STEP

On behalf of Marie Wadden:

Due to the pre-emption of "Musicraft" on CBC radio, Saturday, February 10, the broadcast of STEP's 25th anniversary concert featuring Mark Fewer, Bill Brennan and Jim Vivian) will be rescheduled to March 9. Francesca Swann, the producer says it will be a lovely show that includes interviews with the performers and evidence of the importance of STEP to this community. Be sure to listen to that program on CBC Radio 1 on March 9 at 4:35 pm.

There will also be a NATIONAL broadcast of the same concert, Sunday, February 17, in the second half hour of "Canada Live" (8:30-10:30 pm) on CBC Radio 2. "Canada Live" has been promoting the concert with these words:

Mark Fewer began his journey with the violin as one of the first students in St. John's, Newfoundland, to learn the instrument using the Suzuki method. This year he returned to St. John's and helped the Suzuki Talent Education Programme celebrate its 25th anniversary when he joined two fellow Newfoundlanders: pianist Bill Brennan and double-bass player Jim Vivian, for a jazz concert called "Continuum".
For the past 2 years Mark Fewer has been Concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Now he's teaching violin and improvisation on the faculty at McGill. With uncanny ease, Mark's playing straddles the classical and jazz worlds and this meeting of three friends, whose roots reach deep into the St. John's community, resulted in an evening of musical magic. The next generation of Suzuki students was cheering from the front seats!

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, people

On behalf of Kellie Walsh ...
Bring On The Season!
Christmas From Around the World
Lady Cove Women's Choir presents its annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 8th, at 8:00 p.m. at Cochrane Street United Church.

If you've missed Lady Cove's Christmas concerts in years past, you will not want to miss this one. It’s a very special night of Christmas music old and new from around the globe. You will also be treated to the incredible sound of the Cellipeppers playing stunningly beautiful new arrangements by Bill Brennan, the percussion group The Sleeveens, and Heather Kao & Scott Chancey, violin!

"The weather outside is frightful, but the choir is so delightful"
Tickets are $20.00/$15.00 and available at Provincial Music on Campbell Avenue or from members of Lady Cove.

Labels: Community Events, concerts, people

*** A REMINDER TO ALL SUZUKI ELVES ****

The annual Christmas Play-in is this Saturday, Dec. 1, at St Mark's
Church on Logy Bay Road.

9:30 tune up for a 10:00 start.

Santa hats are optional but please don't forget the eats! Some
people have asked for a change in the division of labour, so here is
your new assignment:

All those with names between A and M, bring a DESSERT.
All those with names between N and Z, bring SANDWICHES or a HOT DISH.
However, if you are just itching to make your specialty, ignore the
above suggestion and go for it.
Keep in mind though, we are often top-heavy on sweets and lacking in
main dish selections.

Also: we are selling Polaroid family pictures with Santa on a special
violin/cello Countdown to Christmas Calendar. This is a fund raiser
for the camp. Cost $5.00.

See you there!

Labels: concerts, fundraising, groupclass

Dear STEP Parents and Friends:

This Sunday, November 25, STEP will occupy the Masonic Temple for 2
Fund Raising and Social Events:

1. Santa's String Cafe and STEP Open House 1 - 4 pm

2. Third Annual STEP Scuff 4 - 7 pm

Come One Come All
to whichever suits your schedule or fancy
and encourage friends to attend as well!

ELVES:

If your child would like to be an elf at Santa's String Cafe just
come along and join in.
There will be a Head Elf to guide you.
Elves can help by gift wrapping CDs, making tree ornaments (see
below), playing music, playing with children in attendance.
Santa will be there and loves to be surrounded by elves!

Santa's Workshop: Christmas Tree Ornamnent making

Colette will be teaching elves to crochet Christmas tree icicle
ornaments from wool so if you have any odds and ends of wool you'd
like to get rid of and/or a crochet hook please bring it along. We'll
be selling the ornaments as part of our fund raising efforts.

Elf Dress:

baggy shirt with biggest belt you can find but any belt will do
tights or leggings
slippers
an elfish hat if you have one
instrument (knock off your practice for the day at Santa's Cafe!)

COST:

There is no entry fee for the afternoon Cafe.
The Scuff is $5 at the door.
We are selling consumables; most things will be $1 or $2. Tea,
coffee, hot chocolate, juice, fruit, snacks.
These are fund raising events so bring extra change if you like for
consumables, 50:50 tickets, STEP Fiddler CDs ($15, a new run hot off
the press!).

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

STEP Dance Committee: Sharon Hewitt, Colette Phillips, Janet Russell

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

On behalf of Marie Wadden, 25th Anniversary Committee.

Dear fellow STEP members,

Less than 12 hours after his performance for us at the D.F. Cook Hall, Mark Fewer wrote this:

Greetings from Montreal - it's hard to believe I'm already back in my studio here. The past week is still vibrating heavily....

Congrats on a great production last night, and for all the efforts you and all put into the Celebrations for year 25. It was a very fun night for all. I can't wait to hear the broadcast of the show, it was such fun.

Again, congratulations. And a big thanks for presenting my mom with those beautiful flowers. She (and I) was really touched. Mark Fewer

What a consummate, professional and truly generous man! Mark did a week of publicity for the STEP program, the Master Class and the concert free of charge.

He is so right to thank "all" for the efforts that made his visit here such a success. Before I fell asleep last night, and it took awhile, I mentally replayed the many ways that our STEP family pulled together to make this such a great success.

I have to start with the students. They all arrived beautifully dressed, many in black and white so they were identifiable as STEP students, enthusiastic and ready to play. Their concert manners couldn't have been better. When they weren't performing, they sat in the front rows listening to Mark, Bill and Jim with rapt attention. If their attention did wander, they sat patiently, not disturbing the people behind them. They played extremely well and I heard many positive comments from the public about their professionalism. We could not ask for better ambassadors for our program. Congratulations to the students. You were all so GOOD.

