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Central Toronto Branch Newsletter - September 2000Message from the President Dear Colleagues, Greetings and welcome back to another busy year of music-making. I hope each of you has enjoyed a long and restful summer. I am pleased to be returning to the position of president of Central Toronto Branch. Welcome to new executive members Ford Barker, William Griffiths and Ted Parkinson. Your executive has been busy planning a programme for the 2000-2001 season which offer you opportunities for professional development, as well as the chance to meet your colleagues and share your questions and experiences. Resolve this year to set some time aside to attend our branch events. I look forward to seeing you. Sincerely, Maria L. Case, President, Central Toronto Branch Central Toronto Executive, 2000-2001 President Maria Case Past President Mary Mexis Vice President Frank Horvat Treasurer/Registrar Fanny Levitan Secretary Jean Collins Auditions & Recitals Ford Barker Membership William Griffiths Publicity Frank Horvat, Mary Mexis, Ted Parkinson Senior Advisors Arden Broadhurst, Beverley Ann Devlin Social (Cards) Odna Brain Teachers-in-Concert Frank Horvat Telephone Committee Mildred Bennett Website Liaison Frank Horvat Welcome to our new members: Joanne Bright, Marianne Esterhammer, Mariola Frackowiak, Charlene Gabriel, Juanne Hemsol, Rosalind Johnson, Philip MacEwan, Jeanette Newman, Thomas Schadl, Clayton Scott Upcoming EventsThe Website ExpandsCentral Toronto Website We are pleased to welcome Markham and North York branches to www.ormtatoronto.org. In a letter last spring, we invited the other branches of the Toronto Zone to participate in our website, and are pleased with the response we have received so far. Our website continues to grow, with an expanded links section and a clickable map which the public can use to find teachers in particular geographical areas of the city. If you have decided that you would like to submit (or update) a short bio, or if you have any upcoming events you would like posted on the web, please call Maria Case (944-9260) for the Website Information Form and/or the Member Events Form. Please keep in mind that only the information that you choose to release will appear on the website. October Workshop On Sunday, October 22nd Clayton Scott will present Dead or Alive? Making Music History Live Again! from 1:30-4:30 at the Women's Art Association. Ms. Scott is very much in demand as a clinician, lecturer and adjudicator throughout North America. This outstanding and dynamic workshop was presented last March at the O.R.M.T.A Convention to an enthusiastic audience. On October 22nd, Clayton will be working with a group of approximately ten students between the ages of 8-12 in the final hour of the workshop. If you have a student(s) who would like to participate, please call Maria Case (944-9260) to reserve a place. Space is limited, and we do expect this to be a very popular and well attended workshop, so call early to avoid disappointment. This is a wonderful learning experience for teachers and students alike. Auditions & Recitals Every fall and spring, our branch holds auditions in which students may perform one or more pieces and receive helpful written adjudication. Those who receive high marks (usually 80% or higher) are invited to perform in the branch recitals. Recitals are also adjudicated and exceptional performances are awarded scholarships. The auditions and recitals are open to all instrumentalists and vocalists; although most of our young performers are pianists, we encourage those teachers of other instruments to consider entering their students in this valuable programme. It is a wonderful opportunity for our young musicians to gain performance experience and receive encouragement from a new source. Auditions & recitals enquiries may be addressed to Ford Barker at 964-6682. June Wrap-Up Our annual Spring Luncheon and General Meeting (Sunday, June 13) was a tremendous success. We had good attendance, a delightful lunch catered by Nimble Foods, and a programme of piano music provided by senior students Adam Coysh and Joanne Tam (studio of Mira Bulat) and Leonard Tooley (studio of Gloria Saarinen). Discussion in the general meeting focussed on planning our branch events for 2000-2001, increasing membership, and creating a more professional public image for the O.R.M.T.A. Our annual Music Yard Sale was the best ever. Jean Collins reports: Net receipts of $742.97 were a big boost to the Scholarship Fund. Music was donated by five branch members and eight community donors. Helpers were Bill Vaisey and Liselotte Jongedihk for pricing, and Joan O'Mara, Leanne Kloppenborg, Liselotte Jongedijk and Bill Vaisey on sale day. Bill Collins and Simon Jongedijk carried boxes. Thanks to Mary Mexis, Joan, Leanne and Liselotte for storing boxes. The CBC interviewed Jean about the sale and it was broadcast on 'Fresh Air' the morning of the sale. Review of Scholarships At our fall and spring recitals, scholarships are awarded for outstanding performances. ($35.00 Juniors, $50.00 Seniors) The two Sir Ernest MacMillan Scholarships are awarded at the fall recital only for outstanding performances of Canadian works. ($50.00 Junior, $75.00 Senior) Theory scholarships (a total of ten available each year) of $35.00 are awarded to students who receive 100% on the Grade 2 Rudiments examination, or 85% and higher on any theory examination starting at the Grade 3 level. You must have prepared the student yourself. The scholarships are awarded each September for the top ten marks received during the previous academic year. Please send results to Maria Case, 259 Howland Ave, Toronto, M5R 3B7. Teachers-in-Concert This year's Teachers-in-Concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 4, 2001 at the Women's Art Association (Lyceum Club). Frank Horvat is organising the event, and will soon be calling the membership looking for solos, duos, trios, quartets, etc. We will hold another Review Competition to encourage students to attend. After the terrific success of last year's concert, we are hoping to see even more teachers involved this year, with the emphasis on chamber music and fun! Conscription In order to keep our programmes running in Central Toronto Branch, we rely on help from our membership. We are asking that all teachers who use our Auditions and Recitals programme, donate several hours of their time during the 2000-01 year. You may assist Ford Barker before the Audition days in preparing the schedule, on Audition days, or help out at the Recitals. When you send in your Audition Entry Form, pleaseindicate when it would suit you to assist us or call Ford Barker (964-6682). We also need more helpers for the annual Music Yard Sale (traditionally held the 3rd or 4th weekend of June) to assist in all capacities. If this appeals to you and fits your schedule, you may contact Jean Collins (694-5969). The Bulletin Board
The North York Branch is hosting a workshop featuring Kent
McWilliams on The Influence of Polish Fold Music on Chopin's Mazurkas and
Polonaises. Monday, October 30, 2000, 10AM, Registration 9:30 AM, at
Euromusic Centre, 2651 John Street, Unit 8, north of Steels, one light west
of Woodbine, $15 members, $20 non-members, $10 students, call (905)
669-7624 for further information. For more information, please contact info@ormtatoronto.org Back to Top  |