News

New Year's Resolutions

Submitted by msimmons1
on Mon, 03/18/2024 - 09:39

So, as you can see I'm not so great at adhering to my new year's resolutions. For the past two years I keep meaning to revisit this website design. Perhaps the Year of the Dragon will be my website's year! In the meantime, will continue to post here intermitently. I continue to sing with Metropolitan United and am happy to be performing solo with them and members of the Taflemusik baroque orchestra at Music at Met's annual Good Friday concert.

Upcoming Performance: All Together Now - Friday November 12th 8 PM

Submitted by msimmons1
on Sun, 10/24/2021 - 18:01

 All Together Now! is a one night only live broadcast event and in-person performance of a new musical theatre revue from Music Theatre International. Live from 56 Queen Street East with a local cast of singers joined by live orchestra, this show benefits Met’s Community Services program. Tickets are available by recommended donation for both livestream and in-person (limited seating)!

Sept 2021 Updates

Submitted by msimmons1
on Thu, 09/23/2021 - 22:26

While I wait for my new look to debut, I thought I should update this page with some important links related to my recent work. I am pleased to announce that I continue my Speech pathology work at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (TRI), University Health Network in the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research lab, under the auspices of Dr. Catriona Steele. I can also be found working clinically at TRI inpatient satellite locations. Additionally, as of Sept 9th, I officially joined the choir and soloists of Metropolitan United Church in downtown Toronto.

Upcoming Changes

Submitted by msimmons1
on Sun, 01/31/2021 - 14:07

 

The Mathew cruising Cardiff Bay (2799993543).jpg. Ben Salter. Wikipedia CC license.

 Well quite a lot has changed since I last updated this page in 2019. A global pandemic fell upon us. The professional choir of the Cathedral Church of St. James dissolved in its wake. I completed a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP), a project several years in the making, and launched myself into a new profession. To that end, I'll be embarking on a website redesign to better reflect both  my professional interests: S-LP and music. In the coming months, keep your eyes on the site for more updates.

Toronto Island Performance

Submitted by msimmons1
on Fri, 06/21/2019 - 11:59

On Sunday June 30th, at 4:00 pm I'll be singing in a choral concert with the Professional Choir of St. James Cathedral. The concert will be taking place at St. Andrew's by-the-Lake church. If you're planning a staycation for the long weekend, you're more than welcome to drop by the island!  We'll be singing pieces by Durufle, Bruckner, Standford, Byrd, Clemens non Papa and more!  Don't know what would be in store for you? Check us out on Soundcloud --> https://soundcloud.com/sjctoronto

Lessons & Carols

Submitted by msimmons1
on Wed, 12/19/2018 - 12:51

The Cathedral Choir at St. James wil be presenting our annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols December 24th at 4:30 pm.  We've got some really interesting takes on our favourites, in addition to everyone's favourite sing along carols. Hope to see you there!

Choral Service of Remembrance

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified)
on Tue, 11/07/2017 - 00:00

For anyone not familiar with Sir Charles Hubert Parry's Songs of Farewell (and for those already familiar), this is a must see event. This 25 minute setting will be performed in lieu of the regular Evensong at St. James' Cathedral this coming Sunday, November 12th.  For those who need proof in the pudding, click here for a sample of what's in store for you. Come hear me sing everything from a low F to a high F!

For more information on events at the cathedral, click here.

 

Tags: 
Songs of Farewell; Parry; Sacred Choral

Bringing a Little Bach into your Weekend!

Submitted by msimmons1
on Mon, 08/14/2017 - 19:32

Ecstasy of St. Teresa, S. Ricci (1727)

This coming Sunday, August 20th, David Passmore (organ) and I will be providing the musical leadership for the joint summer worship of Trinity-St. Paul's and Bloor Street United.  Among the standard hymns, we'll be presenting the haunting alto solo "Erbarme dich mein Gott", "Have mercy on me, Lord" from J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion.  If you haven't heard it before, you're in for a treat. I've been really appreciating the 1998 recording made by Andreas Scholl with the Collegium Vocale Gent, that can be found here on Youtube.  Its inspired me to rework my personal interpretation a bit.

If

Tags: 
Matthäus-Passion
BWV 244
J.s. Bach
Organ music

Upcoming April/May Performances

Submitted by msimmons1
on Fri, 04/07/2017 - 21:25

April 2017 -- | Transcending the Flesh: Stirring Liturgical Music this Holy Week |

If you're a fan of sacred music (traditional or modern) you should make an effort to attend the Saturday Vigil and/or Easter Sunday services at Bloor Street United.  Among our selections, the choir will present a piece from the Strathclyde Motets of Scottish composer Sir James MacMillian.  I've got a solo in it; one so mesmerising that the soprano II section forgot to come in with their part during last night's rehearsal! ;)

A snippet of MacMillan's “Pascha Nostrum Immolatus Est” can be heard on this page.

Tags: 
Sacred Music
Sir James MacMillian
Strathclyde Motets
W.A. Mozart
J. Brahms
M. Giuliani

Performing for Haiti

Submitted by msimmons1
on Wed, 05/11/2016 - 22:01

I was very pleased to be asked to join this fundraising initative, now in its seventh year.  The event takes place in the Music Room of Hart House on Tuesday May 31st at noon. I'll be performing a couple of folksongs with Beverly Lewis on piano. Hope you can make it!

Tags: 
Doctors without Borders
Benjamin Britten

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