This year, Canada Music Week takes place on the week of November 19-23. Members of the ORMTA are busily chipping in to assist in the preparations.

One event that involves many Branch members is Contemporary Showcase. This non-competitive festival of contemporary Canadian classical music is the main project of the Alliance for New Canadian Music Projects. Classes are conducted in a workshop atmosphere where adjudicators work with students, offering suggestions and encouragement.

To obtain an entry form or the new 2001 syllabus, contact the ACNMP office at 416-963-5937 or email acnmptor@ica.net. Hurry, the deadline is October 15.

Within Central Toronto Branch, Canada Music Week is celebrated at the Fall Recital on November 24. Students who are invited to perform works by Canadian composers could win one of two Sir Ernest MacMillan Scholarships for their efforts.

If any member would like to contribute a report of CMW happenings for our next newsletter, please contact Frank Horvat.

Monday, September 10, was my first day of teaching back after a relaxing 2-week holiday. I was feeling so positive about the upcoming school year. Then all that didn't seem to matter anymore when I watched the horrific tragedy unfold in New York & Washington the very next morning on TV.

I'm sure many of you went through the same extreme reversal of emotion that I just described. Some of you must have been put into the unexpected position of having to console your students who had difficulty dealing with the news while still trying to come to terms with it yourself.

All I could think of is "What can I do to help?" In a moment of rage and sadness, I was willing to leave my family, teaching studio and other responsibilities to drive to New York and assist in anyway I could. But then I quickly realized that I would be of best assistance to stay right where I am.

Even though we are not firefighters, police officers or paramedics, this event has taught me that we are also protectors and healers. In the last few weeks, I have noticed those students who dealt poorly with the news now show more of a passion for their music. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a tragedy to make us realize what a special gift we are able to share with others.

Thanks to my family and students, I have resumed feeling optimistic about the new school year, as I hope all of you have as well.

To any of you who personally know of someone lost in this tragedy, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

- Frank Horvat

The Central Toronto Branch is pleased to present Teachers-In-Concert in early March. This year, our new coordinator for the event, Kathleen Gorman, is enthusiastic about organizing another successful concert.

Teachers are welcome to perform repertoire of their choice. Chamber groups are very much welcome. Non-Branch members are also welcome provided that they perform with a member of the Branch.

This event is an excellent opportunity for teachers to keep their performance skills in check while being a good role model for their students.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Kathleen with your ideas.

Coordinated by the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee, the TD Junior Provincial Piano Competition will take place in Toronto, May 11, 2002 at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts, Studio Theatre.

The goal of the event is to create the opportunity to encourage and foster the talent of young pianists.

Entry Requirements:
Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, resident of Ontario, not older than 14 years by January 1, 2002.

Prize:
A solo performance with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at a "Kids Klassics" concert onstage at Roy Thomson Hall in 2003.

For applications and info, contact:
The Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee,
TD Junior Provincial Piano Competition
212 King St W., Suite 550,
Toronto, ON M5H 1K5
Phone: 416-593-7769 x.358
Email: tsvc@tso.on.ca

November is just around the corner and that means it's time for the Fall Auditions & Recital.

The Branch is pleased to announce our adjudicators:
Shirley Kwok for the Auditions and Raymond Vacchino for the Recital.

Remember to use the new application form and review the rules that were mailed to you last month. Please mail your submissions promptly.

If you are able to lend some of your time for either event or if you have any questions, please contact Ford Barker.

The entire membership of the Central Toronto Branch is pleased to welcome new members Helen Hardy (Piano & Theory) and Jill McKechnie (Piano & Early Childhood Music Education).

It's important for members to make note that Helen & Jill's name do appear in the White Membership List but not in the Yellow Zone Directory.

We all look forward to meeting all of you at our various functions. If there is anything that the Executive Committee can assist you with, please let us know.

We are only weeks away from the Branch's first get together of the year! Sunday, October 14 will be an opportunity for you to visit with colleagues and enjoy some insight into very intriguing repertoire.

