The Array New Music Centre 2008/09 Season
Featuring Array Ensemble Concerts + Workshops
On Saturday, November 8, 2008, Array kicked off its 2008|09 Season at EMPAC. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's fabulous new concert hall in Troy, New York. The concert was part of Array's exciting new Metcalf Foundation funded Repertoire and Presenter Network Building Initiative.
For details, please see Array’s Newsletter
All concerts and workshops are presented in The Array Studio, Suite 218, 60 Atlantic Ave., Toronto, with the exception of Array’s April 24th Current Classics concert, which will be presented at Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Avenue, Toronto.
Concert Admission: Adult $25 / Seniors + Students $15 / pwyc (unemployed)
Workshop Admission: $45 / pwyc (unemployed)
• FEBRUARY 15: Season + CD Launch Party / Mini-Concert unveiling new Library of Scores database and listening room with special support from Ontario Trillium Foundation + Metcalf Foundation; 3 PM
• MARCH 15: Clarinet Workshop For Composers – Bob Stevenson, Instructor; 2 PM (new)
Ever wonder why your multi-phonic fingerings just won’t work? Or why other extended techniques cannot be produced consistently?
Bob Stevenson’s clarinet workshop for composers concentrates not only on techniques themselves, but on the psychology of the performer who is producing them. This targeted approach provides a valuable insight into why performers are resistant within certain circumstances and how the composer can circumvent such conflicts to get what they need.
Array’s afternoon Clarinet Workshop For Composers, Instructed by Bob Stevenson, will proceed in two parts. The first explicates basic clarinet technique, and explores extended techniques (such as multi-phonics, variation in tone colours, ‘flutter tongue’, ‘slap tongue’, doubling, etc.) and it will explain the reasons for differences in reliability in performance, and how the composer can best cope with these variables.
The workshop’s second part proceeds as an open discussion that explores the psychology of wind instrument performance. In particular, this discussion will focus on understanding the range of tone colour that is available, and how the composer can best engage a performer in an ongoing conversation while simultaneously broadening the palette that is available to the composer.
Topics include: The amount of “breath” in tone; how to notate this quality in a quantitative way, without confusing or alienating the performer; ways to address the colour question (e.g. bright, dark); and how to best notate the composer’s intentions for absolute clarity.
RSVP to 416.532.3019 or admin@arraymusic.com
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•MARCH 22: Solo Recital by Array Ensemble Clarinetist/Artistic Director Bob Stevenson; 3 PM
Tessituras by Tim Brady
Nine Memos by Linda Catlin Smith
La Vie de Bohème by Michael J. Baker
Or Just After by Christopher Fox
Gra by Elliot Carter
In his first solo recital in Toronto in over a decade, Array’s artistic director and ensemble clarinetist Bob Stevenson presents works by Canadian composers written for him. A rare opportunity to hear major works for solo clarinet by a performer whose new music performance history is unsurpassed, this recital also offers the chance to hear an entire programme of works written entirely for the performing artist.
Montreal composer Tim Brady’s Tessituras and Linda Catlin Smith’s Nine Memos were both commissioned by Bob, and Michael J. Baker’s La Vie de Bohème was composed for Bob on a commission from choreographer Peggy Baker, a 2009 recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
Also long associated with Array, celebrated British composer Christopher Fox wrote Leap Like the Heart for The Array Ensemble in 1989 and the group premiered the work at Europe’s famous Huddersfield Festival, and My First Century was composed and premiered in 2000. Bob has also presented the North American premiere of Fox’s Straight Lines In Broken Time for bass clarinet and tape. Christopher presented Bob with the score for Or Just After in the early ‘90s and this recital performance represents its first Canadian presentation.
The recital programme is completed by Elliot Carter’s Gra, which he dedicated to composer Witold Lutoslawski on his 80th birthday.
• APRIL 11: Violin Workshop For Composers; Rebecca van der Post, Instructor; 2 PM (new)
Location: THE ARRAY STUDIO; SUITE 218, 60 ATLANTIC AVE., TORONTO
RSVP TO: 416-532-3019 OR admin@arraymusic.com
ADMISSION: $45 / PWYC (FOR STUDENTS)
In this workshop, Array Ensemble violinist Rebecca van der Post shares with composers her varied experience in solo, chamber and orchestral performance of contemporary music in both North America and Europe. Through a question and answer format, Rebecca will explain traditional and contemporary techniques and how best to notate them and provide participants with the opportunity to have short excerpts of their compositions performed and discussed.
This workshop will proceed in two parts.
VIOLIN WORKSHOP FOR COMPOSERS PART 1:
The first part explores a detailed approach to both traditional and experimental techniques, as well as their notation. Rebecca draws on her personal experience in performing standard and contemporary repertoire then provides examples from contemporary music for violin to illuminate the best solutions composers have for exploring and notating new sounds for the instrument.
