-koerner-hall-concert-livestream.
NEW!! Luminato Festival. June 11-13. Streaming on Luminato's website and social media channels, the weekend will bring artists and thinkers together with audiences for live and pre-recorded performances, conversations, panels, DJ sets and participatory programming, as well as key works from past Luminato Festivals. Stay tuned for a complete schedule of performers, productions and activities in the coming weeks!
Music Gallery and Canadian Music Centre Music Gallery At Home: Performances and Interviews. May 1, Suzanne Kite; May 8, Slowpitchsound; May 15, Nick Dourado; May 22, Charles C.Smith. facebook.co/musicgalleryto.
NEW!! Open Space Music. From New York to Portland. Jun 6 & 7 at 7pm. In partnership with Portland Chamber Music festival in Portland, ME, presents PCMF's Artistic Director Melissa Reardon and artist Raman Ramakrishnan. A dynamic program that includes a new duo by Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi written for the two performers. Live from their living room, chat with them about life as a married couple of great musicians. https://open-space-music.square.site/events. Info at Iman@ImanHabibi.com
NEW!! Opera Jukebox. Digital Benefit Concert. May 30 at 7pm. Host: David Hyde Pierce. Performers: mezzos Jamie Barton and Sasha Cooke; countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo; soprano Leah Crocetto; baritones Will Liverman and Kelly Markgraf; bass Wei Wu. Purchase votes: artistrelieftree.com/opera. Visit facebook.com/artistrelieftree; artistrelieftree.com; bit.ly/artyt.
NEW!! Opera Revue. Isolation Series. May 23 at 7pm. Comic operatic duo Danie Friesen and Claire Harris film and record operatic parodies as well as legit opera and art song for a weekly release. This week features a long distance collaboration with two singers in Glasgow, Scotland. Platforms: Facebook/Youtube. Join us every Saturday. For info: operarevue@gmail.com.
Ori Dagan A series for Jazz Appreciation Month, every Thursday at 7pm. facebook.com/oridaganjazz.
NEW!! Q Review. One Love Live!: A Virtual Queer Music Festival. May 29-31. feature a collection of live music performances, panel discussions, a new music release party, drag performances, a special edition of Queerantine (an online “MTV Total Request Live-style” LGBTQ+ music video show) and more. Opens on May 29 at 5:30pm EDT and closes on May 31 at 11:00pm EDT. embracedisruption.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=23cf0593bb05dd24a0a97319b&id=a39e4cec50&e=f983b16625
Recollectiv: Currently holding on-line meetings. A unique musical group made up of people affected by memory challenges caused by illness (such as dementia) or brain injury (stroke, PTSD, etc.) and their care partners. Volunteers of all ages also form part of the band, making this a positive intergenerational experience for all. Participation is free with pre-registration. May 02, May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, & 20. Contact info@recollectiv.ca. for meeting times, information and registration. recollectiv.ca
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. a•P•art {of} performance series, every Thursday at 7:30pm on facebook.com/RHCPA.
Suite Melody Care: virtual performances created for hospital patients and elderly in Canada and the United States to bring them some joy through music during these challenging times, in the safety and comfort of their own rooms and with their own personal devices. The first of these performance videos is available at youtu.be/UEg4YsVVHdk suitemelodycare.com.
NEW!! Sweetwater Music Festival. Next Wave Virtual Showcase. Solo repertoire from applicants is encouraged as well as a RCM Grade 9 or equivalent standard. The Showcase is open to instrumentalists and vocalists. Finalists will be selected by Artistic Director Edwin Huizinga. Deadline to apply is May 31. The video performance clips of finalists will be posted in June (dates to be announced). Performers selected to be a part of the Showcase will receive a small honorarium, opportunity for online lesson with Edwin Huizinga, and a chance to be selected for a Mentorship Opportunity during SweetWater's September Festival. To find out more or to apply, sweetwatermusicfestival.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ea32e175b60922fdd212e88a2&id=4c49ca067e&e=203a0b2202.
