The STEP News

Mark Fewer Concert Broadcast RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 9

Heather Patey — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:18:00 +0000

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!

Bring On The Season! Lady Cove Concert

Heather Patey — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:28:00 +0000

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.

Play-in Saturday December 1st!

Heather Patey — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:48:00 +0000

*** 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!

Reminder & Invite to STEP events on Sunday, Nov. 25

Heather Patey — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:26:00 +0000

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

Regarding the Mark Fewer concert

Heather Patey — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:12:00 +0000

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

Mark Fewer in the media

Heather Patey — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:10:00 +0000

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

Come to STEP's Birthday Party!

Heather Patey — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:46:00 +0000

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

NSO Masterworks#2 with Mark Fewer, Friday Nov. 16

Heather Patey — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:45:00 +0000

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

25th Anniversary Concert: Discounted Tickets Available at Nov. 3rd Group Class

Heather Patey — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:11:00 +0000

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

Graduation Concert Rehearsal Schedule

Heather Patey — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:55:00 +0000

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!

Young Folk at the Hall 2008 - register now!

Heather Patey — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:55:00 +0000

Registrations are now being accepted for Young Folk at the Hall! The Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Arts Council is pleased to announce that plans are now being made to hold the annual Young Folk at the Hall event in January 2008. Fergus O'Byrne has asked that we send out the information and link to the registration form. Space is extremely limited and he already has many children signed up from last year. Therefore, it is very important to register early. Please fill out the application form on the NLFAC website (click here) and return by email or regular mail to the address provided. It's going to be another great year for the Young Folk! Don't miss it... sign up now!

Upcoming concert for choir Les Ms.

Heather Patey — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:51:00 +0000

Announcing Les Ms' annual Sing for Care Concert featuring a wonderful concert of choral music. Sunday October 28, 2007, at Cochrane Street United Church; the afternoon show is at 2:00pm, and the evening show is at 7:30pm. Les Ms. is being joined this year by many fantastic choirs: Holy Heart Alumnae Choir, Lady Cove, Newman Sound. Heather Bambrick and Ron Hutton will also perform. It's going to be amazing. Tickets are $15 and all monies raised go to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Patient and Family Support Fund. More information: www.lesms.ca

Young Musician's Bursary from Lady Cove

Heather Patey — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:38:00 +0000

Lady Cove Women's Choir has become an integral part of the vibrant choral community in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a community choir it believes in fostering and supporting talented developing musicians, and therefore is very pleased to announce the establishment of the Lady Cove Women's Choir Bursary. Every year, Lady Cove will present $1,000 to a developing musician from Newfoundland and Labrador in the age group of 15 to 20 to support and encourage that young person's music education. The bursary may be used for travel to a music program, participation in a music festival, lessons or private instruction, tuition or any other music educational activity deemed to be necessary to further one's musical growth and experience. The deadline for applications is November 15. Applications can be found at local schools, music stores, or can be downloaded from our website, www.ladycove.ca . For more information please email ladycove@ca.inter.net .

STEP Group Class Schedule!

Heather Patey — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:12:00 +0000

The Group Class Schedule is now online! Links can be found on the home page or the Reference page, or right here:

http://www.nfld.com/~step/documents/Group_Class_Schedule_Fall_2007.pdf

See you all Saturday!

STEP Orchestra Information

Heather Patey — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:22:00 +0000

STEP Orchestras will be having their first rehearsal at St. David's Church on Tuesday, September 25th. The Junior Orchestra will be lead by Scott Chancey from 4pm to 5pm in the Sanctuary. The Senior Orchestra (replacing the previously separate Intermediate and Senior orchestras) will be lead by Sean Conway from 4pm to 5:30pm on the stage at St. David's. Please arrive by 3:45 to allow time for tuning and set-up. Bring along a music stand and a pencil.

If you have already registered, thank you. There will be a sign-in sheet available for you to check and confirm your attendance. For those who have not yet registered, please do come along to the first rehearsal. You may add your name to the sign-in sheet and pass in your registration form and payment(s) to Sean Conway before the start of rehearsal.

Please note that pre-requisite for Orchestra is mid-Book 2 Suzuki or equivalent. Placement in Junior and Senior Orchestras is based on age, ensemble experience and playing level and is at the discretion of ensemble directors.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean Conway at seanjconway@gmail.com or 754-6710. Sean will be out of town from the 17th-22nd but can be reached via email during that time.

