Event Details

The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, teacher certification and arts-based social programs.

The mission of The Royal Conservatory, to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts, is based on the conviction that the arts are humanity's greatest means to achieve personal growth and social cohesion. The curriculum for the study of music developed by The Conservatory has become Canada's national standard and its broad use has served to bind together the people of the nation with the thread of shared creative experiences.

This application is for “Koerner Hall 15th Anniversary Celebrations: International Orchestras, 21C Music Festival, and Special Programming”, taking place at Koerner Hall in Toronto, November 29, 2023, to May 9, 2024. In addition to the regular 2023-24 season programming, RCM Performing Arts will present 16 additional concerts under the auspices of three special initiatives:

(1) International Orchestras: three special concerts by two of the world’s best international orchestras, Staatskapelle Berlin and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Staatskapelle Berlin will perform two concerts featuring all four of Johannes Brahms’ symphonies in Koerner Hall under the baton of Lithuanian new comer Giedre Slekyte on November 25 & 26, 2023. The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform April 17, 2024, with Canadian Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin, to perform works by African American composer Florence Price and Rachmaninoff;

(2) “21C Music Festival”: featuring Laurie Anderson, Fazil Say, Brad Mehldau, the Kronos Quartet, and harpist Bridget Kibbey. The Festival will also feature Canadian debuts of over 20 works from a diverse pool of composers as well as commissioned world premieres by Sebastian Currier and Brad Mehldau. Canadian artists include Beste Kalender, Lara St. John, Scott St John, Barry Shiffman, Winona Zelenka, Brian Current and Mervon Mehta;

(3) Special Programming: (i) Loreena McKennitt’s Under a Winter’s Moon (featuring indigenous flautist and artist Jeffrey “Red” George); (ii) Grammy winning guitarist John Pizzarelli and Juno-winning rising star Caity Gyorgy; (iii) singer- songwriter and LGBTQ icon Rufus Wainwright; (iv) jazz great Joshua Redman and his new quintet; and (v) a collaboration with the Munk organization to create a new “Munk Music Debate.”