Trust you are finally enjoying Toronto’s cherry blossoms, blooming serviceberry trees, and pink magnolias.
Some of the decisions made by the Board at its meeting last night are outlined in these Announcements.
I. IMMEDIATE CHANGES TO THE COVID SAFETY POLICY
Thank you to the members who provided comments on the recommendations of the COVID Safety Committee.
The Board has approved changes to the CCO’s COVID Safety Policy, effective immediately:
(i) wearing masks is “strongly recommended” but not mandatory at rehearsals and concerts for both musicians and audience members;
(ii) musicians may chose to share music stands;
(iii) the vaccination policy remains unchanged for now: proof of three vaccinations required. New musicians may attend two trial rehearsals with proof of two vaccinations, with an expectation that proof of a third vaccination be shown at that person’s third CCO rehearsal;
(iv) the use of Risk Assessment forms for new attendees is discontinued;
(v) the COVID Safety Committee will provide a report about whether to continue the vaccination requirement before the opening of the CCO’s 2023-’24 season.
II. REHEARSAL MAY 1
The rehearsal on May 1 is for the full orchestra - 7:30pm St. Barnabas Church (Chester subway).
Musicians are expected to bring their own music - available on the Musicians’ portal on CCOrchestra.org or by asking our Librarian, Bob Mitchell, to bring a part for you, using robertmitchell@rogers.com. The IMSLP link to Dvorak’s New World Symphony is https://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.9%2C_Op.95_(Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k%2C_Anton%C3%ADn)
The music for Elizabeth Raum’s new piece, Kupala Nights, is available in full in the Announcements dated March 23, as well as on the CCO website, Musicians’ Only portal, or by asking Bob Mitchell to bring your part.
Kupala Night is a pagan holiday, long accepted into the Orthodox Christian calendar, and celebrated in many Slavic countries, including Ukraine and Poland. Kupala derives its name from the Slavic word meaning bathing, and traditional celebrations are held on the banks of rivers, always near water. It marks the summer solstice.
III. MAY 2 40TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNING ZOOM Co-Chairs David Brownstone and Trish Tervit are seeking member input into the CCO’s 40th anniversary celebration that will be held in June 2024. They are hosting a Zoom meeting next Tuesday: Topic: 40th Anniversary Planning Zoom Time: May 2, 2023 07:30 PM America/Toronto Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81591592754?pwd=Nk53L2FHVFZvMlo2dUhpT0s4aUZQUT09 Meeting ID: 815 9159 2754 Passcode: 765485 Lots to talk about: themes, programme ideas, venues, costs, fundraising, potential soloists, opportunities to become a volunteer, etc. See you Tuesday.
IV. JUNE 10 CONCERT Confirmed at the Church of St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle, 525 Bloor East, 7:30pm. There will be a short intermission, although no refreshments or raffle tickets are planned. The Concert now has a name: New World, New Music, Inspiration from Tradition. Thanks to the efforts of Tetsuya Kobayashi, the poster and the tickets will be available at the May 8 rehearsal, and on-line. Ticket prices remain the same: $20 for adults, $12 for Youth (18 and under). Please start advertising the concert among friends and family, and start thinking about where you can hang the lovely new poster. Several posters were not used for the last concert. There is certainly room for members to bump up this cheap and personal way of getting the word out. Passersby who notice the poster may not be available for this particular concert, but seeing it will be a reminder to them of the CCO’s continuing existence and programming.
V. PLAYING IN THE PARK The Board has committed to a third season of Playing in the Park. We are hopeful that more members will come out for these mini-concerts, and also hopeful that this summer the CCO will be able to participate in the September Festival, and perhaps more musical events, planned by the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Social Innovation. The format will be the same as last year: first hour is a rehearsal normally of new or familiar music; the second hour is a concert, playing the pieces just rehearsed. All musicians are encouraged to come out. If you confirm your attendance and your instrument in advance on the Google form available on the CCO website, Daniel Payne and Andrew Chung will select appropriate music. If you just show up, you are vey welcome, but you may have to improvise a bit - for instance, a flute playing from violin music. The concert portion will usually feature guest performers, tentatively set so far as a flute trio (Tetsuya and friends), a Baroque quartet (Rick Fields and friends), Windwerx (Kevin Seymour and Caroline Spearing). There is room for more such guest performers. If you have an ensemble that would like to join please email payne.danny@gmail.com. When and Where: Sunday afternoons, 2:00 to 4:00pm, Allan Gardens Park (on Jarvis south of Carleton), from Sunday July 9 through Sunday August 13, weather permitting. In previous years, we have ended this summer season with a casual picnic after the last concert to which everyone is invited, players and audience members. VI. MAY 27: CHRIS CHUNG RECITAL Chris Chuing is performing a recital on Saturday, May 27, 2023, 5:00pm at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Avenue, Toronto. Chris’ invitation: "Come join us online or in person on May 27th at 5 pm for a concert and reception at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene! We are so excited to share what we have been working on this year and to raise funds for Christoph's tuition for a Master's Degree at The Juilliard School next year. Admission will be a pay-what-you-can donation which can be paid in cash or through gofundme. Here are the links to the livestream and gofundme: https://www.youtube.com/live/M_WD0NLPDs8?feature=share https://gofund.me/2015cf96" Details and the programme are also in the Facebook link Harmonies for Higher Education VII. IMPORTANT CCO DATES Monday May 1, 8, 15, 29, and Monday June 5 - rehearsals 7:30pm. St. Barnabas Church. Thursday May 18 - 7:30pm Board meeting. Members who want to attend, please request a Zoom link from emitchell1727@gmail.com. Monday May 22 - Victoria Day. Our M.D. has suggested a rehearsal that day, and will canvas musician willingness at upcoming rehearsals. Friday June 9 7:00pm - Dress Rehearsal. Church of St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle, 525 Bloor St. W. Saturday June 10 7:30pm - CCO’s final concert of its 39th season. St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle Church. Sundays July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 13 - Playing in the Park summer series of 6 outdoor concerts, Allan Gardens Park. Picnic finale on August 13.
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