Communications, Author at Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra

Jeannie Pool, composer

Compositions by Jeannie Pool have been performed in California, Washington, D.C., Ohio, Belgrade, Beijing, Toronto, and India, including works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo piano, and choir. She scored, directed, and wrote a documentary film, Peggy Gilbert and Her All-Girl Band (2006), narrated by Lily Tomlin and composed music for several other short films. A musicologist with a Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University, Dr. Pool lectures on film music history and served as a motion picture music consultant for Paramount Pictures from 1995 until 2012. Her music publishing company, Jaygayle Music (ASCAP), publishes music by Zenobia Powell Perry (1908-2003], among other African American composers. An award-winning radio producer (WBAI and KPFK), she serves on the Board of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC). She is past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Composers, U.S.A. and founder of the International Congress on Women in Music (now IAWM). Her books are available on Amazon. Since 2020, she serves on the faculty of Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music, where she teaches music business courses. For more information, visit her WEB site at jeanniegaylepool.com.

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Jørgen Lauritsen, composer

Based in Copenhagen Denmark, Jørgen works in the cross over genres between film music, Scandinavian lyrical tradition and a more jazz influenced tone.

Jørgen’s background is an MA from Royal Danish Academy of Music as church organist and conductor (1990), an MA as jazz pianist from Rhythmic Music Conservatory (1992) and a composer’s degree with Bob Brookmeyer (1998), also from Rhythmic Music Conservatory. Studies in New York City with pianists Harold Danko and Seymour Bernstein (1991-92).

Extensive work as musical theater MD and arranger, mostly in Copenhagen Area. Hundreds of arrangements for symphony orchestras in Denmark, England and Europe.

Orchestrating for other composers, mainly in Danish film industry but occasionally in Europe and a little bit in Los Angeles.

As a film composer, Jørgen has written and writes for feature films, documentary, TV and short films.

Jørgen Lauritsen´s concert works, range from choir works published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen / Wise Music Group, to chamber and solo works.

Copenhagen Clouds will be the first concert performance in the USA of music composed by Jørgen, which he is thrilled with and honoured by.

For further information, please visit https://www.jorgenlauritsen.dk/

Geoffrey Stradling, composer

Composer, arranger, orchestrator, and pianist Geoff Stradling started piano lessons at age six. His mother
was his first teacher. By 13, he had gone through the piano instructors in his hometown, Bellingham, Washington, and began studying biweekly in Seattle at The Cornish School.

As a freshman in high school, Geoff created his first jazz big band and began writing music. As a sophomore in college, he entered a national composition contest sponsored by the National Association of Jazz Educators and won.

At age 20, Geoff moved to Europe, soaking in the European experience. Music, fine arts, language, food, wine, and history all seeped into his soul, becoming a part of his life and an important part of his music.

In 1984, he moved to Los Angeles, where he met and married his wife of 38 years, production designer and USC faculty member Mimi Gramatky. His work in Los Angeles has varied in style and medium: orchestrating and/or arranging for film and TV,
playing piano on pop and jazz albums, and serving as the music director of the Golden Globes awards since 2019.
Thomas Hooten and Joanne Pearce Martin of the Los Angeles Philharmonic gave the world premiere performance of his sonata for trumpet and piano, “Prix Fixe,” on April 11, 2021.
In April 2024, The StradBand, Geoff’s 18-piece jazz orchestra, for whom he arranges and composes,
released its premiere album, “Nimble Digits,” on Origin Records.

More info at: https://www.geoffstradling.com

US Composers

Elizabeth Raum, composer

Elizabeth Raum enjoys a reputation of being one of Canada’s most accessible composers, writing for varied mediums and in remarkably diverse styles. She has established herself as one of Canada’s most eminent composers with commissions coming from such important performing groups as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Symphony Nova Scotia, the CalgaryPhilharmonic, the CBC and many others. Her works have been heard throughout North America, Europe, South America, China, Japan, and Russia. She has also written for film and video and has won numerous awards for the her scores in this
genre.