Thank-you so much to the teachers who were able to attend. You deserved to relax and simply enjoy the show but instead, you helped tune up the students' violins and guide them through their play-in. I saw Julia Bowdring there, Evelyn Osborne, Nancy Case-Oates and Heather Kao. Thanks to you and anyone I may have missed. I am delighted that we can share the concert with those unable to attend, through the magic of radio in the New Year. I'll let you all know when to expect the Musicraft broadcast.

Parents - dear and wonderful parents. Thank-you to Anne Marie Carew and Michelle Ploughman who helped sell tickets and take them in at the door. Thank-you to Alistair Bath and Colette Philips who coordinated the students' play-in and kept everything under control in the instrument room. Thank-you also Alistair for helping liaison with the performers. Thank-you Piotr Trela for taking pictures and helping with some of the heavy work. Thank-you Catherine Lawton and our former administrator, Hsu-Hao, for helping to serve the cake.

THE CAKES: On Friday night Graham Hunt was struck by a car. His parents, our chair Jennifer Budden and her husband Bill Hunt, insisted on following through with their commitment to order 4 large cakes, with the STEP logo, and pick them up at Costco over the weekend, despite being in shock about their son's near fatal accident. I'm happy to report that Graham escaped without serious injury but was kept overnight in hospital as a precaution. In true STEP form, he attended the concert Sunday night with his parents!

Thank-you Kristina Szutor for hosting the event. You did so with such grace and elegance. I'm sure the low-lighting made it difficult to read your notes, although the audience would never know. And you never complained, although you had every right to, about some last minute changes to the program.

Thanks always to Valerie Howe, our volunteer treasurer, for handling the budget for this event, and to Heather Patey, our webmaster, for keeping us all so well informed.

Thanks also to Janet Russell who had the foresight to set up a table to sell STEP fiddle CDs, hand out brochures about our program (that she made herself), and ensure that our partnership with REAL, the city's program that enables students who could not otherwise afford the program, to do so.

To that end, I'd like to remind everyone of the fabulous event Janet has planned to raise money for the REAL STEP scholarship. On Sunday, even if the Santa Claus parade doesn't go ahead, we're all invited, with friends and family, to the Masonic Temple where Stan Pickett and Jane Rutherford will be teaching Newfoundland traditional dances. This is great exercise and great fun if you've not seen them in action before. Hot chocolate, chili and many other treats will be available. The event starts at 4 pm and concludes around 7 pm. It's just $5 at the door.

If you can help Janet with this event, please call her at 334-1054 (to bring cookies or help set up/ clean up). While it's important to get our children practicing at home, take them to their lessons; it's a great bonus if we can keep the program's Big Picture in mind (recruitment, community profile, charitable outreach) and this is a way to do that. Janet has ensured that we'll all have a great time on Sunday doing so.

cheers,

Marie Wadden

Labels: announcements, concerts

There's a wonderful story on us in The Telegram today, on the front of the Arts & Entertainment section...full page. Read and be proud.

And don't forget to tune in to CBC radio one for Weekend Arts Magazine, to hear Mark Fewer and his mother talk about those early practice sessions. Mark was one of the first students in the programs 25 years ago and says he wouldn't be where he is today without STEP and his mom.

See you all at group class on Saturday morning and at the concert Sunday night. Discounted tickets will be available this Saturday morning. Get them quick... we may be sold out at the door.

25th anniversary committee

Labels: announcements, concerts, fundraising

On Sunday evening, Nov. 18, 7:30 PM, at the D.F. Cook Recital Hall, we're going to be serving cake and punch to celebrate STEP's 25th birthday. Be part of the celebrations!

If you are a student and would like to play (as people arrive for the Mark Fewer concert and during intermission), you can attend the concert for FREE. We're reserving front row seats for our students. Teachers will be there for tune-up and direction. (ADDENDUM: Please come at 7:00 to tune up!) We'd like you to wear black pants or skirt and a white shirt, so you'll stand out in the crowd. (Younger students may want to leave at intermission, after we've served cake, since it is a school night.)

Teachers are invited to the concert free of charge since this is a celebration of their hard work.

(Parents and partners, however, will be asked to support the event by buying a ticket. If you missed the chance to buy discounted tickets at the last group class, you'll be given another opportunity at the November 17 class. We can only accept cash or cheques. $15 or $12 for students and seniors. Regular priced tickets are available at Freds, Auntie Craes and Bennington Gate.)

This will be a gala evening and our children will get the privilege of hearing from Mark in person how his years in the program have given him a fabulous career, as a performer, concert master for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and now, as a teacher at McGill University. We'll find an opportunity during the evening to honour his mom who was an early parent in the program.

Please support this important anniversary for our program.

thanks, 25th anniversary committee

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, fundraising

On behalf of Valerie Holden, NSO Publicity.

Here is some information on the Friday November 16th Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra concert featuring soloist MARK FEWER playing the Meyer Violin Concerto.

For young string players, and their parents, it will be an evening to remember with lots of great music by American composers, Aaron Copland, (Appalachian Spring); Edgar Meyer (Violin Concerto) and Ferd Grofe (Grand Canyon Suite).

You'll hear Mark Fewer with the entire orchestra, and many of the Suzuki teachers will be playing in the orchestra as well - Gordon Stockwell, Sean Conway, Scott Chancey, Matthew March, Sandra Pope and Nancy Case-Oates.

In addition if you come to the Prelude Concert at 7:15 pm, you can hear the Atlantic String Quartet play music by Beethoven and McLean. The members of the Atlantic String Quartet include Alison Black and Nancy Case-Oates playing violin, Scott Chancey on viola and Theo Weber on cello.