Community Announcement - Adult String Orchestra

Heather Patey — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:05:00 +0000

The Adult String Reading Orchestra is about to start a new season with Alison Black as our conductor, and we're looking for new players of Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass, no audition required. We're an amateur group with the aim of challenging ourselves while sharing the joy of playing together. The cost is $175.00/year; we rehearse bi-monthly for 1.5 hours (dates yet to be determined). If you'd like to join our group or visit for our first rehearsal, please contact: Margie McMillan - 726-3580 - margiem@nl.rogers.com Hilary Cass (outside St. John's)- 596-3789 - fhcass@yahoo.ca

STEP Registration and Play-in

Heather Patey — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:14:00 +0000

Fall is fast approaching and STEP is gearing up for the 2007-08
Program. Our annual fall Registration Session and Play-in for all
families will be held on Saturday, September 8th at St. David's
Church at 98 Elizabeth Avenue. Come with your instrument to tune up
at 9:30 for a 10:00 play-in, and the registration desk will be open
from 9am to 12pm.

For those families who have not yet registered, please complete the
registration form you would have received by mail earlier this summer
and bring it along with your payment(s). There will be a table set
up to answer any questions and to take your forms and payment(s) for
the new year. If you do not have a form, we will have some on hand
for you to complete, or you can fill it out ahead of time by
downloading it from

http://www.nfld.com/~step/documents/New_Student_STEP_Registration_Form_2007.pdf

(requires Acrobat Reader).

WARNING: if your forms are not submitted by noon on September 8th,
you are not only liable for a late fee but you are not guaranteed to
be able to take the classes of your choice. Help us get everyone's
schedules in order smoothly and efficiently by making sure we have
YOUR completed forms by Saturday.

For those families who have already returned your registration forms,
thanks so much for giving us a head start on planning! Please ensure
that you deliver any outstanding fee payments to the Registration
table on Saturday as well.

The group class schedules will be e-mailed and posted to the website
a few days before the first Group Class Day, September 22nd. The
dates for Group Classes and Concerts are posted to the website
already on the "Reference for Members" page:

http://www.nfld.com/~step/reference.htm

Following the play-in, there will be a social and a chance to catch
up with everyone on their summer fun. Coffee, tea, and juice will be
provided; please bring a light snack to share. See you there!

Community Event: Tuckamore Festival - Chamber Music in Newfoundland

Heather Patey — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:11:00 +0000

On behalf of Nancy Dahn.

The Tuckamore Festival - Chamber Music in Newfoundland

August 6-19, 2007

Welcome to Tuckamore 2007! This year we welcome the brilliant pianist Minsoo Sohn, First Laureate of the 2006 Honens Competition, and the wonderful Shanghai String Quartet, world-renowned for its elegant and passionate performances. Also joining us are violinist Susan Waterbury, formerly of the acclaimed Cavani String Quartet, and distinguished violist Rennie Regehr. During the course of the two week festival, these artists along with the Tuckamore Faculty (Nancy Dahn, Vernon Regehr, and Timothy Steeves) will perform some of the finest chamber music ever written, including Mozart's G minor Piano Quartet, Mendelssohn's String Quartet op. 13, Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence, Beethoven's String Quartet op. 131, and Schumann's Carnaval and Piano Quintet. The Festival is proud to also feature 19 talented emerging string players and pianists from all over North America as part of its Young Artist Program. From evening concerts and free lunchtime recitals, to free master classes, open rehearsals, and special programs for young people, there is something for everyone! Tickets for evening concerts are available at Bennington Gate, Fred's Records or at the door. You can also order from us directly by calling 737-2372, or by faxing in a downloadable ticket order form available at www.tuckamorefestival.ca.

PLEASE NOTE: Free Shanghai Quartet Young People's Concert Thursday, August 16, 1:00-1:50 p.m. D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, MUN

Community Event: Once Upon A Dream: Magical Musical Adventure!

Heather Patey — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:51:00 +0000

Good Day Everyone,

Another exciting family event for your consideration this weekend!

Presented by Patchwork Productions, "Once Upon A Dream: a Magic Musical Adventure" is written and directed by Kristan Hann and under the musical direction of Denielle Hann. The event is happening at the Rabbittown Theatre (corner of Lindscott Street and Merrymeeting Road) this weekend, with showings on June 23rd (2:30 & 7:30) and June 24th (2:30). Tickets are $5 for youth, $10 for adult and $25 for a family of four.

