Recent and Upcoming Events | News

Dec 2021 - Sep 2022     [Performer, Composer]
Music Creation Grant: a new solo piano work
Matt will compose a 6-7-minute new work for solo piano involving extended techniques. (To be premiered in a future concert in the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 season.)

Funded by the Ontario Arts Council​
I would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council (an agency of the Government of Ontario).
Dec 2021 - Jul 2022     [Performer]
Explore and Create: Professional Development Project Grant.
Matt will work with Pouya Hamidi on in-home piano recording techniques.

Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts
​with Pouya Hamidi, Audio Engineer
pouyahamidi.com​
Picture
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153  million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Je remercie le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
Jan 26-30, 2021     [Performer, Creative team]
{CANCELLED} Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival 2020 | Vancouver, BC
https://pushfestival.ca/
Jan 22, 2021     [Adjudication]
Adjudicator for the ACNMP (Alliance for Canadian New Music Project) National Performance Awards 2020

Contemporary Showcase Festival | Online
http://acnmp.ca/thank-you-to-our-2020-national-award-judges/
Jun 2019 - Sep 2020     [Composer]
Ontario Arts Council: Chalmers Professional Development Project
​
I would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Chalmers Family Fund and the Ontario Arts Council (an agency of the Government of Ontario).
Mar 26-27, 2020     [Performer, Creative team]
{CANCELLED} Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

NUS Arts Festival 2020 | presented by the National University of Singapore
https://cfa.nus.edu.sg/NAF2020/event-foxconn-frequency.html
cfa.nus.edu.sg/NAF2020/pdf/FestGuide.pdf
Feb 6-8, Feb 12-16, 2020     [Performer, Improviser]
Century Song
with Volcano Theatre, Moveable Beast, and Richard Jordan Productions UK

Co-created by Neema Bickersteth, Kate Alton & Ross Manson
Choreographed by Kate Alton
Directed by Ross Manson 

Creative Team
Set Design by Camellia Koo
Costume Design by Charlotte Dean
Lighting Design by Rebecca Picherak
Projection Design by Torge Møller & Momme Hinrichs (fettFilm, Germany)
Associate Video Design by Cameron Davis, Kaitlin Hickey & Jeremy Mimnagh
Structured Improvisations & Music Co-Direction by Gregory Oh
Pianist: Matt Poon
Percussion, Computers, Structured Improvisations & Music Co-Direction by Debashis Sinha
Touring Percussion by Benjamin Grossman
Composers Sergei Rachmaninoff (Russia), Olivier Messiaen (France), John Cage (USA), Georges Aperghis (Greece), & Reza Jacobs (Canada), Improvisational Themes by Reza Jacobs
volcano.ca/centurysong

Edmonton, AB | Feb 6-8 | Fringe Theatre: Chinook Series chinookseries.ca/event/century-song/2020-02-06/
Montreal, QC | Feb 12-16 | Centaur Theatre centaurtheatre.com/shows/century-song/
edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1895249
revuelopera.quebec/critiques/2020/02/century-song-sans-mots-il-faut-exister-par-tous-les-autres-moyens-possibles
Jan 20, 2020     [Performer]
Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians
George Antheil: Ballet Mecanique

University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble
​with Guest Pianists: Gregory Oh, Midori Koga, Steven Philcox, Geoffrey Conquer, Guest Percussionist: Ivan Manzanilla

Toronto, ON | McMillan Theatre, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
Nov 9, 2019     [Performer, Creative team]
Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

Glasgow, UK | presented by Sonica Festival
​https://sonic-a.co.uk/
https://sonic-a.co.uk/portfolio/foxconn-frequency-no-3/
https://www.tramway.org/events/pages/event-details.aspx?event=1/hong-kong-exile-ca-foxconn-frequency-no3-for-three-visibly-chinese-performers

Sonica 2019 Highlights (Extended Cut) from Cryptic on Vimeo.

Sonica Glasgow, sonic art for the visually minded, produced by  Cryptic, is an award winning 11-day biennial festival, dedicated to world-class visual sonic arts, presenting exceptional international artists alongside UK talent. Launched at  Tramway  in 2012, Sonica  has presented more than 980 events in diverse venues around the city and further afield, reaching over 180,000 people.

