A major initiative by The Royal Conservatory of Music, which celebrates the cultural diversity and pluralism of our great country as it turns 150, is the formation of the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra. This project, conceived by Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, is led by Artistic Director David Buchbinder, the Juno Award-winning trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and cultural inventor. More than 100 Canadians hailing from 47 countries applied to be in the orchestra, out of which 12 members have been chosen after three rounds of auditions.
The artists of the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra have been in residence at The Conservatory through the 2016-17 concert season. They wrote new music for the ensemble, rehearsed and participated in educational activities, and played in other venues throughout the GTA.
The Orchestra’s debut concert in Koerner Hall on June 2, 2017 is a highly anticipated event that will celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial.
The New Canadian Global Music Orchestra includes 12 professional musicians from around the world who currently make their homes in the Toronto area and in Montreal.
Ensemble members are:
Padideh Ahrarnejad (Iran) on tar
Sasha Boychouk (Ukraine) on woodwinds and ethnic Ukrainian flutes
Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk (Canada – Métis) on violin, viola, jaw harp, spoons, and vocals
Luis Deniz (Cuba) on saxophone
Anwar Khurshid (Pakistan) on sitar, flute, esraj, tabla, vocals, and harmonium
Lasso (Salif Sanou) (Burkina Faso) on Fulani flute, kambélé n’goni, tamanin (talking drum), balafon, djembe, doum-doum, and vocals
Paco Luviano (Mexico) on bass
Aline Morales (Brazil) on Brazilian percussion and vocals
Demetrios Petsalakis (Greece) on oud, guitar, lyra, bouzouki, riq, and Greek baglama
Matias Recharte (Peru) on drums, percussion, cajón, conga, and timbales
Dorjee Tsering (Tibet) on dranyen, flute, piwang, yang chin (dulcimer), traditional Tibetan vocals
Dora Wang (China) on bamboo flute, flute, hulusi, xiao, panpipe, and ocarina
As the news of the project spread throughout the arts community, interest in the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra grew and a tour is now planned. As announced today by Toronto Mayor John Tory and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon, the ensemble will open Toronto’s Canada 150 celebrations on June 30 at Nathan Phillips Square. Further appearances are planned at Sunfest, Cultura, Hillside, and Diasporic Genius Harvest festivals; a performance at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa as part of both the Canada Scene Festival and the Ottawa Chamberfest; and in October a performance at the National Music Centre in Calgary and a recording at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Friday, June 30: City of Toronto Canada 150 Celebration
Opening of the night’s festivities
Nathan Philips Square in Toronto
5:15pm
Sunday, July 9: Sunfest
Two performances at Sunfest, a non-profit community arts group dedicated to promoting cross-cultural awareness and understanding of the arts across a range of disciplines such as music, dance, and the visual arts.
Victoria Park in London, ON
http://www.sunfest.on.ca/
Friday, July 14: Cultura Festival
Performance at Cultura, which celebrates Toronto’s rich diversity featuring world renowned musicians, tasty international street food, explosive buskers and dancers, interactive art activities, and evening film screenings under the stars.
Mel Lastman Square in Toronto
8pm
http://www.northyorkarts.org/cultura-festival/
Saturday, July 15: Hillside Community Festival
Performance on the main stage as well as workshops at The Hillside Community Festival, a not-for-profit music festival that celebrates creativity through artistic expression, community engagement, and environmental leadership.
Guelph Lake Conservation Area, ON
http://hillsidefestival.ca/
Sunday, July 23: National Arts Centre
Performance in Ottawa during Canada Scene and presented in collaboration with Ottawa Chamberfest
4pm
https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/16314
Saturday, September 23: Diasporic Genius Harvest Festival
Thorncliffe Park in Toronto
Time TBC
Saturday, September 30: National Music Centre
Performance in Calgary, AB
2pm
www.nmc.ca
Sunday, October 1 to Friday, October 6: Recording in Banff
The ensemble’s first recording
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta
Saturday, February 24 2018: Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts
Kingston, ON
8pm
http://www.theisabel.ca
More dates will be confirmed for the 2017-18 concert season.
Promotional Materials
Ensemble members’ biographies and photos: https://performance.rcmusic.ca/New-Canadian-Global-Music-Orchestra
5-minute video: https://vimeo.com/214871257
1-minute video: https://vimeo.com/214868200
The New Canadian Global Music Orchestra is presented by The Royal Conservatory of Music in partnership with: Aga Khan Museum, Batuki Music Society, CBC, Diasporic Genius, Lula Music and Arts Centre, Small World Music, York University Department of Music, and 918 Bathurst Centre.
Government Supporters for the 2016-2017 season: Major funding provided by The Canada Council through the New Chapter Fund, Government of Canada Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund and Canada 150 Fund, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Toronto Arts Council
New Canadian Global Music Orchestra
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 8pm
Koerner Hall
$45-$90
A limited number of $10 BMO Rush Tickets are available starting 90 minutes before all performances presented by The Royal Conservatory.
The concert takes place at The Royal Conservatory of Music
TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
