THE SCOOP | Toronto Musicians And Composers Recognized By Six JUNO Nominations For 2026

“Toronto musicians, organizations, ensembles and composers have been nominated for a total of six JUNO nominations for 2026. Two Toronto classical music institutions will be vying for a JUNO Award in the category of Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble). The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has gotten the nod for its Pulcinella release, with Tafelmusik nominated for its celebration of Haydn, as conducted by Rachel Podger.

Likewise, in the Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) category, the recording of Brian Current’s chamber opera Missing, and Kevin Lau’s ballet score to Kimiko’s Pearl have gotten the nod.

Lau has also been recognized in the Classical Composer of the Year category, as has Toronto composer Linda Catlin Smith for a recording of her piano work, The Plains.

Here’s a look at some of the details.

Brian Current: Missing

Toronto composer and educator Brian Current has also been nominated for a JUNO Award under the category Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) for the recording of the opera Missing. Composed by Current with a libretto by Métis/Dene playwright Marie Clements, the opera tells the story of a First Nations woman who goes missing, and the aftermath of the tragedy. The opera blends contemporary classical music, with the text in both English and Gitxsan languages.

The recording features the Continuum Ensemble, (Leslie Newman, flute; Anthony Thompson, clarinet; Carol Fujino, violin; Paul Widner, cello; Gregory Oh, piano/electric piano; Ryan Scott, percussion; Michael Murphy, percussion), and a cast that consists of Ava: Caitlin Wood; Native Girl: Melody Courage; Jess: Andrea Ludwig; Devon: Asitha Tennekoon; Dr. Wilson: Marion Newman; Angus: Evan Korbut; Native Mother: Michelle Lafferty. Timothy Long conducts.

A live version of the opera took place in Toronto as part of Toronto Summer Music 2025.

Current, who is also Artistic Director of Toronto’s New Music Concerts, is no stranger to the award, having won two JUNOs previously in 2008 and 2015.

Find the recording available on the Bright Shiny Things label here.

Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl

Toronto composer Kevin Lau has received two JUNO nominations for his ballet Kimiko’s Pearl. The ballet, which saw its live world premiere in St. Catherines, Ontario, presented by Bravo Niagara!, revolves around the character of Kimiko, a 15 year old girl who finds a diary hidden in an old trunk. It reveals the history of her family as Japanese-Canadians, who during WWII, were relocated and interned.

The 2025 recording of the score been nominated in the categories of Best Classical Recording (Small Ensemble), and for Classical Composition of the Year.

The work explores themes of war, sacrifice, and renewal, and is based on the real family history of Bravo Niagara! co-founders Christine Mori and her daughter Alexis Spieldenner. The music on the independent label recording is performed by Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb, and Rachel Mercer.

You can listen to Kimiko’s Pearl here.

Linda Catlin Smith: The Complete Piano Solos (1989-2023) Vol. 1 – The Plains

Linda Catlin Smith’s The Plains is an hour-long work, and it’s performed on the recording by Toronto pianist Cheryl Duvall. The recording is the result of a longstanding musical friendship between the two artists, and is intended to be the first in a series of releases of Smith’s piano music.

Catlin’s music is contemplative, and introspective. She doesn’t write for commercial success or fame, as she told LV in an interview last year. “It wasn’t my goal,” Linda says. “It’s not about how many people listen to it. It’s trying to be true as you can, and hoping that someone will like it.”