Regent Park School of Music News

Tribute to Jane Goodall

2008-11-17T16:09:00.003-05:00

On November 16, 2008, Jane Goodall was awarded an honourary degree from Haifa University. Our choir was invited to perform at the event complete with an on-stage band. (Our own Thompson Egbo-Egbo was on keyboard!) With many local celebrities in attendance and a room full of people with hope and a willingness to better the world, the night was exciting and inspirational!

Toronto Mayor's Arts Awards Lunch!

2008-11-17T15:53:00.003-05:00

On October 17, 2008, our choir got the opportunity to perform our song "My Piece of the City" with Jackie Richardson at the Mayor's Arts Awards Lunch. We had a great time!

On stage with Jackie! Some of our younger ones.

In the elevator with the Mayor!

Upcoming benefit concert!

2008-09-12T14:14:00.002-04:00

Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street (West of Dufferin)

Virginia Markson's son, Ben Miller, experienced the loss of his hand-crafted, 6 string electric bass, an instrument which he described as "part of his identity," due to theft. Virginia wanted to hold a benefit concert to help replace his bass and Ben suggested to expand the idea and chose our school as another recipient of the funds raised.

This event will not only showcase Toronto's music talent and assist the Regent Park School of Music, but also will raise awareness of instrument theft in the GTA.

At 7pm, a pre-concert silent auction will take place. Concert participants include: The Funktion (Ben's band), metheusBound, Leah Spears, Dr. Payne and the Disease, Yuka, and a few surprises in store by some of Toronto's jazz elite. More musicians will be confirmed in the upcoming weeks.

Thank you to Virginia and Ben for involving us in this amazing event for an important cause. We hope to see you there!

Blue Jays Opening Night 2008

2008-04-16T15:25:00.004-04:00

The Regent Park School of Music choir, directed by Wayne Strongman and accompanied by Lizzie Lavado, sang the National Anthems to open the first home game for the Blue Jays. Here are some pictures of them on the field. The Red Sox were lined up on their left, the Blue Jays on their right. Come on--that's cool! Thank you Blue Jays! We had the most amazing time!

Rock Lottery: A benefit for RPSM

2007-12-04T15:22:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, December 1st, musicians from around the city participated in a Rock Lottery. At 11:00am 25 musicians gathered together and drew numbers out of a hat to randomly separate into 5 bands. These 5 bands had 7 hours to write a few original songs, enough to fill a 20min set. Everyone regrouped later that night to play a show at Sneaky Dee's. Jane Duncan, the organizer of this event, donated all of the proceeds to our school! Below are a few pictures, taken by Rodrigo Pizarro, to highlight some of the talent displayed at the show. A big thank you to Jane and all of the participants!

Performance at Kilgour Estates

2007-11-02T10:06:00.000-04:00

On October 18th, 2007 the Regent Park School of Music took the choir, string ensemble, and solo performers to provide the musical atmosphere for an event hosted by the Daniel's Corporation at the Kilgour Estates. To read more about the event and see some of the pictures please click here! Also check out more pictures we have available!

Thank you to the Daniel's Corporation as well as the Kilgour Estate's residents and purchasers for the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic evening!

Honens Masterclass

2007-10-31T15:26:00.000-04:00

Honens brought Hong Xu, one of the winners of last year's Honen's International Piano Competition, to the Regent Park School of Music. He met with 8 piano students and conducted a master class. Each student brought a piece and played for Hong and their peers and then was able to work on their musicianship skills. What a treat! Thank you to Honens for this great opportunity.

Elijah's Kite

2007-10-17T18:15:00.000-04:00

We are so excited to be involved in and attending the upcoming performance of Elijah's Kite on Tuesday October 23, 2007. For more information and details concerning the performance please visit PREVnet's website.

Congratulations Cecilia!

2007-10-04T14:42:00.000-04:00

We are happy to announce that our piano student, Cecilia Nguyen-Tran, completed her Grade 10 exam with honours! She will now continue to work towards her ARCT. Congratulations Cecilia on all of your success!

Thank you Findlay!

2007-10-01T13:21:00.000-04:00

Findlay Caplan showed her generosity by asking her friends and family to donate to the Regent Park School of Music in lieu of receiving gifts for her Bat Mitzvah. The support was incredible and we are so grateful for her gracious gesture! Thank you Findlay and congratulations!

Chad Laughing CD Launch

2007-03-23T11:07:00.000-04:00

Local musician, Chad Laughing, launches his new EP, Intimacy & Isolation, in support of the Regent Park School of Music on Thursday, April 12 at the Savannah Room in Toronto. The event is hosted by local comedian Geoff Hendry, and includes performances by Ory No'man and Matt York. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and with each ticket purchase guests receive a complimentary copy of Chad's new EP. Come on out and support the school!

