Bells & Glitter - a sparkling success! Here is are a few of the many positive comments I, as Chair of the CCO, have received. And a repeat of the invitations to join other musical events marking this holiday season.
Next rehearsal: Monday January 6, 2025 - this will be an “all Brahms” rehearsal. Snacks: viola and cello.
Happy holidays everyone. We certainly did our part to start the festivities well, for us and for our audience! I think we made Andrew proud!
I. FROM ANDREW CHUNG, MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR:
Dear members,
Thank you for a wonderful concert. Although the Cymbell Concerto presented a series of challenges, your hard work triumphed and made the concert a wonderful experience. I received many compliments after the concert.
I wish everyone a happy holiday and I look forward to working with you in 2025.
Cheers,
Andrew
II. FROM WHY NOT BLUES COMPOSER KYE MARSHALL:
“Dear Andrew and Liz:
Thanks for a great performance! Terrific musicality, energy, and ensemble playing.
Best!
Kye”
III. FROM COMPOSER OF THE CONCERTO FOR CASTINGS, MICHAEL GLASGOW
"8 December 2024
Hello, CCO!
I'm back home in North Carolina after a week in Toronto, and had to take a moment to express to all of you my gratitude not only for your work on Concerto for Castings, but for a terrific concert overall. You play with heart and engagement, and your audience was overwhelmingly enthusiastic (and rightfully so).
I know that the concerto is an unconventional work that presented a lot of rhythmic challenges and such, and many of you shared with me how much practice went into it. Last night, all of that hard work truly showed, and I am so thankful to all of you for putting in the time to bring this work to life after its decade "on the shelf." It's been just waiting for someone to take a chance on it, and as I said last night (wow, was that just last night?!), I'm grateful to Andrew and the CCO leadership for championing new works while also honoring the "warhorses" of the literature.
Could we have used another couple of rehearsals? Of course. Were there some scary spots? Absolutely. But I always say that "part of the terror — and the joy — of live performance is that anything can go wrong at any time." When that happens, it's the recovery that's crucial, and the recoveries were solid.
My parents and my partner shared that they felt very welcomed at the concert, which comes as no surprise to me, given that CCO was created specifically by and for a demographic that's rightfully associated with acceptance, diversity, and an open-hearted spirit. I was very proud to be in that sanctuary with all of you, sharing the precious gift of music. I've often shared that I only ever compose music for a purpose: everything I've ever written has a story and a reason; it's never just "publish something to sell it." I believe strongly that music has the power to bind hearts together; and as I've traveled the world conducting handbell ensembles, vocal choirs, and orchestras, I know that music has helped the world get just a little bit smaller...and I love that!
It was a joy to watch you work, and get to know some of you throughout the process. I'd enjoy getting to know you all even better, and I hope that our paths cross again soon on another project. Please keep me in mind should you ever bring in guest conductors, or if you'd like to commission a new work (maybe one with fewer meter changes!). ;)
As I revisit the concerto, your feedback is greatly appreciated, and will be really useful as I amend the parts to add various cues, check some phrasings/bowings, reconsider dynamic balance, etc. Many thanks to those of you who returned your parts to me after the show, but most didn't (I know it was a crazy-busy night with a lot going on!). No problem, though: if you played from a tablet, please e-mail your marked part back to me (michael@michaeljglasgow.com). If you used a hard-copy part, Liz has offered to mail them to me if you'd please bring them to your January 6 rehearsal and give them to the Door Volunteer (or, feel free to scan it and e-mail it if you'd like to keep the physical part).
Thank you again for this wonderful journey: I hope it's just the beginning!
Joy of the season,
Michael
=================
Michael J. Glasgow
YouTube and It'll-Always-Be-Twitter-to-Me: @MichaelJGlasgow"
IV. FROM LONG-TIME CCO VIOLINIST & SUPPORTER TRISH TERVIT
"HI Liz, sending this to you to forward to anyone you think is appropriate.
I wanted to send a HUGE congratulations on last night's concert. The world premiere was spectacular and we all loved the addition of the blues piece to the repertoire. Andrew really knows how to please an audience with his programme choices, the Bizet was a perfect fit and of course, who doesn't love a good carol sing-a-long. And I was so happy to see the tradition of doing Sleigh Ride as an encore continues.
As much as I miss being a playing member (life is just too busy to allow the appropriate amount of practising at the moment), I love to still attend the concerts and see my playing buddies. I also notice the orchestra is growing and evolving with new members, and new energy. It's heartening to see and makes me confident that CCO has many years yet to come.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: going to a CCO concert is the best value you'll get in Toronto!
I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and feel filled with Christmas spirit. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.
