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York University

Steph at black board

Ma fin est mon commencement

Today I am starting something new. I’m launching this new website! With the help of expert web designer Mary Bella the new site launches with current photos (of my mature self) , a refreshed blog where you can read and leave your own thoughts and comments, a complete catalogue of compositions with links to publishers, and a gallery of videos, recordings and photographs. You can check out Mary’s company Maestra Web Design on her website. I can highly recommend her work. She is thoroughly skilled in web design, and she’s also very patient with someone who is just learning :… Read More »Ma fin est mon commencement

Tate Pumfrey

Unusual Times.03: Tate Pumfrey

We all know that young musicians have been struggling to have their voices heard this year. But undaunted Tate Pumfrey, a York University graduate student in composition, has been busily creating new music, and has found some excellent collaborators across the globe to perform and disseminate his work.  Tate composes for many genres, but extensively for the organ. What better instrument to perform, record and post on social media during a worldwide pandemic? There are no complicated COVID protocols to implement since one, solitary performer executes all the complex counterpoint and harmony all by themselves, in a large, well-ventilated church… Read More »Unusual Times.03: Tate Pumfrey

Julia Jacklein

Unusual times.02: Julia Jacklein

Last night, May 9, 2020, would have been the Canadian premiere performance of a new choral piece by Julia Jacklein titled ‘Far from ourselves’ with the renowned chamber choir from Kitchener-Waterloo conducted by Leonard Enns. Da Capo Chamber Choir sponsors an annual choral composition competition, which they will continue to run, even in these extraordinary times. This year’s deadline for entries has been extended to May 29, 2020. I was looking forward to hearing Julia’s new piece since she has just completed her MA in composition at York University, and I have journeyed with her through her creative struggles and… Read More »Unusual times.02: Julia Jacklein

Flower in spring

New and exciting things!!

Ok. Perhaps the headline is a tad exaggerated, but I did see a Robin and a bright red Cardinal on my morning walk. Also, I saw a tree cracked in half by that sudden, violent windstorm we had yesterday. So that’s two exciting things, and one new thing. The Beltline Trail, which cuts across upper-midtown Toronto, secluded from the city by trees and brush, has become a human highway these days, with folks stretching their legs, breaking the monotony of isolation. Some people say hello, but most avert their eyes, as if greeting a stranger verbally is getting too close… Read More »New and exciting things!!

Finis Coronat Opus

One of those heavy, humid city days last summer, I trudged past a particularly dirty construction site. A man in a florescent vest, bent over his broom, was slowly and methodically sweeping the cement driveway which seemed to fill up with dust as soon as he swept. As the sun beat down on the pavement I thought, what a lousy job to be cleaning up that endless, messy rubble, which will be just as dusty and dirty in half an hour. Then something unexpected happened. Another man in a yellow safety helmet, probably his supervisor, appeared in the doorway and… Read More »Finis Coronat Opus

Museum of Human Rights

Why Winnipeg?

Some have asked, “Why was the Royal Canadian College of Organists’ annual convention held in Winnipeg?” Winnipeg, an ancient meeting place at the intersection of two rivers, is richly layered with history and culture, boasting many fine organs, choirs and orchestral players who provided us with a thrilling week of workshops and concerts this July. The organizers of this year’s RCCO convention brilliantly linked our small musical fellowship with the wider urban community, connecting our festival with the world-class Museum of Human Rights, recently opened right around the corner from the Via Rail train station. The Museum is a thought-provoking… Read More »Why Winnipeg?

WholeNote magazine: November’s child

WholeNote magazine is a Toronto treasure. The monthly must-have publication is put together by a group of talented, selfless, hardworking individuals who keep our musical network connecting, informing, and spreading the word about our vibrant underground classical community. I’m catching up with an article that tells a bit of my own story. It’s called November’s Child. It came out in print last month, but there’s a longer interview online. Here’s one of the secrets revealed in the piece- an embarrassing childhood musical memory: “What was my most embarrassing experience as a child learning music? I was entered in a sight-reading… Read More »WholeNote magazine: November’s child

The Parry Diaries

Jan. 2013 A choir member lends me some old scores bound in red leather – two oratorios by a major composer – King Saul and Judith by C. H. H. Parry. March 2013 Had my family around me for Easter thank goodness. After dinner show my Dad the score of Judith and sing through the big tune. Tough going without his reading glasses, but still beautiful. April 2013 Pax Christi performs Handel’s Solomon with orchestra, soloists, off book and dramatized, high school students from Fr John Redmond. Excitement palpable! Oct. 2013 Great Canadian Hymn contest brings together composers from across… Read More »The Parry Diaries

Thomas Morley treatise

Plaine and Easie Introduction to Modern Learning

Maximus: Ho there, Stephanus! Why run you so fast from your smart classroom? Stephanus: Oh, my dear Maximus, I’ve just lectured to my students and now I’m late for my Tenure and Promotions committee meeting. But I always have a moment to talk with you, my wise colleague. How are you? Maximus: I am in good health, but exhausted. So much to do this time of year! Stephanus: I should say so, what with exams in a month, end of term concerts and the lengthening darkness of the Autumnal season. My students are stressed out. And I am frustrated because… Read More »Plaine and Easie Introduction to Modern Learning

Recipe for collaboration

Up here at York University we are exploring undiscovered territory. In a truly daring and innovative experiment, all of the various departments in our Fine Arts Faculty are collaborating on a production of a theatre piece written three centuries ago – a work so important, so controversial, so wildly popular that it toppled the London theatre giants of the time, bringing the musical genius Georg Frederic Handel to his knees financially and artistically. The work is John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera and it is going to be a wild and wacky show. Our Beggar’s Opera production culminates in a week long… Read More »Recipe for collaboration