FInd Your Music!

YOUR COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL: OVER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY MUSIC EDUCATION. FIND YOUR MUSIC!

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Chordial Notes - January 2016


January 2016 Notes  

Kerilie McDowall NCM


January and the New Year is the perfect time for reflection upon the past year and for committed future goal setting for 2016. What are your musical dreams and goals? Would you like to learn more about the history of music or brush up on your music theory? Have you considered extending your lesson time or focusing on new skills and music abilities, for example a new skill like composing, a new musical style, voice or even a second instrument?

Examine and discover your happiest moments with your musical instrument or vocal work and try expanding upon those skills or enhancing them for the New Year. Your instructor at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music can help you realize your goals and bring much joy into your life with the satisfaction of your achievements. No dream is too large!

A fun New Year’s project is to create a dream board that places emphasis on your vision for your future creative focus on music. All you need is a large piece of cardboard, canvas or wood/surface or sculpture, magazines, glue, music scores and any glittery/sparkled or special objects that appeal to you. Clip out words, phrases and photos/music from magazines or orchestral scores or old music books then paste in your favorite objects on to your dreamboard and include what inspires you, i.e./ quotes and phrases, pasting in appealing visual photos and artwork or photos of/or music from your favorite musicians and composers. You can get wonderfully creative with this project.

Hang your dream board in a special place. Then for follow up, check back six months later by having a good look at your dreamboard and gauge what you have accomplished so far and what is still on your “bucket list”. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish with this simple arts and crafts dreamboard project, and you will be well on your way to achieving your goals and realizing your unique personal vision. Happy New Year! Make 2016 at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music the year for your creative and musical dreams to come true!

JANINA FIALKOWSKA NCM FUNDRAISER SOLO PIANO CONCERT TICKETS
Order your preferred tickets now from the Port Theatre Box office at 250-754-8550 to get a good seat to enjoy this special and highly anticipated concert while supporting the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music and helping to raise funds for Nanaimo’s community non-profit charitable music school.

“We have had many celebrated executants in London in this Chopin anniversary year -- Zimerman, Pollini and Yundi Li among them -- but none has taken my breath away quite like Fialkowska. If you have the chance to hear her, cancel all other appointments.”-Barry Millington, The Evening Standard (London), May 28th, 2010
  
 With pianist Janina Fialkowska’s upcoming all Chopin performance for our concert season fundraiser arriving on March 13, 2016, there is much excitement and wide admiration for Janina’s exceptional musical gift by all of us at NCM. Fialkowska’s talent is unmatched. Janina receives rave reviews from top critics for her inspirational and powerful performances. Fialkowska is one of the globe’s top Chopin performers and this is a performance event that you will definitely not want to miss. Be sure to mark the date March 13th, 2016 on your calendar and purchase tickets now while they last for the most exciting concert of the season at the Port Theatre. See you there!

JANINA FIALKOWSKA MASTER CLASS
There will be a Master Class with Janina Fialkowska from 9:30 am-12:30 pm on Monday March 14th, 2016 at 375 Selby Street, observers are welcome. A $10 minimum donation is suggested for the Master Class.

ANNUAL AGM MEETING FEBRUARY 3RD, 2016 7:00 PM AT THE NANAIMO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC RECITAL HALL
Please join us for the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music’s Annual General Meeting at 375 Selby St. The meeting will take place on February 3rd, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Recital Hall. All Nanaimo Conservatory of Music members are welcome.

NANAIMO YOUTH CHOIR NEWS-The Nanaimo Youth Choir (NYC) performed on December 21st at the Bethlehem Retreat Centre at Nanaimo's labyrinth walk on Solstice evening. The choir sung carols while walking a labyrinth! The choir really enjoyed this special event and said that the lantern-light and the twists and turns were magical. The choir is very, very grateful for the generous donations made by the people attending.

