Meet the SPO’s 2023-24 Composer-in-Residence

Born in Jamaica, growing up in Scarborough, Ted is a graduate of MacGill University in composition and conducting.

Over the years Runcie has composed a varied body of work including chamber music, solo instrumental works, choral works, art songs and symphonic works. He plans to write a series of operas on Caribbean subjects as well as to continue writing his series of ‘sinfoniettas’ based on Jamaican history.

His Jamaica Quartets No. 1 & 2 have been recorded by SPO’s ensemble-in-residence, the Odin Quartet.

 As a conductor and music educator, Ted was appointed Music Director of the Hsinchu Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hsinchu Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Taiwan. He teaches at Yuteh and Chang Gung University in Taiwan.

Learn more at: https://tedruncie.com

SPO to embark on a Resilient Communities Project

SPO was gratified to learn that we had been successful with an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation in seeking funding for an organizational renewal project during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. OTF’s Resilient Communities Program offers support to organizations as they recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 lockdown period, reconnect with their communities and develop new methods and strategies for greater resilience.

Odin Quartet Concert, March 15

SPO’s resident ensemble, the Odin Quartet is performing a program of American and Canadian music, March 15 at the Canadian Music Centre.

Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/americanadian-soundscape-tickets-551693007637/

New Generation Composer’s Program Begins

The Odin Quartet

The New Generation Composers’ Program met for its first workshop on February 14 at the Canadian Music Centre.

This workshop focused on how to affectively compose for a string instrument. Detailed
information was presented on left-hand fingering and right-hand bowing techniques.
For the left-hand, positions, shifting, double-stops, chords, harmonics, high position
strategies, extended techniques (e.g. quarter-tones), and more were discussed and
demonstrated. For the right-hand, different types of bow strokes, articulation, slurring
strategies, moving from arco to pizzicato (and back), col legno, sul ponticello, extended
techniques, and more, were also be examined. Strategies for notating left hand (e.g.
harmonics) and bowing techniques were included. Strategies for composing for string
quartet were covered. Participants (in-person or online) were able to ask questions,
and where possible, the string players demonstrated.

This workshop was presented through the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s New
Generation Composer’s Project, supported by the RBC Foundation and the CMC.

2022-23 New Generation Film Composers’ Program Participants Announced

Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to introduce this years slate of New Generation Film Composers participating in the 2022-23 program, run in partnership with Sheridan College’s internationally recognized film animation program.

Cassie Forzani

Cassie Forzani

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Emily Hiemstra

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George Gagnidz

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Helena Cheu

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Michael Nunes

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Rachel McFarlane

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Vira Burmenko 

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The program. will formally kick off January 31, 2023, with an introductory workshop on the topic of  the technology workflow used in modern media-music composition. The presenter will be Charles Finlay, Coordinator of Sheridan College’s Music Scoring for Stage and Screen (MSSS) program. 

During the program, participants will all compose an original score for an animated short that will be performed, recorded and film-edited for a published final product. 

Taking the lead on delivering the program is composer and Sheridan professor, Bruno Degazio .  Professional composers serving as mentors for the program are: 

  • Virginia Kilbertus
  • Aaron Tsang
  • Jim McGrath
  • Charles Finlay 

Video Showcases from past seasons' New Generation Film Composer Program

Odin Quartet perform "Of Wisdom" by Lauren Greenberg

OF WISDOM – Lauren Greenberg – Odin Quartet 

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EMERGENCE – Adam Taback (New Generation Composer) – Odin Quartet

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This program is made possible through the generosity of: 

Ontario Trillium Foundation awards Capital Grant to SPO

One thing we hate doing at the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is saying “No” to great Scarborough community groups that want us to present concerts in their locations. It has been especially heartbreaking to us when the road-block has been a lack of equipment to stage a concert in a venue that lacked a piano, stage lighting or house sound system.

Now, thanks to a $25,000 capital equipment investment from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we’ll be able to buy the equipment we need and be able to say “yes” to more partnerships. We can’t wait to reach new audiences across Scarborough.

Thank-you!

2023-24 New Generation Film Composer’s Project

Call for Proposals: Composing Music for Animated Film

Deadline: Dec 15, 2023

The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is issuing a call for proposals for early career and advanced student composers wanting to write music for animated film.

Four composers will be selected to write music for animated short films created by students of world-renowned Sheridan College Bachelor of Animation program.

During the writing process, each selected applicant will be paired with an experienced film composer who acts as a mentor: helping with advice on spotting the film; choosing the synthesized instrumentation; writing the music; recording and synchronization to picture.

Participants will also be supported and advised by SPO music director Ronald Royer and will also take part in an orientation meeting to discuss the logistics of synchronizing to video. 

Completed animation scores will be published on the SPO’s YouTube channel from April to July 2024.  

Composers can also apply for the SPO’s New Generation Composer’s Project, writing for female voice and piano. If a composer applies for and gets accepted into both programs, they will need to choose one. Composers will not be able to participate in both programs in the same year.

ELIGIBILITY

  • The project is open to early-career and student composers who are Canadian citizens and permanent residents, aged 18 to 35. 
  • The program is focused on Canada-based composers. Composers can be involved in-person or online. 
  • Composers are not required to have prior film scoring experience.
  • Composers must be equipped with a suitable computer, scoring software such as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or notation software, and sample libraries or software synthesizers.
  • Examples of suitable software include:
    • DAW – Cubase; Logic; Digital Performer; FL Studio; Reaper;
    • Notation: Sibelius, Finale, or Dorico (all with NotePerformer)
    • Sample Libraries: g. Vienna Symphonic Library, Spitfire BBC Orchestra, Orchestral Tools Layers, and many others.

About the SPO New Generation Film Composer’s program:

  • Animated films from graduates of the Sheridan College Animation program will be provided for scoring purposes. The films are between one and four minutes long and will be provided to participants as MP4 video files. Note that these video files cannot be used outside this program and cannot be shared with others except through the SPO’s Youtube channel.
  • Scored music can include orchestral instruments (via the appropriate sample library), electronic/digital instruments, musique concrete or any other sounds deemed appropriate.
  • Selected composers are expected to participate in a minimum of two mentorship meetings. Additional mentorship sessions can be arranged.
  • Composers are encouraged to listen and view previously scored films on the SPO’s Youtube channel in the Animated Films Playlist.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

  • Completed Application Form (see below)
  • CV or Resume: Attach a PDF file focusing on your composition activity, including any film-scoring related projects. Be sure to include a valid email address and other appropriate contact information. 
  • Two examples of your music: Recordings of two pieces must be submitted. These may be of music alone or music scored to picture.
    • Live performance or MIDI recordings are both acceptable.
    • Acceptable File formats are:
      • MP3 recordings (audio only).
      • MP4 video files (for audio and video).
      • Links to streaming services such as SoundCloud for audio and Youtube for video are also acceptable. Please ensure that the link is valid for at least one month following the deadline. 

APPLY:

New Generation Film Composer Program 2023-24
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