CCO ANNOUNCEMENTS MAY 19 2023
MAY 19, 2023 Happy long weekend! Sorry for the length of these ANNOUNCEMENTS, but there’s a lot of exciting stuff underway. duouy I. NO REHEARSAL MAY 15, 2023 - it’s Victoria Day after all! If you are yearning for some Dvorak No. 9 before our May 29 rehearsal (St. Barnabas 7:30pm), here are two suggestions: (i) An hour long, podcast by Joshua Weilerstein, a violinist and conductor, available on Apple podcasts as “Sticky Notes” and also available at https://stickynotespodcast.libsyn.com/dvorak-symphony-no-9-from-the-new-world
Dvorak Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast Within three months of his arrival in New York, Antonin Dvorak was enamored with the sound of American music. Quickly he put forth what was at the time a controversial idea: "In the Negro melodies of America I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music..." This inspiration is threaded through almost every note of the New World Symphony, with a healthy dose of Dvorak's Bohemian roots and Germanic tradition as well! Join us as we explore this legendary masterpiece from every angle.Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/sticky-notes-the-classical-music-podcast/id1215386938?i=1000530394999 - and - (ii) a moving boys’ choir version of "Going Home”. A student of Dorvak’s put lyrics to the Largo movement after Dorvak left America. Available on Youtube by searching “Libera Going Home”. II. JUNE 9 DRESS REHEARSAL AND JUNE 10 CONCERT Name: New World, New Music, Inspiration from Tradition Where: The Church of St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle, 525 Bloor East (Sherbourne subway station). Masks are strongly recommended. When: Dress Friday June 9, 7:00pm. Concert Saturday June 10, 7:30pm. Tickets: $20 for adults, $12 for Youth (18 and under). Available from Helen Li at rehearsals, and electronically on the CCO website. Also at the Church on June 10.
Other things you need to know:
(i) 2 volunteers will be taking photos at the concert for the CCO’s social media platforms and for our 40th anniversary concert. If you have not already done so, please sign the Media Consent form - available through the Door Volunteer at the rehearsal on May 29; (ii) everyone is expected to sell at least 2 tickets. If your friends are buying electronically, let Helen Li know their names so that you get credit for the sales; (iii) Not too late to send the concert poster to your friends and family, and to post it in all your favourite coffee shops. Copy attached at the end of these ANNOUNCEMENTS; (iv) St. Barnabas will once again advertise our concert for free on its electronic billboard facing the Danforth - group photo under that sign after the rehearsal on May 29, or June 3. III. NEW COMMUNITY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY: JULY 20, 2023 CONCERT TMU has scheduled Counterpoint Community Orchestra to perform one of its new series of 4 outdoor Thursday evening performances in Allan Gardens Park on July 20, 2023. TMU’s organizer, Rina Fraticelli, described the series as follows: The series will start on July 6 with a celebration of Toronto's new Poet laureate - Lillian Allan who will perform with her Revolutionary Tea Party. group. We will have a jazz performer on the 13th and a steel band on the 27th. Given budget restrictions we're going to have four music evenings this summer but will certainly ensure that they are well supported and attended. We'll serve refreshments as well. TMU has made a long-standing commitment to Allan Gardens, seeking to restore it to the community hub it has been historically. It hopes to build this performance series gradually, with a goal of perhaps one day constructing a bandshell. For right now, there will just be a canopy protecting us. This is a new initiative, and we are delighted to have been recognized by TMU as performers in the community who are entitled to a place in it.
