Counterpoint Community Orchestra

Description

Counterpoint Community Orchestra is unique in Canada and in North America and is an important artistic, cultural and educational outlet for music in the Toronto gay community. It had its humble beginnings in 1984 at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Not long after, these young, ambitious gay and lesbian musicians formed their own independent organization and sought to move closer to the gay community at large. Back then, rehearsals were held at the old Parasol Rehearsal Studios on Sherbourne Street. At the Parasol they also began giving frequent concerts which were well attended right from the beginning. The music presented at that time consisted mainly of Baroque and Chamber Music. As the orchestra grew in size and experience, it began to explore other forms of music and moved its rehearsals to the Auditorium of the 519 Centre on Church Street, where it rehearses to this day. Over the 23 years of its existence, Counterpoint has benefited from a number of experienced conductors, most notably from the University of Toronto School of Music. These especially included Doreen Rao, who holds the University of Toronto Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting and heads the Faculty of Music graduate program in conducting. An early conductor of the Orchestra, Rosemary Thompson went on to be the Resident Conductor of the Calgary Symphony and is currently its Chorusmaster. She is also an Assistant Conductor at the Canadian Opera Company. Another former conductor, Judith Yan went...

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