You'll also hear the huge sound of the entire big symphony orchestra including flutes, oboes, and lots more woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

And of course our conductor, Marc David.

Call the Arts Centre for tickets 729-3900

---

Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Masterworks No. 2
American Panorama
Friday November 16, 2007
Arts and Culture Centre 8 pm

The NSO’s second Masterworks concert showcases three masterpieces of the American symphonic repertoire.

The opening work is Aaron Copland’s APPALACHIAN SPRING. This ballet music was written for the brilliant choreographer, Martha Graham and Copland subtitled the music “Ballet for Martha”. Copland’s startlingly original music received a Pulitzer Prize and it remains one of his most popular works. The familiar Shaker tune “Simple Gifts” ends the piece.

The American bassist and composer, Edgar Meyer completed his VIOLIN CONCERTO in 1999. It weaves American folk elements, the violin’s virtuosic capabilities, and bluegrass and country fiddling.

Soloist is violinist MARK FEWER. Mr. Fewer is originally from Newfoundland. He is widely considered one of the most unique and creative musical voices of his generation. Comfortable in a variety of roles, he switches easily from duties as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral leader (he was concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony), jazz musician, teacher and artistic programmer.

The final piece is Ferd Grofe’s GRAND CANYON SUITE. Each of the suite’s five movements describes an Arizona desert scene, inspired by a trip Grofe made with friends in 1916. His extraordinary skill as an orchestrator is in evidence. Idioms of Western films, cartoon soundtracks, and tone paintings of thunderstorms and desert heat are portrayed by expert orchestral writing.

The conductor is the NSO’s Principal Conductor, MARC DAVID.

As usual there is a Prelude Concert at 7:15 pm - this time featuring the Atlantic String Quartet playing music by Beethoven and McLean.

TICKETS: Call 729-3900

Labels: Community Events, concerts

Discounted tickets for the Mark Fewer, Bill Brennan and Jim Vivian
concert will be sold at group classes Nov. 3rd and 17th. This will be a
beautiful concert and will take place Sunday evening, November 18 at
the D.F. Cook Hall. The repertoire will be light classical and jazz
from three of this country's finest musicians. It will also be the
centrepiece of our 25th anniversary celebration. We will be
reserving free seats for children who want to bring their instruments
and play at the opening of the recital and during intermission. We'll
also have a large cake to serve! Please support this event as STEP
will be incurring costs and hopes to recoup those costs and maybe
even make a small profit. We want at least 200 people in attendance
and if we get twice as many, we'll be delighted.

If you buy your tickets elsewhere the price will be $20 for
adults and $15 for students and seniors. On Saturday we are offering
the tickets for $15 and $12, a substantial saving.

Please bring cash and or cheques because we won't have a visa or
debit machine available.

thank-you,
STEP anniversary committee

Labels: announcements, concerts, fundraising

The rehearsals for the Graduation Concert will take place this coming Saturday, October 27 at St. David's Church. Arrive a few minutes early for your group so you can start on time and enter quietly as there will most likely be another group rehearsing just before you. Times are as follows. Names are omitted from this web post, but are included in the email parents and teachers received: you know who you are!

• 9:00 Violin Book 5-Jennifer Johnson
• 9:15 Violin Book 4-Jennifer Johnson/Evelyn Osborne
• 9:45 Violin Book 3-Evelyn Osborne
• 10:15 Twinkle Violin-Evelyn Osborne
• 10:30 Violin Book 2-Sean Conway
• 11:00 Cello Twinkle-Matthew March
• 11:15 Cello Book 4-Matthew March

The concert itself on Sunday, October 28th will begin at 1:30, tune-up at 1:00. Congratulations to all graduates!

Labels: announcements, concerts, groupclass

Lady Cove Women's Choir presents its annual Spring Concert on Friday, May 25th at 8:00pm at the CLB Armory on Harvey Road in St. John's. More details on The Lady Cove Choir website.

Labels: Community Events, concerts

“Outside the Box” ... a celebration of the accordion. It’s happening at the Geo Centre on May 27th, starting at 7:00 -- an entire evening of music, displays, workshops, dancing, and a silent auction, all focused on Newfoundland’s beloved instrument.

Labels: Community Events, concerts

STEP's concerto class will be holding a recital a St. David's Presbyterian Church on June 3rd starting at 2pm. The class has been working on several challenging pieces of music during their year and look forward to presenting a spectacular programme to members and friends alike. The concert is free of charge.

Labels: concerts, groupclass

On May 16th, beginning at 8pm at School of Music's Cook Recital Hall, is an evening of music from classical, jazz, cabaret to traditional Newfoundland tunes! All proceeds of the concert are in support of the Children's Centre Association, a parent-led non-profit nursery and pre-school organization. Hosted by CBC's Angela Antle, this concert will feature a wealth of local talents, including Duo Concertante, Christina Smith, Lady Cove Women's Choir, Alan Doyle, and many others. Tickets are $25 each, available at Bennington Gate or the door. Alternatively, you may call 737-2476 for reservation.

For information about the Children's Centre please visit www.thechildrenscentre.com.

This announcement was sent by request of Diane Hollett, Suzuki parent and chair of Children's Centre.

Here's the (very cute) poster for the concert. (268K JPG file.)

Labels: Community Events, concerts

1) For those solo concerts performers who haven't found out their rehearsal time:

10am – Christina's students

10:30 am – Jennifer's students

11:20am – Nancy & Sandra's students

11:40 – Evelyn's students

12:30 – Sean's students

Rehearsal's taking place at St. David's Presbyterian, and please arrive and be ready to play at the above times to avoid running late. Thank you!

2) Reminder that STEP's open house and Scuff are taking place tomorrow, April 28th, at the Masonic Temple. Open house will be from 11am to 4pm, and Scuff's door opens at 8pm with beginner instruction at 9pm. Come and show your support for the program, bring a few friends, and have a great time!