"Imagination is the key... Use the Key to unlock an adventure for the whole family!"

Regards,
Tzu-Hao

--
Tzu-Hao Hsu, B. Comm (Co-op)
Program Administrator,
Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)
P.O. Box 23182
Churchill Square
St. John's, NL A1B 4J9
Tel: (709) 738-2277
step@nfld.com, suzukinl@gmail.com
http://www.nfld.com/~step

Free evening concert tonight! Featuring Duo Concertante

Heather Patey — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:21:00 +0000

Good Day Everyone,

Please see below for a free concert tonight presented by the Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival, featuring the Duo Concertante. Duo concertante is composed of Nancy Dahn (violin) and Timothy Steeves(piano), both faculty members of Memorial University's School of Music. For more information about the artists or the festival please visit http://www.tuckamorefestival.ca/.

In celebration of St. John's Day, the Tuckamore Festival presents a free evening concert at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (The Kirk) on Friday, June 22, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

The concert will feature Duo Concertante; Nancy Dahn, violin, and Timothy Steeves, piano, performing a program of well-known orchestral music, arias, Latin tunes and Gershwin classics; all arranged especially for them by composer Clifford Crawley. These arrangements will include the traditional Irish tune "The Lark in the Clear Air," Gershwin's, "Lady Be Good," and the well known "Tico Tico" by Zequinha de Abreu.

Since forming in 1997, Duo Concertante has been acclaimed for performances characterized by brilliance, subtlety, passion, and stunning ensemble across Canada, the United States and abroad. Timothy Steeves and Nancy Dahn have appeared in London (Wigmore Hall), Germany (Am Neuendorfer Anger, Berlin), Chicago (Dame Myra Hess Series), New York City (Music of the Americas; Trinity Church), Ottawa (National Arts Centre), Beijing (Forbidden City Concert Hall), San Francisco (Old First Church), Toronto (Walter Hall), and Montreal (Chapelle du bon Pasteur), and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). The Duo has also been featured at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Peterhof International Festival of Ensembles (St. Petersburg, Russia), Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Cactus Pear Music Festival (TX), Colours of Music Festival, Sound Symposium, and the Baie des Chaleurs Chamber Music Festival. Recent highlights include an eight-city tour of China, which the Duo will repeat in 2008, world premiere performances of works by Chan Ka Nin and Linda Bouchard, and five performances of a new concerto written for them by Alice Ho, commissioned by CBC.

Regards,
Tzu-Hao
--
Tzu-Hao Hsu, B. Comm (Co-op)
Program Administrator,
Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)
P.O. Box 23182
Churchill Square
St. John's, NL A1B 4J9
Tel: (709) 738-2277
step@nfld.com, suzukinl@gmail.com
http://www.nfld.com/~step

FridgeWorks and an impromptu performance opportunity!

Heather Patey — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:12:00 +0000

The household refrigerator is a children's art gallery.

FridgeWorks: A Children's Art Exhibit is happening over the St. John's Days weekend Friday June 22nd-25th in downtown St. John's. On Saturday there will be a free children's art workshop at the Eastern Edge Gallery (Harbour Dr) 12-4pm. All children are welcome to come and make art for the exhibit. Their works will be publicly displayed on "door galleries" placed in shops around the downtown area starting June 23rd after 4pm.

The workshop is this weekend and STEP students are welcome to bring their instruments and play. It'll be an informal public performance opportunity and lots of fun to make art.

FridgeWorks & Graduation tape reminder

Heather Patey — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:33:00 +0000

Good Day Everyone,

Our Artistic Director, Evelyn Osborne, is having a free children's art workshop on Saturday June 23 from 12-4 at Eastern Edge Gallery, 72 Harbour Drive (between Clift's-Baird's Cove Road and Prescott Street). Everyone's welcome to come and make some fridge arts, which will be displayed on fridge doors around the dowtnown area in various businesses for public viewing.

She was also wondering if anyone would like to show up and bring your instrument for an impromptu performance! It's a fun little opportunity for everyone to relax, enjoy some arts and crafting, and play for a small audience. Those interested in playing please confirm your attendance via email, or just come along and make some fridge arts.

I would also like to remind everyone about submission of the graduation tapes. It's very important to make sure these tapes make their way to me or teachers by June 30th, so we will have time to coordinate adjudications and their return to you!

