Just Announced: Monster Concert in Support of SickKids

Mary Kenedi and the North Toronto Institute of Music present

Monster Concert in Support of

SickKids Foundation
Massey Hall, Saturday, October 31, 2009, at 3 p.m.

Tickets $45.00 to $25.00 ’Äì Call 416-872-4255 or visit the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

Mary Kenedi is seeing monsters! The respected Canadian pianist, educator and founder of the North Toronto Institute of Music will present a Monster Concert at Massey Hall at 3:00pm on Halloween, Saturday, October 31^st, 2009. This not-to-be missed concert extravaganza features popular works by Gottschalk, Rossini, Liszt, Saint-Saens and Bizet performed simultaneously on 10 Steinway grand pianos by 20 professional pianists alongside 30 North Toronto Institute of Music students ranging in age from 8 to 16. The always entertaining Luba Goy, star of the much-loved CBC comedy series Royal Canadian Air Farce is slated to host the Halloween themed fundraiser. Tickets for the family-friendly event are now on sale with all proceeds going to support SickKids Foundation.

The North Toronto Institute of Music’Äôs Monster Concert continues the long-standing fundraising tradition begun in the 1830s by the composer Czerny and features multiple pianists performing solos, duets and ensemble works. The first known Monster Concert held in Toronto took place in 1931 and was orchestrated by influential pianist and teacher Mona Bates to raise funds for the underprivileged. The ensemble was comprised of the best-known Bates pupils and was conducted by Bates herself. Mary Kenedi, a noted student of Mona Bates’Äô famed Jarvis Street music school, is dedicating the concert to the memory of her mentor. The October 31^st tribute also marks the 120^th Anniversary of Bates’Äô birth in Burlington, Ontario.

’ÄúI’Äôve always been impressed by what Mona Bates accomplished during her lifetime,’Äù explains Mary Kenedi. ’ÄúAs a musician and teacher I understand the unique privilege we are given as educators to not only inspire passion in our students, but also to instill a lasting sense of discipline that will help them to achieve their goals, musical or otherwise’Äù.

Mary Kenedi founded the North Toronto Institute of Music in 1995 as a welcoming environment for students of all ages to explore their creativity and develop an outlet for self-expression. Based on the understanding that an enhanced musical literacy provides an elevated appreciation of the art form, Mary strives to impart to her students the same passion for music that has fuelled her own compelling musical journey.

As a refugee of the Hungarian Revolution, Mary Kenedi credits her own mother’Äôs strength and resilience for inspiring her to surmount obstacles in both her performance and teaching careers. Whether launching her own teaching academy or embarking on remarkable projects, such as single-handedly staging the upcoming Monster Concert at Massey Hall, Mary Kenedi does so with a survivor’Äôs instinct. This extraordinary talent and drive has earned Mary a renowned reputation as an interpreter of the music of fellow Hungarians, Bˆ©la Bartˆ„k and Zoltan Kodˆ°ly, as well as a respected interpreter of contemporary Canadian music. She last appeared at Massey Hall as an ensemble performer during the Royal Conservatory of Music’Äôs 1990 Monster Concert and made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1983. She holds a Licentiate Diploma, Bachelor of Music in Performance and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Toronto, and a Diploma from the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In addition to her 30+ years experience teaching at such noted establishments as the Royal Conservatory and McMaster University, Kenedi maintains a busy international performance and recording schedule in solo and concerto appearances.

North Toronto Institute of Music’Äôs Monster Concert is sponsored in-part by Remenyi House of Music with media sponsorship provided by Classical FM. For more information about Mary Kenedi and the North Toronto Institute of Music or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities please visit www.ntimusic.com or call 416-488-2588.

Tickets for the North Toronto Institute of Music’Äôs Monster Concert are $45.00 to $25.00 and are available in person at the Roy Thomson Hall box office, 60 Simcoe St., by calling 416.872.4255 or online at www.masseyhall.com.