3) General meeting: Just a reminder that the general meeting for STEP is taking place at St. David's Presbyterian on Monday, April 30th, starting at 7pm. There will be a Q&A session after and refreshments will be provided. Please make every effort to come as there are some exciting news from the board!

4) There have been some concerns regarding punctuality at group classes recently.  While we can all appreciate occasional lateness due to inevitable circumstances, late arrivals are disruptive to students, parents and teachers. Please remember to observe standard concert courtesy if you arrive late at a class, and enter when there is an appropriate break in instructions to minimize distraction. If you happen to arrive shortly after the tuning period, please ask the accompanist to discreetly tune your instrument; if you happen to arrive well into the lesson, we ask that you opt to observe that day, and obtain earlier notes from a fellow parent or the teacher after the class. Thank you for your consideration and respect for your fellow classmates and teachers!

5) Scholarship alert! Steven Woodcock Memorial, established in memory of our dear friend and luthier, is valued at $100 and is given to a string student who shows promise in Kiwanis Festival. Theo Stylianides, a member of Christina Smith's Veracini class (the same class that volunteered for a concert at Chancellor Park and got amazing reviews from the residents!), was the winner of the award this year! We are very proud of you, Theo, and congratulations again for winning this award!

Labels: administration, announcements, Community Events, concerts, fundraising, people, requests

Unfortunately, members of the Tokai String Quartet were unable to perform in concert yesterday evening due to delays caused by storms. The concert has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 18th, at 8pm at Music School's Petro Canada Hall. Again, this is an excellent opportunity to observe a professional chamber ensemble at work, and show our support for a program alumnus, Mr. Rafael Hoekman, cellist of the ensemble. Hope to see some, if not all of you, there tonight!

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, people

Good Day All,

Toronto-based Tokai String Quartet is one of Canada's most promising, upcoming chamber ensemble, and will appear in concert at DF Cook Recital this not Saturday evening, but Sunday evening at 8pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students, children and seniors. The quartet is on tour in the Atlantic Provinces with support from the Debut Atlantic Series, and is sure to present a spectacular program to us. For more information on them please visit their Website at: http://tokai.wellington-music.com/.

As a point of interest, Mr. Rafael Hoekman, cellist of the quartet, is a Suzuki program alumnus! Rafael (or Raffie, as he's affectionately known to some of our teachers) has kindly volunteered to give current students in the program a master class on tomorrow from 12 to 2pm at St. David's Presbyterian Church on Elizabeth Avenue. The event is free for spectators, and will be a fantastic opportunity to observe a professional cellist at work. It will also show support for a returning alumnus, who's very excited to perform for the home town crowd! Masterclass cancelled due to a delayed flight.

Both of these events will be very educational to students in the program and I strongly encourage the participation of all members and friends.

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, people

Congratulations to the STEP Fiddlers and the STEP Senior Orchestra for earning places in the Kiwanis Rose Bowl Competition! The concert is tomorrow night (Thursday March 7th) at the Arts and Culture Centre, so please come out and applaud our hard-working young musicians. Many thanks to Kellie and Christina for their leadership, and GOOD LUCK to all!

We are very interested in hearing about how the rest of our students did in the Kiwanis. We truly have a very talented community of young and gifted musicians, and it would for be great for everyone to share the news! If you've taken part, please send in your name, instrument (not just strings!) and placement, and we'll acknowledge everyone's accomplishments in this year's Festival in our next newsletter, which is coming very soon.

Great job everybody, hope you all had fun during the Festival!

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, news, people, requests

Sent on behalf of the multi-talented Evelyn Osborne, who performs in the show.

ANNOUNCING... the fantastic circus show that myself and several other talented local variety performers will be launching (FOR ONE DAY ONLY) at the LSPU Hall on Victoria Street this coming Sunday, Feb. 25th. It has been directed by Gentleman Juggler James Burke, and stars many of the performers you might recognize from busking, school shows, The Wonderbolt Circus and more.

I really encourage you to come out and see it. Bring your friends, bring your family. Bring your kids, bring your parents. See arts such as magic, juggling, hula-hooping, unicycling, poi, clowning, and more, mixed with exceptional live music, and woven into a fairy tale about learning to see past the limitations that so often cloud our vision, into a world of truly magical possibilities.

It's The Ringmaster's Attic. Show you support Variety arts, and come see for yourself how strong local performers in this field have become! This is our first major show as Go Big Productions, so we're counting on seeing you there! There MAY even be a Beni Malone cameo!

The cost is $5 for kids, $7 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults. Two showings: at 3:00 and at 8:00. If you wish to reserve tickets, call the LSPU Hall at: 753-4531. For more info, email theringmastersattic@gmail.com.

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, people

Our second solo concert of the year is happening this Sunday! The date is Feb 18th, starting at 1:15pm (please note this concert starts earlier than normal solo concerts and arrive on time!), at St. David's Presbyterian Church on Elizabeth Avenue. Please bring a tray of cookies or some kind of light refreshment for your friends and family to enjoy, and see you all there!

Labels: announcements, concerts

(Posted by request of Evelyn, our Artistic Director.)

Empire Theatres is proud to present the experience and excitement of the Metropolitan Opera Live in High Definition on the Big Screen. These are one day only performances; seating is limited. Don't miss your chance to experience world class opera at your neighbourhood Empire Theatres location.

Admission prices:
Adult: $17.95 + tax
Children and Senior: $14.95 + tax

Dates:

Saturday February 24: Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin
Saturday March 24: Rossini - The Barber Of Seville
Saturday April 28: Puccini - Il Trittico

All performances in St. John's are at 3:00 PM.

