WHO WE ARE
About
Music TORONTO has been a cornerstone of the Greater Toronto Area’s cultural landscape for over 50 years, presenting a fall-winter series of traditional and contemporary chamber music concerts and recitals. With a distinguished history and a loyal, knowledgeable audience, Music TORONTO focuses on the richness of small ensembles and solo recitals, offering a unique experience in a city where other series often take the form of festivals or broader programming. In the summer of 2023, Roman Borys, cellist of the Gryphon Trio—a long-time ensemble-in-residence—was appointed Artistic and Executive Director, bringing new vision to this storied institution.
Music TORONTO continues to connect audiences with exceptional Canadian and international artists through its core Concert Series. In May-June 2023, the organization launched the innovative COSE Series (Celebration of Small Ensembles), which presents chamber music experiences in a new format and venue, further expanding the organization’s capacity to support early career artist development, innovative program design and audience development.
Committed to Artist Development, Music TORONTO fosters the next generation of musicians through COSE Artist Residencies. Master Classes produced in collaboration with the Royal Conservatory and the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, provide senior music students the opportunity to work with visiting concert artists.
Music TORONTO’s dedication extends beyond the concert hall through its Community Engagement and Education programs. Initiatives such as Listen Up!, What Makes It Great? with Rob Kapilow, and performances for schools and seniors’ residences ensure that chamber music reaches diverse audiences across the city, inspiring aficionados and newcomers alike. These programs exemplify Music TORONTO’s mission to create community through chamber music.
As a mature organization with a clear mission, Music TORONTO embraces both tradition and innovation. While deeply respectful of the European chamber music tradition, the organization actively seeks to expand its repertoire by presenting artists and works of historical, cultural, and aesthetic diversity. This balance of reverence for the past and enthusiasm for the future positions Music TORONTO as a leader in bringing chamber music into the 21st century with passion and commitment.
Through its three pillars—Concerts, Artist Development, and Community Engagement and Educatio —Music TORONTO enriches the cultural fabric of Toronto and ensures that the beauty and depth of chamber music continue to inspire and connect generations. Visit www.music-toronto.com to learn more.
Mission
Music Toronto is dedicated to producing world-class Concerts that bring together the finest chamber music artists and ensembles. Through our Artist Development initiatives, we support emerging talent and foster creativity within the next generation of musicians. Our commitment to Community Engagement and Education ensures that audiences of all backgrounds and ages have access to transformative musical experiences, enriching lives and cultivating a lasting appreciation for the art of chamber music.
Vision
To inspire, engage, and connect diverse audiences through the transformative power of chamber music, fostering a vibrant musical community that celebrates both the rich traditions of the past and the bold innovations of the future. We envision a future where chamber music remains a vital, evolving art form, accessible to all, and where artists and audiences come together to share in the beauty, creativity, and emotional depth of live performances.
Gryphon Trio - Annalee Patipatanakoon, violin; Roman Borys, cello; Jamie Parker, piano
History
Music TORONTO began as the music program of Toronto Arts Productions, presenting chamber music concerts and recitals at the Town Hall (now the Jane Mallett Theatre) in The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts on Front Street. From its first concert in the 1971-72 season, the series established a reputation for high musical quality and considerable popular appeal.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, under artistic leaders Franz Kramer, Costa Pilovachi and Jane Forner, Music at the Centreoffered a wide variety of concerts, bringing to Toronto, often for the first time, world-renowned chamber ensembles and soloists. Renamed CentreStage Music in 1983, the concerts continued, also presenting established Canadian artists and nurturing emerging ones. CentreStage Music was instrumental in the organization and presentation of major musical events such as the Bach 300 Festival in 1985 and special events such as musical theatre. In 1987, CentreStage devolved into The Canadian Stage Company and Music TORONTO.
Since 1989, our artistic programming evolved from Artistic Director Chris Wilcox, through an advisory committee, to Artistic Producer Jennifer Taylor and now to Artistic & Executive Director Roman Borys. Music TORONTO always maintains its vision of artistic excellence and innovation, always featuring both international and Canadian artists. MusicTORONTO also enjoys an international reputation for its loyal and discerning audience.
Board of Directors
President and Chair of the Board
Jeannine Maloney, Pianist, Arts Educator
Secretary of the Board
Kevin Dooley, IT specialist
Directors
Jeannine Maloney, Pianist, Arts Educator
Jamie Kimura Parker, Pianist & University Professor
Bruce A. Russell, aka Ibrahim El Mahboob, Composer & Executive Assistant, Finance
Colin Ryan, Head and Managing Director, Technology and Innovation, CIBC Global Investment Banking
Administration
Artistic & Executive Director
Roman Borys
rborys@music-toronto.com
Director, Community Engagement and Education
Patty Jarvis
pjarvis@music-toronto.com
Administrative Associate
Margaret Gay
mjordangay@music-toronto.com
Marketing consultant
Phil Stephens
Communications and Production Associate
Máiri Demings
communications@music-toronto.com
Artistic Producer Emerita
Jennifer Taylor