Her works include 6 operas, over 90 chamber pieces, 18 vocal works, choral works including an oratorio, several ballets, concerti and major orchestral works. Her music has been commercially recorded on over 40 CDs. She is included in the New Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the New Grove’s Dictionary of Opera, and the New Grove’s Dictionary of Women Composers as well as numerous other publications. Raum was the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra‘s composer in residence from 2019 – 2020 during which time she wrote several works including the arrangement of Searching for Sophia for clarinettist, Kaye
Royer.

More info: https://elizabethraum.com/

Deon Neilsen Price

Deon Nielsen Price (Degrees: Brigham Young University; University of Michigan; University of Southern California) is a commissioned and published ASCAP composer and author, award-winning pianist, recording artist, conductor, church musician, and veteran college lecturer. Dr. Price advocates for women in music and for living composers as a former president of The National Association of Composers, USA and of The International Alliance for Women in Music.

In Carnegie Hall on January 24, 2025, “War Ends/Song Endures,” a tribute to the valiant spirit of Ukrainians, will be performed by flutist Lindsey Goodman and pianist Claire Longendyke. On January 31, at the Clark Center for Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande, California, Darryl Taylor, countertenor, Chika Inoue, saxophone, Mary Au, piano, and the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Brian Asher Alhadeff, will perform “Behind Barbed Wire,” Songs from To the Children of War, and “Kizuna” (Empathy) for the commemoration, Behind Barbed Wire: A Glimpse at Central Coast Japanese-American Life in World War II.

2024 releases include “War Ends/Song Endures” on In the Company of Music (Navona); song cycles Ludwig’s Letter to Eternal Beloved (Beethoven), Gallery (James Morehead), and To All Women Everywhere (Carol Lynn Pearson); and duos Three faces of Kim and Silver and Gold, performed by Darryl Taylor, countertenor, Phillip Harris, baritone, Amy Goymerac, soprano, Suzanne Duffy, flute, Douglas Masek, saxophone, and James Lent, Chesley Mok, Susan Azeret Davies, and Deon Price, piano, on Concert from Presidio Chapel (Cambria). Upcoming release: Oratorio CHRISTUS, recorded in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Visit: https://culvercrest.com

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Annette Johnson, composer

Music has always been a fundamental part of Annette Johnson’s life. Born and raised in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, she grew up singing and playing the violin. Her early experience includes participating in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program (AYS) from 2006 – 2017, and singing with the Santa Fe Opera in 2010 as the soprano spirit in The Magic Flute. Her passion for composing led to her original piece Soul of the Earth being performed by AYS in 2017 and again in 2024.

She graduated Summa cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in film scoring. And for the past six years she has continued her education through her mentor, Emmy Award-winning composer Gavin Greenaway, known for writing the music for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, and for conducting the soundtracks for over a hundred feature-length films.

Annette has since written music for short films such as Giraffe Family Read by Dr. Jane Goodall, Asking
for It by Christy Lee Hughes, the Roaring River documentary series by Tim Bass, and has also done
music prep work for projects such as Fast X. Additionally, she has released singles including Bottom of
the Universe, Rise to the Challenge, Remembering Dream, and Railway to Paradise. More of her work
can be found on her website at annettejohnsonmusic.com.
Annette is honored to have her piece, Age of Invention, performed by Kaye Royer and the Odin Quartet!

Executive Director

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is a 45 year old vibrant community orchestra that offers orchestra and chamber concerts in Scarborough, Ontario. Supporting new Canadian music and emerging artists is a key part of our mission.

Application Deadline: Mar 15, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2025

Following several years of renewed growth, the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is seeking a performing arts manager to join its leadership team as Executive Director reporting to the Board of Directors.

This demanding and exciting position is ideal for a graduate of a program in arts management or an arts worker with several years of relevant on-the-job experience. It may also be attractive to a vibrant arts management retiree wishing to continue to contribute to the production of classical music.

Much of the work can be done remotely, generally averaging 1 to 2 days per week. The position requires the flexibility to work fulltime during peak production periods, consistent with the SPO’s concert schedule – generally on weekends roughly once-a-month between October and May.

The successful applicant will have a demonstrated passion for classical music, and, ideally, familiarity with the Scarborough community. Compensation is expected to be between $2,500 to $3,000 per month depending on experience, initially as an independent contractor and renewable annually subject to Board approval.