2019 highlights included: Yuri Suzuki, Navid Navab, Michela Pelusio, Heather Lander & Alex Smoke, cabosonroque, Kathy Hinde, Sabina Covarrubias, Verdensteatret, Ela Orleans, Hong Kong Exile, Sue Zuki & Robbie Thomson, Jorge Luis Crowe, Push 1 stop & Wiklow, Alba G. Corral & Lo Kindre, Kian McEvoy, Klara Lewis and ASUNA.

VIDEO: LOUISE MATHER

Sonica: Foxconn Frequency (No.3) - For three visibly Chinese performers from Cryptic on Vimeo.

Musical collective Hong Kong Exile present a unique work in which a trio of classical pianists collaborates, and sometimes competes, in a hybrid of musical composition and live-action computer gaming that redefines the notion of play. An array of supporting machinery and output devices transmits and interferes with the trio’s virtuosic performance, testing them to react in real time and improvise to its randomly generated interruptions. Poetry written by Xu Lizhi, a former employee of the infamous Taiwanese tech firm Foxconn, cuts through the performance in shocks and starts, giving a key to this frenetic, unnerving and very contemporary work. 

Oct 11, 2019     [Performer, Creative team]
Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

JC Cube @ Tai Kwun, Hong Kong
https://www.taikwun.hk/en/programme/detail/foxconn-frequency-no.3-for-three-visibly-chinese-performers/473
​富士康頻率第三號——爲三位明顯爲華人的表演者而作 | 大館 (taikwun.hk)
Sep 18-20, 2019     [Performer, Creative team]
Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

The Gladstone, Ottawa, ON | presented by Prismatic Festival
​https://prismaticfestival.com/program/
Sep 6, 2019     [Performer, Creative team]
Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

Stadsschouwburg Utrecht - Blauwe Zaal, The Netherlands | presented by Gaudeamus Muziekweek
​https://gaudeamus.nl/en/events/foxconn-frequency-no-3-hong-kong-exile/
​​
Apr - Aug, 2019     [Composer]
Ontario Arts Council: Music Creation Project (Self-Directed Creation)
New Work for Erhu and Piano (8'30")

I would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
Feb 22-23 & 28, 2019     [Performer, Creative team]
Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - Remy SIU [HongKongExile]

Feb 22-23 at Factory Theatre, Toronto | presented by The Music Gallery and FU-Gen Asian Canadian Theatre Company
​Feb 28 at Rachel Browne Theatre, Winnipeg | presented by Cluster Festival

PERSONNEL:

PROJECT LEAD Remy Siu
CREATORS Hong Kong Exile (Natalie Tin Yin Gan, Milton Lim, Remy Siu) with Vicky Chow, Paul Paroczai, and Matt Poon
PERFORMERS Natalie Tin Yin Gan, Vicky Chow, Matt Poon
TEXT Xu Lizhi (许立志) (1990-2014)
SUPPORTED BY Canada Council for the Arts, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
COMMISSIONED BY PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

with thanks to Cluster Festival (Winnipeg) ​

https://musicgallery.org/events/foxconn-frequency-no-3-for-three-visibly-chinese-performers-by-hong-kong-exile/​
https://www.factorytheatre.ca/what-s-on/foxconn/​

https://clusterfestival.com/

https://www.facebook.com/events/675323982862611/​

https://youtu.be/XKCA1RTf0MA​
https://vimeo.com/247389377​

https://www.hongkongexile.com/foxconn-frequency-no-3
http://remysiu.com/foxconn-frequency-no3-for-three-visibly-chinese-performers/