The choir encourages the rest of the community to consider making a donation to help with the NYC to NYC campaign to get to their invite at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Just call 250-754-4611 or stop by our office at 375 Selby Street to donate and we will provide you a charitable tax receipt.
                                                                                               
We are asking the Nanaimo community to be generous in their donating towards the Nanaimo Youth Choir’s very worthy cause. The choir’s goal is to raise $60,000 to cover all of our NYC to NYC expenses and we are already more than three quarters of the way there, but we can’t meet our goal without your support! If you would like to make a contribution to help our choir go to New York City please contact us at the NCM office. You can also donate through Nanaimo Conservatory of Music’s Canada Helps site, just make sure to mention it is for the Nanaimo Youth Choir New York City trip. Thank you so much for your kind and generous support!

BEGINNER HARP CLASSES START AT NCM IN JANUARY 2016
A new Beginner Group class begins Jan. 21st, 2016 at 12:15 on Thursdays. Suitable for those brand new to harping, and at the early stages of learning, the class focuses on beautiful technique and confident relaxed playing!   The class size will be very small, so students can have both the fun of a group and individual attention.  8 classes for $150 - a bargain! Rental harps are available, so tell your friends!

NEW SIX SESSION SERIES WITH MARILYN RUMMEL-THE MUSICIAN’S BODY
Six week session from Jan. 26 - Mar 1, 2016   Tuesdays 12:15 - 1:15 pm   $120.
This workshop series will benefit everyone who uses their arms and hands to play music! How those connections from brain to nerves enable us to move efficiently, smoothly, without pain, and in a way that expresses the content and meaning of the music, is a study for every level of musician. These sessions will be conducted via exercises on the floor and in chairs (about 1/2 of each session the time) and then at our instruments, implementing the bodily learning.  Wear comfortable clothes, bring your instrument and your curiosity. Open to all 16 and up harp students, and to students of other instruments as well. Beginner to professional. The instructor is Marilyn Rummel, harp instructor at the NC and avid student of the workings of the human body. She'll use some recorded lessons as well as extending the learning with each student on their own instrument.

NYC FUNDRAISING EVENTS-NYC PIZZA!!
Don’t forget to order the most scrumptious and delicious and phenomenally tasty pizza!! Buy it now and enjoy the yummy flavour at Fitzwilliam and Wallace at New York Pizza, 10% of the proceeds from each pizza will go to our NYC To NYC fundraising fund! New York Pizza’s $25.00 gift certificate proceeds given to the choir are $5 per pizza! Its pepperoni, and very cheesy-yum!!  Support the choir and order your next lunch or dinner with the Nanaimo Youth Choir Pizza!!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR LONDON DRUGS
Thank you to all of the students and parents of the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music’s Flute ensembles under the direction of Cindy Speelman who performed at the inside storefront of London Drugs at Port Place on December 18. Exceptional work and well done! The excellent performers: Suzanne Beliveau, Rae Ann Charalambous, Judy Delong, Marion Drage, Elaine Tschofen, Diane Turner, Karin Berman, Vreny Bryner, Ji-Hyun Choi, Val Rantis and Uei-Young Jung.

Another congratulations to the performers and the parents of the Junior Choir on their spectacular December performance at London Drugs. The excellent performers were: Annabelle Bentley, John Kruger, Mara Northrup, Zoe Oshun-Hyman, Zoe Pollif, Alex Scrivens, Julianna Toft, Katharina Toft, Brigid Vroom, Cora Wessler and Verena Wessler. Bravo to all of you!

FESTIVE FLUTE CONCERT AT THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
Congratulations on a beautiful Festive Flute Concert performed by the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music students of Jennifer Cluff and Cindy Speelman at the  Downtown Library on December 19, 2015. Bravo and outstanding work! Our excellent NCM performers were: Karin Berman, Eveline deKoning, Deborah Graham, Christine McKim, Suzanne Beliveau, Rae Ann Charalambous, Judy Delong, Marion Drage, Elaine Tschoffen, Robyn Boar, Uei-Young Jung, Jocelyn Maguire and Jake McDermid.

