The Comings and Goings of Pianist Bryn Roberts
For rootsy singer-songwriters Dar Williams, Serena Ryder and Rosanne Cash, the accompanist of choice has often been pianist Bryn Roberts. But when he’s in charge, Roberts, a 39-year-old Winnipeg native who splits his time between New York City and Portland, Ore., leans toward playing lyrical, contemporary jazz.
Accolades for soprano Dominique Labelle's recording of Mi Palpita Il Cor
Voice professor soprano Dominique Labelle has released an album with Musica Pacifica: Mi Palpita Il Cor. Musica Pacifica is an early music ensemble based in San Francisco and they have built up an impressive catalog of performances concentrating primarily on the pre-Classical repertoire.
Conductor Jordan de Souza named Kapellmeister at the Komische Oper Berlin
Jordan de Souza, BMus'09, MMus'11 will become the Kapellmeister of the Komische Oper Berlin beginning with the start of their 2017/18 season. In his first season as Kapellmeister, he will conduct several repertoire pieces, direct one new production and lead an orchestra concert.
Brenda Ravenscroft named next Dean of the Schulich School of Music
Professor Brenda Ravenscroft will be the next Dean of the Schulich School of Music. Currently Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) at Queen’s Faculty of Arts and Science, and Professor of Music Theory and Analysis at Queen’s University, Prof. Ravenscroft will begin her mandate at Schulich in July of 2017. Prof.
Spanish Review of the September McGill Symphony Orchestra Concert
On September 23rd and 24th, the McGill Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Alexis Hauser, performed its first concert of the season. The piano soloist was Anna Peletsis. Reviewer Patricia Morales has published this Spanish blog post about the program.
Classical Music: a chance to go beyond fossilized repertoire
Ilya Poletaev is a Moscow-born pianist who is an assistant professor of music at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in Montreal, but has a wide-ranging international career. Next Wednesday, he will appear in the University of Victoria’s Orion Series in Fine Arts.
"I felt the clock ticking" — why Andre White just released three albums at once
A jazz renaissance man who not only plays drums and piano, but also has been on faculty at McGill University and and behind the board as a respected and prodigious recording engineer, Andre White, 57, has been a towering yet humble musical giant in Montreal and beyond since the mid-1980s.
Cellist Joshua Morris receives 2016 Peter Mendell Award
Joshua Morris is a Masters in Cello Performance student of Professor Brian Manker. He was recently a semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and has also been a finalist of the McGill Classical Concerto Music Competition. The Peter Mendell Award is intended to foster the development of musical excellence, and was founded by lawyer Peter Mendell in 2005.
Theo Bleckmann and John Hollenbeck - A Cherished Collaboration
Blog post by Chris Maskell
An interview with Catherine Steele
The Schulich School of Music’s Kelly Rice recently met with pianist and music teacher Catherine Steele (née Thornhill) to discuss her life in music, beginning with her childhood in Newfoundland.
She is the inspiration behind the Catherine Thornhill Steele Visiting Artist Fund, created by Seymour Schulich in 2005 to honour her.
In this photo: Catherine Thornhill at her graduation recital
A new Canada-wide Music Composition Competition
The Schulich School of Music enthusiastically announces the establishment of the Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers, open to all Canadian composers under 35 years old. The school will host the first edition of the competition in 2017, thanks to generous support from Dr. Graham Sommer, M.D. C.M. ’72.
Full McGill Reporter article by Andrew Mahon:
On learning from a master: an interview with pianist Anna Peletsis
Blog post by Chris Maskell:
Since she became part of the faculty of the Schulich School of Music in 1992, ten of Professor Marina Mdivani’s students have won the McGill Concerto Competition. The most recent of these, Anna Peletsis, shares an interesting parallel with Mdivani’s past – both attended the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and eventually relocated to Canada.
Zhenni Li wins Second Prize at the International Edvard Grieg Competition
Schulich School of Music Doctoral piano student Zhenni Li has won Second Prize in the 15th Annual International Edvard Grieg Competition which was held September 2-10 in Bergen, Norway. In addition to the 20,000 euro second prize, Ms. Li was also awarded the 1000 euro Orchestra Prize. Ms. Li is a student of Prof. Stéphane Lemelin.
Jeremy Cox named Schulich Distinguished Visiting Chair
Jeremy Cox has been named 2016-2017 Schulich Distinguished Visiting Chair in Music. He brings to the school an expertise that spans performance, scholarship, teaching, academic leadership, and curriculum design. Prof. Cox will be involved in many aspects of school life this year, including teaching, conference organization, academic review, and writing.
