This year's Sale of Used Music took place on Saturday, June 23, clearing over $1400 for student scholarships and recitals! Held at St. John's Norway, Jean Collins did a spectacular job in organizing the event that featured many special helpers.

Thanks goes to Bill Vaisey, Joan O'Mara, Maxine Willan & Frank Horvat who assisted in the days leading up to the Sale.

Thank you to Saturday helpers Jeanette Roberts, Leanne Kloppenborg, Arden Broadhurst, Liselotte Jongedijk, Beverley Ann Devlin, Fanny Levitan, Joan O'Mara, Melody Van Arragon and Bill Vaisey.

Special thanks to Bill Vaisey who also picked up, stored and priced music etc. from the Helen Van Iderstine estate, Dr. Osborne and Maria Case. Thanks to Jim O'Mara who delivered boxes of music remainders to Dixon Hall, St. Christopher House & University Settlement Music Schools. Thanks to Bill Collins who took remaining records to Goodwill. Thanks to Branch members who made donations including Dana Hopson, Mildred Bennett, Maria Case, Fanny Levitan & Bill Vaisey along with many other individuals from the community.

Here's hoping that next year's event is just as spirited and lucrative!

Words cannot describe the honour that I feel as I begin my term as President.

I take over the role from a person who had done an admirable job. I send special thanks to Maria Case for being such a great help to me. I know that I can speak on behalf of the membership when I say that we look forward to seeing your other talents flourish, starting with your presentation at the Autumn Tea.

Back in July when I was granted the position at an Executive Meeting, I stated that the only two things I wanted to accomplish during my term was to maintain the quality of events that we offer and promote the good work that we do.

In my youth in Ottawa, I had the privilege of studying with great ORMTA members like Sandra Cooke & Virginia Strawn. In those early days, they not only taught me performance and theory skills but also instilled, in me, a sense of pride about being a musician. Today, all of you help me maintain that sense within myself.

As the school year begins and we begin the long hours in our respective studios, let's all try to participate in and attend as many Branch functions as possible so we can continue to help each other instill that important sense of purpose for what we do.

- Frank Horvat

Students of Central Toronto Branch members recently placed highly at this year's ORMTA Canada Music Week Music Writing Competition.

Congratulations go out to Nancy Foster, student of Suleman Currim, who placed 1st in Class D for her composition Rejoice In The Lord.

Congratulations also go out to Gwendolyn Lovsted, student of Maria Case, who placed 1st in Class A1 for her composition The Eagle.

Both entries have been forwarded to the CFMTA for adjudication at the national level. This year there were 54 student entries from across the province. The adjudicator was Ms. Martha Hill Duncan, a fine Canadian composer.

Members of the Central Toronto Branch along with their students and families will benefit from a partnership with Sinfonia Toronto, this concert season.

The highly acclaimed ensemble under the direction of Nurhan Arman have offered ORMTA members discounted prices, when organizing a party of 10 or more, to attend their performances.

Additionally, the group will print a ˝ page complimentary ad for the ORMTA in their concert programmes.

All the performances are at the Glenn Gould Studio on Front St. For more information, please contact Margaret Chasins at 416-499-0403.

FALL DATES:
October 27, 8PM. "Mozart Effect" w. André Laplante, piano
November 17, 8PM. "Baroque Hits" w. Etsuko Kimura, violin
More performances in the New Year!

The Metro Toronto Zone Directory is being distributed across the GTA as we speak. This year, ORMTA membership seeking new students will benefit from having the directory distributed before the "Back To School Rush" to a variety of community locales.

Thanks go out to Fanny Levitan & Frank Horvat for coordinating the design and printing. Thanks also go out to Ford Barker, Jean Collins & Lisa Horvat for helping with the packing & mailing.

You will be receiving your own copy in the next Newsletter at the end of September.

The entire membership of the Central Toronto Branch is pleased to welcome new members Ronda Rindone (Clarinet), Lynne Moquin (Keyboard Harmony & Composition), Olivia Riddell (Early Childhood Education) and Garth & Marjorie Beckett (Piano).