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

If you are coming to the Gower Wassail, bring your instrument with you!
Suzuki Talent Education Program is sponsoring 'O Come Little Children', the third carol on the program, and if you know how to play the song in the key of D, you are free to join in. Senior students should play the duet part if you know it! If you want to play, come early to get tuned up and find a place to sit near the front. If you play cello it's especially important to come early, and don't forget to bring a chair!
Hope to see you all out to support a good cause, making some fine music and enjoying yourselves this Sunday!

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts, groupclass

On behalf of Christina Smith:

STEP is sponsoring 'O Come Little Children' at the Gower Wassail! It will be an enjoyable event for the whole family.

The St. John's Folk Arts Council Presents:

THE GOWER WASSAIL

A Christmas Carol sing-along and fundraiser
Sunday, December 17th at 3:00 pm

at the Gower Street United Church

Featuring all your favourite carols PLUS special guest performances from
Carolyn Schiller
Alan Doyle
George Minimis
Anita Best and Pamela Morgan

Special guest accompanists and carol leaders
Tim Steeves
Valerie Long
Kellie Walsh
Brian Way
Jean Hewson
and the Young Folk Chorus

A Newfoundland and Labrador
Folk Festival Rainy Day Fund event
Come and raise your voice for the Folk Festival!
Admission $10 General, $8 Students and Seniors or $25 per family
No advance tickets
Wassail, Hot Chocolate and treats will be available

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

On behalf of Kellie Walsh:

Christmas Cabaret

Don't miss this Magical evening with Julia Halfyard and special guests from Lady Cove Women's choir!

Sunday, December 10 & 17...7:30 cocktails, 8:00 show
Bianca's Bar on Water Street
Ticket price: $20
For more info call 722 5957 or e-mail jhalfyard@hotmail.com.

Labels: Community Events, concerts

Every year in January, the St. John's Folk Arts Council sponsors workshops for young folk musicians of St. John's. On consecutive Saturday afternoons at Holy Cross Elementary school, young musicians are grouped into ensembles and rehearse together. Well-known folk musicians donate their time to coach the ensembles. The workshops culminate in a concert presented in the LSPU Hall. Admission is charged for the concert and any profit is donated to the Neil Murray Stage (the young folk performers venue) at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival.

The intention of the workshops is to instigate friendships among the young people involved, to encourage performance of traditional music, and to give young performers the experience of playing in a small band.
** Space is limited ** but at this time a few places are still open.

This year's YFATH workshops will take place on Saturday, Jan. 13th and Saturday, Jan. 20th, from 2 - 5 p.m. The concert in the Hall will take place on Sunday the 21st in the afternoon.

Fergus O'Byrne is the founder and coordinator of this event. To be involved, email him at fobyrne@nl.rogers.com .

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

On behalf of Christina Smith:

The St. John's Folk Arts Council is sponsoring a fundraising Christmas Carol Sing-along at Gower St. Church, Sunday December 17th at 3:00 pm. Featuring all your favourite carols plus special guest performances from Carolyn Schiller, Alan Doyle, George Miminis, and Anita Best and Pamela Morgan. Special guest accompanists and carol leaders include Tim Steeves, Valerie Long, Kellie Walsh, Brian Way, Jean Hewson, and the Young Folk Chorus.

Admission $10.00, $8.00 students and seniors, $25.00 per family.

Wassail, Hot Chocolate and treats will be available.

A Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival Rainy Day Fund event. Come and raise your voice for the Folk Festival!

**Sponsor a carol!**

Would you or your business like to sponsor a carol at this event? Email Christina Smith at csmith@nfld.com for information.

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

**** A REMINDER TO ALL SUZUKI ELVES ****

The annual Christmas Play-in is this Saturday, Dec. 2, at St Mark's Church on Logy Bay Road.

9:30 tune up for a 10:00 start.

Santa hats are optional but please don't forget the eats! Some people have asked for a change in the division of labour, so here is your new assignment:

All those with names between A and M, bring a DESSERT. All those with names between N and Z, bring SANDWICHES or a HOT DISH. However, if you are just itching to make your specialty, ignore the above suggestion and go for it. Keep in mind though, we are often top-heavy on sweets and lacking in main dish selections.

See you there!

Labels: announcements, concerts

The Lady Cove women's choir and The Celli Peppers cello ensemble will celebrate Christmas in a beautiful and unique concert on Saturday, November 25, at 8:00 p.m., at Cochrane Street United Church.

Lady Cove, under the direction of Kellie Walsh with accompanist David
Chafe, will perform Benjamin Britten's exquisite "A Ceremony of Carols". This magnificent work will be accompanied by renowned harpist Lori Gemmell of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra.

The Celli Peppers, under the direction of Theo Weber, will perform "The Swan" and Corelli's "Christmas Concerto" plus much more! Lady Cove and The Celli Peppers join forces on Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria", Sean Carroll's arrangement of "Let It Snow", and the rousing spiritual "Ride On, King Jesus".

This is a very special Christmas concert not to be missed!!

Tickets are $15 (only $10 for seniors and students) and are available in advance at Provincial Music on Campbell Avenue and at the door prior to concert time.

This concert will also mark the official launch of Lady Cove's debut CD
"Lady Cove".

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

The Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra presents an exciting concert in the Arts & Culture Centre on Saturday, November 25, 2006. The NSYO is made up of 60 players aged 14-23, many of whom eventually join the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.

Brilliant pianist James Hurley will perform the first movement of Beethoven's dramatic Piano Concerto no. 3 with the NSYO, under the direction of Peter Gardner. James is currently a student at the MUN School of Music.

Works by Malcolm Arnold, Kelsey Jones and Katchaturian will also be performed, culminating in Lord of the Rings-Two Towers.

Call 722-4441 or contact members of the NSYO for tickets. At only $10 apiece, the whole family can enjoy this show!

