When I walk into the Esprit head office, there is a flurry of activity. Alex Pauk has a stack of compositions on the chair beside him while his wife Alexina is proofreading an email that will go out later this week about their group’s performance on March 29. The compositions beside Alex, I later find out, are all written by U of T students and were performed for Alex and Alexina, the co-founders of Esprit, earlier that day. One student’s piece will be included in the upcoming performance — a great opportunity for new talent to exhibit their work.
This is the heart and soul of Esprit: finding new Canadian compositions and bringing them to life. “This is music that is seldom heard live,” Alex explains. “The musicians and audience share the excitement of being part of these rare performances.” At performances, the composers are usually present in the music hall, giving audience members a rare chance to speak to them about the performances.
When the orchestra started in 1983, there was little room for new Canadian classical composers. Esprit’s goal was to revitalize the new music industry and fill a gap in the opportunities available to the composers at that time. “It was an audacious idea,” Alexina comments, “The Arts Council gave us two years.” But now in their 30th year, Esprit has created a legacy of Canadian music encompassing two generations of composers. Many composers have grown with the orchestra, having their first creations played by Esprit and faithfully returning time and time again to present their latest compositions. Alex and Alexina are both composers themselves. One of their compositions (performed by Esprit) for the movie Pearls of the Far East recently won Best Film Score at the California Independent Film Festival.
This is not to say that Esprit, and the classical music industry is not without its challenges. Budget cuts mean radio stations do not commission orchestral music nearly as often as they used to, causing Esprit to rely more and more on audience attendance to survive. But Alex and Alexina remain optimistic. They are consistently planning new and innovative performances that will entice audiences; “Dream in a Bar” is their upcoming performance featuring saxophonist Wallace Holiday and percussionist Ryan Scott, as well as trombonist/leader Scott Good leading an acid brass group (a mix of jazz and electronic music). The performance is aimed at a younger crowd, proving the resilience of the Canadian music scene. Esprit is also dedicated to the composers they have worked with throughout their existence. Their 30 Anniversary season, beginning in October, will feature new and innovative programs as well as composers who are close to their heart.
Esprit is as original as the music they play. Dedicated to outreach, development, and supporting Canada’s current composers, the 65-piece orchestra gives audience members a rare chance to hear the music played in both its own time and country.
“Dream in a Bar” will be performed at Drake Hotel Tuesday March 27 — no cover. Esprit’s 30th anniversary season will be announced at concert, on Thursday March 29; special student rates are available.