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.

Mark Sunday, October 14 on your calendar. This year's Autumn Tea promises to be a special event.

Maria Case will lead us in an exploration of L'almanach aux images, a set of piano works by French composer Gabriel Grovlez (1879-1944). Maria's presentation will feature a discussion of performance elements of the works along with points to keep in mind while guiding a student through these 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 concern to the Executive.

But to top it all off, one of the more enjoyable aspects of the afternoon will certainly be a chance to visit with colleagues.

Special thanks to Marjorie Francoz for hosting this event again this year!

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.

Mr. Bryan did his formal training at the University of Western Ontario studying solo piano with John Paul Bracey and Sonja Behrens and chamber music with Ronald Turini and Peter Smith. He has performed in England, France, the United States, Mexico and throughout Canada. He has also been heard in solo performances on CBC radio and television.

While doing post-graduate work with the renowned French pianist Cécile Ousset in Pucelsi, France, Mr. Bryan became especially interested in playing music written by the composers of the French School. His debut recording in 1996 featured the Préludes of Claude Debussy. He has also recorded works by Maurice Ravel.

Mr. Bryan has also been commissioned by the Harbinger Foundation to record a world premier CD of the piano works of Canadian composer Rémi Bouchard.

See future Newsletter for more details!

After much thought and discussion by the Executive over the past 6 months, a few key changes have been made to the Rules for Branch Auditions.

The main change is that teachers will now be able to better fill the need of individual students by reserving a set time. This is in response to teachers who felt that their students did not get enough out of the whole process since there was a time limit based on grade. For scheduling purposes, it is important to note that students will not be allowed to pass their time limit. There is also a 3-piece maximum in effect.

A new entry form has been nicely re-designed by Ford Barker to better serve these changes.

Another point discussed by the Executive was whether or not to include Preliminary-level students in the Auditions. Because of the divisiveness in the Executive, the decision was put off until next year. Members are welcome to voice their opinions to assist the Executive in formulating a decision for the future.

Enclosed you will find a copy of the updated rules & new entry form. Please read them over carefully before mailing in your entries on behalf of your students.

If you have any questions or if you are able to donate your time as a volunteer, please contact our Auditions/Recital convenor Ford Barker for more information.

Each year, the Central Toronto Branch awards many Scholarships to the students of our members. Here is a summary:

-Outstanding Performance Scholarships at our Fall & Spring Recitals ($35 Junior, $50 Senior)

-Two Sir Ernest MacMillan Scholarships at the Fall Recital for outstanding performances of Canadian works ($50 Junior, $75 Senior)

-Anne Scott Mumford Award for a performance by a senior student of a movement from a Mozart Sonata at a Recital. Contact Mary Mexis Lumsden for more information at 416-693-5099

-Theory scholarships (a total of ten available each year) of $35 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 annually for the top ten marks received during the previous academic year. Please send results to Frank Horvat, 922-155 Dalhousie St. Toronto, ON, M5B 2P7

Pianist Katherine Ramseyer will be joined by flutist Kristen Derksen for an afternoon Benefit Concert on Sunday, September 9, 2:30PM at Islington United Church (25 Burnamthorpe Rd., just north of Dundas).

This concert will feature works by Handel, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms & Fauré.

Proceeds will be donated to the Refugee Support Committee of Islington United Church which sponsors & supports refugee families from all over the world. Admission is a free-will donation.

Congratulations to CTB member William Griffiths who has been nominated to be registered in the forthcoming Directory of American Scholars.

Mildred Bennett is in need of more volunteers for her phone committee. If you can spare some time to help the Branch in this invaluable way, please contact Mildred.

Teachers in Concert will take place in March. Kathleen Gorman will be in touch soon to see if you would like to participate. Welcome to the Executive Kathleen!

Coming in One Month: Newsletter & Member Directories

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