Rebecca will also explain the differences in writing for violin in different contexts to demonstrate how composing for violin in solo, chamber and orchestral music contexts requires a special approach in each situation.
VIOLIN WORKSHOP FOR COMPOSERS PART 2:
The second part of this workshop provides participants with the opportunity to compose short fragments that explore the techniques and discussion presented in the first part of the workshop.
Rebecca will play through the excerpts, offering suggestions as to what will make them sound better, and how they can best be notated.
ABOUT REBECCA:
British Violinist Rebecca van der Post studied with Pauline Scott at the Guildhall school in London and with professor Igor Ozim in Switzerland. She also studied in masterclasses with Oliver Knussen, Paul Zukofsky, and Gyorgy Kurtag. She was an artist in residence at the Banff Centre on various occasions, where she was given the honour of performing for the prime-minister of Thailand.
While based in London she performed throughout Europe with duo partners including Thomas Ades and Sophia Rahman. She gave the first performances of Peter Cowdreys' 'Concerto for Violin in the Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall, conducted by Thomas Ades, which she later performed in a live televised performance at the Istanbul Festival. With her piano trio (pianist Maria Antonia Garcia and cellist Joseph Luptak) she toured Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Colombia, and broadcast for Slovak Radio. As principal violinist with the Ensemble di Quaderni Perugini in Italy, and Ensemble Corrente in London, she appeared regularly in Italy, the Slovak Republic, Switzerland, and the U.K., with artists such as Jurg Wyttenbach, and Siegfried Palm, and gave live performances for BBC radio from the Belfast Sonorities and Aldeburgh Festivals.
In Toronto, Rebecca is a founding member of the Madawaska Quartet, playing repertoire from the baroque to the present day, commissioning and developing many new works, and appearing in festivals such as the Elora Festival and Toronto International Chamber Music Festival, and broadcasting for CBC, as well as traveling further afield, both within Canada, and overseas, and appearing with artists such as David Louie, Measha Breuggergosman and Leslie Kinton. She has been principle violinist with Arraymusic since 1999, worked on many collaborations with the award winning composer/choreographer Peter Chin,and has also appeared with chamber groups such as Autumn Leaf Theatre, Ensemble Noir, and the Composer’s Ensemble, as well as performing as Concert Master of Symphony Nova Scotia. She can be heard on CD playing solo and duo works by Michael Hynes.
“ Rebecca van der Post demonstrates both a delicate luminescence and raw utterance, from one moment to the next” - Musicworks Magazine
“……a powerful performance – tremendous physical and emotional stamina throughout ….” - The Globe and Mail
• APRIL 24: CURRENT CLASSICS CONCERT – Array Ensemble performs music by Jean Derome, Jan-Bas Bolen + Walter Zimmerman at Gallery 345 (345 Sorauren Ave.); 7 PM
Friday, April 24 at Gallery 345, The Array Ensemble performs with guest percussionist Jim Pugliese (New York) and (multi-instrumentalist) Jean Derome:
- Spectacles by Canadian musique actuelle instigator and doyen Jean Derome is an improvisational game written for an indeterminate number of performers that can be performed by improvisers from various time-based arts, including music, dance and theatre. This playful, yet rigorous, work combines elements of flow, register, speed and tone in its myriad forms.
- The world premiere of Square Time, a work written for Array by Netherlands artist Jan-Bas Bollen, who will be on hand for the performance; ; through its precisely placed, sparse, fragile events, Square Time evokes a collective organic intelligence that is determined to tell its story.
- Randonee 1: Northwest Passage by Walter Zimmermann, also a story, tells a narrative of heroic endeavor, evading straight passage, slicing through narrative fissures, frozen, crystalline, artic; Array featured the work on its critically-acclaimed ArrayLive CD.
Co-founder of Ambiance Magnétique and a true musical leader who redefines what we understand music to be, composer / multi-instrumentalist / improviser Jean Derome also knows how to share creatively intense power between the composer, conductor and players and is that rarest of composers who attaches absolute importance to the roles of the interpreter and the instrumentalist.
Jan-Bas Bollen is a visionary composer, sound designer, performance artist and violinist who explores multi-media music with video presentations, uses electronics to broaden his sound palette, composes on the computer, and works frequently with dancers and choreographers. He has performed mostly stage and chamber works, won many honors and prizes and has been performed by groups around the world.
Violinist / pianist / composer Walter Zimmermann is one of the most inventive composers writing German music today. He has been instrumental, through his Beginner Studio, in supporting a wide range of other musics and in introducing American composers to Europe. Some have said that Zimmermann, with his explorations of the transcendental in music and combining pitches with rhythms using charts, continues to explore an aesthetic that John Cage initiated in the 1950s, then abandoned.
