Ensembles

As a freelancing musician I play with a wide variety of ensembles. Here is some information on the groups that play with on a regular basis.
Kovalis Duo
The Kovalis Duo is a piano-percussion duo formed by Roger Admiral and Philip Hornsey. The two musicians initially collaborated in January 1998 during Philip's residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts. After concerts in Banff, Calgary and Edmonton, they realized that there is an untapped potential for repertoire using this unique combination of instruments. Their repertoire combines classics of the 20th century with new works for piano and percussion; the duo is fully committed to the advancement of new Canadian music. Already they have commissioned works by James Harley, Michael Oesterle, Howard Bashaw, Paul Steenhuisen and Laurie Radford. The duo has toured Canada twice: once in 2000 and again in 2002.

Click on this link for a complete list of concerts and repertoire.

Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal
The Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal (ECM) was founded by Véronique Lacroix in 1987. The ECM stimulates the creation of new music through performances of works commissioned by young Quebec composers; to provide them with increased visibility, as well as various structures for exploring and developing their art. The ECM participates in the training of young composers and encourages young professional performers to take on both the contemporary repertoire and the premiering of new works. The ECM promotes contemporary compositions to a wider audience. This is achieved by coupling new music with either classic repertoire or other artistic disciplines, giving numerous free concerts, producing regional tours, and engaging in exchanges with other musical organizations.

For more information visit: www.ecm.qc.ca

Ensemble KORE
Ensemble KORE has been producing concerts in Montreal since its founding in 1997 by Marc Couroux and Michael Oesterle. Ensemble KORE’s programming has presented a balance between commissioned works and existing music to which the Montreal public might not otherwise be exposed. The group’s inaugural concert, in November of that year, was an exchange with Apartment House (UK). The Montréal-Amsterdam concert (1999) was sponsored by the Royal Dutch Embassy as part of McGill University’s MusiOctober Festival, and paired young composers from two vital centres of contemporary music activity.
For more information visit: www.ensemblekore.ca

Bradyworks
Bradyworks was originally created in 1989 in order to perform the music of Tim Brady, whose work as a composer combines elements of contemporary chamber music, jazz, rock and electroacoustic music. The group's instrumentation - combining electric guitar and saxophone with traditional chamber music forces and live electronics - creates a unique sound world with a vast array of timbres and performance traditions. The group also has a strong interest in contemporary vocal chamber repertoire. Since 1997 the group has expanded its repertoire to include works by other composers which partake of a similar artistic vision, often with a focus on electroacoustic elements such as tape and live electronics.
For more information visit: www.timbrady.ca

Moonshine Orchestra
Longtime friends and studio wizards Claus Frostell and Jack Nicholls joined musical forces in 1999 and decided to combine their complimentary talents to create big, beautiful music.

They call it The Moonshine Orchestra.

Frostell, a Finnish-born, multi-talented producer/engineer/arranger/musician has worked with Moist, David Usher (solo), Bran Van 3000, Odds, Bertine (Norway), The Planet Smashers, and Sly & Robbie - to name just a few. However impressive his resume, his passionate light shines brightest with The Moonshine Orchestra. A keen ear, crisp production, and impeccable taste are some of the key elements Frostell brings to the group. Nicholls has been writing songs since he was 18 - and has received critics' raves for his melodic, thought-provoking work at the helm of his previous band, Atomic Folk. Although diverse influences such as Neil Young, U2, Tom Petty and Wilco can be heard - a true, original artist is blossoming as heard through The Moonshine Orchestra’s "Hero Stories".
For more information visit: www.moonshineorchestra.com