It’s our 35th birthday this year and we couldn’t be more proud! Exciting new projects like the
Spring Break Musical Theatre Camp and our Summer Jazz Intensive are taking off in a big way,
while we still offer the same excellent standard of private instruction that made us special back
in ’77.
Vancouver Island Chamber Music Festival is one development that we’re particularly pleased to
see take off. NCM members may recall that we originally scheduled the festival for February. Unfortunately, one of the major acts pulled out late in the day. At the question of cancellation or continuing along with a reduced line-up, we elected to postpone. Things have a funny way of working out, and our later autumn date opened new doors: in addition to securing acclaimed early music ensemble iSacabuche! as our headliners, we are also thrilled to welcome Kristin Hoff, a young mezzo-soprano whose career has already seen her perform at Carnegie Hall, with the Boston Pops, and in a host of other high-profile gigs across North America.
These artists, together with a fantastic roster of NCM faculty and friends, are a must-see for every Conservatory student. Taking place November 1st and 2nd, weekend passes cost $40 to the general public and just $30 for NCM members. Tickets for individual concerts are available for $20 per event, meaning that NCM member pass holders save 50%. To take advantage of this opportunity, call the Port Theatre ticket hotline at 250-754-8550 using our special code: “CHAMBER”. You can also order online from www.porttheatre.com
NANAIMO YOUTH CHOIR
With two amazing ways to save on Nanaimo Youth Choir membership, there is no better time than now to enroll in our provincially and nationally award-winning programs.
- BRING A FRIEND AND BOTH STUDENTS RECEIVE UP TO $100 OFF ANNUAL TUITION
- WITH ONE REGULAR TUITION, REGISTER A SIBLING AT 50% OFF ANNUAL TUITION
2013 VANCOUVER ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
The festival takes place Friday, November 1st at 7pm in St. Andrew’s United Church and Saturday, November 2nd at 2pm (matinee) and 7pm (evening) in St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Regular tickets are $20 per show, or $40 for a pass valid both days. NCM members can buy one reduced pass at $30 per registration by using our special code: “CHAMBER”. Tickets are now available through the Port Theatre Box Office at 250-754-8550 or online from www.porttheatre.com!
NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DICK SMITH, JAZZ PIANO
Dick Smith’s first love was Chopin, but his taste for classical music quickly developed to encompass a broader range of styles and eras, especially jazz. After a first gig with his school band teacher that paid about $10, there was no going back. Sick of half-heartedly working for the government while picking up gigs after hours, Dick made his way east to study music at the world-famous Berklee College of Music in Boston, starting a career that would also take him to Toronto and Halifax.
NCM: Who was your best teacher?KINDERMUSIK
DS: A lot of the leaning I did was on the bandstand and as an autodidact. You could say
my parents tried to teach me; that is, they told me to “get a real job!”
NCM: If that sounds familiar to any of our students here at the Conservatory, do you have
any thoughts or advice to share?
DS: I always incorporate parents’ input and treat their opinion with respect and
understanding, but at the same time, my first goal is that students approach music in all its
forms with both positivity and an open mind.
NCM: Throughout your career, does a favourite gig spring to mind?
DS: Actually, my best gigs are now! Gabriola Island, my new home, has some amazing
musicians and although I’ve played with a lot of great people through the years, I think the
most fun I’ve ever had was just two weeks ago. Toronto was a nice place to live but I didn’t
feel at home with the music scene there.
NCM: Any must-have albums, or something you’ve done some heavy listening to lately?
DS: J.S. Bach’s Partitas, Preludes & Fugues by Glenn Gould; Oedipus Rex by Igor
Stravinsky; Miles Davis’ work with Gil Evans; and Charlie Parker’s Verve recordings.
This early music education series is quickly becoming a Conservatory favourite! Explore joyful music, strengthen family bonds, and see why a Harris Interactive study found that 99% would recommend Kindermusik to other parents. For more information, call Nicole (Miss Nicky) at 250-591-2010.
JANE COOP
Solo piano 2:30pm February 16th, 2014 at the Port Theatre NCM pre-sale ends
December 16th! 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 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada. Subsequently she has played in over twenty countries and been a jury member for the Governer 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!
THEORY AND MUSICIANSHIP
Did you know that RCM theory is required in order to qualify for high school music lesson credit and for ARTC designation? If you’d like to register for rudiments or harmony, contact Teresa Borek for scheduling at 250-756-2222. Tuition is $600. Teens who would like to earn credit for high school should sign up for “Rapid Rudiments,” with Anne Tanod for $750. This course covers all levels of theory and takes place Wednesdays, 6:45-8:15pm. Those who don’t plan on sitting a formal exam can still explore how music works in a fun, hands-on setting with Marilyn Rummel’s musicianship courses.
FROM THE VOICE STUDIO OF CHRISTINE MCMAHON
Congratulations to all exam students! Both Lilu Scott and Akela Szasz received First Class Honours with Distinction in their June Gr. 4 RCM Voice exams with the same mark of 93%. Elizabeth Herman was awarded First Class Honours in her Gr. 10 Voice RCM Exam in August. Elizabeth will be performing in the chorus of Vancouver Island Opera's production of 'Hansel and Gretel ' at Knox United Church, Parksville on Sat. Oct. 5 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2:30 pm. Tickets: 250-248-7296.
VANCOUVER ISLAND SYMPHONY
Paris Romance Saturday, October 26th, 2013 7:30 PM
Guest artist: Alexandre Da Costa Fauré, Sibelius, Ravel and Bizet
NANAIMO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Featuring Andrew Clark and Heather Walker, horns
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 7:30 PM Brechin United Church, Nanaimo
Sunday, November 24th, 2013 2:30 PM St. Edmund’s Church, Parksville
CALENDAR
Oct 21 Prelude Orchestra beginsThe Upper Island Music Festival needs YOU!
Oct 25 Faculty concert
Nov 1-2 Vancouver Island Chamber Music Festival
Nov 12 Suzuki violin recital
Nov 21 Suzuki piano recital
Nov 22 Suzuki book graduation recital
Dec 5 Suzuki piano party!
Dec 20 Office closed for the holiday
Jan 25 Winter recital
For a commitment of just 4-5 days this coming February and March (dates to be determined with your input), you could make all the difference for young string musicians in our region. The Upper Island Musical Festival desperately needs a strings co-ordinator during the 2014 UIMF who can sign on no later than November 1st. Without your assistance, the program may not be able to run. For more information, please contact NCM immediately at 250-754-4611.
The general purpose of the Upper Island Musical Festival is to advance, promote and develop Musical
Competition Festival movement and to encourage generally the study and practice of the art of music,
dancing and the speech arts. The Festival spirit may be defined as the joy of participating with others in
seeking the highest levels in the art of music and kindred arts.
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