Cello Again
Amanda Forsyth is at MRU.
The youngest principal cello ever selected by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has returned. Forsyth played with the CPO for six years and was featured as a soloist in each of them.
Since then, she has graced the world’s stages, played with the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis and recorded the sound track for Ken Burns’ 7-part television film about World War II. She and her husband, violinist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman are back and giving back in Calgary at the MRU Conservatory.
In her masterclass in the TransAlta Pavillion, about a dozen lucky cellists are getting an insight into what it takes to take their craft to the next level. Nervous fingers clutch the instruments awaiting the master’s critique. “More strength,” Forsyth suggests, “if you can play with a stronger tone, then you’re four bars in and you’ve already had some fun.”
Her passion f
or the instrument is very much apparent. It is an extension of her body whether she’s playing, coaching or tucking it in the crook of her arm as she sips some much needed water. “Welcome to Calgary,” she jokes about the dryness she once knew.
The MRU Conservatory students are a bit shell-shocked. But, one by one, they sit taller and play, learning some valuable insider information from a master. A master who was once in their shoes; raw developing talent ready to take the world stage.
Forsyth smiles as she coaches, maybe reminiscing about her time as a student cellist, maybe about her time in Calgary, and just maybe about the potential of adding the names of these budding students to the list of artists she has collaborated with.
Backstage at the Bella
We’ve all seen and heard many inspiring stories on a concert stage, but what inspiration goes into building the stage itself?
The Bella Concert Hall in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts is the newly opened crown jewel of the MRU Conservatory. Both aesthetically stunning and acoustically sound, Calgary’s newest concert hall is an artistic masterpiece.
Bill Murray is the visionary architect behind the scenes. You can get some backstage insight into his design concept with inspirations drawn from the Alberta landscape, prairie symbols and origami. Aspects of the hall’s interior and exterior structure were based on the concept of a prairie barn.
While pondering a visually pleasing yet acoustically versatile ceiling design, Murray explains, “It occurred to me, if we abstracted the Alberta Rose and made it out of wood, that it would be quite a wonderful element.”
The ‘barn’ was raised to much acclaim from audiences and performers alike in the Bella’s grand opening festival featuring the likes of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, featured soloists, several choral ensembles and pianist Yuja Wang. Seeing and hearing the space upon completion, a satisfied Murray lauded, “It’s better than I ever imagined.”
We couldn’t agree more.
To hear Bill Murray, the Architect of the Bella Concert Hall talk about his design…“>click here.
High Needs
MRU choirs need more Sopranos
It’s a rare musical predicament.
Jean-Louis Bleau, the director of MRU’s Artio choir explains, “Unlike other choirs in the city…we have a shortage of sopranos.”
Sopranos are routinely plentiful in the choral world. There’s often an abundance of talented ladies willing to carry the melody, while choirs scrounge for supporting female voice parts and men’s voices. “Other choirs are struggling for guys to sing bass and tenor.” Bleau resounds, “Two-thirds of the choir are guys. We are unbalanced on the top-end, so we need some strong sopranos… especially sopranos that can sing high A’s.”
That’s a high order.
As the new Program Administrator for MRU Conservatory’s General and Orchestral Programs and director of Artio, Bleau has the perfect pitch for ladies who are interested, “The music we do is very challenging. We’re doing these aggressive style pieces like (Mozart’s) Dies Irae and Flame by Ben Parry.” The latter includes a two-minute finale featuring a staggered soprano section continuously singing a high A.
“People are always welcome to pop by and see what we do,” Bleau attests. “We have a couple extra chairs we set up in rehearsal.” When asked what the general reaction is of those who venture into the rehearsal hall, the director admits that most who come to listen stay to sing.
Artio will be seen next in concert with pianist Konstantin Shamray at the Bella Concert Hall on November, 22nd. Then, they will be featured in the MRU Conservatory’s holiday show Sounds of the Season on December 12th. If you have a high voice and a passion for choral music, perhaps you can join them.
Coming Soon! Cowtown Opera Summer Academy
By now you have probably heard Cowtown Opera’s Calgary Flames fight song titled Never Quit. What you may not have heard is that the people behind the song also put on a master class academy for young opera singers last summer at the Mount Royal University Conservatory.
The Cowtown Opera Summer Academy offers a short intensive program for singing students who wish to learn more about opera, art song, stage craft and vocal health. Some of the topics covered by the Summer Academy are:
- “Yoga for the Voice”
- Individual voice lessons
- Stagecraft classes
- Masterclasses in French song, German lieder and opera arias
- Classes on vocal health, career development, and “How to Become Your Biggest Fan”
- Art song recital and opera scene workshops
It is divided into sessions for Junior (ages 12-15), Intermediate (ages 15-18) and Senior (ages 18+) students.