Showcase on Wednesday, May 23

2007-02-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

The date for Showcase has been set for Wednesday, May 23. The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in the Imperial Oil Opera Theatre at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre , 227 Front Street East. Contact the school in late-March to get your tickets. It promises to be a great show as always!

RPSM Student first in class at Kiwanis Music Festival!

2007-02-27T14:38:00.000-05:00

Congratulations go out to Cindy S. who was placed first in her Junior Piano class at the recent Kiwanis Music Festival in Toronto. Way to go Cindy, keep up the good work!

Winter Exam Honour Roll

2007-02-07T17:48:00.000-05:00

We're proud to announce that the following students have achieved 80% or better on their Royal Conservatory of Music Winter exams. Well done all!

- Leo H.
- Clara N.
- Francis N.
- Anna S.
- Lucy T.
- Guanhan Y.
- Jerry Z.

Upcoming December Recital and Christmas Party

2006-11-03T14:52:00.000-05:00

Sunday, October 29th marked our first recital of the 2006-2007 school year, held at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. It was a great success and preparation has begun for our December recital, to be held on Sunday, December 10 at 2p.m. also at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Immediately following the recital we will be having our Christmas party and all of our students are invited to come and join in the fun!

RPSM named 'Best Music Program' by Now Magazine!

2006-11-03T14:33:00.000-05:00

Regent Park School of Music has been named 'Best Music Program' by Toronto's Now Magazine in their October 26th 'Best of Toronto' edition! Thank you Now Magazine! Check out the link below for more information:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-10-26/music_feature5.php

RPSM student named top Grade 3 Violin student in Ontario!

2006-11-03T14:22:00.000-05:00

A BIG "Congratulations!" goes out to Pei Yi who has been awarded a Silver Medal from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Silver Medals are awarded for each academic year to the student who has obtained the highest mark in their grade and instrument. Students must have obtained at least 80% in their practical exam to qualify for Silver Medals. Congrats again Pei Yi! Keep making us proud!!

Summer Exam Honour Roll

2006-09-11T15:52:00.000-04:00

Results are in for Royal Conservatory of Music Summer Exams! These are the students who achieved 80% or higher. Congratulations to all!

- Guadalupe F.
- Charm H.
- Pei Yi L.
- Andrew L.
- Michelle M.
- Cecilia N.
- Christine N.
- Clara N.
- Paul N.
- Anusan R.
- Lucy R.
- Jimmy X.
- Sherry X.
- Kenneth Y.
- Su Y.

Spring Exam Honour Roll

2006-07-24T18:03:00.000-04:00

We're proud to announce that the following students have achieved 80% or better on their Royal Conservatory of Music exams. Well done all!

- Jennifer B.
- Parren C.
- Kristin C.
- Charm H.
- Leo H.
- Norman K.
- Wuqi L.
- Cassandra L.
- Clara N.
- Francis N.
- Ranminie P.
- Linda Q.
- Lucy R.
- Baile R.
- Anna S.
- Portia-Marie S.
- Sarah S.
- Ivy T.
- Sherry X.
- Jerry Z.

Fundraiser at Eggplant!

2006-07-11T18:55:00.000-04:00

What a party! The recording studio Eggplant recently held a fundraising event for our benefit in their downstairs restaurant. Between firespinners, The Salads, and of course, our own students playing at the event, a great time was to be had!

The MC's of the evening, Tanya Kim and Robin Black, created a fantastic, festive atmosphere as they mingled with the crowd and introduced the guest performances. Tom Kennedy, the Chairman of the RPSM's board of Directors, presented our school as well by addressing the gathered people and explaining who we were and what we are trying to do here at the school.

The performances by the children themselves however were what won the crowd over as the kids played to the moment and won peoples hearts. An impression was definitely made as they held the audience's rapt attention.

Our String Quartet had a busy day, as they had performed for the Safe Kids Week 10th Aniversary Celebration just hours before coming here. Paul, Linda, Cecelia, and Cecelia did a fantastic job!

Jerry performing Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, #3

Peter, one of our recent High School graduates, performing Variations in D Major Op. 40 #1

'At Last', performed by Stacy

Former student and current Board Member at the RPSM, Thompson Thompson Egbo Egbo treated the attendees to some of his Jazz variations and improvisations.

The Salads, rocking out with the crowd.