NEW!! Tafelmusik at Home. Prelude. May 27 at 7:00pm. Featuring the expressive beauty of the violin and cello. The first half is devoted to solo violin, with two preludes by the English composer Davis Mell performed by Christopher Verrette, followed by Biber’s Passacaglia and Bach’s Sonata in C Major performed by Julia Wedman. The second half features cellist Keiran Campbell performing music by Vitali and Colombi, as well as two movements from Bach’s iconic suites for unaccompanied cello. Each performance is followed by a live Q&A session with one of the featured musicians. Tickets prices are $5, $10, $20, offered on a Choose-what-you-pay basis. The first concert is on sale now, with the schedule for the four remaining concerts to be posted in the coming weeks on tafelmusik.org.
NEW!! TD Niagara Jazz Festival. The Virtually Possible Festival. May 19-Jul 18. Featuring nine virtual, captivating, Big Easy-centric “Sessions” (curated and hosted by musician and New Orleans resident Christopher Butcher of “Heavy Weights Brass Band”) that will explore the art, history, food, famous locations and especially the music of New Orleans – sort of a “Mardi Gras 101” that will culminate in the TDNJF’s Mardi Gras event itself on Jul 18! For the latest information about what's in store for TD NJF’s “Niagara Summer Mardi Gras”, please click on niagarajazzfestival.com/niagaras-summer-mardi-gras/. To access the exclusive “Mardi Gras Sessions” hosted by Christopher Butcher, visit niagarajazzfestival.com/mardigras-sessions/
Toronto Consort. Explorer: Discovering the World of Early Music. Explorer is a blog for the curious; a place of learning, sharing, and community. This all-new offering will present an assortment of curated content in a range of formats, like original short- or long-form articles, original video and audio recordings, and educational content on relevant topics relating to Early Music, history, and world music, as they relate our beloved repertoire. Visit torontoconsort.org for further information.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: The TSO Facebook page hosts a regular series on Facebook Live on Tuesday and Friday afternoons called #TSOatHome.The TSO can also be found on Instagram (torontosymphony), onTwitter (@TorontoSymphony), and YouTube youtube.com/user/TorontoSymphony. Orchestra members are also represented on Facebook and other platforms. They share content on Facebook (TSO Musicians), Instagram (tsomusicians) and Twitter (@TSOmusicians). The TSO has also partnered with The Toronto Star for a collection of “Musical Moments”on Thursdays, thestar.com/musicalmoments.
NEW!! The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). United in Music. May 28 at 2:00. Musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa are among more than 50 artists contributing their talents and time to a joint virtual concert performance to raise funds for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s COVID-19 response. Hosted and streamed on UNHCR’s global YouTube channels (youtube.com/user/unhcr). United in Music will be recorded remotely by the diverse ensemble of artists in their respective homes. The artists will be performing works by Vivaldi, Kreisler and Rachmaninoff. Participants include: TSO concertmaster Jonathan Crow, violist Ren Martin-Doike of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Nikki Chooi, concertmaster with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Timothy Chooi, violin, Andrew Beer, concertmaster with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. All donations from the concert go to UNHCR to help protect refugees and the communities that welcome them in the ongoing global fight against COVID-19. To donate to the United in Music fundraiser, please visit bit.ly/35XqfPn
URGNT Live This ad hoc crowd-funded livestream concert series was created in response to the covid-19 outbreak. You can pay a cover charge which will contribute to paying a nominal fee to all involved parties, and help with lost gigs and wages as a result of the quarantine. Presenting a wide range of performances, including, on May 8, a 10-show, one day festival that includes the Gryphon Trio, and Stewart Goodyear urgnt.ca.
NEW!! Victoria Yeh. Concert Night In. Jun 14 at 8pm. Join fusion electric violinist, Victoria Yeh, in a musical journey to touch and inspire the soul. A fundraising event to help keep the lights on at the Marsh Street Centre (Clarksburg), Massie Hall (Chatsworth) and Heliconian Hall (Toronto). Livestream will take place on a private-access page at www.VictoriaYeh.com. Profile available at facebook.com/victoriayeh.violin.
