Touring has been an essential part of life at the NAC since the beginning. For example, the Orchestra has toured to every province and territory, and 18 countries around the world. Most recently, the UK Tour, which marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and honoured the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers who served overseas, with six concerts and 50 education events.
Both NAC Dance and NAC Presents provide an anchor date for many Canadian artists on tour. And the Presenters’ Program, which invites dozens of presenters and talent scouts to the NAC’s national Scene festivals, provides hundreds of new performance opportunities for Canadian artists.
In that spirit, we are delighted to announce that Toronto’s Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has been awarded the 2015 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring in the Performing Arts.
Tafelmusik is being recognized for its passion and commitment to arts touring and presenting in Canada and abroad. The award will be presented at a special dinner during the Canadian Arts Presenting Association’s (CAPACOA) 27th annual conference on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Halifax Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
"As one of Canada’s cultural ambassadors, Tafelmusik maintains a rigorous touring schedule both nationally and internationally," said Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusik’s Chief Artistic Advisor. “We are proud to present Canada on the world stage and to date, have visited more than 350 cities in 32 different countries. Bringing our music to audiences across Canada and the rest of the world means so much to us, and we are thrilled to accept this award.”
Tafelmusik, Canada’s award-winning orchestra on period instruments, has become an internationally recognized ensemble lauded by Gramophone Magazine as “one of the world’s top baroque orchestras.” Delighting audiences worldwide for more than three decades, Toronto-based Tafelmusik now reaches millions of people through its extensive touring, critically acclaimed recordings, broadcasts, new media, and artistic/community partnerships.
Tafelmusik has become a major force on the international scene, with a rigorous touring schedule that sees the orchestra on the road for seven to twelve weeks each year. Since 1984, Tafelmusik has performed throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Israel, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand. In February 2009, the orchestra made its debut at the legendary Carnegie Hall with two sold-out performances, and returned for concerts in 2011 and 2014.
Established in 1992, the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring honours exceptional achievement in fostering the touring of live performing arts in Canada. The recipient is chosen from nominations solicited from within the industry and is selected by a committee composed of presenters, artists, administrators, the National Arts Centre and CAPACOA. The recipient may be an individual, performing company, corporation or other organization. For more information about CAPACOA, please visit www.capacoa.ca.
The Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring consists of $2,500 and a specially designed porcelain sculpture by Paula Murray, one of Canada’s finest ceramic artists.
Previous recipients include Alain Paré (2014), Peter Feldman (2013), Ballet Jörgen Canada (2011), La danse sur les routes du Québec (2010), Uriel Luft (2009), the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (2008), Judy Harquail (2007), Ottie Lockey (2006), Colin McIntyre (2005), CBC Radio/la radio de Radio-Canada (2004), Debut Atlantic (2003), Richard Stoker (2002), Nicholas Goldschmidt (2001), Bruce Owen (2000), the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (1999), David Haber (1998), Dr. Elmer Iseler (1997), Jean-Paul Gagnon (1996), Hugh Davidson (1995), Mark Porteous (1994), George Zukerman (1993), and CAPACOA (1992).