Maria Case will lead us in an exploration of L'almanach aux images, a set of 8 piano works by French composer Gabriel Grovlez (1879-1944). Maria's presentation will feature a discussion of performance elements of his works along with points to keep in mind while guiding a student through these rarely studied pieces. If you have a score, bring it along!

A short General Meeting will also take place where you, the members can voice your comments, questions or concerns to the Executive.

If you would like to bring along a small plate of baked goods, if it is not too much trouble to prepare, it would be very much appreciated. Special thanks to Marjorie Francoz for hosting the event!

The Central Toronto Branch is proud to be presenting a workshop by Clark Bryan featuring the Piano Music of Fauré, Debussy & Ravel on Sunday, October 28th at the Women's Art Association.

The first part of the presentation will include a brief historical perspective of French music including the evolution from Couperin and onwards. The foundations for Symbolism and Impressionism will also be presented.

The second part of the presentation will begin with a discussion of the compositional style with selected works of Fauré as a backdrop for the emergence of Debussy and Ravel.

Part three will include a brief biographical sketch, an overview of repertoire and stylistic elements.

Part four will focus on specific examples from the literature; traditions and guidelines for interpretation.

This last section will include a comparison of interpretive traditions.

Help in publicity for this event from the General Membership would be much appreciated. If you know of some locales, senior students or colleagues that might like a flyer, please contact Frank Horvat so he can make copies available to you.

After inquiries from some members, the Executive Committee has looked into the policy of recognizing those members of the Branch who have been members of the ORMTA for 25 years or more.

The Provincial Council of the ORMTA is responsible for recognizing such members and issuing Certificates. If you would like to be recognized with this special recognition, please contact Fanny Levitan who will pass your name along to Provincial Council.

The Branch's website has quickly become a key tool of communication with the general public. Within the last 2 months, the website has received 1000 visitors!

Generally, the website is used by the public in order to find a teacher, seek information on becoming a member, or to look for other online resources related to music.

The website is also an excellent way to find out the goings on in our neighbouring branches who we share the website with.

60% of Central Toronto Branch members currently have their contact and/or biographical information posted on the website. If you do not have a presence but would like one, you must submit a "Website Information Form" to Frank Horvat. If you do not have a form, feel free to contact Frank.

www.ormtatoronto.org Happy Surfing!

CTB member, Gloria Saarinen coordinated MidSummer Music by the Lake, the first annual music camp and workshop this past August. Instrumental and vocal musicians ranging in age from 9 to 22 attended from across Canada and as far away as Europe. The activities took place in the Royal Conservatory of Music in Mississauga on the beautiful grounds of the Adamson Estate. The participating students rapidly learned the art of sight-reading, as well as performing and blending with several players at once. The repertoire for the ensemble playing and quick study performances was culled from a wide range of styles. For the students the challenges were enormous - to achieve these goals all the students worked enthusiastically and diligently a total of 42 hours in 7 straight days including the final concert. Generous sponsors made it possible to offer some scholarships and travel funds as well as food. The final concert included all 32 participants plus the very distinguished staff, in various sizes of ensembles. Plans are underway for an extended MidSummer Music next summer.

Former Central Toronto Branch member, Stephen Brown, now resides with his wife and family in Victoria. Stephen studied piano & harmony with Bill Vaisey and composition with Samuel Dolin here in Toronto. Stephen is now the Faculty Head of Theory & Composition at the University of Victoria. He is a composer, conductor and teacher. Performances of his music include those by Erich Kunzel and the Toronto Symphony and the Victoria & Vancouver Symphony Orchestras. He also has an active interest in early jazz, regularly performing the banjo with the Bastien Jazz Band.

Thanks to Bill Vaisey for the help in staying informed.

Congratulations to CTB member Ennio Paola for his many recent successes in publishing of compositions and video release of educational material (see the latest issue of NOTES).

CTB member Gloria Saarinen has upcoming performances on October 21 in Oakville and November 4 in Burlington. Fore more information, please call Estelle at 905-825-1475.

The next Newsletter will be distributed in mid January. Members are welcome to submit announcements to Frank Horvat.

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