VICTORIA SYMPHONY’S TANIA MILLER GUEST CONDUCTS ‘TIMELESS’ MASTERWORKS
LONDON – Orchestra London and guest conductor Tania Miller reignite beloved and timeless folk music with Masterworks: Folk Dances on Saturday, December 3 at Centennial Hall.
At the heart of many of the best known orchestral works are the incredible collection of folk dances preserved and showcased by such greats as Sibelius, Bartók and Dvořák. Maestra Miller will take the audience on a tour of folk dances from around the world, including
Antonin Dvořák’s beautiful Symphony No. 8 (with folk music from his homeland Bohemia, now the Czech republic); Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5;
Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances (inspired by Romanian Folk tunes from Transylvania); and Jean Sibelius’s Finlandia, the unofficial national anthem of Finland. The nationalism-themed program wouldn’t be complete without performing O Canada, arranged by London’s own Jeff Christmas.
“I enjoy all of the music on this program,” says Miller, who conducts Orchestra London for the third time in her career. She last conducted Orchestra London in 2006 for Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
Chengdu, China: Team London’s trip to China has resulted in a formal expansion of international relations for the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
Following a meeting and presentations with the Sichuan Chamber of Commerce , Joaquim Balles, President of the London Chamber of Commerce was invited to sign a Friendly Cooperation Agreement as a first step towards establishing a framework between the two Chambers.
This agreement will facilitate Export and Import among members and investments in each City. A formal signing ceremony followed with Mayor Fontana witnessing the signatures of the respective Chamber representatives.
On November 22nd Councillors Joe Swan and Stephen Orser brought the Kipps Lane Area Community together for a town hall meeting at Sir George Ross Secondary School near Belfield and Kipps Lane.
The well attended meeting was joined by representatives from Neighbourhood Watch, Crime Stoppers, the LPS, Representatives from City Community & Social Services, community groups and the new 211 Call Centre.
Councillor Swan asked residents to share what they liked about their community and point out problems as well. Members of the panel discussed their areas of expertise
Some of the items identified as positives were: the newly renovated Ed Blake Park, the nearby trail system next to the Thames, the area’s diverse community and neighbours, and quality elementary schools, homework clubs and soccer nights run by David Cottril of Life Resources. More programs like these are needed.
LONDON –Carrying on a tradition initiated by CBC Radio and inspired by Charles Dickens, Orchestra London teams up with the Unity Project for Relief of Homelessness on December 14th to present the fourth annual A Christmas Carolat Centennial Hall.
The event features a dramatic reading of the classic tale, performed by local legal luminaries, along with sing-along performances of carols by Orchestra London (Alain Trudel, conductor) and The London Singers & H. B. Beal Secondary School Singers (David B. Weaver, director).
Proceeds from the pay-what-you-can, general admission event will support the Unity Project, an organization dedicated to providing shelter and services to the homeless, and Orchestra London.
Chongqing, China: Earlier today senior Chongqing officials and business leaders joined with Mayor Fontana and Team London in a public signing ceremony that resulted in three MOU’s.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives from Jinshan Science and Technology Group, the Canadian Consulate in Chongqing, the Chongqing CCPIT and Chongqing media.
· Council received an update on theCity’s Workplace Diversity Statement and Plan, and approved revised terms of reference for the Diversity Task Force to allow for participation by representatives from external organizations. In addition, representatives from the City of London’s agencies, boards and commissions will be encouraged to participate on the task force.
· Council discussed the name and logo of London’s newest baseball team. Last week Council relayed its serious concerns about the name through thisstatement issued to media and to the team last week.
