Introspective, atmospheric neoclassical: composed by Toby Johnston-Stewart

Immerse yourself in a soulful journey through introspective, atmospheric neoclassical music composed by Toby Johnston-Stewart. Featuring Jillian Forster on piano, accompanied with Müge Büyükçelen on violin and Alasdair Money on cello from the Emily Carr String Quartet. The event will take place at the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, providing the perfect setting for an immersive musical journey. Join us for an unforgettable in-person experience filled with emotional depth and musical beauty. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be transported by the introspective and atmospheric compositions of Toby Johnston-Stewart.

Toby Johnston-Stewart, composer

Born and raised in Switzerland, Toby moved to Canada in 1989 and took an early interest in classical music and composing. He soon narrowed his interests to introspective and atmospheric music that ebb and flow in the realms of neoclassical and classical minimalism. Toby has been fortunate to study for many years with Tim Janz, who is an instructor at Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music. In addition, he frequently collaborates and records with local instrumentalists.

Jillian Forster, piano

Jillian Forster has a deep appreciation for music, especially the piano. Her playing has been described as highly sensitive and emotionally complex. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Victoria under Bruce Vogt. She also studied in Edmonton, Alberta with Janet Scott-Hoyt. You can find her playing the piano on Spotify, and similar music streaming services working with musicians and artists in the Pacific Northwest.

Müge Büyükçelen, violin

Müge Büyükçelen is a passionate violinist known for her multi-genre versatility. Highlights of her recent performances include the premier of Jared Miller’s violin concerto dedicated to Müge, the Beethoven violin concerto, a concert tour through Australia and New Zealand, performances of new works by Jennifer Butler, Paul Frehner, Michael Finnissy, as well as various concerts with the Emily Carr String Quartet. She recently finished performing “Beethoven Cycle” all 16 quartets with the Emily Carr String Quartet. Her latest recording ”Spanning Tree” has been nominated for “Best Classical Album in 2022” by Western Classical Music Awards.

She is a current member of the Victoria Symphony, Emily Carr String Quartet and the Aventa Ensemble as well as an active violin teacher at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Müge has been a featured soloist with numerous orchestras around the world. She has premiered many works such as “Archimedes’ Codex’ a Canadian work dedicated to her by composer Michael Oesterle, Cameron Wilson “Canadian Four Seasons” to name a few. She has served a jury member for “The Eckhardt - -Gramatte National Competition”, ”Friends of Canadian Music Award”, “BC Arts Council” and has adjudicated at many music festivals. She holds a Masters degree in music performance from Bilkent University, in Ankara Turkey, an associate teaching diploma from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and was a teaching assistant student at the Toulouse National Conservatory, France.

Alasdair Money, cello

Alasdair Money grew up in Victoria and studied with James Hunter for many years at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He graduated in 1991 from the Associate in Musical Arts Diploma program and went on to complete a Bachelor of Music degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. While there, he studied with Laurence Lesser and Michael Haber. After graduating in 1995, Alasdair went to England to study in London with Raphael Wallfisch at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he received a post-graduate diploma in cello performance.

Alasdair has attended such festivals as Banff and Orford in Canada and the Dartington, Evian and Verbier music festivals in England and in Europe. While back in Canada, Alasdair works with the Victoria and Vancouver Island symphonies, the Emily Carr String Quartet, the Odyssey String Quartet, the Aventa Ensemble and has played with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He also completed a Master of Music degree in cello performance at the University of Victoria where he studied with Pamela Highbaugh-Aloni and Paula Kiffner.