TorQ: Press Release

Prairie Debut presents TorQ, percussion ensemble, In a performance tour in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta

On Thursday, January 12, 2012 the percussion ensemble TorQ begins their performance tour under the auspices of the Prairie Debut touring network. The ensemble members, Richard Burrows, Adam Campbell, Jamie Drake and Daniel Morphy will travel throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta performing music composed by K. Shorley, S. Reich, D. Morphy, A. Campbell, A. Southam and J. Cage.  In addition to the14 full length concerts on tour, TorQ will present 5 school shows, workshops and master classes to students in communities throughout the region. The quartet will perform in Drayton Valley, Morinville, Fort McMurray, Stettler, Westlock, Edson and Leduc AB and Lloydminster, Kindersley, Rosthern and Yorkton SK and Brandon and Minnedosa Manitoba.


This tour has been generously supported by The Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, the Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, RBC Emerging Artists Project, the Burns Family Foundation Fund, Yamaha Canada Music and Golden West.

Prairie Debut 15th Season 

Based in central Manitoba and incorporated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Prairie Debut is a charitable status organization whose goal is to encourage community presenters to strive for artistic excellence in the presentation of professional classical and world music. The organization works to strengthen the interprovincial relationship of community presenters and contribute to the career development of Canadian professional classical and world artists by creating touring opportunities.

TorQ

Winners of the 2009 Mississauga Arts Council award for “Best Emerging Performing Arts Ensemble”, TorQ Percussion Quartet was formed by four Canadian percussionists looking to add new energy to percussion repertoire and performance. Renowned for their engaging performances, members Richard Burrows, Adam Campbell, Jamie Drake and Daniel Morphy are committed to making new music accessible to audiences that span generations and geography. TorQ has performed to critical acclaim and standing ovations across Canada and beyond and have presented many Canadian and world premieres. TorQ is committed to commissioning new works for percussion quartet from both established and up- and-coming composers. A constantly evolving repertoire gives them the opportunity to combine the most recent commissions with better-known works by composers.   In addition to promoting new music, TorQ is also firm believer in the importance of music education. In combination with Ontario based organization “Prologue for the Performing Arts”, TorQ performs approximately 70 shows per academic year to elementary and secondary school audiences across the province. They are also frequent educational collaborators with Soundstreams Canada, and present masterclasses and workshops for various organizations across the country. All four members of TorQ are faculty members of the Durham Integrated Arts Camp, run by the Durham School Board.

For more information regarding this project and/or Prairie Debut, please contact:

Lynne Bailey, Executive Director, Prairie Debut                            
Box 273, Onanole, MB R0J 1N0

T: (204) 848-7427   
e-mail: ldbailey@mts.net
 website: www.prairiedebut.com

Prairie Debut presents TorQ: Performance Schedule

Thursday, January 12/12                   Drayton Valley AB

School Show presented by Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre @ 11:00AM

Presented by Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre in Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre at 7:30PM

Friday, January 13/12                        Morinville AB

Presented by Town of Morinville in Morinville Community Cultural Centre at 7:30PM

Saturday, January 14/12                    Fort McMurray AB

Presented by Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre in Keyano Theatre at 8:00PM

Sunday, January 15/12                      Stettler AB

Presented by Stettler Variety Showcase in the Stettler Performing Arts Centre at 3:00PM and 7:30PM

Wednesday, January 18/12              Lloydminster SK

Presented by Lloydminster Allied Arts Council in Vic Juba Community Theatre, Lakeland College at 7:30PM

Thursday, January 19/12                   Kindersley SK

Workshop facilitated by Kindersley Arts Council & Kindersley Music Festival 4:00PM to 5:00PM in venue

Presented by Kindersley & District Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church @ 7:30PM

Friday, January 20/12                        Rosthern SK

Presented by Station Arts Centre in Station Arts Centre @ 7:30PM

Saturday, January 21/12                    Yorkton SK

Presented by Yorkton Arts Council in Anne Portnuff Theatre in Yorkton Regional High School @ 8:00PM

Sunday, January 22/12                      Brandon MB

Presented by Brandon University Pro Series in Lorne Watson Recital Hall @ 8:00PM

Monday, January 23/12                     Brandon MB

Master class facilitated by Brandon University School of Music in Lorne Watson Recital Hall 1:00PM to 2:30PM

Tuesday, January 24/12                    Minnedosa MB

School Show facilitated by Minnedsoa Performing Arts Comittee in Tanner’s Crossing School Gym @ 2:00PM

Presented by Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee / Expressions Concerts in Tanner’s Crossing Pit Area Theatre @ 7:30PM

Thursday, January 26/12                   Leduc AB

School Show Presented by Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts in Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts at 9:30AM

Friday, January 27/12                        Westlock AB

Presented by Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre Series in R.F. Staples High school at 8:00PM

Saturday, January 28/12                    Edson AB

Community Workshop facilitated by Chautaqua Edson Arts Council in Red Brick Cultural Centre

Presented by Chautaqua Edson Art Council in Red Brick Cultural Centre at 7:30PM

Sunday, January 29/12                      Leduc AB

Presented by Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts in Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts at 2:00PM