Mary O'Keeffe
Operations Manager
Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra
Tel: (709) 722-4441
Fax: (709) 753-0561
<mailto:mary@nso.nfld.net>mary@nso.nfld.net

Labels: announcements, Community Events, concerts

Note 1: The clocks go back Saturday night. Make sure you adjust yours before heading to St. David's on Sunday!

Note 2: The Solo Concert on Nov. 12th is at 1:30, tune-up at 1:00 PM at. St. David's.

Labels: concerts

Reminder!

Our first solo concert is on November 12th.

Speak to your individual teacher to choose a piece and sign up for the concert.

STEP is looking for your feedback on Solo concerts.

Send all comments and suggestions to Sandra Luscombe or STEP.

Solo concert dates:

November 12 February 8 April 29 June 10

Labels: concerts

Here is the schedule for when the graduates of which books will be rehearsing on Saturday morning at St. David's, and the leaders for each. Please arrive early to get tuned up so things will flow smoothly. Twinkle grads don't need to rehearse... Most of them have spent a whole year or more of group classes preparing themselves for this moment!

• 9:00-9:20 Level 7, Sonata-Handel, Christina
• 9:20-9:40 Level 6, La Folia-Corelli, Christina
• 9:40-10:00 Level 5, Gigue-Veracini, Christina
• 10:00-10:25 Level 8, A minor Concerto-Bach, Christina
• 10:25-10:45 Book 4, Double Concerto-Bach, Christina and Nancy
• 10: 45-11:05 Book 1, Gavotte-Gossec, Nancy
• 11:05-11:25 Book 2, Minuet-Boccherini, Evelyn
• 11:25-11:45 Book 3, Bouree-Bach, Evelyn
• 11:45-12:00 Cello 1, Minuet 2-Bach, Matthew
• 12:00-12:15 Cello 3, La Cinqaintaine-Marie, Matthew
• 12:15-12:30 Cello 2, Bouree-Handel, Matthew

Congratulations to all graduates!

Labels: concerts

Suzuki parents (some of us, anyway) are a talented bunch. Here's another couple with an upcoming recital.

Duo Concertante and Blue Engine Violinist Nancy Dahn and pianist Timothy Steeves join Halifax's acclaimed Blue Engine String Quartet in Mozart's spirited C major Viola Quintet, Brian Current's riveting Faster Still (world premiere commissioned by CBC Radio) and the magnificent Chausson Concert.

More information at http://www.mun.ca/music/conc/index.htm

Suzuki Talent Education Program P.O. Box 23182 Churchill Sq. P.O. St. John's, NL A1B 4J9 Phone: 691-2545 - - - NEW NUMBER Web Site: http://www.nfld.com/~step/ - - - UPDATED JUNE 2006

Labels: Community Events, concerts, people

Yet another recital - this time by Suzuki-mom and -dad Kristina and Theo! Message on behalf of the NSO.

On September 9th at 8:00 in Petro-Canada Hall, Theo Weber, principal cellist of the NSO teams up with pianist Kristina Szutor for an encore performance of their recent recital for the "International Rio Cello Encounter" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The program includes Dohnanyi's heroic and little known Cello Sonata as well as works by Haydn, Gavin Bryars, Arvo Part and Malcolm Forsyth.

For tickets call: 737-4455 or visit MUN Music

Labels: Community Events, concerts, people

Dear Suzuki families, teachers, and friends,

Don't miss our first event of the new year, the Registration Play-In and Potluck!

*** Registration Play-In *** St. David's Church Saturday, September 9th 9:30 tune-up 10:00 Play-In

- Potluck Parents, if your surname begins with A-M: please bring a main dish; N-Z, please bring a dessert. We need 4 volunteers for set-up and clean-up. If you can help, please call Krista Vokey-Sing, 437-5824

- Orchestra sign-up sheet Kellie will be holding auditions for placement in the junior and senior orchestras on Tuesday, Sept. 12, starting at 3:10. Please sign up for an audition slot on Saturday.

- STEP Benefit Recital Jennifer Johnson and Andrea Lane-Gardner will perform a benefit recital at The Kirk, on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7:30. The concert will be a child-friendly concert, with brief descriptions of the pieces. Tickets are $15 per adult, $10 per student/child, and are available at the door, at Fred's Records, or by calling 754-3417.

Labels: administration, concerts

Jennifer Johnson and Andrea Lane will be playing a benefit recital for STEP on September 8, 7:30 at the Kirk (St. Andrew's Presbyterian) on Queen's Rd.

The program will include the Mozart violin sonata K. 379, movements from the Franck violin Sonata, a showpiece by Fritz Kreisler and a surprise piece by Andrea Lane for all present and former Twinklers out there!

The program has been purposely kept under an hour so that parents will have an extra incentive to bring children of all ages. Jennifer and Andrea would prefer to have as many little folks there as possible even if there are minor distractions throughout the program when restlessness sets in or shifting to the back of the church becomes necessary!

Ticket prices are: $15.00 per adult, $10.00 per student/child.

Please bring as many friends and relatives as you can so that this can be a viable benefit effort for STEP. Start the STEP registration weekend off with some great music!

Labels: Community Events, concerts

The final STEP group class Concert and Play-in is this Saturday. It's at the MUN Music School Petro-Canada Hall, NOT the Recital Hall as you may have heard. Be there 9:30am to tune-up and we start at 10:00am. Should be finished by 11:30am at the latest. Dress is black and white (black on bottom, white on top). See you there!

Labels: concerts

On behalf of Jean Hewson, St. John's Folk Arts Council:

CALLING ALL YOUNG TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS!

On Saturday afternoon at the folk festival, (August 5th) we are staging an event called Youth Invasion! We're inviting young players from all over to come and join in a massive session on the main stage. Due to the scope of this, we are unable to pay the performers, but they will get a weekend pass to the festival. The performers who are under-aged will also be able to have one of their parents attend the Saturday Session free.

