Thunder Bay-born violinist Gregory Lewis returns home to perform for us as we of Consortium Aurora Borealis launch our exciting 46th concert season on September 14, at Trinity United Church because of needing to use the wonderful piano there. Performing a diverse program of virtuosity and lyricism, he will be joined by the acclaimed Canadian pianist Paul Williamson. We are most privileged to hear Gregory on a very special instrument, whose three-year use he won through a competition in the late summer of 2023. It’s the gorgeous 1768 “Miller” Gennaro Gagliano violin, generously on loan to him from the Canada Council for the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank. One year later, the critically-acclaimed Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman was awarded the use of an instrument by the same maker, a Gennaro Gaglianocello from around 1750.

I have invited our special guest, distinguished Canadian organist Christopher Dawes, to write the blog accompanying the concluding concert of our Consortium Aurora Borealis 45th Season. He will perform the programme “The Brilliance of Baroque Organ: Bach and Buxtehude”, which ties in perfectly with our organization’s desire to promote this particular period. His blog post will give us an interesting overview of what will be heard, with fascinating insights into the composers and the music which will be presented. You may find his bio under “About: Artists” on our website.

Consortium Aurora Borealis celebrates the flute! Penelope Clarke and Doris Dungan, who for many years made up the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra’s flute section, reunite to perform “Fanciful Flutes”, an endearing programme of Baroque and Classic-era solos, duos, and trios, with cellist Peter Cosbey.

Be prepared to be dazzled! Consortium Aurora Borealis has crafted a concert programme designed to delight and amaze! “Viva Vivaldi!”, an all-Baroque concert with an Italian theme, shows off the virtuosic dexterity and breadth of expression which the evening’s soloists will deliver.

We greet the New Year in style in the company of the immortal composers Mozart and Beethoven, with music written at the very end of the 18^th century. Our concert title of “Mozart Meets Beethoven” is very apt. Beethoven visited Vienna in early January 1787 for a few weeks when he was just sixteen and Mozart would just be turning thirty-one.

Consortium Aurora Borealis has prepared an exciting revised concert programme to offer our audience! The original plan was to present “An Elizabethan Garland: Courtly Ayres and Dances”, to be performed in costume on Saturday, November 18. However, Covid unfortunately struck, so that the original programme has now been rescheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2024, the first available opening.

Consortium Aurora Borealis is thrilled to present Toronto’s renowned three-time JUNO award-winning Gryphon Trio in concert. Noted for its highly-refined, dynamic performances and superb interpretations, the ensemble enjoys an impressive international reputation. Pianist Jamie Parker, violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon, and cellist Roman Borys will perform a stunning programme

We are thrilled to be embarking on our 45^th Anniversary Concert Season this Fall, and wish to share our tremendous excitement with you! You will find several deliberate references to years past, as we seek to relive some of those earlier moments of joy. As usual, we have crafted seven varied concerts for you, presenting both old favourites and new discoveries.

Consortium Aurora Borealis is very pleased to conclude the 44^th season with its annual all-Baroque concert on an Italian theme. We celebrate the golden age of Italian string music through a programme of beauteous sonatas for one and two violins from the High Baroque, an era very dear to my heart!