If this sounds interesting to you or someone you know then you should know that applications are due April 24, 2015. You can find more details about admissions and auditions at the Cowtown Summer Academy website (http://mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/TheConservatory/Programs/ssdata_cons_cowtownopera.htm).
Hot contest for Conservatory pianist’s Hot Springs
We’re happy to share some big news from Peter Rudzik, one of the Conservatory’s branch faculty.
His composition, Hot Springs, is featured in the latest issue of International Piano magazine.
For the first time, readers can compete for the best recording of the piece.
Download the score and music here.
Rudzik shared his story with us:
“It was my idea to organize the competition and both Claire Jackson (editor of International Piano) and Louise Greener (manager) thought it was brilliant. I hope there will be lots of contestants. I’m trying to promote it in Canada as much as I can.”
Q: What was the inspiration behind your composition?
Peter Rudzik: “Hot Springs as a title is quite self-explanatory. It was inspired by the countless Rocky Mountain hot springs I’ve been to over the years and since I associate them with fun and bubbly pleasures, so is the piece. I like to think it’s lighthearted and fun though not easy to perform.”
Rudzik is an award-winning pianist hailing from Poland. As a student, his scholarship from the Chopin Society in Warsaw led to numerous recitals and appearances on national television and radio. He took post graduate studies at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark.
His love of teaching led him to Mount Royal University Conservatory in Calgary. Many of his students, which cover all levels from beginners to the licentiate, have achieved top levels of excellence both provincially and nationally.
Sherri Zickefoose, Jan. 20. 2015
Meet Bella
Curious about the beauty behind Mount Royal Conservatory’s new concert hall?
The concert hall is named in honour of Mary Belle (Sherwood) Taylor, the matriarch of Calgary’s Taylor family who generously donated to make the project a reality.
Loved ones called her Bella – Italian for beautiful and a commonly used musical term – so it’s a perfect fit.
Want to learn more about Bella?
With a goal of making life better for everyone around her, Bella succeeded at every turn.
Whether it was scratching out a new life on a southern Alberta farm as a young bride, supplementing tough times by supporting her family or rallying for a much-needed community school, Mary Belle orchestrated success.
“She was a great Alberta pioneering woman, in every sense,” said son Don Taylor.
The Bella Concert Hall — at the heart of the new Conservatory — is named in honour of the Taylor family matriarch Mary Belle (Sherwood) Taylor (1891-1972), known simply as Bella to loved ones.
Slated to open next fall, the city’s much needed mid-sized professional concert hall would not have been possible without a generous $21-million contribution provided by the Taylor family.It’s the largest private donation in Mount Royal University’s history.
The concert hall will serve music students and audiences, as well as providing a hub for a broad range of performing arts activities for the community.
The story of Bella is the story of true pioneering spirit. In the spring of 1912, the 21-year-old bride boarded a train in Kingston, Ontario, bravely heading west to start a life farming with her husband on the Prairies. After the family lost the farm in Barons, Alberta during The Depression, Bella moved to Calgary where she began ran a boarding house for 12 years to help support her family.
“She was an incredibly great lady and very hard-working,” said Taylor.
Bella was an enthusiastic supporter of education and was instrumental in bringing an elementary to Grade 12 schoolhouse to serve Barons, a rural village located 170 kilometres south of Calgary. The school was featured as a filming location in a scene of the 1978 film Superman.
“It was such a small community, it couldn’t be justified. But she campaigned with the local and provincial governments. And it happened solely because of her efforts.”
Much like Bella’s efforts to further education, the Taylor family’s philanthropy will benefit music lovers and theatre goers for generations to come.
“If my mother was here I’m sure she would be justly proud,” said Taylor.
Learn more about the new Conservatory and Bella Concert Hall here:
http://issuu.com/mountroyaluniversity/docs/summit-fall-2014-opt/45?e=6955824%2F9632036
Sherri Zickefoose, Jan. 23, 2015
Popular music classes coming to Conservatory
Even if you haven’t met James Desautels yet, chances are you may have already heard him.
The newest Conservatory strings faculty member (and Academy alumnus) is enjoying more than two decades working full-time in the music entertainment industry.
If you watched the final episode of NBC’s The Office, you were hearing Desautels as first violinist during Dwight and Angela’s wedding scene. Here he is performing what we heard:
From Itzhak Perlman to Pearl Jam, Desautels has toured the world sharing the stage with stars of the classical world, famous rockers and everyone in between.
Now, the award-winning Calgarian is sharing his experience as an accomplished songwriter, composer, producer, conductor and Grammy voting member by offering a host of new classes in popular music at the Conservatory.
This fall, the Conservatory is offering new classes in songwriting, rock bands and rock orchestra, country, rhythm and blues, music industry business, history of popular music and more.
