But which piece to pick? With so many great suggestions from excited musicians well versed in the oeuvre of John Mackey, the idea of an entire concert featuring Mackey’s works started to sound more and more plausible – and would also be a TYWO first. Strangely enough, TYWO had never performed a Mackey piece, so our Artistic Director, Colin Clarke decided that it was time we changed that. Our exuberant musicians of course listed many pieces for consideration – but one composer whose name kept coming up, was American composer John Mackey. While our musicians were enjoying a day off in Shanghai at the ancient water town of Zhujaijiao, the subject of repertoire for the following season came up in conversation. But it was during TYWO’s recent tour to China where the concept for our latest composer collaboration began to take shape. From working with James Curnow in 1994, Eric Whitacre in 2005, to performing under the baton of Johan De Meij in 2012, workshopping with Frank Ticheli in Los Angeles in 2013, and not to mention rehearsing with the legendary Canadian composer Howard Cable just this past season. Throughout our 24 year history, the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra has been fortunate to work with some of the world’s finest modern Concert Band composers. The musicians of the Symphonic Winds and Wind Orchestra were treated to two inspirational days with celebrated American composer John Mackey, leaving everyone to ponder the philosophical question – “If you could be any musical instrument, which instrument would you be?”

John mackey composer