Toronto, ON
Winnipeg, MB

press/reviews for world premiere at PuSH Festival Vancouver 2018
https://www.vancouverobserver.com/culture/theatre/hk-exile-pokes-chinese-finger-trap
https://www.talkperformance.org/blog/foxconn-frequency-no.-3-for-three-visibly-chinese-performers-hkx-vancouver-push-2018-review
​https://www.geist.com/blogs/kris/push-festival-2018-foxconn/
​http://performanceplacepolitics.blogspot.com/2018/02/push-2018-foxconn-frequency-no-3-at.html
​https://alttheatre.ca/2018/04/24/review-the-body-labours-sonorously-in-foxconn-frequency-no-3-push-festival/
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/4f54673924ac012dd228ebe1/t/5b09387a2b6a28885568a95d/1527330940402/gleung+-+HKX+review.pdf
https://fb.watch/2HFpCGqc69/
Feb 22 & March 8, 2018     [Piano]
Continuum in the Classroom
​http://continuummusic.org/education/continuum-in-the-classroom.php
​Toronto, ON
Jan 31 - Feb 3, 2018     [Creative team]
Foxconn Frequency No.3 (For 3 Visible Chinese Performers) - HongKongExile
​PuSh Festival: International Performing Arts Festival
https://pushfestival.ca/shows/festival-2018/foxconn-frequency-no-3/
https://www.hongkongexile.com/foxconn-frequency-no-3
http://remysiu.com/foxconn-frequency-no3-for-three-visibly-chinese-performers/
Vancouver, BC
Dec 3, 2017     [Piano]
Guest Artist with The University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble
​Walter Hall, Faculty of Music
https://www.facebook.com/events/141023346660877/​
​Toronto, ON
Sep 3-11, 2017     [Piano]
Guest Artist with Hong Kong Exile (Vancouver-based Theatre group) Residency
​Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
​Banff, AB
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I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153  million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Je remercie le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
Sep 8, 2017     [Composition]
​New Work for Solo Harp,  Commissioned by York Region Chamber Music
​The Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, Richmond Hill, ON
Jul - Aug, 2017     [Piano]
Residency: Pianist-Composer Collaborative (Recipient of the Banff Centre Artists' Award)
​*Fully supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Banff Centre
​Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
​Banff, AB
Picture
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153  million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Je remercie le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
May 27, 2017     [Piano]
​Private Event
​Steinway Piano Gallery, Markham, ON
Mar 8, 2017     [Composer]
Interview: Classical Roots (Profiles in Canadian Classical Music): Matt Poon
​https://wizzley.com/classical-roots-profiles-in-canadian-classical-music-matt-poon/
Feb 12 - Mar 5, 2017     [Piano]
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Concert in the 21st Century
​*Partially supported by The Cyril and Elizabeth Challice Fund for Musicians
Performances:
​Feb 24: Rolston Hall
Feb 28: The Club
Mar 3: Bentley Recital Hall
Oct - Nov, 2016     [Piano, Composition]
2016 E-Gre Tour
​*Fully supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition
http://e-gre.ca/2016-tour/
Oct. 20: Kingston, ON – Queen’s University – 7:30 PM
Nov. 3: Sackville, NB – Mount Allison University – 8:00 PM
Nov. 8: Thunder Bay, ON – LUMINA Concert Series – 12:30 PM
Nov.11: London, ON– University of Western Ontario- 8:00 PM
Nov.13: Toronto, ON– Hart House – 3:00PM
Nov. 17: Montreal, QC– Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur – 7:30 PM
Nov 20: Winnipeg, MB– Winnipeg Art Gallery (Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg) – 2:00 PM
Nov. 21: Brandon, MB– Brandon University – 8:00 PM
Nov. 23: Vancouver, BC – University of British Columbia- Noon
Nov. 25: Calgary, AB – University of Calgary – Noon​
Picture
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153  million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Je remercie le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
Oct, 2016     [Piano]
Matt featured on La Scena Musicale website: myscena.org.
Rising Stars – Matt Poon: Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition (E-Gré)
​http://myscena.org/anlaurence-higginsgmail-com/rising-stars-matt-poon-eckhardt-gramatte-competition-e-gre/
Aug 2, 2016     [Piano, Composition]
Matt listed on cbcmusic.ca as one of the "30 Hot Canadian Classical Musician Under 30 in 2016"
(In alphabetical order, Matt is listed as no.22.)
​http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/11704/30-hot-canadian-classical-under-30-2016
Jun, 2016     [Piano, Composition]
Matt featured in The Scroll Magazine, The Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Publication (p.38-9, Summer 2016 Edition)
​https://www.phideltatheta.org/members/the-scroll/
http://thescroll.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/v2016/i2/p1
http://www.phideltathetaarchive.com/2016
May 8, 2016     [Piano, Composition]
Matt received 1st prize and prize for the best performance of commissioned work at the 2016 Eckhardt-Gramatte Competition.
canadacouncil.ca/funding/prizes/eckhardt-gramatte-national-music-competition
ludwig-van.com/toronto/2016/05/10/the-scoop-2016-eckhart-gramatte-music-competition-announces-winners/
e-gre.ca/prize-winners
myscena.org/anlaurence-higginsgmail-com/rising-stars-matt-poon-eckhardt-gramatte-competition-e-gre/

May 6-8, 2016     [Piano, Composition]
Matt will be competing at the 2016 Eckhardt-Gramatte Competition as a semi-finalist.

