Concert Descriptions

Chris McKhool is hailed as a “Children’s musical star” (National Post) and “Canada’s greatest eco-troubadour for young people.” (Mississauga Living Arts Centre) Chris has been delighting audiences with infectious songs and exotic world instruments for over ten years, reaching almost 1 million children. All of Chris’ shows feature original songs from his appearances on Mr. Dressup, YTV’s Treehouse, TVOntario’s Crawlspace and live CBC Television and Radio.

"I was impressed by his musical virtuosity and personal appeal...His songs succeed!"
-Ernie Coombs, (Mr. Dressup)

MULTICULTURALISM
Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village
2006 Parents’ Choice Award Winner!

Inspired by travels around the world, Chris celebrates the multicultural mosaic of our country with songs about Bodhi Day (Buddhist), Carnival (Quebec), Chanukah, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Halloween, Kwanzaa (Pan-African), Native Traditions, Ramadan, Tu B’Shvat and Winter Solstice. Celebrate! is a window into many cultures from around the world and provides young audiences with a glimpse into the different customs, celebrations and festivities enjoyed in Canada. Traditional and original songs by Chris encourage us to share with our neighbours and friends and celebrate together!
Also available as a workshop for teachers.

"Many have tried but none have come as close to capturing what it means to truly celebrate multiculturalism as Chris McKhool. The Toronto singer-songwriter epitomizes what many Canadians have come to love about this country."
- Deanne Fisher, City Parent

Click here to listen to Let's Celebrate

ENVIRONMENT
Earth, Seas & Air
2005 Green Toronto Award Winner!
1996 Parents’ Choice Award Winner!
1996 Environment Canada Action Award Finalist

This concert is part musical performance, part environmentalism and 100% fun! This award-winning show is fully interactive, featuring songs from Chris’ appearances on Mr. Dressup, YTV and the CBC! Chris gets kids singing, dancing and talking about taking care of the Earth. For over a decade, Chris has taken his audience beyond the 3 R’s of ecology (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to a new level of understanding of our global connection to forests, air, water and animals. Everyone leaves with the feeling that they can really make a difference!

"McKhool is Canada's greatest eco-troubadour for young people and his concerts are engaging and educational."
- Mississauga Living Arts Centre

Download "Walk and Roll" here for free! Play it at home or in the classroom royalty free.
Click here to listen to Walk and Roll

MUSIC
Fiddlefire!®

Breathe fire into your festival or school! Violin sensation Chris McKhool gets children and families dancing, clapping, laughing and singing songs. Kids and their parents scat-sing, become a rhythm section and join Chris on stage to play rare percussion instruments from around the world! Chris plays several musical styles (jazz, blues, classical, klezmer, gospel, funk, world beat, East Coast fiddling and more). Supported by a spectacular four-piece band (violin, piano, bass & drums)

In Schools: Chris supports the Ontario Curriculum expectations for music by exploring the fundamentals of music (rhythm, melody and harmony), time signatures, pitch, improvisation and styles. Presented as a duo or trio (violin, piano & drums).

"Chris McKhool and the boys were fantastic! They can play my Bar Mitzvah."
- Bob Ezrin, producer (Pink Floyd, Kiss)

Click here to listen to Fiddlefire!
Click here to listen to Everybody Loves To Drum
Click here to listen to Scat-In-The-Hat
Click here to listen to High Wire

MUSIC
Sultans of String
GRADES: 5-8, 9-12

Sultans of String are ambassadors of Canada’s musical diversity, combining the sounds of Chris McKhool’s lyrical violin with flamenco-inspired guitar and funky bass for a wild improvised musical journey. Winners of the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Instrumental Group of the Year, Sultans of String draws on musical influences from Spain, French Manouche Gypsy-jazz, the Middle-East, and Canada’s East and West Coasts. Sultans of String have been called “groundbreaking…virtuoso…boundary pushing… infectious…visionary… brilliant…and absolutely stunning!” (The Live Music Report) and won the award for Best Variety Act from Festivals & Events Ontario.

FREE!
Schools receive an award winning CD, as well as notes for the teacher that include curriculum-related science experiments, games & discussion activities!
Public presenters receive colour photos, CDs & full colour posters!

• Thanks to Ontario Arts Council for their support in creating new works and recording Earth, Seas & Air, and ‘Turtle Island!”.
• Thanks to Toronto Arts Council for their support in creating new works.
• Thanks to FACTOR for their support promoting ‘Celebrate!’
We acknowledge the financial support of Canada's private radio broadcasters as well as the Government of Canada through the Canada Music Fund for this project.