CHORDIAL NOTES APRIL 2011
SHOWCASE 2011
Sunday May 15, 2011 @ 2:00 PM
It’s back! Our annual Showcase of amazing talent will take place at the Port Theatre on Sunday May 15, 2011 at 2:00PM. More than 100 Conservatory students will take part in the Showcase this year which includes performances by the Prelude Orchestra, the Junior Orchestra, the Foundation Orchestra, the Nanaimo Fiddlers, the Musical Theatre Company, the Flute Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble, the Recorder Ensemble, the Nanaimo Youth Choirs, the Suzuki Violin Groups and more, along with a handful of solo and duo performances.
Tickets for the event are on sale at the Port Theatre. the price is the same as last year, except this year we are adding a “Family Pass” which will be good for up to four tickets. Prices are:
Adults $20
Children $10
Family (4) $40
Children 3 and under are free!
Please note that participating students are NOT required to pay any fee to participate, nor do they need to buy a ticket to watch the Showcase. Each performer will receive a hand stamp at the rehearsal which will allow them into the theatre to watch the performance when they are not required backstage.
For participating students, your instructor will provide details regarding your participation and an information sheet will be available in the first week of May so you can plan for the day. Please note that the technical rehearsal for the performance is in the morning before the show, so you will need to plan to be available from as early as 8:00 AM (or maybe a little later) until the Showcase is over at about 4:30 PM. We are very excited about this year’s Showcase as there are so many talented and award-winning students participating!! Please encourage your friends and family to come!
SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED FOR THE SHOWCASE CONCERT!
Please consider asking your contacts to make a contribution to our Silent Auction which is held at the Port Theatre in the lobby on the day of the Showcase Concert. More than 400 people attend and it is one of the ways that the Conservatory generates the funding to support our group programs and our bursaries and scholarships. Last year we raised over $3,000 through the silent auction. There will even be two $500 gift certificates for group music lessons. All silent auction donors (if they request it) will receive a tax receipt for the full value of their donation. Some of the baskets we are hoping to make up are: Pets, Car Care, Chocolate, Coffee/Tea, Adventure…or perhaps you have your own idea for a great basket!
CALENDAR
Please make sure to update your calendars
April 22 Good Friday – office closed
April 25 Easter Monday – office closed
April 29 Faculty Concert – Trish Clair and Geoff Horrocks
May 1 Nanaimo Youth Choir with BC Boys Choir at the Port
May 15 Showcase 2011 at the Port with Silent Auction
May 23 Victoria Day – office closed
May 24 Suzuki Violin Recital
May 28 Spring Recital and Awards Ceremony – St. Paul’s Church
June 14 Harp Recital
June 24 Last day of classes
NCM FACULTY NEWS
· Marilyn Rummel and her harp students will be among those providing music for the Chocolate Lily Festival at St. Peter's church in Duncan, Saturday, April 16th. Set in a Gerry Oak meadow whose eco-system has been preserved throughout the 140 years the church has stood on the site, St. Peter's is a beautiful spot. Tours of the wildflowers, including the rare chocolate lily, tours of the cemetery, music in the church, and in the hall - chocolate! Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge, and more. $5 per person.
· April 16th and 17th Saturday 7:30 pm at St. Stephen's United Church in Qualicum and at the same time on Sunday at Brechin United Church. Island Consort performs “Echoes,” singing a selection of titles that features pairs of contrasting compositions for each title. The concert repertoire allows the choir to perform music that spans 5 centuries with several works accompanied by organist Peter Orme. The first half will end with the scintillating Handel Chandos Anthem #6, accompanied by strings of the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra + woodwinds and organ. Tickets $15 (under 12 free) at Fascinating Rhythm, The Quilted Duck and at the door.
· Jennifer Cluff of The Delphinus Trio invites you to a Sunday afternoon concert of beautiful flute, cello and piano trio music at The Oceanside Community Arts Council in Parksville. Sunday May 1st at 2 pm. This delightful flute, cello and piano trio music spans styles from classic to Celtic folk-rock. Upbeat, rhythmic, with exquisite tone colour and subtle soundscapes, The Delphinus Trio creates a warmth that is both sparkling and unforgettable! Tickets are $15 at door. Doors open at 1:30 pm.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· From Anne Tanod, Suzuki Piano Instructor: On Sunday, March 6, Suzuki piano students were treated to an exciting two-hour workshop. During their first hour, they had fun playing their review pieces together on keyboards complete with super garage band accompaniments. In their second hour, they experimented with musical Ipad and Iphone apps and tried their hand at composing with Finale Notepad. Many thanks to Tom Lee for lending us the keyboards, and to our apps addict John Zeweniuk and our computer guru Bruce Currell, two Suzuki parents who very generously donated their time and expertise to help make the day a success.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS – WOW!!
