Perform with TSO at age 10? Check. Carnegie Hall debut at age 11? Check. Teach at Faculty of Music and create the Faculty Artist Concert Series? Check. It’s pianist Patricia Parr. #tbt

After a solo career that began as early as age 10 when she had her debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Piano Professor Patricia Parr joined the Faculty of Music in 1974 after a previous appointment at Duquesne University. She retired from the Faculty in 1993.

Professor Parr established the Amici Chamber Ensemble with cellist David Hetherington and clarinetist Joaquin Valdepeñas in 1986 and continued to play with them until spring 2009. Amici recorded numerous albums, toured around the world, and had (and continues to have) an annual concert series in Toronto.

Parr was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2009. In 2016 she published her autobiography Above Parr with Prism Publishers.

Patricia Parr performing at the Massey Hall Centennial Celebration 1894-1994 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Prof Parr was vital at the Faculty not only for her teaching and mentorship, but also for establishing the Faculty Artist Series of concerts. This concert series features faculty members in concert each year, and in the tradition of Amici Chamber Ensemble, also includes many friends of the Faculty. Proceeds from these concerts support an annual scholarship at the Faculty of Music.

As part of this year’s Faculty Artist Series, the Calidore String Quartet are performing in Walter Hall on Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 pm.