​April 23, 2016 7:30pm     [Piano, Composition]
THE EXTENDED PIANO (and Selected Ligeti Études from book I)
A Concert of Post-1980 Canadian and International Piano Repertoire with piano interior technique, electronics, voice, gloves, clusters, glissandos, improvisation, and graphic notation
Music by Brian Cherney, Gyorgy Ligeti, James Mobberley, Andre Ristic, Jean Papineau-Couture, John Cage, Gordon Monahan, and Matt Poon

(Free Admission. Doors open at 7:10pm, show starts promptly at 7:30pm. Total duration of the show with intermission is approximately 85 mins)

The Music Gallery
197 John Street
Toronto, ON M5T 1X6

Jan 8, 2016 7pm     [Piano]
Matt will be performing at a Manhattan School of Music Reunion Concert in Hong Kong
A group of young musicians shared the same passion in classical music, grew up in the same city, intersected at the Manhattan School of Music, gathered again in Hong Kong to host the Reunion Concert of Manhattan School of Music Alumni and Students to share our music with friends, family, and colleagues.

 NEW YORK to HONG KONG 

 7pm
 Friday January 8th 2016
 Free Admission

 at

 The Parsons Music Centre
 14/F, Tower 1, Times Square,
 Causeway Bay, HONG KONG
November, 2015     [Piano]
Recording Session at Greenfield Hall: Contemporary Piano Solo works written Post 1950
New York, NY

July, 2015     [Piano]
Participant of the Orford Arts Centre Piano Masterclass Program
Performances at the Orford Arts Centre and community concerts
Orfrod, QC

April 9th, 2015 8pm     [Composition]
Matt's new work Processional for Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, and Unpitched Percussion to be premiered by Stereoscope (Jacob Armstrong and Olivia Shortt) and Nathan Petitpas
a concert of brand new music written for sax duo plus guitar and percussion, featuring the talents of Patrick Power on guitar and Nathan Petitpas on percussion

Robert Lemay - Deuce
Victor Herbiet - Static
Sean King - Untitled*
Patrick Power - Joel Cairo*
Nathan Petitpas - Untitled*
Finola Merivale - Untitled*
Matt Poon - Processional* 
*World Premiere
Ratio (283 College St) Toronto, Canada
https://www.facebook.com/events/790272627747492/
March 18, 2015 7:30pm     [Piano]
gamUT (University of Toronto Contemporary Music Ensemble): "Aggravated Assult"
Michael Gordon: Yo Shakesapeare! (1992)
Rodgers/Hart (Arr. P. Tiefenbach): My Funny Valentine
Alanis Morrisette (Arr. P. Tiefenbach): Uninvited
Matt returns as an alumnus of gamUT and perform with colleagues and students under the direction of Wallace Halladay.
Walter Hall, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, Canada
March 16, 2015     [Piano, Composition]
Globe and Mail: Integral House: A space for music designed by a millionaire mathematician
Matt's solo piano work "Shimmering Blue Glass" (inspired by the Integral House and the Blue Glass Stairs) featured in the background of the video on a documentary by filmmaker Joe Clement about the life of Dr James Stewart and the Integral House. Video also contains short clips of Matt performing on the piano.
The Integral House, Toronto, Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/life-video/video-integral-house/article23480166/
July 24, 2014     [Piano, Composition]
An Evening at Integral House
at Integral House, Toronto

Matt is featured in  the evening event for the documentary "The Integral Man" 
Bach, Ligeti, Mobberley, and a New Work by Matt Poon
The Integral House, Toronto, Canada

Past Events

May 14  2014     [Piano]
Graduation Recital

Bach, Ligeti, Mobberley, John Cage, Cowell, Barber

The Miller Recital Hall, New York, NY
Free admission



Apr 16 2014     [Piano]
Lecture-Performance: Ligeti Etudes Pour Piano (Excerpts)

Matt giving a lecture on Ligeti Etudes Pour Piano (Excerpts), exploring the four major inspirations: 1) Nancarrow's Player Piano Studies, 2) Central African Music, 3) Hemiola in Chopin's and Schumann's music, 4) Fractals and the Chaos Theory. Matt will discuss the form and structure in depth on selected etudes.

