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Toronto

Flower in spring

New and exciting things!!

Ok. Perhaps the headline is a tad exaggerated, but I did see a Robin and a bright red Cardinal on my morning walk. Also, I saw a tree cracked in half by that sudden, violent windstorm we had yesterday. So that’s two exciting things, and one new thing. The Beltline Trail, which cuts across upper-midtown Toronto, secluded from the city by trees and brush, has become a human highway these days, with folks stretching their legs, breaking the monotony of isolation. Some people say hello, but most avert their eyes, as if greeting a stranger verbally is getting too close… Read More »New and exciting things!!

The JUDITH team

One of the great things about a big project like Parry’s oratorio JUDITH is bringing alot of people together. Our performance will require 100 adult singers, 43 orchestra players, four professional soloists, four boys and their understudies, and an audience of 900 listeners. If we are able to raise enough funds we will release a DVD recording of the concert, and then our audience could be several thousand people. One choir member told me she was sorry her grandmother could not come to hear JUDITH since she is not mobile and can’t leave the house. So, our recording of JUDITH… Read More »The JUDITH team

Drop slow tears

Since Easter is only 4 weeks away, I’ve changed the choral music “free download” button on this website. Fairbank Music is no longer going to be publishing general choral music . So the copyright has expired, and this piece is, for the time being “out of print.” So it’s my gift to you for this month. You can feel guilt free to download it and copy it for your choir. I’ve also included an MP3 recording of St. Mary Magdalene’s lovely choir singing this live in the church. I would love to know if you will be performing it with… Read More »Drop slow tears

Pax Christi Chorale

Blest pair of sirens

Stand on a street corner in Toronto and you may see architectural vestiges of our Victorian past; extravagantly crafted stone treasures, surrounded by modern towers of concrete, glass and steel. In a similar musical landscape, Pax Christi Chorale commissions new music, but in a fast-changing world, we take a second look at pieces once unjustly judged as unfashionable. On Sunday October 19 at 3pm, we will blow the dust off this seminal repertoire at Grace Church on-the Hill in Toronto. Our choral scholars, orchestra, and special guests, the Aslan Boys Choir will be joined by actor Emilio Vieira, who will… Read More »Blest pair of sirens

Lunch with Mayor Ford

Taking aim at Rob Ford tonight seems like shooting fish in a barrel. As I write, he is being abandoned in Shakespearean proportions, not only by those who never liked him, but also by his closest supporters. My own tragic liaison with our ill-fated Mayor was early in his leadership when I was invited to the Mayor’s “Arts Awards” lunch. I was really excited to attend this event. We shaggy, ill-kempt artsy types were seated at round tables with spiffy business people, with whom we could hobnob and cook up meaningful partnerships. I thought it was truly a stroke of… Read More »Lunch with Mayor Ford