We will be deciding on some of the repertoire in advance (Christina Smith is overseeing that aspect of it). It will be mostly easy tunes, Mussels, Auntie Mary, etc. We'll be posting a list on the website.

If you would like to attend, we will need your name on our list. Please feel free to pass this message on to any young person you know who plays traditional music

To register, please contact: Erin McArthur 30th Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival (709) 576-8508 Email: office@sjfac.nf.net http://www.sjfac.nf.net/

Labels: Community Events, concerts

The year-end concert for the STEP ensembles is on Sunday, May 28th at 2:00 p.m. at St. David's Church. The first half will be Kelly's orchestras with Johnny Hawkin's adult ensemble; and the second half will be the Young Virtuosi of STEP (concerto class) students soloing with their Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi solos. Should be a terrific concert. Come and hear the culmination of the year's work for these dedicated musicians!

Labels: concerts

Suzuki String Program (Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)) Presents... SWING WITH A STRING

May 27, 7:30 pm

SILENT AUCTION/DESSERTS/SET DANCING - With dance instruction by Jane Rutherford, music by Dave Penny

A Fund Raising Event including a Silent Auction, Desserts and Dance Workshop with St. John’s traditional set dance instructor/caller Jane Rutherford and the accordion of Dave Penny. STEP out for a good cause. Help the Suzuki String Program build a Scholarship Fund.

Swing with a String is an evening of participatory entertainment starting at 7:30 with desserts and an auction. Dancing under the direction of Jane Rutherford will begin around 9:30. Non-alcoholic beverages and desserts provided. Cash Bar.

Dave Penny is a protégé of Newfoundland accordion master Frank Maher. To quote Dave: "Frank taught me everything I know!" To quote Frank: "Yes, but I didn't teach you everything that *I* know!!" Current President of the St. John's Folk Arts Council, Dave often performs at Folk Night, Wednesdays at the Ship Pub, and many different music festivals around the island.

Jane Rutherford has been dancing, calling and teaching with folk dance groups for 20 years. She has performed at festivals, concerts, and special events in Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario and north eastern United States.

The STEP Program is a nonprofit Music Education and Performing Arts Organization based on the teachings of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. It provides music education in the area of string playing and orchestra and ensemble playing as well as teacher training and the delivery of the Atlantic Canada Suzuki Institute Camp each spring. It is in the process of expanding outreach and public education initiatives as well as developing a scholarship program. STEP is run by volunteers with the help of paid professional music educators. The STEP Program was founded in St. John’'s in 1982 and is a registered charity.

Location: Masonic Temple, 6 Cathedral St., St. John's When: May 27, from 7:30 pm Cost: Advance Tickets available at Fred’s Records - $15

(Poster in PDF format available - put some up in your workplace or on the neighbourhood bulletin board!)

Labels: concerts, fundraising

Hello all,

Hope your plans are "in swing" to attend the fun fundraising Silent Auction & Dancing Evening on Saturday May 27, 2006, 7:30 PM, at the Masonic Temple, 6 Cathedral St., St. John's.

This is an outreach fundraiser for low-income families to participate in the Suzuki String program.

1. Tickets will be distributed in group class, or can be obtained from Sharon Hewitt (sharon.hewitt@mi.mun.ca).

Please submit ticket money to Sharon before the auction or at the Masonic Temple door May 27.

2. Donated items for the auction can be brought to group class on May 13th, in the lobby area -please contact Ann Marie Carew (annmariecarew@esdnl.ca), Jennifer Budden (jbudden@nf.sympatico.ca) or Elizabeth MacDonald.

3. Please make a dessert or an hors d'oeuvre, as refreshments, and drop it off at the Masonic Temple on Sat. May 27 after 1 PM.

4. Tell family and friends about the event and plan to attend so that you can join the fun and help this worthy cause.

Many thanks for your involvement !

Dianne Boone & Janet Russell, Fundraising Committee

Labels: concerts, fundraising

Greetings all Suzuki String Parents and Guardians!

We're planning a fundraising event to help low-income families participate in our music program.

It will be a fabulous evening with your support.

There's going to be a silent auction, dancing, delicious refreshments and door prizes. But we can't pull it off without everyone's help.

What can YOU do?

1/ Spread the word and sell tickets. The event will be held at the

Masonic Temple (6 Cathedral St.) Saturday, May 27 at 7:30

(Tickets will be distributed later this month and will cost $15 each)

2/ We need donations for the silent auction. It can be baked goods, meal preparation services or lessons, business services - be creative! Business donors will get tax receipts for donations over $50. We need item name, business name, address, item name and value of item for tax receipts, please submit this with your donations. An introductory letter for approaching contributors is attached.

3/ Please make a dessert or an hors d'oeuvre, as refreshments, and drop it off at the Masonic Temple on May 27 after 1 pm

We'll let you know where to drop off items for the silent auction.

Please tell family and friends about the event and plan to attend so that you can join the fun and help this worthy cause.

Many thanks for your attention to this.

Dianne Boone Janet Russell Fund-raising committee

Labels: concerts, fundraising

Our most recently formed STEP group, our Concerto Group Class, a.k.a. STEP's Young Virtuosi, would like to announce the date of their final performance of the year. On Sunday, May 28 at 2:00 at St. David's Church, six of our most senior students will proudly perform some of the most beautiful violin concerto repertoire outside of the Suzuki Books- all accompanied by their classmates on the orchestra parts. Included will be the De Beriot Concerto, the Accolay Concerto, the Vivaldi Double Concerto in a minor amongst some beautiful and exciting Bach and Mozart movements. We'll even have a Telemann Viola Concerto movement! Please mark it on your calendars. Hope to see you there!

