‘Tis the season, and before long, your schedule will likely fill with carolling, festive concerts, and end-of-year parties. Such are the joys of an active musical education! But before you get too caught up in the baked goods or lost in a never-ending cycle of cheesy Christmas albums, please take a moment to acquaint yourself with our fabulously packed roster of events, including musical appearances by faculty and students in the community, who would love to have your support. Additionally, this newsletter is also full of important information about registrations, auditions, lesson cancellations, and a special members-only opportunity to buy advance tickets for the Jane Coop solo piano concert at the Port.
While you’re reading, consider what the Conservatory means to you, your family, and the Central Island region. As a not-for profit organization, we rely on working together to keep the magic of music alive in our community: you couldn’t ask for a truer example of holiday spirit. Why not pay it forward by making a charitable gift to NCM in support of our programming or bursaries for deserving students with financial difficulty? You can also keep things local, environmentally - friendly, and long lasting by purchasing a gift certificate for lessons.
Whatever your plans, we hope you make the time for a peaceful moment with your instrument or perhaps your favourite composer, and we wish you a safe, restful, and comfortable winter break!
NOVEMBER FACULTY CONCERT
Friday, November 29 at 5:00 PM in the Conservatory Ensemble Room – Program TBA
NANAIMO YOUTH CHOIR – A GIFT OF SONG FOR CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM at St. Andrew’s United Church. Tickets $15; Children 12 and under no charge!
JANE COOP
Solo piano – Sunday, February 16th, 2013 at 2:30pm at the Port Theatre
Members' pre-sale ends December 19th!
At the age of nineteen , Jane Coop won First Prize in the CBC’s national radio competition and prizes at New York’s Kosziusko Foundation Competition and the Washington International Competition. Recital debuts at Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Recital Hall and performances with the Toronto Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic the Victoria Symphony and the CBC Vancouver Orchestra were followed by a tour as soloist wit h the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada .
Subsequently she has played in over twenty countries and been a jury member for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, the Glenn Gould Prize, the Hnatyshyn Foundation Developing Artists Grants and various Canada Council grant awards.
Three of her many critically successful recordings have earned Juno nominations and in 2012, Jane Coop was appointed to the Order of Canada . Call 250-754-4611 for special NCM member ticket pricing of just $15!
CHRISTMAS FLUTES IN THE LIBRARY
Monday, December 18th at 4:00 PM and Thursday, December 21st at 2:30 PM at Harbourfront Library
Cindy Speelman Jennifer Cluff and their flute students perform duets and trios during these two free concerts. Come enjoy the sparkling sound of flutes in the atrium of the library!
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND CONCERT LISTINGS
Island Consort “THE HIGH ART OF SINGING” Sunday, December 1 at 2:30 PMMUSICAL THEATRE
Brechin United Church - $18 at the door
Community Carol Festival Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 PM
St. Andrew’s United Church - Admission by donation
Island Bel Canto Singers “THE CHRISTMAS ROSE” Saturday, December 7
Departure Bay Baptist Church - $15 and Sunday, December 8 at Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre
Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular! Wednesday, December 4 to Saturday, December 21
Various times, locations, and prices - call 250-754-8550 for info
The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular! is a celebration of Christmas and an extravaganza of music and dance, lights and decorations, laughter and tears with a cast of 14 professional singers, dancers and musicians. This year there will be 3 performances at the Port Theatre, as well as a 2-week run at The Cedar Community Hall.
Sing-Along Messiah Sunday, December 15 at 2:30 PM St. Andrew’s United Church
Adults $20, students $15, EyeGo $5
Malaspina Choir, under the direction of Bruce Farquharson, presents Sing-along Messiah at St. Andrew’s United Church with soloists Andrea Rodall, Soprano; Erin Ronningen, Alto; David Brown, Tenor; Andrew Erasmus, Baritone and the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are available through the Port Theatre box office at 754-8550.
With Joëlle Rabu and Nico Rhodes
Save $50 off the regular price of $300 with early bird pricing: until Feb. 15th, tuition is just $250 plus a $20 material fee!
Canadian singer-songwriter-actor Joëlle Rabu returns to the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music to lead the Spring Break Musical Theatre Workshop from March 17 - 21. These fun filled and educational sessions will focus on developing vocal and performance techniques for the popular musical theatre genre, culminating with a public performance on the last day. Aimed at sharpening awareness required when delivering a well-rounded performance (singing, character portrayal and movement), participants will be focusing on harmonies, creating character roles, crafting vocal characterizations, connecting the voice, body and mind, and incorporating movement. With Joëlle’s musical son Nico as special guest, this camp is sure to be a highlight for your budding musical theatre star!
WINTER HARP
December 14 - Lori Pappajohn's Winter Harp is on its way - a sure sign of the coming Christmas season. It is going to be another beautiful show this year, with guests Kim Robertson and Roger Helfrick. The Vancouver Island Youth Harp ensemble, which includes many Conservatory students, will be playing in the lobby before the 3:30 PM show at the Port Theatre.
Nanaimo Shows: Saturday, December 14 at 3:30 & 7:30 PM.
For tickets, please call the Port Theatre at 250-754-8550.
SING WITH THE SYMPHONY
Sing with three great performances in the Vancouver Island Symphony’s terrific season “PASSPORT T O GREAT ENTERTAINMENT." To be sure of your place in the Symphonic Chorus (ages 16+) before rehearsals begin, email projects@vancouverislandsymphony.com. There is no audition: the only prerequisite is a joy of and passion for singing!
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY – FREE OLD CITY QUARTER PARKING
The City of Nanaimo has now completed the parking lot at 285 Selby Street! Until the New Year this facility will be free for public use, so if you’ve arrived downtown by car, get parking!
CALENDAR
Nov 29 NCM Faculty Concert
Dec 5 Suzuki Piano Party!
Dec 13 - 14 RCM theory examinations
Dec 13 Nanaimo Youth Choir – A Gift of Song
Dec 16 Jane Coop presale ends
Dec 20 NCM office closes for holiday season
Jan 7 NCM Office re-opens
Jan 13 - 25 RCM practical examinations
Jan 26 Winter recital
Jan 31 Faculty concert
Feb 15 Jane Coop Master class at 2:30 PM (observers may attend for just $10)
Feb 16 Jane Coop at the Port at 2:30 PM
Mar 17 - 21 Musical Theatre Spring Break Camp
OPEN HOUSE
A Cultural Plan for a Creative Nanaimo
Thursday, November 28th from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Nanaimo Museum
Participate in Nanaimo’s cultural revitalization! Come and speak your mind, listen to your fellow community members, and take part in making a positive change for the future of the arts in our city.
VANCOUVER ISLAND SYMPHONY
Christmas Cirque Spectacular Friday, December 6 – Saturday, December 7
Evening and matinee shows - for tickets, please call the Port Theatre at 250-754-8550
