By Daina Janitis
On a rather dreary day, tired of the political squabbles and digs on social media, I ran across a post by Kristan Smith. This London downtowner, aware of the rising mood of despair about downtown London, had taken one Sunday to stroll with his camera, snapping storefronts – independent shops where you could buy an interesting gift.
(Photo by Kristan Smith.)
And as I look back on ten years of Magisterra Soloists International in London, providing a gift stayed in my mind. As Kristan wished on Christmas, here’s to “the good people, the trying people, the quietly holding-it-together people, and the ones who showed up anyway!”
(Pictured: Annette-Barbara Vogel, Artistic Director of Magisterra Soloists)
Ten years ago, Annette-Barbara Vogel – world-renowned violinist, professor at Western, artist in several other media, inspiring teacher – gathered several of her young graduate students to begin a chamber music organization unlike any other. Over the past ten years, that roster of musicians has grown to 49, hailing from 25 countries. At every concert, you will hear some of the finest musicians in Canada and the world, gathered together for intense rehearsals and a performance that is energetic, polished, yet fresh and enlivening. The musicians have shown up and the value of their musical gifts has enriched Londoners.
And over those ten years, what gifts has Magisterra given?
- A partnership with Museum London at the Forks of the Thames, enlivening various spaces on concert nights and afternoons.
- Empathy with patrons who had concerns about downtown safety- moving all concerts in the 2026- 27 season to Sunday afternoons.
- Encouraging school-age string players in our area with an annual searchlight audition- the Young Performers’ Award. Award recipients then perform solos at the annual Christmas Baroque Concert.
- Commitment to inclusivity with the “Magisterra Sensory Concerts”. These twice-yearly concerts involve Magisterra Fellows creating programs designed for individuals with autism, learning disabilities, and sensory or communication difficulties. The relaxed atmosphere welcomes everyone.
- Commissioning works by living Canadian composers.
- Providing accessibility through first-time recording of “forgotten” composers like Ferdinand Thieriot (1838-1919). A Romantic composer from Hamburg, Germany, Thieriot is often described as a forgotten composer, despite leaving behind a remarkable collection of works.
This year, Magisterra Soloists is helping to bring Thierot’s name and his music back into the light. Last summer, Magisterra Soloists spent time in the studio recording two extraordinary Octets by Thieriot. Now, those recordings are ready to be released on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Museum London as the ensemble opens its season with the performance of his Octet in B-major.
On Sunday you will watch, listen to, and be welcomed by some astounding people – the good people who have been creating and holding Canada’s culture together.
Try to chat with some of these people afterward:
(Pictured: Jutta Puchhammer-Sédillot, viola.)
Jutta is Austrian-born but has been a full professor of viola and chamber music at the Université de Montreal since 2002. She is a fiercely energetic teacher- and traveler!
(Pictured: Vera Sherwood, violin.)
If you speak to Vera, you will hear another delightful accent: in 2011, she moved to Canada where she played with the Glenn Gould Quartet and in 2012 she joined the Niagara Symphony Orchestra. Vera is currently teaching at her private studio and is a violin instructor at Brock and McMaster Universities.
(Pictured: Ben Bolt-Martin, cello.)
Ben Bolt-Martin is principal cello with London Symphonia, directs the London Youth Symphony, and is a founding member of INNERchamber, an inventive and intimate chamber music series in Stratford and has performed 20 seasons with the Stratford Festival of Canada, Ben has also featured as a soloist across Canada with a special interest in new music reflecting humanity’s search for meaning
(Pictured: Brian Baty, double bass.)
Brian Baty is a freelance double bass player in Toronto and Southern Ontario. His performance career is comprised of orchestral music (symphonic, opera, ballet, contemporary), chamber music, solo appearances and music theatre.
(Pictured: Peter Shackleton, clarinet.)
But September 20th will also be graced with WINDS beyond compare! Peter Shackleton is principal clarinetist of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and a member of Music in Common and INNERchamber. He has served as principal clarinetist of Orchestra London Canada, and has performed with Tafelmusik (on historical clarinet) and Les Violons du Roy, as well as with the Milwaukee Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony … and countless others. He’s also the funniest, most charming clarinetist I’ve ever met.
(Pictured: Liesel Deppe, flute and piccolo.)
Liesel Deppe was born in South Africa and received her undergraduate degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It enabled her to further her studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich, Germany, where she obtained a Meisterklassendiplom. After one year at Colorado U in Boulder, she moved to Canada where she obtained her M.Mus. degree at Western. She plays with the Windsor Symphony.
(Pictured: James Mason, oboe.)
Another familiar name– James Mason – no, not THAT one- our own Jimboe; he retired from the Principal Oboe position of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 2019 after 40 years. He has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher in Germany, Holland, Spain, South America and Japan as well as the United States and Canada.
(Pictured: Julie Shier, bassoon.)
And on the bassoon- definitely NOT an “ill wind” – Julie Shier has been a member of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra since 1992. She is also a core member of London Symphonia and has played with the Stratford Festival, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic.
(Pictured: Ron George, French horn.)
And the stunning sound of the French horn will be added by Ron George– newly retired from the Symphonia after 40 years. He’s a gift to Canada – and London in particular- and along with his too-many-to list roles and performances in Canada’s music culture – his adorable modesty and kindness will leave an indelible impression on your concert experience.
This concert is a gift – to London, to you, and to the hopes we all hold for a city rebuilding its beauty, safety and respect. As Indian president Nehru reminded his country, ““The very essence of all culture is its unity, its power to bind a people together, to give them a sense of solidarity, of pride, of self-respect.”
IF YOU GO:
What: Magisterra Soloists present From Stage to Studio CD Launch & 10th Anniversary Season Opening
When: Sunday, September 20, at 3:00 pm.
Where: Museum London, 421 Ridout St N, London, ON
For more information about Magisterra Soloists, visit http://www.magisterra.com
The Beat Magazine 2025 