CMC Notes Newsletter - December 2023
In this issue
1. Important Upcoming Dates
2. Winter Recitals – Schedule
3. Teachers Upcoming Gigs & Releases!
4. Parkdale Community Foodbank Donations
5. Lost & Found
6. Featured Student
7. Featured Teacher
8. Give the Gift of Music!
9. Birthdays this Month
Important Upcoming Dates
Sunday, December 3rd: CMC winter recitals day 1 of 2
Sunday, December 10th: CMC winter recitals day 2 of 2
Saturday, December 16th: Last day of Musical Preludes before our winter break!
Saturday, December 23rd: Last day of lessons before our winter break!
December 24th to January 7th: Winter Break – Happy Holidays!!!!!
Monday, January 8th, 2024: First day of lessons after the winter break!
Click HERE for our private lesson 2023-2024 CMC School Year Calendar!
Winter Recitals - Schedule
CMC hosts 2 days of winter recitals for our private lesson students. We encourage all our students to perform, but participation is optional! We want this to be a positive experience for our students with a supportive, low-pressure atmosphere.
Our recital sign ups are now closed, but feel free to come and support your fellow students as they perform!
Here’s the schedule for our Winter Recitals:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
ONLINE via Zoom
10am: all instruments & voice for any teacher
IN-PERSON at Array Space
1pm: piano recital (students of Alida & Josh)
2pm: piano recital (students of Cheng-Feng, Chris & Erik)
3pm: piano recital (students of Neal & Michele)
4pm: piano recital (students of Luan & Mark)
5pm: piano recital (students of Hiro, James & Iris)
6pm: piano recital (students of Louise)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
IN-PERSON at Array Space
10am: cello recital (students of all cello teachers)
12pm: violin/viola recital (students of all violin & viola teachers)
1pm: violin/viola recital (students of all violin & viola teachers)
2pm: voice/winds recital (students of all voice & winds teachers)
3pm: adult recital (all instruments & voice for students 18+)
4pm: guitar/drum recital (students of all guitar & drum teachers)
5pm: guitar/ukulele/bass recital (students of all guitar & ukulele & bass teachers)
Any questions? Please email Wanda at [email protected]
Teachers Upcoming Gigs & Releases!
Wanda
Wanda (along with one of our CMC adult piano students, Hannah V!) will be performing with Singing Out, Toronto’s largest LGBTQQIA+ choir, at their winter concert on:
Saturday, December 2nd at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.
Both matinee and evening concerts take place at East End United Church, 310 Danforth Ave.
Click HERE for more information or to purchase tickets!
Sonya
Sonya has an upcoming concert with Oakville Choral. The event will take place at St. John’s United Church on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, at 3:00pm.
Details:
Click HERE for tickets and more information.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth has a couple of upcoming concerts at Koerner Hall!
The first one is Christmas Oratorio with Toronto Choral Society, Koerner Hall, December 1st.
Next is Handel’s Messiah with Tafelmusik, Koerner Hall, December 14, 15, 16, and a Messiah Sing-Along on December 17!
Alida
Alida has 2 upcoming events!
Alida will be singing with Echo Women’s Choir for their concert on Sunday, Dec. 3rd at 7:30pm at the Church of the Holy Trinity for their concert “Love is the Greatest Gift.”
Click HERE for more info!
Alida will also be performing with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale on Friday, Dec. 15th at 8:00pm at St. Andrew’s Church for the program “An Indigo Christmas.”
Click HERE for more info!
Enjoy!
Collecting for Parkdale Community Foodbank!
During the month of December, CMC collects food and essential items to donate to the Parkdale Community Food Bank. PCFB feeds over 3000 clients monthly, with a mission to ensure barrier free food, with choice, dignity & respect for all. With the impact of COVID-19, help is needed even more.
Please consider bringing items to CMC to donate (for our in-person students) or, if you can, donate directly to the Parkdale Community Foodbank by visiting https://www.pcfb.ca/donate or by clicking below.
Featured Student!
Edith (Piano)
1. How long have you been taking music lessons?
About 12 years.
2. Why did you choose the instrument you currently play?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to play piano. I played recorder as a child, even taking private lessons, but it didn’t cut it for me.
3. What are the benefits you feel you get from learning music as an adult?
It forces my brain to work in different ways. It is also excellent to develop coordination between both hands. For those into mindfulness/meditation, playing a musical instrument is a good way to be in the moment.
4. Do you have a favourite piece to play?
Hard to say. However, I really like to learn/play baroque pieces, especially Bach’s compositions, because both hands tend to be equally difficult.
5. If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?
It depends. Harpsichord because of my love of baroque pieces, but I have to add cello among strings, clarinet/saxophone among winds, bass in a rock band.
6. What’s a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share with us?
I am a volunteer braille transcriber (i.e., I transcribe print documents in French or English braille) for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. I don’t know music braille yet, but would like to learn one day.
7. Who are some of your musical inspirations?
I wish I could play Bach like Glenn Gould. I am also fascinated by musicians or bands who managed to evolve and remain relevant over a long period of time—the David Byrne/Talking Heads, Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon, Daniel Bélanger, Serge Gainsbourg are the first that come to mind.
8. What do you like most about CMC?
Everybody is very supportive and willing to answer questions, even the silliest ones.
9. Anything else you would like to add?
It is never too late to start playing an instrument. I started to play piano in my late forties, and managed to make it to RCM level 7. I doubt I will work towards the level 8 exam. However, I am now at a level where I can learn interesting pieces like Bach’s Invention No. 14 in B flat major, a long-time favourite of mine.
If you are interested in being featured in our CMC Notes, please email us at [email protected]!
Featured Teacher!
Saba Yousefi (Violin)
1. How old were you when you first started music?
5 years old.
2. Why did you want to make music your career?
I chose music as my career path because it allows me to express the depths of my soul in a way that words alone cannot. Through my music, I seek to not only reveal my inner self to the world but also to mirror the world around me.
3. Which groups are you currently playing with, if any?
My own trio, Chaam Trio
4. What do you enjoy most about teaching?
One of the most rewarding aspects can be nurturing and witnessing the creative growth of your students. Seeing them develop their own musical style and express themselves through music is incredibly gratifying.
5. Some students have challenges with consistent practicing. What advice would you give them?
1. Set realistic goals. 2. Establish a routine. 3. Create a practice space 🙂
6. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Read, Make Resin Art Pieces, Make Candles, Hangout with friends and family
7. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
My Motherland, Iran.
If you are interested in being featured in our CMC Notes, please email us at [email protected]!
Give the Gift of Music!
Give the gift of music this holiday season by sending your loved ones a CMC egift card!
A CMC egift card can go towards music books or music lessons and makes a great birthday or holiday gift!
Click bellow to purchase a CMC egift card!
Birthdays this Month!
December 2: Amelia R.
December 3: Samir A-T.
December 3: Olivia Y.
December 5: Francis X-P.
December 5: Leah H.
December 6: Arden S.
December 6: Julien S.
December 7: Clara C.
December 10: Harry S.
December 11: Charlotte C-d-S.
December 12: Dylan M.
December 13: Adele J.
December 13: Elliot J.
December 14: Saibh M.
December 15: Malgorzata H.
December 16: Riley R.
December 18: Anastasia B.
December 19: Cheng-Feng L.
December 20: Dagny L.
December 21: David A.
December 21: Pascale G-P.
December 22: Taylor N.
December 22: Carla N-B.
December 23: May P.
December 23: Charli J.
December 24: Adriano E-M.
December 25: Charlie W.
December 29: Liem I.
December 29: Amalia W. R.
December 29: Audra P.
December 31: Parker W.
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