Labels: concerts, groupclass

Congratulations to the STEP Senior Orchestra and the STEP Fiddlers! Both have qualified for the group Rose Bowl competition. The Competition takes place Thursday, March 2 at the Arts and Culture Centre, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door, adults/seniors $10.00, children under 10 $8.00.

Labels: Community Events, concerts

To everyone going to Averill's concert tonight (Saturday): bring your instruments! All STEP students will be able to join Averill on stage for a piece or two during the concert. Don't miss your chance to play with this outstanding pianist! Saturday's concert is sold out (wow!) but there are tickets still available for the held-over show on Sunday. If you don't have yours, get them at Auntie Crae's, Fred's Records or Bennington Gate.

Labels: concerts

Hello everyone, We'll have a limited number of tickets available for sale for an exciting Valentine's concert that our program is producing. On Saturday night, Feb. 11, one of North America's most outstanding amateur pianists has agreed to perform for us at "The Rooms." Her name is Averill Piers Baker and she's off to Paris for a competition later that month. Mrs. Baker is a huge supporter of the Suzuki method and has graciously donated her time and talent to help us raise money for a number of things... principally a prize or bursary in Steve Woodcock's honour. The program will be exciting and ... and romantic, with Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Chopin's piano concerto no.1 in E minor that will include a performance by the Atlantic String Quartet and Frank Fusari. We'll be offering 60 tickets internally, and 60 to the public. They are $20 each. And... if your child would like to attend, there may be an opportunity to play with Mrs. Baker towards the end of the concert. More on that later. (Because this is a fund raiser we have to charge the regular ticket price for all age groups). We're hoping to have tickets available at Saturday's group class. Here is a poster that we'd like members to print and put up around the public places you might visit over the next few weeks. We hope to have paper copies printed for Saturday as well. Thanks, Marie Wadden, Concert Organizer

Labels: concerts, fundraising

Posted on behalf of the MUN School of Music. MUN SCHOOL OF MUSIC PRESENTS!!! On Saturday February 4 at 8:00PM and Sunday February 5 at 2:00PM, in the D.F. Cook recital hall at the School of Music, the Opera Workshop Ensemble and the MUN Chamber Orchestra team up for performances of Franz Joseph Haydn's comic opera 'The Diva'!!! Also on the program will be operatic excerpts from the Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, Idomeneo, Die Fledermaus and Lakme. These performances are directed and produced by Shelley Neville, and conducted by Vernon Regehr. Don't miss this amazing operatic showcase of some of the provinces most talented musicians! Tickets are available for at the door for $10 ($5 student/senior) For more information call 737.4455. Hope to see you all there! Vernon Regehr --------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Vernon Regehr Conductor, MUN Chamber Orchestra Assistant Professor of Cello School of Music Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, NL Canada A1C 5S7 phone: (709) 737-3146 email: vregehr@mun.ca

Labels: Community Events, concerts

The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra presents THE JUPITER STRING QUARTET Sunday, January 15, 2006 at 8:00 pm D.F. Cook Recital Hall Mozart - String Quartet in B flat Major (“Prussian”) Dutilleux - String Quartet Schubert String Quartet in d minor (“Death and the Maiden”) Tickets: $25.00 Call: 722-4441 The Jupiter String Quartet captured First Prize in the 8th Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2004. This award includes a debut CD and a concert tour of Canada in the 2005-2006 season. The Jupiter Quartet was also awarded Grand Prize at the 2004 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, resulting in tours of the United States and Italy. For more information, please visit the NSO website: http://www.nso-music.com/ . Click on "Concerts and Events".

Labels: Community Events, concerts

The Christmas Group Class Concert and Play-in is this Saturday, Dec. 3rd, at St. Mark's Church, Logy Bay Road. Please come to tune up at 9:30 AM for a 10:00 start. There will be performances by all the group classes, and everyone gets to play along with anything you know how to play. Santa Claus will make an appearance as well! Potluck lunch: if your last name is between A and M, bring a hot dish, sandwiches or appetizers; if between N and Z, bring sweets or dessert. At Christmas concerts we play carols, of course! Here's music for violin and cello for Here Comes Santa Claus, and Jingle Bells. This is the last STEP gathering for 2005. Group classes resume on January 7th. Please wear Suzuki T-shirts if you have them. Santa hats or antlers optional but welcome! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Labels: concerts, groupclass

This notice is for students performing in the Graduation Concert on Sunday. Rehearsal is on Saturday Oct. 22 at St. David's Church and the times are as follows: Parent cello: 9:00 - 9:15 Twinkles: 9:15 - 9:35 Book 1 violin: 9:35 - 9:55 Book 2 violin: 9:55 - 10:10 Book 3 Cello: 10:10 - 10:30 Book 3 violin: 10:30 - 10:50 Book 4 violin: 10:50 - 11:10 Book 5 violin: 11:10 - 11:35 Level 7 violin: 11:35 - 12:00 Congratulations to all graduates!

Labels: concerts

An announcement from the MUN Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra includes Suzuki teachers Sara Mills, Sean Conway and Matthew March as section principals! The MUN Chamber Orchestra opens its new season with a concert on Tuesday October 18 at 8:00PM at the D.F. Cook recital hall at the School of Music. The program features the 2005 School of Music concerto competition winner Greg Bruce in a performance of Villa Lobos Fantasia for Saxophone and chamber orchestra. The Orchestra, under the direction of Vernon Regehr, will end the program with a performance of Beethoven's highly energetic Symphony No. 2. Don't miss this fantastic and committed group of musicians in some of the greatest symphonic repertoire. Tickets are $10 ($5 for students/ seniors) and are available at the door. For further information please call the School of Music office at 737-7486.

Labels: Community Events, concerts

Here is a public service announcement from the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra: The annual Big Ticket Gala is on October 29th, 2005. Please see the poster below for more details.

Labels: Community Events, concerts