Joel Toews Music
Composer // Arranger // Songwriter
Large Ensemble
Orchestra // Choir // Jazz Big Band // Wind Ensemble
Recent COmpositions
Mirrors in Haida Gwaii
// Symphonic Orchestra //
2.2.2.2. 4.3.3.1. Timp. Perc. Str.
The inspiration for “Mirrors in Haida Gwaii” comes from a trip I took with two of my siblings to the remote island of Haida Gwaii. The entire island is incredible, but the most specific memory I have comes from an early morning kayaking trip across Alliford Bay.
Most days, when you looked beyond the coasts of Haida Gwaii, you were met with a fierce and endless ocean. But, on this particular morning, I was lucky enough to experience the ocean as clear and calm as mirrored glass.
Suite for Piano and Cello
This suite is inspired by an intersection of Canadian and Japanese culture. Duo Kogarashi, who commissioned these pieces, is made up of Japanese-Canadian pianist Mayu Funaba and Canadian French cellist Sahara von Hattenberger. The intersection of cultures in this duo influenced my decision to compose three movements that compare and contrast elements of Canadian and Japanese culture, life, and geography.
The first movement is inspired by nature and the tress most associated with each country. The Canadian maple and the Japanese cherry blossom are stunning beautiful in different ways. The second movement contrasts the subway chimes of Toronto to Tokyo. The final movement blends together a Japanese folksong, Tankobushi, with a Newfoundland folk song, Feller by Fortune, to create something new!
Scoring
Film Scoring // Mockups // Scoring for Ballet
SCORING FOR FILM
The Transit Lodge // Short Film // 2019
Directed by Kalyan Acharya.
Original Score by Joel Toews Music.
Produced by Vijaya Mukyeevi and Kalyan Acharya.
SCORING FOR BALLET
Joel has scored multiple works for solo ballet choreography.
"Une Petite Danse de Forêt" (2018) was composed for an intermediate ballet soloist and choreographed by Stephanie Whitelaw of Darlene's Dance Academy (Edmonton, CA)
Songwriting & X62
TEN - SIXTY - TWO
Joel Toews is a composer, lyricist, and performer in the Edmonton based duo X62. The duo consists of Joel and fellow Canadian composer Sauvé.
Drawing influence from pop, soul, and electronic music, X62 seamlessly blends together elements of each genre to create musically versatile and lyrically compelling songs. Their music is influenced by Sam Smith, Emilié Sande, The Civil Wars and NEEDTOBREATHE. X62's sound is emphasized by gospel backup vocals, engaging melodies and emotional complexity. Their lyrics toe the line between deeply personal and profoundly universal, inclining audiences to engage with the duo’s live and recorded performances.
Biography
Joel Toews is a contemporary Canadian composer, arranger, songwriter and pianist from Toronto, CA. He studied at Berklee College of Music from 2012-13, and received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music from MacEwan University in April 2018.
During his time at MacEwan, Joel had the opportunity to write and arrange for string quartet, choir, jazz big band, piano trio, a Cappella ensemble and much more while studying under acclaimed faculty Dr. Allan Gilliland, Kent Sangster, and John McMillan. In 2018, Joel’s work “Influence” for classical piano trio placed fourth in the International Keuris Composers Contest. In February 2019, he premiered his orchestral work “Ra’ah'' with the Borealis Orchestra in Edmonton. In the summer of 2019 Joel composed an original score for the film “The Transit Lodge” directed by Kalyan Acharya. In 2021, Joel was accepted into the Explore the Score program put on by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This included mentorship from affiliate composers and conductors with the TSO, as well as a recorded reading session of his orchestral piece, “Athabasca.” “Athabasca“ went on to win the first annual Composition Contest put on by Litha Symphony Orchestra resulting in a public performance in New York, July 2022.
In late 2021, Joel was commissioned by MacEwan University to write an original Big Band piece, "Miriam," to be recorded at the University as part of their project, “Generations.” He went on to collaborate with Canadian cellist Sahara von Hattenberger to write three short pieces for piano and cello inspired by blending elements of Canadian and Japanese culture. This project, funded by Canada Council for the Arts, paired audio recordings of the compositions with visual accompaniment and was released on YouTube in February, 2022. In July 2022, Joel participated in the 2022 Sofia Symphonic Summit, leading to him premiering his orchestral work “Mirrors in Haida Gwaii”with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria. Joel will continue his goal of writing a suite of orchestral works inspired by Canadian landscapes with his upcoming orchestral composition, “Sleeping Giant,” commissioned by Orchestra Toronto for their 2022 “The Composer Prize” competition.
Joel currently lives and works in Toronto, ON. He is a modern and classical piano teacher for children, youth and adults; works as both a freelance composer and a freelance songwriter for local artists; and is actively performing and writing original music with the band X62. He is currently writing and recording an EP of piano solos and duets featuring Canadian musicians. Use the contact form below for any lesson inquiries.