In consultation with the Board of Directors and the Artistic Director, the Executive Director shall manage all financial and business aspects of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, consistent with the organization’s artistic mission, strategic planning and goals. This will include execution and/or oversight of all funding activities, grant writing, ticket sales, marketing and promotion, operations, administration, as well as compliance with all municipal, provincial and federal rules and regulations for not-for-profit arts organisations.

Responsibilities shall include:

Overall financial management, including budgeting in consultation with the Board of Directors, financial forecasting and reporting, as well as timely preparation for the annual audit;
Ensure the proper financial and IT systems and controls are in place and operating at optimal levels;
Overall supervision of production including hiring and coordination of technical staff, preparation of house programs, negotiation of contracts with venues, artists and suppliers, including implementation of provisions of the contracts and ensuring timely payments;
Ensure the maintenance of a workplace environment consistent with all federal and provincial labour codes and human rights standards as well as with the human resource policies and practices of the SPO;
Forecast the marketing and administrative costs and fund-development objectives necessary to achieve programming goals;
Direct management of SPO’s online Box Office including set up of concerts and ticketing;
Ensure an effective web presence for the organization, including direct or indirect management of the organization’s website. This will include utilizing the internet (including relevant social media) as a marketing and communication tool to maximize exposure and reduce costs and the writing or oversight of external corprorate communications;
Attend professional conferences, meetings, awards events, and other activities as appropriate;.
Monitor and respond to SPO-relevant government, corporate and foundation funding programs. Maintain a positive relationship with program officers, and generate additional grant applications where there is a fit between funding program and the SPO’s planned activities;
Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and participate in Board initiatives such as strategic and/or long-range planning; and
Other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors from time to time consistent with the Executive Director’s role and responsibilities.

Candidate Requirements:

Ideal candidates will demonstrate a minimum of three years of arts management experience together with knowledge of the Canadian music industry, experience with artistic contracting processes, music commissioning and familiarity with Canadian music union organizations.
Experience in budget preparation, budgetary controls, CADAC, and financial planning is a pre-requisite.
A background in marketing, public relations, communications and/or fund development would be an asset.
Computer literacy is a requirement including common office applications and accounting software. Knowledge of CRM and ticketing systems, design software and WordPress is desirable.
The position requires familiarity with Ontario labour standards, non-profit corporate regulations as well as customarily accepted business practices.

Interested parties should apply below with their current CV and supporting cover letter by March 15, 2025

This form is currently closed for submissions.

Songs of Hope

Tracks:

1. Shreya Jha: Walk With Me (5:03) [notes and lyrics]

2. Elienna Wang: Rosé Leaves (5:36) [notes and lyrics]

3. Ted Runcie: Where Shadow Chases Light (5:42) [notes and lyrics]

4. Leela Gilday: All Alone (4:11)

5. Daniel Mehdizadeh: New Castles (5:12) [notes and lyrics]

6. Rachel McFarlane: Eternal Embrace (4:15) [notes and lyrics]

7. Bruno Degazio: Seven Parables of the Rising Dawn (17:09) [notes and lyrics]

8-10. Ronald Royer: Women of Dante’s Divine Comedy, Three Songs [notes and texts]

- Francesca da Rimini (Inferno) (6:05)
- Sapia of Siena (Purgatory) (6:42)
- Beatrice (Paradise) (5:55)

Danielle MacMillan, Mezzo Soprano (Tr. 1-10)

Maghan McPhee, Soprano (Tr. 3, 5)

Ronald Royer, Conductor (Tr. 1, 6-10)

Ted Runcie, Conductor (Tr. 3)

SPO Chamber Players:

Kaye Royer, Clarinet (Tr. 1, 3, 6-10)

Kristin Day, Bassoon (Tr. 7-10)

Gilles Thibodeau, Horn (Tr. 1, 3, 7-10)

Lisa Tahara, Piano (Tr. 1-3, 5, 7-10)

Odin Quartet:

Tanya Charles, Violin (Tr. 1, 3, 4, 6-10)

