Music

Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Polaris Music Prize team up

by AUX staff

The Polaris Music Prize has announced that at this year’s gala, members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra will be performing with some of the Short List nominees (confirmed performers include Alvvays, Braids, Jennifer Castle, Tobias Jesso Jr., Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Viet Cong). It’s also possible that the winner of the 2015 Polaris Music Prize will get to perform their original works with the TSO at Roy Thomson Hall in 2016.

We’re not the only ones excited by this—Gala host Fred Penner also had a few words.

“We’re extremely flattered and honoured that that an organization with such an esteemed musical history wants to partner with Polaris-recognized artists in this way,” said Steve Jordan, Executive Director, Polaris Music Prize. “The idea of artistic collaboration is very dear to us, and we’re anticipating some musically thrilling results.”

The TSO is equally as excited about the prospect of, working with, let’s hypothetically say, Viet Cong.

“The TSO is proud to partner with the Polaris Music Prize, one of Canada’s most notable music organizations that recognizes the creativity of our nation’s recording artists,” said Jeff Melanson, President and CEO, Toronto Symphony Orchestra. “We’re delighted to work with like-minded, innovative arts institutions to showcase the valuable role music plays in our cultural well-being, and the diversity of this year’s Short List provides an exciting backdrop for this powerful and worthwhile conversation.”

The Polaris Gala takes place at the Carlu in Toronto on Sept. 21.