The lecture is followed by performance of selected etudes

The Miller Recital Hall, New York, NY
Free admission

July 14-26 2013     [Piano]
Orford Arts Centre

Matt attending OAC Piano Masterclass and will work on pieces listed below and perform of one/two of these pieces:
Bach: Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor
Barber: Sonana  "IV Fugue"
Ligeti: Etudes Pour Piano bk I (excerpts)

Orford Arts Centre, Orford, Quebec
Free admission

Apr 3, 2013 Wed 7:30pm     [Piano]
Tactus Concert

Matt will be performing as a member of Tactus in the following works:
  • Ligeti, Gyorgy: Chamber Concerto for 13 instruments
  • Schwantner, Joseph: Music of Amber
Borden Auditorium, Manhattan School of Music, New York

Feb 12, 2013 Tue 7:30pm     [Piano]
Tactus Concert

Matt will be performing as a member of Tactus in the following works:
  • RYAN, Bill:   Blurred
  • GORDON, Michael:   AC/DC
  • Matthusen, Paula:   in absentia
  • Soundpainting lead by Todd REYNOLDS

Ades Performance Space, Manhattan School of Music, New York
Free Admission

Jan 11, 2013 Fri 10pm     [Composition & Piano]
Matt Poon and Friends from Tactus at the Stone
Composer-Pianist Matt Poon premiering his own works and performing selected contemporary works, featuring friends from Tactus and MSM

Works by Messiaen, Saariaaho, Cage, George Lewis, Matt Poon
Including Premiere of Matt's work for Piano Solo, Piano with Fixed Electronics, Solo cello
Featuring the Dead Language, Vivian Chang, and members of Tactus and friends of Matt Poon

The Stone, New York

Jan 6, 2013 Sun 4pm   [Piano]
Hong Kong Recital: Matt Poon and Friends from Hong Kong

Whampoa Parson's Music Centre, Hong Kong

Dec 6, 2012 Thu 7:30pm     [Piano]
Tactus Concert

  • Moravec, Paul: B.A.S.S. Variation for Violin, Cello and Piano
Greenfield Hall, Manhattan School of Music, New York

Nov 4, 2012   [Composition]
Premiere of EPISODIC OPPOSITION (2012) by the American String Quartet

The American String Quartet will premiere Matt's string quartet "Episodic Opposition", the winning work for the American String Quartet Student Composition Competition. A Question and Answer section with Manhattan School of Music President Robert Sirota would be held on stage right after the premiere of the work.

Admission: $15 Adults / $10 Students & Seniors

Borden Auditorium, Manhattan School of Music, New York

Oct 31, 2012  [Piano]
Cutting Edge in Hong Kong (part of the Manhattan-Hong Kong Festival) Tactus Concert

Performing works by Hong Kong living composers:
  • CHAN, Victor: Music For Flute, Bass Clarinet and Piano
  • HUI, Cheung Wai: Cage Moved East 20 Grins (Garbage Garden)
  • YEUNG, Desmond Yeung: Stars and Moon, Cloud and You 

Greenfield Hall, Manhattan School of Music, New York

Aug, 2012     [Piano]
Recording Project: Premiere Recording of Hunter COBLENTZ In Memoriam (2011)

[Below is the link for online access to the recording]
http://huntercoblentz.bandcamp.com/album/in-memoriam-2011-2

Aug, 2012     [Composition]
Canadian Premiere of TELESCOPIC (2011) (for wind quintet) by Kanata Winds

Convocation Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jul, 2012     [Piano]
Participant of the Piano Masterclass series at the Orford Arts Centre, Quebec

Orford Arts Centre, Orford, Quebec, Canada

Jun, 2012     [Piano]
Participant of the Institute and Festival of Contemporary Performance at the Mannes School of Music
Performance of Henry COWELL Piece for Piano

Mannes School of Music, NY

May 2012     [Composition]
The Third Hand Concert - Premiere of A Fragmented Memoir of Transformation (2012) for Two Pianos and Fixed Electronics (commissioned by Eunbi Kim and Jacob Sievers)

The Third Hand Concert is a collaboration between two pianists and a visual artist and between two pianists and a composer. The concert consists of music+visual arts and music+electronic sound arts.
The Firehouse Space, NY

Apr, 2012     [Composition]
Premiere of EMERGENCE (2012) by the Manhattan School of Music Composer's Orchestra

Apr, 2012     [Composition]
Premiere of WARRIOR - Opera in One Scene (2012) by Soprano Charlotte Mundy and Pianist Peter Fancovic 

Apr, 2012     [Composition & Piano]
Premiere of PATHWAY (2012) [2nd & 3rd mvt] (for solo piano) at the International Student Concert