2011

MARKHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Founded by Maestro Kristian Alexander in 2011, Markham Contemporary Music Festival is an annual event that takes place in various concert venues in Markham, Ontario. The Festival promotes the performance of music written worldwide in the 20th and the 21st centuries. It also includes lectures and seminars in both English and French, workshops, master-classes, pre-concert chats, intermission discussions, post-concert receptions, documentary films about the life of contemporary composers, and networking events.

The 2011 inaugural Markham Contemporary Music Festival included the following events:

Sunday, May 1, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Markham Heritage Collections (Markham Museum)
9350 Highway 48, Markham

Workshop for Canadian composers (open for general public) with Gary Kulesha, Toronto Symphony Orchestra adviser and Professor at University of Toronto. For admission, please call the Kindred Spirits Orchestra Administration Office at 905.604.8339.

Monday, May 2, 2011
7:15 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Old Unionville Library Centre
15 Library Ln., Unionville

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Kristian Alexander presents pieces by contemporary Canadian composers. The programme includes:

Matthew Tozer, Bassoon Miniature (2011), World Premiere
Edith Covach, Wind Play (1971)
Gary Kulesha, Divertimento for strings (1975)

For tickets, please call the Kindred Spirits Orchestra Administration Office at 905.604.8339.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
International Music Academy
4981 Highway 7, Markham

Lecture on the life and compositions of Steve Reich and John Cage (in English). Free admission.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
International Music Academy
4981 Highway 7, Markham

Lecture on the life and compositions of Steve Reich and John Cage (in French). Free admission.

Saturday, May 7, 2011
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Varley Art Gallery
216 Main St., Unionville

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Kristian Alexander performs the dreamy “Overture to a Fairytale” by Morawetz, dramatic “Pelléas et Mélisande” Suite by Sibelius, and the inspiring Sextet by Dohnányi. Share a glass of Champaign with the musicians after the concert in celebration of Mothers Day. Tickets are sold though Varley Art Gallery by phone at 905.477.9511 or in person (for hours of operations and directions, visit www.markham.ca/Markham/Attractions/Gallery.