IGNITING GENIUS
Dear Friends,
It is a busy week in Southern Ontario for music, with the first ever The Promise of Music festival happening in many locations. Whether you’re listening to live performances or lectures on everything from music education to the future of music with AI, this first gathering of its kind is worth taking note of. Organized by the Glenn Gould Foundation, the mission is one you've heard me go on and on about for the years I've been writing this Friday newsletter. Music matters. And it matters a lot!
Want to transform communities? Music. Want to help a student get better grades? Music. Want to ease tensions between people? Music. This list is as long as you'd like it to be. It makes a difference, and we know it.
Huge congratulations to the organizers of these events - here's a link with more info:
One of the countless ways in which music matters is in how we are inspired by it. Earlier this week I overheard someone mention that it felt good that people were excited about the Blue Jays and their current run of success in the postseason. I agree (and I'm a fan). The success is letting many of us connect and feel good during a time when such things seem to be in short supply. But I would argue that music offers this opportunity for us as well. And in the best of circumstances, there are only winners! Coming up in less than two weeks, we're seeing the premiere of a new piece of music written especially for our listeners at SSM to experience! Jared Miller has written a new work entitled Follow for 8 string players. It is inspired in part by an existing iconic work for the same combination of musicians by Felix Mendelssohn - The String Octet in E-Flat Major. Genius personified!
Come hear this new work and experience the joy it will bring to our world for the first time! Happening October 22nd at Lazaridis Hall and hosted by CBC's Tom Allen. Here's a link with more info:
Make Mine A Double: Miller + Mendelssohn
October 22 | 7 PM
Lazaridis Hall
Tom Patterson Theatre
Our thanks to Robert Lemon who commissioned this piece in loving memory of Robert Ledingham. Commissions like this are the musical versions of bricks and mortar, which any great music festival must invest in.
We also have another event happening a few days earlier at Jobsite Brewing Co. with local favourites the Downie Street Collective. If the crisp fall air and the changing colours have you hankering for a pint, pizza, and music to warm you up, this is for you!
Downie Street Collective
October 19 | 2 PM
Jobsite Brewing Co
BUY TICKETS HERE
I'll be back in 7 days! Until then, go Jays!!
Mark and the SSM Team