Alex Toskov, Violin (Tr. 3, 4, 6-10)

Matthew Antal, Viola (1-4, 6-10)

Samuel Bisson, Cello (1, 3-10)

Production:

Matt Antal, Recording Engineer; Jamie Way, Cover Design; Ronald Royer, Producer

Artistic Statement:

In 2023, the SPO decided to embark on a musical journey. We asked ourselves: “How can artists respond to the times in which we live?” Our answer was to create a song cycle embracing the theme, “through adversity, hope”. We brought together composers with a variety of lived experiences and cultural perspectives, who were also at different stages of their lives and careers. We selected 2 singers and chose an ensemble of 8 musicians from the SPO community, including our ensemble-in-residence, the Odin Quartet. We asked mezzo soprano Danielle MacMillan to be involved as we developed the various stories, lyrics, and music. Some of our composers wrote their own lyrics, and others were inspired by and adapted historical works. Each composer maintained their own musical voice but worked collaboratively while creating their lyrics and music. The SPO wanted to create a unified song cycle with the goal of engaging and touching our audience with music that finds hope in the face of challenge. For the next stage, Songs of Hope was workshopped, rehearsed, performed and finally recorded. Soprano Maghan McPhee summed it up for our team,

“For me, this project reaffirmed a core truth: music isn’t just about notes and rhythms—it’s about the stories we tell and the bonds we form along the way.Here’s to hope, collaboration, and the enduring power of art to connect us all.”

Acknowledgements:

On behalf of the SPO, I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment to the project and their great work, including our composers, performers, recording team, SPO administrative team, and our record label. I also want to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in developing Songs of Hope. We enjoyed creating this album, and we hope you, our audience, will enjoy listening.

Ronald Royer

Songs of Hope project development and workshopping was made possible through the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Massimo Guida, composer

Toronto-based Italian-Canadian composer, theorist, educator, and copyist Massimo Guida was born in Modena, Italy, in 1990, and has lived in Canada since 2008. He completed his doctoral studies in composition at the University of Toronto in 2019, under the supervision of Professor Christos Hatzis. Described by La Scena Musicale in 2012 as a composer who writes with “a particularly strong melodic inspiration,” Massimo seeks to combine his fondness for Italian melodic lyricism and storytelling with a contemporary musical language in his works. A multi-award-winning composer, in 2015 he won the Violet Archer Prize, for his song cycle Confessions (2014), as well as the Mississauga Festival Choir Competition for his choral work Infant Joy (2013), which was written for the birth of his nephew. Massimo’s compositions and arrangements have been performed and read in Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and the United States, by artists including the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, the North York Concert Orchestra, The Music4Life Ensemble, Fawn Chamber Creative, Slow Rise Music, The Odin Quartet, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the Interro Quartet, the Bedford Trio, the Mississauga Festival Choir, the Fujita–Ko Duo, the GamUT Contemporary Ensemble, the University of Toronto Brass Ensemble, organist James Devor, Juno nominee Lindsay Schoolcraft, and pianist Alexander Panizza. He served as the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra New Generation Affiliate Composer during the 2020–21 season, and also took part at the Orford Music Academy in 2020. One of his piano compositions, Fantasia Sopra Sei Temi di Puccini (2021), is featured on Panizza’s album Everything Waits for the Lilacs, in collaboration with the SPO, which was released in March 2024. A keen supporter of contemporary music in Canada, Massimo also served on the board of the Canadian League of Composers as an Ontario councillor between 2020 and 2022, and is an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre, as well as a Professional Member of the Canadian League of Composers.

(2024)

Zhiqi (Jimmy) Jin, composer

Jimmy Jin, born in 1996, is a composer, violinist, and music educator with a strong presence in both Canada and China. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Composition and working as a Theory Teaching Assistant at Western University, his work spans genres such as pop, contemporary, classical, folk, and jazz. Jimmy is passionate about composing for concert music, game soundtracks, and short film scores. Recently, he has focused on electroacoustic music, along with mixing and mastering. His diverse background reflects a deep passion for both traditional and modern musical forms, making him a versatile and innovative artist.
(2024)

Author: Communications