“Popular music is timeless. Great songs live forever,” said Desautels. “Popular music is for everyone. This opportunity for musical expression and performance is unparalleled.”
New group classes for rock band offers an opportunity for people who are looking to play with other musicians and strut their stuff on stage.
“The thrill of live music is universal,” he says. “Great things happen when we come together to share music.”
Performance opportunities lead to confidence and practical training in popular music, says Desautels.
“Many people are interested in taking their playing to a higher level. The Conservatory offers Rock band courses for all combinations of instruments Faculty and students can dream up. This offers a unique opportunity for students to collaborate while studying and performing together.
Rock orchestra is “a one of a kind opportunity and life changing experience for students to be a part of a massive sonic landscape,” said Desautels.
The classically-trained violinist (who also plays piano, viola, mandolin and guitar, says expanding performing opportunities and introducing songwriting for Conservatory students offers them a unique experience.
“It’s freeing to write what I’m feeling. I find that collaboration is key — co-writing is magical. The flow that comes with another person cannot be matched alone. And it is thrilling to create something that wasn’t there before. Performing this music the energy exchange between the stage and the crowd is immediate.”
Desautels got his start studying classical violin at age five. Two years later he began studying fiddle, country and bluegrass music. As a teenager he toured internationally, performing classical and fiddle music, and earned a Bachelor of Music degree with distinction at age 21. Desautels received a Master of Music degree from the University of Arizona and moved to Austin, Texas to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
Desautels says popular music classes offer students of all backgrounds and abilities opportunities to enrich themselves.
“We are completing Mount Royal Conservatory’s music with all the branches of the musical tree.”
Watch for more announcements about popular music at the Conservatory. Sign up for our enewsletters to receive the latest news.
Sherri Zickefoose, Jan. 20, 2015
Christmas in Song with the Heebee-jeebees
Christmas in Song is coming up fast on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Christmas in Song is coming up fast on Saturday, Nov. 29.
The festive musical tradition showcases classical masterpieces and traditional favourites from our family of choirs and the Calgary Youth Orchestra, along with some seasonal swing, courtesy of our jazz faculty.
But it wouldn’t be the holidays without guest emcees the Heebee-jeebees.
The award-winning, comic a cappella group – Mount Royal alumni who were born and raised in Calgary – have been together for more than 20 years.
The hilarious, entertaining and extremely talented quartet have been a part of Christmas in Song for years.
We asked the group to share their favourite Christmas in Song moments through the years.
Cedric Blary
“In my four years playing clarinet in the Academy and diploma programs at the Conservatory, I feel like I learned so much about classical music in its many forms. From seeing the prodigious talent of 13-year-olds playing Paganini to performing in masterclasses for some of my musical heroes, not to mention the chance to play in the CYO, the opportunities then and now are outstanding for any young musician and I am delighted to, once again, be a part of this festive showcase.
“As a Heebee-jeebee, one of my favourite memories of Christmas in Song is that of our first appearance, waiting backstage wearing one of our ‘less-than-traditional’ costumes and seeing the incredulous looks of amusement and bewilderment on the faces of the musical directors who had likely just finished a thoughtful and inspiring talk to their choristers about focus, listening and connecting with the lyrics.”
Chris Herard
“As emcees, the Heebee-jeebees get a lot of opportunities to interact with the performers. I am constantly blown away by the talent, focus and high quality performances of the youth involved, and their incredible directors. My favourite memories are always the ones where we have performed alongside these talented musicians. A specific memory which stands out was our collaboration with the CYO to present PDQ Bach’s Beethoven’s Fifth baseball parody two years ago. It was one of those brilliant and entertaining moments which for me defines what each Christmas in Song is.
“As a local music educator, I also revel in the pride of knowing many of the students involved every year, having either taught them in the distant or near past, or currently teaching them today. It’s a proud moment for a teacher when we see students so engaged and having the time of their lives performing on the big stage.”
Ken Lima-Coelho
“My favourite part of Christmas in Song is the diversity of ages in the talent represented onstage. From the young, fresh faced children’s groups singing their hearts out, to the focused and “wise beyond their years” Youth Orchestra virtuosos to the, um, long-experienced but equally eager Kantorei singers (of which I was one,) everyone is there to make magical, beautiful and moving music. And there is also the Heebee-jeebees.”
Jonathan Love
“Christmas in Song is a magical holiday tradition where every year, we get upstaged by MRU’s gifted performers. It always makes me wish I had practiced more.”
Call 403-440-7770 to order Christmas in Song tickets today.
Conservatory director, students earn awards
Mount Royal Conservatory Director Paul Dornian is now a Fellow of The Royal Conservatory of Music in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the arts and achievements in the field of music education.
