Best Wishes
Elan has a wish.
This sixteen year old percussionist wants a vibraphone. Not just any vibraphone… a customized Musser Mallet vibraphone.
What he and his family didn’t wish for was for his recent medical diagnosis which, for privacy’s sake, won’t be identified. Suffice to say, it’s that diagnosis that put him in touch with the good folks at Make-a-Wish Southern Alberta. In addition, this diagnosis sidelined Elan’s desire to play percussion in the Calgary Youth Orchestra (CYO), an MRU Conservatory-based ensemble directed by Edmond Agopian.
Surrounded by his parents Cindy and Yossi and his brother Noam, he received that wish in the TransAlta Pavilion of the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts. There were presentations from Kim Anthony (CEO of Make-a-Wish), Vickie Sauve (Make-a-Wish Wish Granting Coordinator), Elaine Danelesko (Director of the Mount Royal University Conservatory) and a special presentation by George Fenwick (Manager, Calgary Youth Orchestra) declaring Elan as an honorary member of the CYO and welcoming him to join in the ensemble’s next season. After some heartfelt words by his parents, Elan took the stage to debut his new dream instrument, donated by the Musser Mallet Company, alongside his high school bandmates, the Ernest Manning Jazz Combo
The TransAlta Pavilion never sounded more alive. The artistry the combo showcased of jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves” and “Take the A-Train” were both impressive and therapeutic for everyone there. “I can’t believe just yesterday he was lying in a hospital bed with tubes in both lungs,” said Yossi, his beaming father.
Mike Schuett is Elan’s percussion teacher at MRU Conservatory. Listening intently as the vibraphone rang during the entire event, his prideful smile said it all.
This vibraphone was meant for Elan and his playing displayed that. Ever gracious, Elan traded solos with his instrumentalist partners in an improvised set of collective talent beyond their years. Between songs, he was able to greet his fans made up of fellow schoolmates, family, friends and musical colleagues from the Calgary Stampede Show Band.
MRU was pleased to be able to play a small part in presenting Elan’s wish, and are grateful to the staff and volunteers at Make-a-Wish Southern Alberta for all they do for this community, and our community of which Elan has been an active part for many years.
Though the following day, Elan is scheduled for chemotherapy… tonight, the show goes on.
- by JLove
Music to Your Ears
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It’s the Year of Music in Calgary.
We have this brand new Bella Concert Hall in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts at Mount Royal University. Its award-winning design and already renowned acoustics are freshly ringing in the ears of all who have been there. Like any proud parent, MRU Conservatory wants to show its baby off.
Now that we’ve brought the Bella into the world, it’s time to bring the world to the Bella! It’s with that mission that we introduce Music to Your Ears our 2016-17 Concert Season.
Tonight, we announce the artists in 7 Concert Series. They represent the quality of music you expect from an institution like MRU Conservatory, but also reflect the diversity of our musical reach and mandate moving forward. Most in our hometown have turned to MRU Conservatory for exceptional education and programming, and this season promises to offer more musical styles from the world’s best artists who will resonate with all Calgarians.
Soundscape Series
Chantal Kreviazuk – Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Jan Lisiecki – Friday, January 20, 2017
Wu Man & Friends – Friday, March 3, 2017
Journey, Live! – Saturday, May 6, 2017
Land’s End Ensemble: 20th Anniversary – Friday, May 26, 2017
Travelers Series
Ziggy Marley – Thursday, October 13, 2016
Brian Blade & The Fellowship – Sunday, January 29, 2017
Antigona – Friday, March 10, 2017
Avital meets Avital – Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Pedrito Martinez – Saturday, April 22, 2017
Northern Lights Series
Chris Hadfield – Saturday, November 26th, 2016
Raghav – Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Canadian Guitar Quartet – Wednesday, February 8th, 2017
Wild West New Music Ensemble – Saturday, October 15, 2016
Instrumental Society of Calgary with Neil Cockburn – Sunday, April 2, 2017
Wyatt Series
Zukerman Trio – Friday, February 17, 2017
Kronos Quartet – Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Andres Cardenes with the Calgary Youth Orchestra – Sunday, May 14, 2017
Family Portrait Series
Secret Lives of Suitcases – November 2 – 6, 2016
The Queen, the Bear and the Bumblebee – Sunday, April 23, 2017
Spotlight Series
We’re proud of our MRU Conservatory instructors. So, we’ve created a series that allows them to shine. The final line-up to be announced in Fall ’16.
Salon Series
FOUR spectacular evening shows in the style of the salons of France in the 1920s and 30s. It’s the perfect occasion to get a table of friends together, raise a glass and enjoy some tunes. The final line-up to be announced in Fall ’16.
While not a series itself, we’ll still be offering many concert events featuring our amazing music and speech arts programs at MRU Conservatory. Our festive favourites continue with Winter Fantasia and Sounds of the Season (with guest hosts: the Heebee-jeebees). These events feature performances from our choral, orchestra and speech arts programs that are sure to get Calgarians into the spirit of the season.
Welcome to the new sound of MRU Conservatory. Tickets are available on June 1, 2016! The early birds get… the best seats.
With a 25% discount when you purchase tickets for a whole series (Soundscape, Travelers, Northern Lights or Wyatt) that’s certainly Music to Your Ears!
-JLove