FROM HANNAH’S CELLO STUDIO:
Our annual Cello Choir Christmas Recital was held on Sunday December 20th, 2015.  There were cello solo performances by 3-yr-old Muyiwa, 5-yr- olds Daniel and Verena, and the Cello Choir.               

Another special part of the day was 6-yr-old Caelan Hill's Suzuki Book 1 graduation recital, in which he played four selections from Book 1, his favourite piece, his parents' favourite, his teacher's favourite, and a random pick from a hat.  Congratulations to Caelan on this Suzuki milestone!  Caelan is the first NCM Suzuki cello book 1 graduate ever!! And congratulations to all cello studio members on such great and wonderful performances! Bravo and excellent work!

THE NANAIMO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC THANKS WILLIAM & NADINE ODGERS
The NCM would like to thank William and Nadine Odgers of Ferguson Music for their exceptionally generous donation of 12 violins valued at $2700+ at Christmas time. Thank you so much for your kind and most awesome donation!

FACULTY FEATURE SPOTLIGHTS:

PIPPA WILLIAMS - Oboe, Piano -Pippa received her music degree from the University of Toronto and her A.R.C.T. from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. A teacher of both the piano and the oboe, Williams is a member of the BC Music Teacher's Association. Pippa has performed with many orchestras across Canada and is currently a member of the Vancouver Island Symphony.

CINDY SPEELMAN - Suzuki Flute, Flute, Recorder, Flute Ensemble, Recorder Ensemble-Cindy has her B. Mus. From the University of Lethbridge and has A.V.C.M. teacher training. Cindy is experienced teaching all skill levels, from beginner to advanced and all ages on flute. Speelman also teaches beginner recorder and fife and is director of the Nanaimo Conservatory flute ensembles and the recorder/fife ensemble. Speelman has performed in symphony orchestras, musicals, as a soloist, and in chamber and ensemble    groups.  
                                                                                                                                                   
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC 62ND ANNUAL COMPETITION WITH $5,000 IN PRIZES
The annual Friends of Chamber Music annual competition takes place Sunday March 13, 2016. The competition is for young Chamber musicians and will be held at the Koerner Recital Hall at the Vancouver Academy of Music at 1270 Chestnut St. at 7 pm. To learn more and to register call Pat Laimon at 1-604-266-2724 or contact www.friendsofchambermusic.ca.

UPPER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL-The Upper Island Music Festival is now open for registrations. The closing deadline is Jan 10th, 2015. Learn more at their website at http://nanaimomusicfestival.com/

VANCOUVER ISLAND SYMPHONY- MUSIC & VISUAL ARTS
Saturday, January 23, 2016 | 7:30pm at the Port Theatre. Tickets: 250-754-8550.
GUEST ARTIST • Calvin Dyck, Violin GINASTERA (orch. Simard) • Danzas Argentinas PIAZZOLLA (orch. Desyatnikov) • Four Seasons of Buenos Aires SIBELIUS • Rakastava (The Lover) MUSSORGSKY (orch. Assad) • Pictures at an Exhibition

NCM FACULTY BASS INSTRUCTOR KEN LISTER:-Enjoy the talent and wonderful gift of multi JUNO award winner and faculty bassist Ken Lister, January 15-17: Frankie’s Italian Kitchen (Vancouver) with the Steve Davis/Cory Weeds 

BLACK-LISTER-MCRAE TRIO performs Friday January 22nd 7:30pm at The Nanaimo Conservatory of Music, 375 Selby St. Tickets: $20 general / $10 students. Advance tickets at Fascinating Rhythm at 51 Commercial St. Phone 250-716-9997 to order by credit card. An evening of jazz with top multi award winning musicians pianist Miles Black, NCM faculty bassist Ken Lister and veteran island drummer James McRae.

BULLETIN BOARD

HEINTZMAN GRAND PIANO FOR SALE- 6 FOOT PIANO 1922-$3900, newer Ronson hammers, 20 years ago
 was professionally stripped and refinished to mahogany colour, beautiful sound. Sings in treble clef and crisp,
resonant bass. Serial number 68038 Call 250-390-9532 to view.