2011-2012
Download 2011-2012 Season Brochure [~3MB] and Showcase Performances [PDF ~4MB].
TorQ
percussion quartet
TorQ
Awarded a MARTY for “Best Emerging Performing Arts Group – 2009″ by the Mississauga (ON) Arts Council, TorQ was formed in 2004 by four young, enthusiastic Toronto-area percussionists looking to add new energy to percussion repertoire and performance. As well as competing as the sole Canadian representative at the Luxembourg International Percussion Quartet Competition, TorQ has performed to much acclaim and standing ovations across Canada, including feature performances at MusicFest Canada Nationals, the Open Ears Contemporary Music Festival, the Four Seasons Centre for the Arts, Stratford Music Festival and with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of David Gillingham’s Concertino for Four Percussion and Orchestra. TorQ’s repertoire ranges from sweetly lyrical mallet quartets to no-holds-barred, high energy percussive show pieces. In addition to performing classic percussion ensemble repertoire, TorQ is committed both to commissioning works from emerging Canadian composers, and to promoting music education in schools, through school concerts and clinics aimed at elementary and high school students.
Members Richard Burrows, Jamie Drake and Daniel Morphy all met while studying music at the University of Toronto with Russell Hartenberger, Beverley Johnston and John Rudolph, while Adam Campbell hails from PEI and studied at Acadia University before completing further studies at UofT. The members of TorQ are each accomplished musicians in their own right; together they form an incredibly dynamic chamber group. Under the initial guidance of Robin Engelman (NEXUS), they have honed their craft to form an ensemble that is as exciting as it is musical.
TorQ solo concerts generally consist of a balance of new and established works for percussion quartet; each performance features at least one recent Canadian work. TorQ has commissioned approximately 40 works from contemporary Canadian composers, as well as from members within the ensemble. In Fall 2008 TorQ served as the in-class ensemble at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto for classes taught by renowned Canadian composer Christos Hatzis, which resulted in many new works, including a new version of “In the Fire of Conflict” by Hatzis. Other upcoming commissions in the works include compositions by Toronto composers Kevin Lau and Alice Ho, and a multi-media theatre collaboration with the Hamilton Children’s Choir and award-winning composer Eric Robertson.
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The artists are represented by Marilyn Gilbert Artists Management
Performance Schedule
Thursday, January 12/12 Drayton Valley AB
Presented by Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre in Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre at 7:30PM
Friday, January 13/12 Morinville AB
Presented by Town of Morinville in Morinville Community Cultural Centre at 8:00PM
Saturday, January 14/12 Fort McMurray AB
Presented by Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre in Keyano Theatre at 8:00PM
Sunday, January 15/12 Stettler AB
Presented by Stettler Variety Showcase in the Stettler Performing Arts Centre at 3:00PM and 7:30PM
Wednesday, January 18/12 Lloydminster SK
Presented by Lloydminster Allied Arts Council in Vic Juba Community Theatre, Lakeland College at 7:30PM
Thursday, January 19/12 Kindersley SK
Presented by Kindersley & District Arts Council in Norman Ritchie Community Centre at 7:30PM
Friday, January 20/12 Rosthern SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre in Station Arts Centre at 7:30PM
Saturday, January 21/12 Yorkton SK
Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Regional High school at 8:00PM
Sunday, January 22/12 Brandon MB
Presented by Brandon University ProSeries in Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University at 7:00PM
Monday, January 23/12 Brandon MB
Masterclass/workshop Presented by Brandon School of Music in Brandon University School of Music
Tuesday, January 24/12 Minnedosa MB
Presented by Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee in Tanner’s Crossing School at 7:30PM
School show in Tanner’s Crossing School at 2:00PM
Thursday, January 26/12 Leduc AB
School Shows Presented by Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts in Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts at 9:30AM and 1:00PM
Friday, January 27/12 Westlock AB
Presented by Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre Series in R.F. Staples High school at 8:00PM
Saturday, January 28/12 Edson AB
Presented by Chautaqua Edson Art Council in Red Brick Cultural Centre at 7:30PM
Sunday, January 29/12 Leduc AB
Presented by Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts in Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts at 7:30PM
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Schools shows, workshops & master classes in addition to these concerts. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.
Wei & Park
Sharon Wei, viola and Angela Park, piano
Sharon Wei
Download Programme [PDF ~0.5MB] and Poster [PDF ~4.4MB].
Canadian musicians Sharon Wei and Angela Park have captivated audiences around the world through their unique interpretations of the viola and piano repertoire from Bach to new creations. Since their first collaboration in 1998, they have gone on to win such prestigious honours as the 2006 CBC Rising Stars Galaxie Award, a Debut Atlantic tour of the Maritimes, Canada and Ontario Arts Council career and touring grants, and in 2008 were selected by Chatelaine Magazine as one of “80 women to watch”.
They have performed on series including the Banff Centre for the Arts, the New York Viola Society Recital, the 2006 International Viola Congress in Montreal, CBC’s Music Around Us, the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, Jeffery Concerts in London, Oakmont Series in California, Ottawa International Chamberfest, Stratford Summer Music, and at Yale University. Their performances have been recorded and aired on CBC Radio.