Trish"
V. OTHER MUSICAL EVENTS
(i) Opportunity to Perform for The 519’s EarlyOn family service programme
For the first time since the pandemic, a group affiliated with the 519, as the CCO is, has approached us, asking that a few musicians perform at its holiday party on Dec. 14. It would be great if we could meet this need. Details:
Time: 12 to 12:30pm
Place: The 519 Community Centre
The Audience: children 0 to 6 years old and their families
Music requested: child friendly winter music - no carols. List of suggestions below.
Request: one or more small ensembles of musicians for half an hour.
Who to Contact: please start with Tetsuya Kobayashi, our first volunteer: tty103g@gmail.com. He has had a few volunteers, and there may be more room if you act quickly. Discuss music and scheduling with Tetsuya then contact the event organizer. Music - you must bring or get your own.
EarlyOn Contact: Nina Cabaguio, ncabaguio@the519.org, Co-ordinator EarlyOn programme s
The Co-ordinator has given us a list of music that would be appropriate:
"Here are some lists:
- let it go from Frozen
- Do you want to build a snowman from Frozen
- Reindeer(s) are better than people from Frozen
- looks like a cold, cold winter from Ingrid Michaelson's.
- Winter Song from Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
- Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it Snow by Dean Martin
- Winter Things by Ariana Grande
- back to December by Taylor Swift
- Winter Time by Steve Miller Band"
(ii) Singing Out Concert
Another group affiliated with the 519 is Singing Out, a non-auditioned, mixed-voice choir in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Its holiday concerts, Holiday Road Trip, are on Saturday December 14, at 3:00 and 7:30, at the Glenn Gould Theatre, 250 Front St. West:
We hope to support one another’s events more in future, and last year’s Board chose the date for our concert that did not conflict with theirs.. Ticket prices and reservations at the Singing Out website.
(iii) Performing in Kendall Design Co Store
Last year, we developed a relationship with a local Parliament Street business, Kendall Design Co., and two groups played at the store to officially launch the Cabbagetown BIA’s Christmas festival. This year, the store (which has been reorganized) is looking for soloists or small groups to play on weekend afternoons from now until Christmas. If you are interested contact Kendall Williams, a supporter of the CCO, at kendall@kendallandco.ca for details and scheduling.
(iv) Rosedale United and 2 Musical Events
When the CCO was without a concert venue in 2022, Rosedale United Church extended a warm welcome and we presented our December concert, “Holiday Cornucopia” there. We agreed to share information in the CCO newsletter about two musical events at Rosedale United, and the Church is advertising Bells & Glitter in theirs.
First, a fundraiser for the local food bank. On Tuesday December 10, 7:30pm to 8:30pm, the Church is hosting a pay-what-you-can Carol Sing-A-Long, at Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Drive.
Secondly, on Saturday December 14, at 7:30pm, Hugh’s Room Live is presenting “Angela Hewitt at Rosedale Centre”. Angela Hewitt is one of the world’s leading pianists. The Rosedale Centre is a community gathering space at Rosedale Church that supports arts, music and cultural programming. Tickets $85 in advance, $95 at the door, available online at https://lnkd.in/gq_Jruuch.
VI. IMPORTANT CCO DATES
Rehearsals are Monday nights, 7:30 to 9:30 at The 519 Community Centre unless otherwise indicated. Musicians must bring a music stand and their music.
Mondays January 6 and after (excluding statutory holidays) - Rehearsals resume, 7:30 to 9:30 at the 519 Community Centre. All Brahms rehearsal. Snacks: viola & cello
Thursday January 9, 2025 - first meeting of the new Board, by Zoom, 7:30pm. Members may attend. Request an invitation emitchell1727@gmail.com.
Monday February 17 - Family Day, no rehearsal.
Friday March 21, 2025, 7:00 to 10:00pm - Dress Rehearsal, Eastminster United
Saturday March 22 - 7:30pm Concert, Eastminster United
Monday March 24 - possible date for resumption of rehearsals. Otherwise they resume on March 31
Monday April 21 - Easter Monday. The 519 will be closed. Discussion required about rehearsing elsewhere. Otherwise they continue April 28.
Monday May 19 - no rehearsal Victoria Day
Friday June 6 - 7:00 to 10:00pm - Dress Rehearsal, Eastminster United
Saturday June 7 - 7:30pm - Concert, Eastminster United.
VII. OTHER MUSIC & CCO MEMBERS
If you personally are performing in a concert or gig you would like others to know about, you can:
(i) post it in the Musicians’ Only section of the CCO website;
(ii) bring your poster to a rehearsal and leave it at the table at the entrance;
(iii) send details to emitchell1727@gmail.com for including in this spot in the next CCO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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