And teenage cello sensation Mari Coetzee has won the RCM’s national gold medal for cello performance, thanks to earning the highest exam marks in Canada.
The awards were presented in Calgary Sunday, Nov. 2 during the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Convocation ceremony at Calgary’s Telus Convention Centre.
Dornian, who has served as Conservatory director for 22 years, is a well-respected arts leader and has served on the boards of many local institutions, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Calgary Arts Development Authority and within Mount Royal University.
He is responsible for implementing many pioneering programs that have elevated the Conservatory to international status. Projects include the expansion of the Academy for Gifted Youth, Feast of Sound & Song, Morningside Music Bridge international summer training school and festival, and, of course, the Bella Concert Hall and new Conservatory building opening next fall.
“In Canada, we’ve all grown up with musical roots in the RCM examination system,” said Dornian. “When I was a child the exam system remained but the performance training aspect of the RCM had lost some of its luster. Over the past 30 years it has been exciting to watch the RCM, under the visionary direction of their President, Peter Simon, recover their status as a great music performance school. I am touched and honored to be receiving an award from this important cultural organization that is such a part of our cultural identity.”
In his speech to Calgary and southern Alberta music students gathered Sunday, Dornian said studying music demands great commitment, but returns much more.
“Music makes you a better person and makes the world a better place,” he said.
Past recipients of this award include Oscar Peterson, Robertson Davies, Adrienne Clarkson, Teresa Stratas, Michael and Sonja Koerner, and Leon Fleisher.
After completing two degrees in Clarinet Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Dornian began teaching clarinet at Mount Royal Conservatory and eventually became manager of general programs and finally director.
After several successful years at the helm of Western Canada’s largest performing arts education institution, Dornian returned to university to complete his Master of Business Administration degree. His skills and results in fundraising have come to the fore, affording the Conservatory continued financial stability at a time when many arts organizations have struggled.
Award-winning Mount Royal Conservatory student Mari Coetzee, 16, is the recipient of the RCM 2014 National Gold Medal for Violoncello Performance. She recently completed an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) Diploma with first-class honours with distinction. She earned the gold medal for the highest national mark for all cello ARCT exams across Canada.
“I am thrilled to receive this award. I have been doing Royal Conservatory of Music cello, piano, theory, harmony, and music history exams since I was eight years old,” said Coetzee, who has been playing cello since age five.
“For me, this is a great way to graduate from the RCM. I’ve learned so much about music through the preparation and completion of these exams. This year I am in Mount Royal’s Advanced Performance Program and finishing grade 12. I am looking forward to studying for my music degree at the university level next year.”
Coetzee has been studying with Mount Royal Conservatory’s renowned cello instructor John Kadz.
“In all my many years of teaching I have seldom had a student like Mari whom I have now taught for seven years,” said Kadz. “Her determination, dedication, intelligence, discipline and pure hard work stand out and are the reasons she is the fine young cellist she has become.”
Sherri Zickefoose, Nov. 3, 2014
Celebrity organist Luc Beauséjour kicks off Calgary Organ Festival
Hear Montreal’s Luc Beauséjour tonight.
Award-winning harpsichordist and organist Luc Beauséjour is renowned for the elegance, virtuosity, and expressiveness of his playing, which has won him an enthusiastic audience and the continuing praise of critics and music specialists.
Beauséjour performing schedule sees him travelling throughout Canada, France, the United States, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, and Bermuda. He has performed in Paris, Boston, Washington D.C., Vienna, Munich, and Montreal, as well as at numerous festivals, including the Festival d’Uzès (France), the Lanaudière International Festival, the Festival d’Ambronay, the festival Un été à Bourges, the Lamèque Early Music Festival (New Brunswick), and the Vancouver Early Music Festival. He was invited to perform the Goldberg Variations at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto for a CBC commemoration of the great pianist’s birthday—testimony to the recognition he has earned as one of Canada’s finest musicians. He is also heard regularly on both CBC and Radio-Canada.
He was born in Rawdon, Quebec, and holds a doctorate from the Université de Montréal. He studied harpsichord with Mireille Lagacé and organ with Bernard Lagacé. He also trained in Europe under Ton Koopman and Kenneth Gilbert. He was first-prize winner of the 1985 Erwin Bodky International Harpischord Competition in Boston, he has also won prizes at several other competitions and received a number of grants from the Canada Council and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Mr. Beauséjour teaches harpsichord and organ in Montreal.
What a great way to start Organ Festival!
8 p.m.: Celebrity Organ Recital — Luc Beauséjour (Montreal)
- Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary, 206 University Court N.W.
- Tickets: $25 regular, $18 student/senior. On sale at the University of Calgary Campus Ticket Centre.
This event is hosted by the School of Creative and Performing Arts (Music) of the University of Calgary.