Selected Highlights from the First Decades of CELA's Work

This report is organized mostly by chronology, exploring the links over time for the Environmental Bill of Rights, Legal-Aid funding, and dozens of dangerous landfill cases are just a few examples of the important work that CELA has done. Proper respect is given on my part for exceptional cases in CELA history. But there are equally important small cases, such as protecting a maple tree; fighting against unsafe radioactive materials storage at the University of Toronto; cultivating environmental law centres all across the country; and proffering the official CELA submissions which keep the government accountable, not to mention demonstrating the wherewithal to keep fighting these battles day in and out. This is a story of those battles and the ways CELA volunteers and staff have worked over forty years to implement a magnificent world of imagination which we continue to dream every day. …

CONCERT REPORT
Annelies tells a child’s story – but without a child's voice

In November’s Choralscene I previewed the Grand Philharmonic Chamber Singers' performance of James Whitbourn’s Annelies, a setting of the Diary of Anne Frank. I stopped by Waterloo to catch the performance. Under the artistic direction of Mark Vuorinen, each time I’ve seen the choir in action I find them warm, balanced and talented. Soprano Natasha Campbell provided a strong and proficient solo voice for the evening...

THE SCOOP
The Sony Centre Announce Live Symphony Film Series Backed By The TSO

The Sony Centre starts a multi-year film concert series featuring the first two installments of the beloved Harry Potter Film collection...

FEATURE
Discovering The Music Of Toronto's That Choir

Brian Chang spends an evening with Toronto's That Choir as they rehearse for a show to remember...

SCRUTINY
It’s A Beautiful Day! It’s A Rather Nice Day

Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton provided a hoot of an afternoon of music...

CONCERT REPORT
Tutti Contenti at Amadeus Live

I’ve never seen Amadeus before. This is blasphemy amongst choral singers and I’ve been lambasted many times. To be fair, it came out a few years before I was born and Mozart isn’t exactly standard repertoire for high school arts programs in Scarborough...

CHORAL SCENE
Choral Evocations – Films and Literature

Movies and music are a match made in heaven. Several fantastic opportunities are coming up in the next few months to enjoy and experience live music set to films. One of my favourite Oscar moments is seeing the nominees for Best Song, Best Score and Best Soundtrack. Music in films can be incredibly impactful...

CONCERT REPORT
Overwhelming Beauty at the Luminous Night Festival Gala Concert

Toronto is a definitive choral city. With choral music of diverse shapes and sizes across the region, there is a strong appreciation for voices joined together. Every so often a great gem of a performance comes along and proves this – and the Luminous Night Festival Gala Concert was one of those...

CHORAL SCENE
Forward Into Fall!

Much as I'd like to be enjoying more of summer sitting on a Muskoka chair in my backyard with the sun beaming down on me, the pull of the new arts season is beckoning us all forward into fall.

CHORAL SCENE
Reflections on the Sacred and the Secular

As we voyage into the beauty of summer and the winding down of the regular 2015/2016 choral season, it has been my pleasure to write this column over the last year. One fascinating theme for me, as an active singer and performer, and as a regular attendee of concerts in the region, has been how often choral music finds itself at the crossroads of the secular and the sacred...

CHORAL SCENE
Auditions – Getting Into It All!

I sing in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC) as a tenor and have for the last three seasons. It’s my primary musical outlet. What is surprising to some people is that we have to audition every year. Every year we have to audition to get back into the choir...