The CCO’s concert will be a mix of chamber orchestra and small ensembles and soloists connected to the CCO, basically “Counterpoint and Friends”. We need lots of musician volunteers! Not only will the CCO earn an honorarium, we also have the opportunity to reach potential new audiences, to advertise the continued existence of a 39 year old gay orchestra on the eve of our 40th anniversary celebration, and to establish a reputation as a group committed to bringing the joy of music into the community. It’s not possible to decide a programme unless the Programme Committee knows how many musicians will play on July 20, and the instruments. Ideally musicians will be able to attend rehearsals at the Playing in the Park Sunday afternoon events, July 9 and 16, as well as the concert on the 20th. If you know now that you would like to play on July 20, please email emitchell1727@gmail.com and/or payne.danny@gmail.com. At the rehearsal on Monday May 29, we will be asking everyone who can to commit to playing, We will also be speaking to musicians who have small ensembles, seeking their commitment to playing on July 20. If you have a small group that is eager for a novel performance opportunity, please email emitchell1727@gmail.com and/or payne.danny@gmail.com.or volunteer at the upcoming rehearsal. IV. PLAYING IN THE PARK: JULY 9 TO AUGUST 13 The CCO’s commitment to playing its third season of Sunday afternoon concerts in Allan Gardens is not changed by the additional CCO commitment to the Thursday night performance, although what music will be played may be affected for the July PIP dates. Where: Allan Gardens, on Jarvis south of Carlton, in the shade beside the children’s play area When: Sunday’s, 2:00pm, July 9 until August 13, 2023, with a picnic on the last day What: A one hour rehearsal, or sight reading session, followed by a mini one hour concert, “C Who: All musicians. The concert portion normally features a small ensemble, as well as having the larger group playing the music just rehearsed or other familiar music. Everyone is welcome to join in when they can. No need to commit to all 6 afternoons. However, the programme committee (Daniel, Andrew and Gemma) should know what instruments are attending so that appropriate music can be chosen. Please come spontaneously if you can’t plan ahead, and be prepared to “wing it” with music, for instance a clarinet playing with the violins. The point is to have fun making music together. Here is the sign-up form to complete and submit so that appropriate music can be brought: https://forms.gle/pZaRoZ8X3sw8Aom6A V. PLANNING THE CCO’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY All members are welcome to attend and participate in the next meeting of the 40th Anniversary Planning Committee. You can share ideas, commit to a particular project, or just hear what’s going on so far. Here’s the Zoom link: Time: May 23, 2023 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81647334678 Meeting ID: 816 4733 4678 The Co-Chairs, Trish Tervit and David Brownstone, provided a summary of the ideas generated at the May 2 members’ meeting in the May 4 ANNOUNCEMENTS, last edition now available through the Musicians Only portal at CCOrchestra.org. Although the Anniversary Concert is not until June of 2024, there is lots to do before then, including fundraising, applying for grants, collecting history and figuring out how to communicate it, advertising and promotion, community outreach, etc. If you would like to become a volunteer, please speak with David at the rehearsals, or email Trish at trishtervit12@gmail.com or David at davidbrownstone66@gmail.com or attend the upcoming meeting and announce your interest - everyone will be delighted to have another person joining in the prep and planning work. HELP WITH HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS? Anniversary celebrations are all about history. The Committee is trying to find documents relating to the CCO’s history - photographs of musicians and of concerts, old programmes, newspaper articles, lists of musicians, etc. We have a pretty good collection going back to 1997 through member Ron Mitchell (although no photographs) and almost nothing prior to that. Do you have anything historical to share? Do you keep in touch with an “old timer” who used to play with the CCO and may have some memorabilia? If so, please email the Co-Chairs, or emitchell1727@gmail.com, or share your information with them as soon as possible when you see them at a CCO event. V. INVITATION FROM OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR: CHRIS’ RECITAL MAY 27 Dear friends and music enthusiasts, We are delighted to invite you to a special concert on May 27th at 5 pm at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. We are gathering to honor and celebrate Christoph's remarkable musical achievements over the last 5 years. In addition to being a celebration, this concert is also a fundraiser to support Christoph's upcoming master's studies at the Juilliard School this coming fall. We are thrilled about this incredible opportunity for him, and your presence would mean the world to us. For those who are unable to attend in person, we have arranged a livestream link ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_WD0NLPDs8&ab_channel=ChristophChung ), allowing you to enjoy Christoph's performance in real time from wherever you are in the world. We kindly request your support, whether in person or virtually, to make this event a resounding success. Christoph's journey has been shaped by the encouragement and generosity of friends and family, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support. Concert admission will be by donation and can be paid through the gofundme link (https://gofund.me/518be5fb ) or by cash or cheque. Please spread the word and bring your friends and family! Thank you for your unwavering support. We can't wait to see you there! Warm regards, Andrew Chung VI. IMPORTANT CCO DATES Tuesday May 23 - 7:30pm - Zoom meeting of the 40th Anniversary Planning Committee. Members welcome. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81647334678 Mondas May 29 and June 5 - rehearsals 7:30pm. St. Barnabas Church (Chester subway). Friday June 9 7:00pm - Dress Rehearsal. Church of St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle, 525 Bloor St. W. Saturday June 10 7:30pm - CCO’s final concert of its 39th season. St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle Church, “New Music, New World, Inspiration from Tradition”. Monday June 26, 7:30pm - next CCO Board meeting Sundays July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 13, 2:00pm - Playing in the Park summer series of 6 outdoor concerts, Allan Gardens Park. Picnic finale on August 13. Thursday July 20, 2023 - Counterpoint and Friends perform at an evening concert in Allan Gardens Park as part of a TMU performance series Monday September 11, 2023 - Rehearsals resume at The 519, 7:30 to 9:30pm.