• APRIL 26: CabArray Collaborative Open Workshop Presentation of John Zorn’s COBRA Guest artist Jim Pugliese prompts the game featuring Array Ensemble members with instrumentalists John Oswald, Jean Derome, Jan-Bas Bollen, Misha Glouberman, Thom Gill, Ken Aldcroft, Michael Johnston + Rick Hyslop; at 3 PM; The Array Studio (Suite 218 - 60 Atlantic Ave. / Entrance at Side Door), Toronto (416.532.3019)
Guest percussionist Jim Pugliese (New York) prompts Array Ensemble members and guests Jean Derome (Montreal), Jan-Bas Bollen (The Netherlands), Misha Glouberman (Toronto) and members of AIMT (The Association of Improvising Musicians of Toronto) in a workshop presentation of John Zorn's playful musical improv' game, COBRA (1984). Since the composer does not
permit this work to be performed in his absence (e.g. John chooses the instrumentalists and prompts the highly complex work), this presentation is not an official presentation of the actual game piece, but a workshop demonstration.
With no traditional notation, set length or pre-determined instrumentation or numbers of required players, but with plenty of rules, cues, bodily associations and disruptive guerilla-style tactics, this is one uniquely unpredictable work that is as fascinating to observe as it is to hear.
Jim Pugliese has recorded and or performed with John Cage, Kent Negano and Philip Glass, among others. For the past 15 years, living in the East Village of New York City, Jim has performed and recorded with this city's most prominent composers / improvisers, including John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Zeena Perkins and Anthony Coleman.
The Array Studio holds 70 people so tickets for this concert are presented on a first come first served with no advance sales.
• MAY 10: Percussion Workshop For Composers; Rick Sacks, Instructor; 2 PM
Rick Sacks’ 2nd Percussion Workshop:
Price: $35 for first time participants | $25 for 2008 Percussion Workshop attendants.
This year’s workshop goals are twofold:
1. Investigate and learn compositional techniques that bring about the best performance from a percussionist. This includes notation, logistics, combination sounds, experimental versus standard practices. Get inside the head of a percussionist.
2. Group improvisation and rhythm exercises providing hands-on experience in polyrhythm and logistic problem solving. Includes listening and playing with and ‘against’ other workshop participants and multiple percussion setups focusing on ease of use for specific performance demands. (Would a percussionist set up the same group of instruments the same way for two different pieces?)
The workshop is intended to be fun and non-threatening. These are practices gleaned from over thirty-five years of experience in contemporary chamber and solo repertoire and improvisational and experimental activities in academic, ethnic and popular genres.
This workshop is four hours long and includes two 15-minute breaks. Rick is happy to go longer if we need to or are just having too much fun. MORE DETAILS...
• MAY 16: Lecture / Workshop on Experimental Music; Allison Cameron, Instructor; 2 PM (new)
2 PM to 5 PM at The Array Studio (enter by side door off parking lot)
$35 OR $PWYC
Starting with a purview of experimental music practice over the past 50 years and moving onto reading and understanding experimental scores, including, but not limited to, Britain’s renowned experimental music catalogue. The first part of this workshop will be part lecture and part listening. In the last hour we will play some scores. However if you don’t have an instrument you can also participate.
The workshop is designed for anyone interested in experimental music practice in Canada and abroad. These are practices gleaned from over twenty-five years of experience in contemporary music.
The workshop will be 3 hours long including two fifteen-minute breaks but it could go longer depending on the participants.
Contact Allison:
Allison Cameron Biography
Former Array artistic director Allison Cameron is a composer of mostly chamber works that have been performed throughout Europe and North America; she is also active as an experimental performer.
Allison studied with Louis Andriessen, Gilius van Bergeijk, Per Nørgård, Frederic Rzewski and Walter Zimmerman in Europe, and Rudolf Komorous, Michael Longton, David Mott and James Tenney in Canada.
Her works have been performed at numerous festivals, including Bang on a Can (New York), Emerging Voices (San Diego), Evenings of New Music (Bratislava), the Festival SuperMicMac (Montréal), the Newfoundland Sound Symposium, New Music across America, and the Rumori Dagen (Amsterdam), as well as several in Toronto.
Numerous ensembles have commissioned and/or performed her works, including the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Contact Ensemble, Continuum, Les Coucous Bénévoles, Ergo, Ensemble Kore, the Ives Ensemble, the Maarten Altena Ensemble, Opera Aperta, Orkest de Volharding, the Slagwerkgroep Den Haag, the Vancouver New Music Ensemble, and the Veni Ensemble. Pianists Eve Egoyan and John Tilbury, electric guitarist Wiek Hijmans and bass clarinetist Ronda Rindone have also played her music.