Congrats also to members of the STEP Young Virtuosi class, who performed in concert with Averill Baker under the co-leadership of Heather and Sean, accompanied by Joanne, on Sunday night. Ms. Baker called me this morning to express her heartfelt thank-you for the stellar performance, and looks forward to playing with us again!

That's all for today. Any questions for me, I'm just a phone call or email away!

Regards,
Tzu-Hao

--
Tzu-Hao Hsu, B. Comm (Co-op)
Program Administrator,
Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)
P.O. Box 23182
Churchill Square
St. John's, NL A1B 4J9
Tel: (709) 738-2277
step@nfld.com, suzukinl@gmail.com
http://www.nfld.com/~step

STEP has a new telephone number!

Heather Patey — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:28:00 +0000

Good Morning Everyone,

STEP now has a new telephone number! You may reach us at 738-2277 between 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, or leave us a message and we'll get back to you.

I am looking forward to receiving my first telephone call at the new number!

Regards,
Tzu-Hao

--
Tzu-Hao Hsu, B. Comm (Co-op)
Program Administrator,
Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)
P.O. Box 23182
Churchill Square
St. John's, NL A1B 4J9
Tel: (709) 738-2277
step@nfld.com, suzukinl@gmail.com
http://www.nfld.com/~step

Graduation tape

Heather Patey — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:15:00 +0000

Good Day Graduates,

Just as a follow up to Evelyn's helpful reminder at the group class concert, if you haven't started thinking about graduation tapes, now's the time to do it! The deadline for tape submission is June 30th, 2007. Please see 'Graduation Requirements' at http://www.nfld.com/~step/Graduation_Requirements.pdf for guidelines regarding your eligibility to graduate. Graduation level for violin, viola and cello are listed in this document along with the old graduation requirements.

There have been some modifications made to violin graduation requirements, with no changes to cello at this time. Both the new and old requirements will be accepted this year.

New violin graduation requirements are:

Books 1-4: No changes were made to these requirements.

Book 5: Perform frst violin of Bach's Double Violin concerto
Tape: Vivaldi g minor 1st movement
         One slow movement of either the g minor or a minor Vivaldi concerti
       Veracini Sonata
       Country Dance

Book 6: Perform own choice of Handel, or Handel Sonata in F, second movement, if there are enough graduates
Tape: Handel Sonata - any two movements

Book 7: Tape Bach Concerto - fast and slow movement and one movement of the Mozart Sonata. Discuss which piece you'd like to perform for the graduation recital with your teacher

Book 8: Tape two movements of the Veracini and one movement of the solo Bach (Gavotte from E major is suggsted). Discuss which piece you'd like to perform for the graduation recital with your teacher

Book 9: Tape and perform Romanian Dances

Book 10: Tape and perform Praeludium and Allegro

The above new requirements will be posted to the website soon, keep an eye out for it in the 'reference for members' section of our website.

Tapes should be submitted to your teachers, or to Tzu-Hao at the STEP office, suite 312, Arts and Culture Centre. Office is open 9 to 5 Monday to Friday, or you may call for an appointment for a more convenient time.

Thank you for the great work at the group concert!

Regards,
Tzu

--
Tzu-Hao Hsu, B. Comm (Co-op)
Program Administrator,
Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)
P.O. Box 23182
Churchill Square
St. John's, NL A1B 4J9
Tel: (709) 691-2545
step@nfld.com, suzukinl@gmail.com
http://www.nfld.com/~step

Community Event - Classical Iranian Music

Heather Patey — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:56:00 +0000

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Sent by request of our Artistic Director, Evelyn Osborne!

Mehdi Azarsina, an Iranian musician, will present a free of charge concert on Monday, June 4th at 7pm in School of Music's Petro Canada Hall, Rom 1050. The concert features works for kamanche (or the Persian spiked fiddle) and setar, following the Radifi music tradition of Iran. For more information you may email Farhood Azarsina at Farhood.Azarsina@nrc.ca .

Regards,
Tzu-Hao

--
Tzu-Hao Hsu, B. Comm (Co-op)
Program Administrator,
Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP)
P.O. Box 23182
Churchill Square
St. John's, NL A1B 4J9
Tel: (709) 691-2545
step@nfld.com, suzukinl@gmail.com
http://www.nfld.com/~step