Heavenly Music @ University of Toronto

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Urban Flute Ensemble plays tonight at the University of Toronto’s Open Telescopes, free to the general public.

Here’s the info:

Hello Astronomy Enthusiasts!

We’re back for 2010 and bigger than ever! Two items for you today:

1. ASX Symposium
2. February’s Department of Astronomy FREE Public Tour

1. ASX SYMPOSIUM

The U of T Astronomy and Space Exploration (ASX) Society is having their annual symposium TOMORROW. It promises to be a

Posted at 8am on 02/04/10 | No comments

Bull’s-Eye for Bouillabaisse

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The Sound of Music, Overture

From the outside, I have to admit that this sports dome looked rather unremarkable; however as I entered through the air-sealed revolving doors, my 7-iron in hand, and walked out onto the lush astroturf, I was immediately captivated and felt like I had discovered a Garden of Eden or some forgotten, urban Paradise!

Urban Flute Project from the outset

Posted at 8am on 02/04/10 | No comments

Serenade Under Pottery Road Bridge

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Pottery Road Serenade

Yes, believe it or not, this is a picture I took in downtown Toronto, just up along Bayview Avenue from the fabulous Evergreen transformation of the historic Brick Works site.

With the incessant sound of traffic swirling overhead, I recently recorded in one of my favorite spots in the city, playing my flute under the Pottery Road Bridge

Posted at 10am on 01/27/10 | 2 comments

Grease Monkey in Queensville

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Melancolique, Laszlo Lajtha

Prepare yourself for a sonic feast here. Not the first time I’ve recorded in an automotive shop, the nuance of extraneous sounds that accompany this exquisite flute solo by Laszlo Lajtha appears almost orchestrated at times, and in this regard is truly mystifying - the layers of sound are even stunning, especially towards the end.

My friend Johanness has

Posted at 7am on 01/27/10 | No comments

Classic Infiltration: Insane Acoustics

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Caprice en Gigue, Bodinus

Talk about your classic urban infiltration, here’s the third of three recordings from the hauntingly deserted Downsview hangars. Once again, my thanks to ArcticLamb for the terrific photos (while my camera is in for repairs) as well as for his camaraderie and shared sense of adventure! While AL snapped away, I set up to record with my flute, all

Posted at 10am on 01/24/10 | 2 comments

There’ll Be Bluebirds Over…The Hangars of Downsview

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White Cliffs of Dover

Here’s another recording from my recent adventure in the mothballed Downsview Hangars, with a pic courtesy of ArcticLamb. One of my favourite songs, (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover seemed the perfect piece to send discreetly echoing through the massive interior, especially given that this evocative war-song is of the same vintage as

Posted at 9am on 01/24/10 | No comments

Transcendental Flute

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Tower Automotive Improv

There’s a story here…

Posted at 1pm on 01/22/10 | 2 comments

Urban Flute Ensemble in Performance!

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Looking for something to do tonight? Here’s another power trio for you! Urban Flute Ensemble will be performing at St. Anne’s in the west end from 7.30-9 pm (see below for details). Max, Lucas and I are really enjoying this monthly concert platform at such an historic location - St. Anne’s is a most remarkable church. For those of you who have not

Posted at 9am on 01/13/10 | No comments

The Weirdies @ The Horseshoe Tavern

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Bad Chemicals, The Weirdies

Most would agree that, if anything, there is simply too much music going on these days in Toronto, um, if that’s even possible…one practically has to morph oneself to begin to take it all in!

As your tireless roving music journalist, I’m happy to report that there is a great music scene at The ‘Shoe these days - I find myself

Posted at 7pm on 01/11/10 | No comments

Downer in Downsview?

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Estlandler, Arvo Part

I received a press release on January 3 that  these historic hangars up at Downsview, currently owned by the Canadian Military, are about to be ripped down. You can read the details courtesy of Built Heritage News below in Press Release #1.

As if losing the Avro Arrow back in the 50’s wasn’t enough, it has come out of the

Posted at 11am on 01/08/10 | 1 comment

Evocative Dialogue for Wind & Flute

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Dialogue for Wind & Flute

Here is an eery dialogue for wind and flute recorded recently during a return visit to Tower Automotive. This majestic building sits abandoned in Toronto’s west end, and is a popular site for urban explorers wanting a unique glimpse of our city’s rich architectural history.

The extreme winter weather gusting through these broken windows created the perfect soundscape for this

Posted at 9am on 01/07/10 | 2 comments

The World According to Tower Automotive

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Borisova-Ollas, Elegy

What a way to kick off 2010! I had heard about TLR’s infamous New Year’s Day photo-expeditions, but this was the first time that I tagged along. Tower Automotive is perhaps easy to miss out on Sterling Road - adjacent to some massive chocolate factories, this century-old automotive factorywas to die for.

Every building that I visit and record in has a

Posted at 4pm on 01/03/10 | No comments

About

With a love of teaching and chamber music, Toronto-based flutist JAMIE THOMPSON has performed as both soloist and chamber musician in Canada and the United States, and continues to be active as aFreelance Musician, Teacher, Adjudicator and Clinician, specializing in community outreach, multi-media events and creative, performance-preparation workshops and coaching sessions.

 

Jamie has been on the Flute Faculty of the RCM since 1988. In addition to teaching and coaching, he has served as Chair, Woodwind Brass and Percussion Department, and has served on numerous committees, including The Community School Divisional Committee, Academic Council and the Council of Examiners. In addition Jamie has presented workshops on Examination and Performance Preparation, co-ordinated the RCM Professional Development Lecture Series, and has co-chaired the Faculty Advisory Committee for the RCM’s new TELUS Performance and Learning Centre, scheduled to open in 2008.