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Central Toronto Branch Newsletter - January 2000Message from the PresidentDear Colleagues, It has been an exciting year so far in Central Toronto Branch, and I have enjoyed seeing so many of you out at recent events. We began the year with our annual Autumn Tea at the home of Marjorie Francoz, and enjoyed presentations by Katherine Ramseyer and Joan O'Mara on pieces from the Grade X repertoire. Branch member Suleman Currim gave a wonderful workshop on Chopin in October. Our first Audition was well attended, and students, parents and teachers heard some fine performances at the Scholarship Recital. In November, our branch co-hosted the Young Artist Recital, in which Jennifer Orchanian presented an artistically accomplished programme to a large and appreciative audience. The Executive wishes to thank North York Branch President Araxie Altounian for her outstanding effort in organizing this event--the proceeds from this concert helped to finance the scholarships for the B Level competition held in December. We have many exciting events to come in the next few months, so please read on and make a note of these dates in your calendar. Becoming involved in Branch events can be tremendously rewarding; getting to know your colleagues is one of the best ways to foster your own teaching, gain new ideas and insights, and make valuable musical contacts and friendships. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events. Maria L. Case, President, Central Toronto Branch Welcome to the following new membersPlease add these names to your white membership lists:Rita Ann (Penny) Dale Penny teaches Singing, Rudiments and Piano Kathleen Gorman Kathleen teaches Piano, Theory and Composition Anna King Anna teaches Piano, Harpsichord and Theory Upcoming EventsWinter TeaOn Sunday, February 20th, 2:00-4:30 we will have our annual Winter Tea and General Meeting in the home of Marjorie Francoz. Gladys Odegard will moderate a discussion on the Adagio movements from Beethoven's Opus 2, #1, Opus 10, #1 and Opus 13. Gladys e-mailed this description: "We will discuss the difficulties in teaching these slow movements with regard to ornamentation, pedal, choosing and maintaining the tempo and any other problems you want to discuss. I don't have the answers; everyone come prepared to contribute your ideas. This will be an exciting learning experience for all of us." Teachers-in-Concert Frank Horvat has been working hard to put together a varied and exciting programme. This year's concert is Sunday, March 5th, 2:30PM at the Lyceum Club, 23 Prince Arthur Ave. This annual fundraising event is always enjoyable and artistically rewarding. The funds raised generally go to our Scholarship Fund or Branch Operations Fund. This event is appropriate for students of all ages--we urge you to actively promote this concert in your own studios. A reception follows the programme, and it is exciting for students to be able to talk with the artists. To promote student involvement, we will once again hold a Student Review Contest. A Junior scholarship of $35.00 (12 and under) and a Senior scholarship of $50.00 (13 and older) will be presented to the students who write the best reviews of the concert--this is open to students of all Central Branch members. Reviews are adjudicated by an impartial adjudicator with a background in musical criticism. A guideline sheet called "How to Write a Review" will be available to teachers and students at the March 5th Concert. Students' reviews should be received by March 31st. The winning reviews will be reprinted, with the students' names and ages in the Spring Newsletter. Please send to: 259 Howland Ave, Toronto, M5R 3B7. Auditions & Recitals Just a reminder that the application deadline for the Spring Audition is Tuesday, April 4th. If you require application forms or the Rules & Regulations form, please call Maria Case at 944-9260. For newer members who may wish to learn more about this fine opportunity for their students, please call our Auditions & Recitals convenor Arden Broadhurst at 485-8125. June Luncheon The date for our June Luncheon and Annual Meeting is Sunday, June 11, 1:30-4:30. Those who attended last year agreed that it was a delightful occasion; we began with a wonderful lunch catered by Nimble Foods,enjoyed a short recital programme given by scholarship winners and accomplished a lot in a lively general meeting. You are welcome to invite a friend, spouse, senior student or colleague. More information will appear in the next newsletter, along with the mail-back registration slip. Website Update Frank Horvat presented an encouraging report at our last executive meeting: the Central Toronto website has been up and running since September/99 and is attracting a good deal of attention. We now have a Links page which your students and their families should find an invaluable resource, containing anything from composer profiles, musical games for children to play on-line, an encyclopedia of musical terms and instruments, musical venues, etc. Central Branch members should be aware that they can still choose to have their bios posted on our website--when we initially approached the membership last spring, there was