 An unorthodox bridge designed by Joseph Curtin. November 28, 2006 JC pages |
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An unorthodox bridge designed by Joseph Curtin. November 28, 2006 JC pages |
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- Holly Jonas Radio show - 2 min 56 sec video page | |||||||||
Wednesday 18 February 2009 Five films to be featured at town's flick festival
Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin - Collingwood,Ontario,Canada
Club spokesperson Sue Vasey said the film's producer, Jennifer Jonas and the director, Leonard Farlinger will be introducing the film and holding a ...
 Holly Higgins Jonas |
 Linda Leith |
Wed 1029 Nov 21st, 2001 video book launch of Holly Higgins-Jonas intro Philip Cercone & wife, Coleen Gray then Linda Leith, Glen Paterson, Simon Dardick, and Brian Barchinski criticism web Dr. Margo Sommerville (Death Talk) intro. Katherine K. Young & Paul Nathanson (Spreading Misandry) Jacque Clément Intellectual Property Dr. Guy Stanley, Dr. Des Morton, Harry Mayerovitch Carroll McCormack, Linda Massarella scrib Gerald Ratzer
Dear friends/colleagues past & present!I am inviting you to an unusual book launching! A launching with a magnificent and heart warming difference - but first...
Holly's book
The book, IN THEIR OWN WORDS, (Dundurn Press, Toronto, London, 2001) is the brainchild of Holly Higgins Jonas, a Montrealer who has spent a good deal of her life singing; her husband is Prof. John Jonas, a noted engineer, and McGill professor. (I mention this as many of the people to whom I am sending this will know of him.) A mere year and a half or so ago, Holly travelled the country from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and met with some 52 renowned Canadian choral directors, getting their 'life' stories on tape and then later transcribing them.
After further communication with the directors, and much editing, the result, a 300+ page book, came out this summer. It contains three 'parts'; I & II are 'Career Stories' and 'Vignettes' respectively, while Part III , Postlude, is by yours truly. I was honoured to be asked to contribute this section, and took it upon myself to say more than a few words about the Canadian Choral scene, which as many of you will know, is absolutely blossoming; many provinces number over a thousand choirs each.
This is not 'merely' a book about conductors, nor even about music; it is a heartwarming book about determination, love of people, success and occasional failure, often with no holds barred.
Perhaps coincidentally, and certainly fittingly, the first 'career story' is about Pierre Anthian, founding director of La Chorale de l'Accueil Bonneau (known also as the 'Homeless Men's Choir') and it is indeed a touching story. After Anthian's initial stab at getting such a choir started, he ended up with none, then three, then seven, then twelve, and finally twenty-five - now their fixed maximum. They perform over 200 concerts a year. Coincidence? This is what is very special about this launch - this choir will be performing!
includes stories on/by Iwan Edwards, Wayne Riddell, Nicole Paiement, Pierre Perron, Brock McElheran, and d.p., some of whom will be present for the launch. The ICS & I is also mentioned!!!
The McGill Connection
So, please join Holly (and me!) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001, sometime between 6 and 8 p.m. at Double Hook, 1235 Greene Ave. The "Homeless Men" will sing from 7 to 7:30 pm. 'Wine & cheese' will surround the event. See you there!
Regards, Donald
Donald Patriquin [donaldpatriquin@hotmail.com]Book Review by Steven Bélanger
Editor Holly Higgins Jonas travelled across this vast country to interview more than fifty of Canada’s most noted choral conductors, and the result is a highly entertaining “forum for them to tell their own stories.”. Though this is not a comprehensive “who’s who” guide to Canadian choral conductors, the stories provide valuable insight into some of the prominent figures of the Canadian choral music scene. Although each of the ten provinces (and one territory) is represented, due to space limitations, the editor has chosen to feature only conductors of community amateur choirs. However, since most conductors of professional choirs have also worked with amateur choirs of all guises, you will nonetheless find testimony from such noted musicians as Jon Washburn, Noel Edison, Iwan Edwards and Diane Loomer. My only regret is that Ms. Higgins Jonas could not travel back through time to interview some of the greatest conductors of Canada’s past (Elmer Iseler instantly comes to mind).
The book begins with an introduction by Patricia Abbott, executive director of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors, as well as a few words by the editor herself, after which we are presented with no less than 35 career stories which form the bulk of this publication. Each conductor outlines his or her musical education, how and why they came to be choral conductors, memorable events that have shaped their careers, and some touching stories describing how they were first drawn to music. But the similarities do not end there. One is struck by the heartfelt acknowledgments of teachers and other mentors, and their overwhelming gratitude of having the opportunity to work with the multitude of talented choristers across Canada. Not all of these conductors are of Canadian origin, and most did not receive their training in this country, yet all have decided to pursue a career in a country with a rich artistic heritage such as ours. There is unanimous agreement that Canadian choral music is thriving--truly an inspiration for all music lovers and musicians, amateur and professional alike.
Part II of the book presents us with 17 career vignettes of up and coming conductors, followed by an essay entitled “Reflections on Canadian Choral Music, Composers and himself” by noted conductor and composer Donald Patriquin. Mr. Patriquin is also kind enough to provide us with an impressive list of Canadian Choral Composers, with their website addresses, a list of their works, and the publishers who have made this music available to us.
In the words of Patricia Abbott, “if it is true that he who sings prays twice, then surely there is a special place in heaven for those who help, teach and motivate others to sing.” The stories presented in this book should prove to be yet another motivational tool for those who have not yet had the pleasure of working with the fine conductors our country has to offer.
Links
choralnet.org | Hear The Choirs Sing
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