Digital Technology meets the CBSO
It was with great pleasure that the CBSO introduced the HAUPTWERK computer organ to our audience at our December 2009 concert. This was a unique opportunity for our patrons to experience the splendour of a pipe organ without the pipes. This large three manual instrument astounded our listeners with its similiarity to an authentic pipe organ sound.

From the deepest rumble of the bass notes, to the delicate sounds of the flutes, the organ impressed one and all. A few of our musicians even remarked that seeing the organ played was almost like seeing the cockpit of a modern day jetliner. The console is controlled by virtual touchscreens as opposed to mechanical drawknobs. In years gone by, this kind of technology would have required room upon room filled with computer equipment. All in all, the Hauptwerk organ is a welcome addition to any symphony ensemble.




Ines Pagliari performs at CD release
It was a pleasure to attend the CD release performance of the "All’Amore Ensemble", of which our concertmaster, Ines Pagliari is the violinist. This excellent trio, consisting of Lydia Munchinsky (cello), and Marianne Gast (piano, and Ines performed both seasonal favourites, together with pieces ranging from Charlie Chaplin and Astor Piazzolla, to Bach, and Brahms. This CD is a great buy, and would be an excellent addition to your collection. For more information, please visit the All’Amore Ensemble’s website at www.allamore.ca




CBSO Annual General Meeting
The CBSO Annual General Meeting took place on September 10, 2009. It was gratifying to understand the support that the general orchestra membership has in the Board. Recognition was resoundly given to Colleen O'Dwyer, our orchestra's general manager. The orchestra continues to operate with a balanced budget, with the help of our donors and supporters within the Orchestra itself. Our subscriber base and ticket sales continue to grow, in fact they have grown about 20% over the past couple of years.

The evening closed with wine and cheese, provided by the Board.




What a treat to play to a standing room only audience at the Scarborough Civic Centre!
The CBSO opened its season at the Scarborough Civic Centre and was received by an enthusiastic and very receptive audience. It was really nice to see that there was not a seat to be had in the house, and that people were even perched on stairs around the concert area.

One of CBSO's mandates in the musical community is to provide a venue for young Canadian artists to prove their mettle and artistic abilities on the concert stage. Our artists ranged from 9 year old Yejin Amy Kim playing the Bach F- Piano Concerto, to Jason Lee (in the Young Artists Programme at the RCM) playing the Rachmaninov 2nd piano concerto, and the talented Allison Arends singing the second Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart's Magic Flute. It is wonderful seeing these young Canadian talents performing with the 70 member CBSO, just before they are about to take flight on the musical careers.

As the jazz idiom is more and more starting to be seen as part of the "classical idiom", the orchestra finished off with a medley of Duke Ellington favourites. Even the audience was able to participate in this final number of the afternoon. Some of our patrons were able to find a small portion of the concert area to dance to this fabulous music. Truly musical interactivity!

We hope that we will see you at our first subscription concert, which will take place on November 14 at 8pm in the P.C. Ho Theatre in Scarborough.

See you there!




CBSO wishes "Happy New Year" to its Musicians
The CBSO welcomed back its musicians to kick off rehearsals for the new season on August 31 at the PC Ho Theatre. After their normal summer break, our players started preparing for the annual Young Artists Concert, which will take place at the Scarborough Civic Centre on Sunday September 27 at 2pm. The CBSO takes pride in working with, and promoting young Canadian artists in starting their careers. Our concertmaster, Ines Pagliari and her desk partner David Colpitts are featured in the accompanying photographs.




Maestro’s Birthday Bash
What a great fundraising afternoon! Over 60 people attended this event to listen to fabulous music played by the Canadian Jazz Quartet and to eat great Caribbean food. With the co-operation of Mother Nature, the shade of the tree, under which the band was situated, was the only thing keeping us from the sun…. Cool jazz on a hot day! By all accounts received back, this is an event that you would like to become an annual “bash”. Norman was very happy too. It was a great time for him and a wonderful way to share a very special day, giving him an opportunity to meet many of our patrons on a one-to-one basis. This is so important for us as we at the CBSO see all of our patrons as part of one big happy family.