She co-founded the Drystone Orchestra in 1989 and founded the Arcana Ensemble in 1992, both dedicated to the performance of experimental music in Toronto. Allison was the artistic director of Arraymusic from 2000 to 2005, where she created the Scratch! Festival for Experimental Music. Allison is a member of the Association of Improvising Musicians of Toronto (AIMT) and, since 2000, has performed on small amplified objects in collaboration with Eric Chenaux, Rob Clutton, Ryan Driver, Stephen Parkinson, Gert Jan Prins, Mike Hansen, Mauro Savo, Ken Aldcroft, Joe Sorbara, Wilbert de Joode, and Doug Tielli, among others.
RSVP to admin@arraymusic.com
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•MAY 17: CONCERT - Array Studio ‘Resident Guest Artists’ The Madawaska String Quartet (MSQ) Young
Composers’ Workshop Concert; 3 PM *co-presented
Featuring new works by Lan-chee Lam, Nick Storring and Mirko Sablich written in a workshop setting with The MSQ
TICKETS: $25 ADULT / $15 SENIOR / $pwyc students + unemployed.
To learn more about The MSQ visit http://65.108.12.157/
MADAWASAKA QUARTET COMPOSERS’ WORKSHOP 2009 - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
The workshop will take place at the Array Studio on April 6th, and April 20th with a final concert on Sunday May 17, 2009, and will be a hands-on opportunity for three emerging composers to explore all aspects of writing for un-conducted stringed instruments.
We are seeking submissions from any composer who has not yet had a work performed by a professional string quartet - all ages / backgrounds / genres are welcome.
Note: The Madawaska Quartet has space for three composers in this workshop, however everyone is welcome to drop in and audit on a Pay-what-you-can basis; you will also be invited to join in group discussions.
PLEASE SEND:
1. Two or three scores (with CDs if possible) of recent works, at least one of which must include stringed instruments;
2. Your CV and a brief bio;
3. A cheque for $25 payable to the Madawaska Quartet (processing fee);
4. Your contact details including telephone number and e-mail address.
DEADLINE: All submissions must reach The Madawaska Quartet by no later than March 20, 2009.
MAILING ADDRESS / SEND SUBMISSIONS TO:
53 First Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4M 1W7
QUESTIONS? Please contact Becky van der Post at 416 712-9454 OR e-mail madawaskaq@gmail.com
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•23: Arraymusic’s 24th Annual Young Composers’ Workshop Concert – Array Ensemble members premiere works written for
the group by three young composers selected to participate in the month-long mentorship workshop; 3 PM.
ANNOUNCING THE WINNING COMPOSERS:
Arraymusic thanks all the young composers who submitted scores to the Young Composers’ Workshop & Concert
Competition and wishes to congratulate the following 2009 successful composers who will be participating:
Lan-chee Lam, Etienne Archambault + Jason Gray.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: Array has extended the deadline for submissions to its 2008/09 Young Composers' Workshop and Concert Competition to March 30, 2009. To apply, please send your submission to:
MAILING ADDRESS / SEND SUBMISSIONS TO: Arraymusic, Young Composers' Workshop, 60 Atlantic Ave., Suite 218, Toronto ON Canada M6K 1X9
There is no application form.
PLEASE SEND:
1. A letter of introduction;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. 2 to 3 scores of previous works and, if available, corresponding recordings on CD or cassette to demonstrate your ability to compose for a chamber ensemble.
4. $25 processing fee.
Now in its 24th year, and supported by Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, The Toronto Arts Council, The SOCAN Foundation, and by individual donors, this unique workshop is designed to benefit composers who have completed their basic studies in composition and welcome the opportunity to work with a professional ensemble in the development of a new work.
There is no age restriction; ‘young’ refers not strictly to age, but to level of artistic development. Three participants will be selected to create a work for members of The Array ensemble within the month of May, 2009. Through weekly readings of works in progress and consultations with Array Ensemble members and artistic director Bob Stevenson, participants will share their ideas and experiment in the creation of their new work.
Completed music will be presented in concert by The Array Ensemble on May 23, 2009, at 3 pm at The Array Studio in Toronto, Canada.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Sandra Bell at 416 532-3019 OR e-mail admin@arraymusic.com
DATE TBA Misha Glouberman’s Terrible Noises for Beautiful People Workshop – visit www.schooloflearning.org
for details; *co-presented. (new)
NOTEWORTHY
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•Jan. 30: Commence Submitting Scores for Array’s young Composer’s Workshop Competition; closing date MARCH 30;
• February + August are (new) Array Studio Rental sale Months for members only – 1/2 Price!
To become an 2009 Array member, simply mail a cheque or money order to Arraymusic for $25
• November, Buy Array’s entire 7-CD Catalogue on sale for only $100 – Early holiday shopping
