High Park Choirs collaborate with the Etobicoke Centennial Choir and Nutifafa Afrikan Ensemble

Dec. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- TORONTO, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 2, 2010 - The High Park Choirs of Toronto is pleased to take part in Etobicoke Centennial Choirs’ (ECC) ‘Sacred Traditions’ concert on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Humber Valley United Church in Etobicoke. The concert will feature Bach’s Christmas Cantata, traditional Christmas carols, Jewish liturgical music and dance traditions of West Africa.

“I’m delighted to be collaborating with Henry Renglich’s Etobicoke Centennial Choir in this wonderful concert that celebrates the sacred traditions of several world cultures,” says Zimfira Poloz, Artistic Director of the High Park Choirs (HPC). “This concert complements the cultural make-up of Toronto and of our choir,” continues Poloz.

HPC announced its new three year strategy earlier this year. The strategy aims to intensify the depth and scope of its community reach to every socio-economic background and culture in the GTA. It is realizing this goal with performances and collaboration with many different notable artists such as ECC and Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble.

“Sacred Traditions is the second in a series of concerts that ECC has produced to build relationships in Toronto with like-minded performers from other cultures,” says Susan LeTendre, President of the Etobicoke Centennial Choir.

“We are honoured to be part of this year's Sacred Tradition and we take delight in collaborating with the Etobicoke Centennial Choir to share the sacred traditions with human kinds. Thanks to Mr. Henry Renglich, the choir director and his team for making this a reality,” adds Dr. Modesto Amegago, Artistic Director of the Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of three excellent ensembles. Tickets for ‘Sacred Traditions’ are $20.00 and are available in advance by calling Dale Allen at 416-769-9271 or at the door at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd.

About High Park Choirs
The High Park Choirs was founded in 1986 as a girls’ choir and now comprises over one-hundred-and-twenty boys and girls aged five to eighteen arranged in five skill-based divisions. The choirs develop the children’s choral and musical ability while promoting inclusiveness, fun, teamwork, cultural diversity and choral excellence.

The choirs are guided by highly acclaimed artistic staff whose talent and choice of innovative repertoires, from Bach to Eric Robertson, has drawn singers from 71 schools across the GTA. The choirs have also benefited from collaborations with renowned Canadian and international composers and are the Children's Choir-in-Residence at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. Children interested in joining the choirs are encouraged to attend an open rehearsal and audition at Runnymede United Church on December 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

About Etobicoke Centennial Choir
Founded in 1967 for Canada’s centennial celebration, the Etobicoke Centennial Choir is a vital community-minded group of 45 singers. Music director Henry Renglich is committed to introducing new repertoire, innovative programming, and fostering collaboration with other performers within the community.

About Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble
The performance group Nutifafa was initially formed in 1994 by Dr. Modesto Amegago and Salomon Agbenya in Vancouver, British Columbia. The group, which included up to 12 members performed at various major occasions in Greater Vancouver, Abbotsford, Merritt, Victoria and many communities on Vancouver Island.

Both Modesto and Salomon moved to Toronto in 2004 after spending 3 years in the United States. Here, they met at several occasions with like-minded local musicians such as Kofi Godonu Srigboh, and Isaac Akrong in the summer of 2005 to lay the ground for an expanded performance group with the new name Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble. It holds its biweekly rehearsals at the Dance Department of York University. The group’s Artistic Director, Dr. Modesto Amegago, who is currently Professor at York University in Toronto, is a performing artist of exceptional talent. He is a composer, choreographer, and master drummer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Susan LeTendre
President, Etobicoke Centennial Choir
(416) 622-6923
president@etobicokecentennialchoir.ca
http://www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca

Dr. Modesto Amegago
Artistic Director
Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble
(647) 896-8873
nutifafa.ape@gmail.com
http://www.nutifafanami.com

Kathy Tudor
Director, Marketing & Communications,
High Park Choirs of Toronto
(416) 878-2704
communications@highparkchoirs.org
http://www.highparkchoirs.org

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The High Park Choirs is for children aged 5 to 18 who love to sing. Choir divisions are skills-based and develop the children’s choral and musical ability while promoting inclusiveness, fun, teamwork, cultural diversity and choral excellence.