· From Patrick Olmsted, guitar instructor: I would like to send hearty congratulations to the following students for their fantastic performances at this years Upper Island Music Festival (in order of appearance); Karolina Malinowska, Rhys Wong, Jack Phillips, Morgan McPhee, Honor Thaagard, Maya Dean, Conor Reid, Alex Kolodinski, David MacLeod, Cameron Craig, Maxime Therrien, Sam Firouzli, Nicolas Hatfield, the Nanaimo Conservatory Guitar Ensemble, Martin Haaf, and David Moddle. Well done! Also thanks to Charles Wolzien for his excellent adjudication and to Rita Haaf and the other volunteers who are responsible for hosting this fine event!
· Karl Rainer would like to congratulate his students who entered in the Upper Island Music Festival this year. They all had excellent performances and showed a lot of dedication and persistence in their preparation. Jasmine Mather, Clif Clemotte, Maria Clemotte, Elise Cullon, Jaime Cullon, Nicolas Gunn and Alex Retzer. Bravo!
· Congratulations to Emeris Nordine, piano student of Teresa Borek, who received four 1st places in her classes in the Upper Island Music Festival. She was awarded a bursary and was invited to perform in the Honour Performance on Sunday, April 17.
· Congratulations to Moji Alabi, Ryley Bennett-Hounsome, Ella Hannesson and Andrea Stachow, flute students of Cindy Speelman, who performed at the Upper Island Music Festival. They all performed beautifully and received high marks from the adjudicator. Way to go! We are proud of you. Keep up the great work!
· Brittany Hannah, voice student of Christine McMahon, had a very successful year at the Upper Island Music Festival in March. She won Gold in each of her seven vocal classes, including Opera, Oratorio, Sacred Song, Musical Theatre, Concert Group, Vocal Variety and Duet. Brittany has been chosen as Senior Classical Voice Representative (ages 19 - 28) at the Provincial Festival in Kamloops in June. She will also appear at the Honours Performance to be held at St. Andrew's United Church on Sunday, April 17 at 2 pm. Elizabeth Herman sang in the Adult Open Division, and placed First in her Concert Group and Oratorio classes, and Second in the Opera Class. Theory student Dahliea Greeve (18 and under) was awarded three Firsts and a Third place in her first time performance at the Music Festival, and Flavia Sposato, also a theory student (16 and under) received a First, a Second, and Third Place.
· Congratulations to students from Katy Bowen-Roberts' studio for their stellar performances in the Upper Island Music Festival this year: Rachelle Reed, Sean Hagerty, Lilu Scott and Madyson Crow. Sean came away with a 2nd in his Musical Theatre Comedy, Lilu came away with a 1st in her Musical Theatre Ballad and 2nd in her folk song and Mady came away with three 1st place certificates! Well done to you all.
· Ian Grabher performed in a recital class at festival for piano and received 1st. At that time, he had received the highest mark the piano adjudicator had given, with a mark of 92. Reminder: The Honours Performance will be held April 17th at 2:00pm at St. Andrews United Church.
COMMUNITY MUSIC EVENTS
· From Christine McMahon: If any young person you know is interested in working with one of the finest performers and teachers in the Musical Theatre business, please forward this to them. It is aimed at young people from 12 - 19 years of age and is reasonably priced for 20 hours of instruction over four days, including lunch. ------The Chalkboard Theatre Society in Duncan is hosting a four day workshop with Jeff Hyslop, international star of television and the Broadway stage, over the May Long Weekend, (May 20 - 23) at Queen Margaret's School in Duncan. This dynamic Musical Theatre intensive will offer 'triple-threat' instruction in singing, dancing, and acting for teens age 12 and up. The Workshop will run from 9 am -3 pm each day and the cost is $200, (including a hot lunch & snacks). Register either on our website: www.chalkboardtheatre.com or contact: Nancy Glerup @ (250) 748-6619. There are still a few spots remaining in the workshop, so act now. A chance to work with Jeff Hyslop is not to be missed!
· The Upper Island Music Festival Honours Performance will be held April 17th at 2:00pm at St. Andrews United Church. It is an excellent opportunity to hear some some outstanding musical talent from Festival.