some degree of reticence to do so. Please be assured that your privacy will be respected, and only the information that you give us will be posted. Please contact Maria Case (944-9260) if you require a Website Bio form or an Events Form. We would like to know of any concerts, recitals, workshops, etc. in which you may be involved so we can post these in the upcoming events section of our website. If you have not yet visited the website, you can find it at www.ormtatoronto.org. I thought it was time to introduce you to the artist who did such a wonderful job in creating our website, Laura Ciruls. Here is a brief bio of Laura (in 75 words or less!): "Our webmaster, Laura Ciruls, is a professional graphic and web designer, as well as a traditional acrylic and watercolour painter." To view more work by Laura, visit her website at www.interlog.com/~lciruls (active after April 1/2000. To receive information regarding an upcoming show and sale of paintings in May 2000, please e-mail your name and address to lciruls@interlog.com. Convention 2000! Enclosed you will find a flyer announcing the ORMTA Convention 2000, "Bach to the Future" held March 12-15 at the Constellation Hotel. Many of you will have read about the convention in your NOTES Winter Issue, and may have already registered for some or all of the events. Please remember that registrations must be received by February 28th, so don't miss this opportunity to attend stimulating workshops, enjoy the high standard of playing at the student competitions, socialize with your colleagues at the luncheons or banquet, and make your voice heard at the Annual Meeting. Special Teacher's Award The Executive is pleased to announce that Gordon Kushner is this year's recipient of the Special Teacher's Award. Mr. Kushner will be presented with this honour at the Awards Luncheon on Monday, March 13. A biography of Mr. Kushner will appear in a future NOTES issue--congratulations to our distinguished colleague, who many of us know as a fine musician and inspirational teacher. Silent Auction Jean Collins is helping to organize the Silent Auction Fundraiser at the Convention and sends this request: Do you have any new items to donate for the Silent Auction?
One Member's View (the following is edited from a report by delegate Arden Broadhurst, after attending the ORMTA Convention in March of 1998) I have just come back from this year's ORMTA Convention in London and want to tell you that the whole experience is the best kept secret in the province--amongst Central Toronto Branch members anyway. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but from many viewpoints I found the entire event a treat. Of course what we most want when we go to our professional convention is useful information, musical stimulation and fresh approaches, and for these gifts we look especially to the workshops. Certainly this year there were no disappointments. The two major workshops were crowded: "The Art of Musical Phrasing" by John-Paul Bracey and "Listening to Inner Voices" by Jamie Parker. The presentations were informative, sometimes provocative and always entertaining. The remaining sessions were more specific: some of us were marching around Kodaly-fashion with sticks, puppets or other props. Others were indoctrinated into the Alexander Technique by our own Ron Tomarelli. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Patrick Potter's comments on Musicians' Injuries because I have suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome and anyway, it isn't often you can meet a doctor who has played bagpipes for twenty-two years! Almost as nourishing was the abiding hospitality, from seven a.m. breakfasts right through to post-concert receptions that gave us a chance to chat with old friends and meet new colleagues. Studio teaching is such a lonely occupation and at what other time can we gain strength from each other and compare notes with teachers in all parts of the province. Another important feature of any convention is, of course, the special meals. The Awards Luncheon boasted an impressive head table that included a member of London's City Council. The next day's lunch, during the annual Meeting, was more casual. This was the hour to find out exactly what has gone on at the top in ORMTA the past year, what problems are being grappled with and what plans are in store for the near future. Incidentally, we were reminded that ORMTA is short two zone reps, one of them being from Metro Toronto. Here's your chance to get involved! The Closing Banquet was, naturally, elegant, formal and satisfying, especially for the London Convention Committee who worked tirelessly for two years to give us such a well-rounded programme. If the London Convention was typical, and I'm told that it was, then I urge Central Toronto members, in particular those who have never attended before, to start planning now for the next convention which will be held in the March Break two years from now. I can promise you a professional shot in the arm, a warm congenial gathering, and a good rest, too! The Bulletin Board
Ann Scott Mumford sends greetings to all her Central Branch friends and colleagues. For more information, please contact info@ormtatoronto.org Back to Top  |