The night was filled with musical guests and performers working together to put on a show for the RPSM. And what a night! We here at the RPSM would like to thank Eggplant and the event coordinators from LucidCommunications for the wonderful evening for the school, all the donors who have contributed to the school from the event, and of course all the celebraties who lent themselves for a good time and a good cause! Thank you!

Showcase 2006

2006-07-10T14:42:00.000-04:00

The Regent Park School of Music held it's annual Showcase fundraisor recently and it was a resounding success! Everyone who participated had a great time and this year the kids really showed off what they could do. The very first apearance by the Regent Park School of Music Orchestra was highlighted by the unveiling of our new school song, which the Orchestra played while the Choir sang! The school has definately grown from its humble origins in a Church Basement, and we are now seeing some of our students graduating and leaving us once again. We have some pictures of the event to share with you! We hope to see you back next year!

The Honorary Chair, and guest performer of the evening, the Honourable Bob Rae

Tico Tico no Fuba

Chariots of Fire

Arts and Letters Club Performance

2006-06-07T13:19:00.000-04:00

Once again our students had an oppurtunity to shine, as the Art's and Letters club of Toronto invited them in to perform for their members in order to raise awareness for our school. This performance saw piano trios and quartets, soloist musicians and singers, and of course our choir!

Some of schools parents were on hand to witness the event and all in all it was a wonderful experience for the children and an enjoyable evening for the audience. Some pictures taken of the event!

Wayne Strongman conducting the RPSM School Choir

Cecelia, one of our soloists for the evening. The performances that were given by the students were inspiring, and to standing ovations!

A view into the TD Jazz Festival Press Release

2006-05-01T16:48:00.000-04:00

Some wonderful shots of our students in action! With thanks to Anna Tom for the pictures!

The Choir!

Our Senior Trio

Hello Mayor Miller!

Spring News and Events

2006-04-24T12:19:00.000-04:00

As the school year winds down, the weather heats up, and so does the schools events!

A number of events are coming up for the students here, and a few benefits for our school should be mentioned as well, thanks again for all your support!

A great big thank you goes to Indiepolitik for the 'Just Schools Out' benefit they held for the school on Thursday, April 20th at The Boat, on 128 Augusta Avenue. Thank you all for your support!

Tonight (April 24th) Mr. Frank Clarke is hosting his 40th birthday party at ¿C'est What? at 8:00pm. He has generously asked anyone attending 'Frankstock' to eschew a gift in favour of a donation to the Regent Park School of Music. There will be a cash bar, finger foods, and live music by Frank and guests. If you can play an instrument, you're invited to bring it along and jam! Thanks Frank! Happy birthday!

Our school choir, led by Wayne Strongman, is once again busy with two performances later this week;

1:30pm Tuesday, April 25th
TD Jazz Festival Press Release
The Sheraton Hotel on Queen
Look for us on CityTV at 6:00pm

12:00pm Wednesday, April 25th
TD Jazz Festival Formal Announcement
Toronto City Hall

Our exciting new Jane and Finch area project, The Regent Park School of Music Steel Drum Band, is well underway. Led by Taurean Clarke the band has begun to practice with students from the area making up its members. The Toronto Police Department has supported the development of the band, and together we hope to make a positive impact in the troubled area. Rehearsals for the Steel Drum Band are held every Tuesday evening at 6:00pm at 15 San Romano Way. The best of luck to all involved!

And last but not least, the Regent Park School of Music's annual Showcase, is to be held May 24th, at the Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. A reception at 6:30pm will be followed by the Gala at 7:00pm. Reserve tickets early as there is limited seating available, and so you don't miss out on our largest event of the year! For more information, or to reserve your tickets, contact the Regent Park School of Music's office between the hours of 9:00am and 8:00pm Monday through Friday, or between 10:00pm and 6:00pm on Saturday. We hope to see you there!

We here at the school would also like to wish every student the best of luck with the end of the school year fast approaching. Good luck on any exams!

Thank you everybody! Have a great time!

Free Evening Event!

2006-03-28T14:01:00.000-05:00

The Cantabile Chamber Singers would like to invite you to join them for an evening of sacred and secular choral music from the Baroque to the 20th Century! Eine Kleine Choralmusik, will feature works by Bach, Mozart, Grieg, Durufle, Bruckner, Taverner, and more!

And the best part of all, is that while admission is free, any donations recieved at the concert will go to the Regent Park School of Music! Hope to see you there!

Saturday, April 1st, 2006
St. Clement's Anglican Church
59 Briar Hill Avenue
Toronto, Ontario

(One block west of Yonge and five blocks north of Eglington)