Category: Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHOIRS ONTARIO ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE 2021 RUTH WATSON HENDERSON CHORAL COMPOSITION COMPETITION

TORONTO, ONTARIO | AUGUST 7, 2022 – The Board of Directors of Choirs Ontario is thrilled to announce that Matthew-John Knights has been selected the winner and recipient of the 2021 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition. 

Over 25 submissions were received from composers across the country. The compositions were reviewed by an accomplished jury panel of composers, conductors and choral professionals. 

I heard the Spring Wind Whisper by Vancouver-based composer, Matthew-John Knights was unanimously chosen as the winner. Matthew-John will receive a cash prize of $2,000.00 and a premiere performance of his winning composition. 

“Wonderful composition, text, and attention to detail; the score is professional and great care and craft was taken. Beautiful, evocative opening gesture which layers the entries. [We] love the mixed metre to bring out the phrasing of the poem”

Statement from President of Choirs Ontario, Andrew Walker

Matthew-John Knights’ piece, I heard the Spring Wind Whisper, is a well-deserved selection for this year’s Ruth Watson Henderson Composition Competition.  Choirs Ontario is proud to support the growth of choral composition across our province, and it is thanks to composers like Matthew-John that we have a thriving, exciting future for our community.

Upon learning of his achievement, Knights remarked; “I cracked open my eyes early one morning, and checked my phone for emails. I saw that I had one from Chois Ontario, and expected to find a polite rejection regarding a submission I had sent in. Instead I was overjoyed to find that I had been chosen as the recipient of the Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Award for 2021! My heart was racing and I excitedly scrolled through the email again, re-reading the news and details, almost ready to pinch myself, I felt the news to be so exciting. I’m now very much looking forward to sharing my piece, “I Heard the Spring Wind Whisper,” with both the choir and the audience in the upcoming season. The text I chose is a selection of lines from a poem by Bliss Carmen. I chose lines of his text that were most evocative and descriptive, those that conjured vivid images in my mind. I set these to music, playing with the choir’s ability to weave and overlap voices, and to flirt with tonality, creating interesting sonic colours to accompany the beautiful, and overwhelmingly positive text”. 

In the early stages of his career Matthew-John Knights has already begun to make a name for himself winning several important prizes. His piece, “Blessed by Beauty and Rage” recently won the Thirteen Strings Call for Scores in 2019 and premiered in June of that year under the baton of Kevin Mallon. With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Matthew-John created “Adherent; Unyielding” for violin and piano, which was premiered in July of 2019 by its dedicatee, Gregory Lewis, collaborating with pianist Frédéric Lacroix. In January of 2020, Matthew-John’s orchestral debut took place with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, at the Winnipeg New Music Festival, under the baton of Julian Pellicano. In 2020, Matthew-John received a SOCAN chamber music award for his piece “Distorted Reality, Imaginatively Amended,” written in 2019 while he studied at Orford Music Academy with Véronique Lacroix and Dorothy Chang. Further studies at Orford included working with Ana Sokolović, Jean Lesage, Nicolas Gilbert.

Matthew-John has a special interest in creating theatrical works, that is, music that involves physical movement/staging. His piece, “Shadow Figures,” for two oboes was played in March 2022 at the Sonic Boom Festival in Vancouver, and features movement of the oboists to tell a more immersive story. “Abstraction” for solo bass clarinet will also feature staging in an upcoming music video project with Turning Point Ensemble. His thesis, a part of his DMA program at the University of British Columbia, will also heavily feature movement and staging in a work for mezzo-soprano, flute/alto flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, cello, piano and mixed percussion. 

ABOUT THE RUTH WATSON HENDERSON COMPOSITION COMPETITION

The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition was born out of a concert held in November 1992 to honour Ruth’s 60th birthday including Toronto Children’s Chorus, Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir, Bach Children’s Chorus, Elora Festival Singers, Oriana Women’s Choir, and TMC Youth Chorus. The proceeds of this joint concert were used to establish the RWH competition. The administration of the competition was handed over to Choirs Ontario with Ruth Watson Henderson involved in judging the competition up until 2017.

One of Canada’s foremost musicians, Ruth Watson Henderson is renowned internationally both as a composer and pianist. Her works are acclaimed, performed, and recorded worldwide. The Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Competition was established in 1996 to recognize Ms. Watson Henderson’s invaluable contribution to the art of choral music. Ms. Henderson is very pleased to encourage the contribution to Canadian choral music that the competition provides, and appreciates the work of Choirs Ontario who administers this program. 

Choirs Ontario is proud to support Canadian composers and add to the rich legacy of Canadian choral music through the Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition. Past winners of the competition include: Jason Jestadt, Mark Sirett, Leonard Enns, Allan Bevan, and Elise Letourenau.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Emma Margutsch, Office Manager
Email: info@choirsontario.org
Tel: (416) 923-1144
Website: www.choirsontario.org
Social Media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Press Release: Announcement of the 2021 Ruth Watson Henderson Choral Composition Competition Winner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHOIRS ONTARIO ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE  2021 PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARD

TORONTO, ONTARIO | AUGUST 5, 2022 – The Board of Directors of Choirs Ontario is thrilled to announce that Carol Woodward Ratzlaff has been selected the winner and recipient of the 2021 President’s Leadership Award. 

Carol’s long and extensive career as an educator, a choral conductor, artistic director and mentor has distinguished her as a leader within the province of Ontario and beyond. Her development of the VIVA Singers Toronto youth and adult programs encourages artistic excellence in a context of mutual respect. 

Carol Woodward Ratzlaff is the Artistic Director and Founder of VIVA Singers Toronto, Co-Conductor of Main Chorus, Chamber Youth Leadership Chorus, Community Choir, SATB Chamber Singers and Conductor of the Every Voice Matters Chorus.