As individual musicians they have won many awards and prizes. Angela captured the Grand Prize of the Grace Welsh International Competition in Chicago and received awards of recognition at the World Piano Competition, the Honens International Piano Competition, and the Maria Canals International Competition. Sharon graduated from Yale with the Viola Prize, and has garnered awards in the Sinfonia Toronto International Concerto Competition, Washington International Strings Competition, and the Grand Prize at the London Music Foundation Competition. Sharon has taught in Yale Undergraduate program and is currently on faculty at Stanford University. They have played concerts all over North America, Europe, and Asia and have appeared as soloists with various orchestras. They are also founding members of the award-winning Ensemble Made in Canada with violinist Judy Kang and cellist Rachel Mercer.
Angela Park
Sharon and Angela studied at the University of Western Ontario. Sharon completed her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and Yale University and Angela received her Masters from the University of Toronto and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Université de Montréal. They have given viola, piano, and chamber music masterclasses at the University of Western Ontario, Laurier University, Brandon University, University of Ottawa, University of Manitoba, and conducted a residency at the State University of New York in New Paltz. Sharon plays on a viola kindly on loan to her from the Banff Centre for the Arts.
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www.sharonwei.net
www.angelpark.com
Performance Schedule
Friday, November 11/11 Brandon MB
Presented by Brandon University ProSeries in Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University at 7:00PM
Monday, November 14/11 Snow Lake MB
Presented by Ravna Concerts in Ravna House at 7:00PM
Tuesday, November 15/11 The Pas MA
Master classes arranged by The Pas Arts Council at 4PM Location TBC
Wednesday, November 16/11 The Pas MB
School show presented by The Pas Elementary School at 10:00AM in The Pas Elementary School
Presented by The Pas Arts Council in Roman Catholic Cathedral of our Lady of the Sacred Heart at 7:00PM
Sunday, November 20/11 Lacombe AB
Masterclasses presented by CUC in CUC Auditorium at 11:00AM
Presented by Canadian University College in CUC Admin Building Auditorium at 7:00PM
Saturday, January 21/12 Estevan SK
Presented by Estevan Arts Council in St Paul’s United Church at 7:30PM
Sunday, January 22/12 Regina SK
Presented by Regina Musical Club in Riddell Centre, University of Regina at time TBC
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Schools shows, workshops & master classes in addition to these concerts. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.
Alexander Sevastian
accordionist
Download Programme [PDF ~0.5MB] and Poster [PDF ~2.7MB].
With three first prize wins at the International Accordion Competition to his credit, Alexander Sevastian has truly commanded the world’s attention as one of the best. His awards extend from early in his career to current achievements. He first gained attention in the musical world when he won the Norway’s Oslofjord Accordion Competition in 1988. Shortly following, he won The Cup of the North in Russia in 2000, the 2001 Anthony Galla-Rini Accordion Competition in the US and most recently, first prize at the 2009 Roland Competition in Toronto.
Alexander Sevastian
Born in Minsk, Belarus, Alexander began his accordion studies at the age of seven. In 1991, he attended the Glinka Musical College in Minsk. His advanced studies took him to Moscow’s famed Gnessin Academy of Music where he graduated with his Masters Degree in Performance, studying with renowned performer and pedagogue, Friedrich Lips. While at the Gnessin Academy, Alexander extended his studies to include piano, conducting, and philosophy.
He began his professional performance career in Moscow in 1996 where he was quickly heard performing with the Russian Radio Orchestra. Following his first performance, he has subsequently toured as soloist with the Russian Radio Orchestra throughout Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Italy and Japan. Alex is also a very active recitalist and chamber musician. His performances have graced the stages in such prestigious venues as Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, The Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, St. Petersburg’s Glinka Capella Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, and Minato Mirai Hall. Recent solo and orchestral engagements include recitals in Canada, the US, Mexico, and Italy.
Alex and his family moved to Canada in April 2001. Within one year, he joined the internationally recognized Quartetto Gelato and in 2003, he completed an Advanced Certificate in Performance at the University of Toronto where he studied with Joseph Macerollo. Over the past five years, with the quartet, Alex has extensively toured Canada, the US, Italy, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Estonia, and Guatemala.
Alex lives in Toronto with his wife Anna and son Vladimir and in 2005, proudly became a Canadian citizen.
The artist is represented by Agence Station Bleue, Montreal.
Performance Schedule
Sunday, October 16/2011 Brandon MB
Presented by Brandon University ProSeries in Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University at 3:00PM
Monday, February 6/2012 Snow Lake MB
Presented by Ravna Concerts in Ravna House at 7:00PM
Friday, February 10, 2012 Swift Current SK
Presented by Swift Current Allied Arts Council in Living Sky Centre at 8:00PM
Sunday, February 12, 2012 Estevan SK
Presented by Estevan Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church at 8:00PM
Monday, February 13, 2012 Weyburn SK
Presented by Weyburn Concert Series in Weyburn Comprehensive High school at 7:30PM
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 Kipling SK
Presented by Kipling & District Arts Council in Kipling Community Centre at 7:30PM
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Yorkton SK
Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton Regional High school at 8:00PM
Thursday, February 16, 2012 Tisdale SK
Presented by Tisdale Arts Council in Tisdale RECplex at 7:30PM
Friday, February 17, 2012 Melfort SK
Presented by Melfort Arts Council in CJVR Performing Arts Theatre at 7:30PM
Saturday, February 18, 2012 Biggar SK
Presented by Biggar & District Arts Council in Majestic Theatre at 7:30PM
Sunday, February 19, 2012 Rosthern SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre in Station Arts Centre at 7:30PM
Monday, February 20, 2012 Canora SK
Presented by Canora Arts Council in Canora Composite School at 7:30PM
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Schools shows, workshops & master classes in addition to these concerts. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.