 As per Carol’s vision, at the heart of VIVA is the Every Voice Matters Chorus, which welcomes teens and young adults with disabilities. An all-abilities, inclusive approach to choral music education and performance is central to the identity of the organization and to each of VIVA’s seven choirs. Carol’s commitment to innovation and excellence in community music-making has led to the development of unique foci for each of VIVA’s choirs, including dynamic ensembles for children 4 and up, a leadership-based youth choir, the unique Creation Stream program for young composers ages 6 to 16, and choirs for adult singers at all levels of experience. 

Carol maintains an active career as a choral conductor, educator, singer, and private voice teacher, after her recent retirement from the Toronto District School Board. Having recently joined the Faculty at the Oscar Peterson School of Music, Royal Conservatory of Music, Carol has also continued to share her passion for vocal music education as a Sessional Instructor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto; and with Vocal Music Teacher candidates at OISE, University of Toronto and the Faculty of Education, University of Windsor. Through Carol’s diverse teaching outlets, her former students can be found in university music faculties, as award-winning singer/songwriters, as music teachers across the GTA and beyond, and as lifelong advocates for the power of choral music.

Carol has performed across Canada and internationally as a member of the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Elora Festival Singers, and has been engaged as a guest artist with the Pax Christi Chorale, the Toronto Chamber Choir, and the Toronto Consort. She currently sings with Soundstreams’ Choir 21.

Carol is a PhD student in Music Education at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto where she will research choral performance opportunities for singers with disabilities. She holds a MMus in vocal performance from the University of British Columbia, with degrees in vocal performance and music education from Western University and the University of Toronto.

Upon learning of her appointment, Ratzlaff remarked: “I am very grateful to be selected as recipient of the President’s Leadership Award, especially after such a challenging time for singers in recent years. I feel that I must share this recognition with the strong and dedicated VIVA Singers Toronto team who stood together, focused on the possibilities, and unearthed new ways of being and doing choral music together.”

Carol is described as, 

“Carol is an innovative, risk-taking, collaborative, singer-first conductor-educator who consistently demonstrates new ways of engaging with choristers through a commitment to equity, inclusion, repertoire, and programming.”

“Carol has been one of the leading figures on the Ontario Choral scene for many decades. Her experience as a conductor, mentor, educator, champion of contemporary Canadian choral repertoire, singer, voice teacher, and choral administrator has been an invaluable part of the Ontario and Canadian choral Scene… Carol’s artistic leadership is nothing short of inspirational to the choral community at large and continues to inspire new generations of choristers and educators.”

“Carol Ratzlaff has built an amazing choral family with a dedication and passion for all the right things, building a group that is inclusive to its core, and which inspires its singers to excellence while building community.”

Statement from President of Choirs Ontario, Andrew Walker

“Carol is a deserved recipient of the Choirs Ontario President’s Leadership Award. Her achievement and leadership as a chorister, administrator, and leader in our community is extraordinary. She is welcoming to all, a strong musician and singer, and inspires all those around her.

It is thanks to people like Carol that the choral community in Ontario thrives. Thank you, Carol, for all that you do.”

ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARD

Established in 2001 to commemorate Choirs Ontario’s 30th anniversary, this award recognizes individuals who, through their support or engagement in choral music-making, have made an exceptional contribution to the promotion and advancement of choral music in their communities.

The Award is presented annually and alternates between those who support choral music – executive directors, administrators, volunteers, corporate sponsors, philanthropists, and those who are directly involved in the performance of choral music – singers, conductors, and accompanists. Candidates must have demonstrated an exceptional leadership role, vision and cultural activism and must be nominated by a Choirs Ontario member choir or individual member.

Previous recipients include: Frieda and Vern Heinrichs, Linda Beaupre, Emily Burgetz, Marilyn Ala-Kanti, Albert Greer, Robert Henderson, Mark Sirett, Jessie Iseler, Gerald Fagan, Barbara Clark, Jean Ashworth Bartle, and Andi Murphy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Emma Margutsch, Office Manager
Email: info@choirsontario.org
Tel: (416) 923-1144
Website: www.choirsontario.org
Social Media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Press Release: Announcement of the 2021 President’s Leadership Award Recipient

Ontario Arts Council announcement

Operatic baritone Russell Braun has received the Oskar Morawetz Award for Excellence in Music Performance. This prize honours the legacy of Oskar Morawetz, one of Canada’s leading composers of contemporary music, whose career spanned more than 50 years. It is presented biennially to an outstanding Canadian performer in the field of classical music, recognizing talent and commitment to Canadian music.

Russell was selected for this award by a jury of music professionals convened by the Ontario Arts Council. The jury, which was unanimous in its decision, stated: “Russell’s powerful voice and strong stage presence have made him a highly sought-after artist by the world’s major opera companies. Along with his stellar international reputation, he also makes it a point to maintain his commitment and connection to Canadian music and composers – including Oskar Morawetz.”

The award presentation took place on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, following that evening’s performance of the Canadian Opera Company’s Hansel & Gretel, in which he is performing the role of Peter. The award was co-presented by Claudia Morawetz, daughter of Oskar Morawetz, and Judith Gelber, vice-chair of the Ontario Arts Council board of directors.

In response to receiving the award, Russell said: “It fills me with a great sense of honour to receive the Oskar Morawetz Award. I am humbled to be in the company of other esteemed Canadian artists who have received this prize. I had the great privilege to meet Oskar Morawetz, and I saw how, through his keen sense of storytelling, he was able to express Canada’s place in history in a way that was informed by his own personal experience, empathy and sense of humour. Thank you to the award jurors, the Morawetz family and to all brave composers who express their voice and entrust artists to speak eternally for them.”