SOA June 2013 Newsletter

SOA acknowledges the

generous support of:

It is that time of year where we see things both come to an end as well as begin

again! Our province’s cultural organizations, music associations, youth

orchestras, professional orchestras and ensembles have all begun to look back

on yet another successful season. Here at the SOA, we are looking forward to

not only a successful summer of music education, but also a brighter future in

the long term.

It is clear that all of the hard work that the volunteers connected to the SOA

have done over the past few years is paying off. WE ARE GROWING. The

results from the recent 3-year Annual Global Funding process have arrived with

good news. By Year 3 of the next cycle, the SOA will see an overall increase in

funding of 47%! It is time to advocate for and work harder to build a strong

foundation for the future of music in our province.

This summer, the SOA will see the Saskatchewan Music Alliance Summer

Music Camp expand to Prince Albert. This will give an opportunity for even

more young people in our province to experiment with and experience music. If

last year’s program is any indicator, then we can expect see an increase in the

number of young people pursuing music through already established programs.

This summer, Regina Summer Strings will continue to offer young string

players in Saskatchewan a great opportunity to study with musicians from

across North America and new initiatives from the Saskatoon Suzuki Strings

Program will prepare more and more kids for a productive 2013/14 season.

Finally, I would like to welcome our new board members. We have a number of

new board members and I look forward to working with all of them as we enter

this time of growth.

I encourage you all to dream big as we begin to further strengthen our efforts to

bring music to more and more people throughout Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, Inc.

NEWSLETTER

Inside this issue:

President’s Message 1

Summer Events 1

Regina Summer Strings 2

Regina Mandolin

Orchestra Convention 3-5

SSSP New Initiative

Outreach 6-7

Summer String

Experience 7-8

How Parents Can

Enrich, Part 2 9-10

Prairie Cello Institute 11

SSYO Update 12

Friendly Folk Update 13-14

SOA Info & Events 15

President’s Message June 2013

By Curtis Scheschuk

Here’s what’s going on this summer!

Regina Summer Strings July 2-6 Regina

Summer String Experience July 7-12 Saskatoon

SOA Saito Conducting Workshop July 20-27 Saskatoon

Classical Mandolin Society of America Convention Sept. 24-26 Regina

(hosted by the Regina Mandolin Orchestra)

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 2

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 3

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 4

Regina Mandolin Orchestra

Hosts International Mandolin Convention! Submitted by Susan McLaughlin

From September 24th to 28th, 2013, the R.M.O. will be playing host to a unique gather-

ing of amateur & professional mandolinists from around the globe: the 27th Convention

of the Classical Mandolin Society of America. This event will be held primarily at the

Executive Royal Hotel in Regina. We are bringing in an exceptional line-up of talent to

head up workshops, lead orchestra rehearsals and give public performances. Whether

you are a ‘beginner’ at the mandolin, a seasoned veteran or just an enthusiastic non-

playing supporter of the mandolin sound, you won’t want to miss out on the opportuni-

ties presented by this convention.

We are very excited to announce that Dr. Jim Bates will be the Conductor of the En

Masse Orchestra. Jim is a professor of music at Otterbein University in Ohio, is the as-

sistant conductor and principal bassist in the Westerville Symphony, and is on the con-

ducting staff of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Jim always does an excellent job of

making participation in the En Masse Orchestra a fun learning experience culminating

in an outstanding concert performance. Jim is also a first class music educator, and his

CMSA workshops, packed with practical information, are not to be missed!

Chris Acquavella will also be joining us in September. Chris is a classical man-

dolinist and educator from San Diego, California. He graduated First Class Hon-

ors from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, London, England. He

has studied under the instruction of Alison Stephens and participated in Master

Classes with Caterina Lichtenberg of Germany. As a soloist, he performs classi-

cal repertoire on both modern and baroque mandolins. Chris has concertized

around the world as a soloist and orchestra musician, and is currently Artistic Di-

rector/Conductor of the newly formed New Expression Mandolin Orchestra

(NEMO). As well as being one of our featured performers, Chris will be leading

the Teachers’ & Techniques Workshop that precedes the Regina CMSA Con-

vention. Chris has a very unique ability to connect to students in a classroom sit-

uation….you won’t want to pass on this opportunity to spend 6 hours of class-

room time learning from him in Regina.

Dr. Stefanie Rauch, from Germany, will round out the ‘classical’ side of the

teaching & performing component of the convention. For over 15 years, Dr.

Stefanie Rauch, has been performing as a soloist and with several ensembles

around the world. She studied the mandolin under the instruction of Keith David

Harris. Stefanie is a member of the world music ensemble Vinorosso, and the

music director of the federation of plucked-string music of the German state of

Hesse (BDZ Hessen e.V.). She is a regular guest at various international courses,

teaching the mandolin and the mandola as well as music history. Apart from

being a classical mandolinist, Dr. Stefanie Rauch is a musicologist at the

Musicological Seminar of the Universität Paderborn and the Hochschule für

Musik Detmold, Germany. Between 2007 and 2011, Stefanie also held teaching

positions at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Cologne/Wuppertal as well as

the Philipps-Universität Marburg and the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg.

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 5

Negotiations are wrapping up to bring in two additional guest artists. The first will

be Will Patton. Will is known as a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He has

been playing all kinds of music for over 30 years now, including celtic, jazz, rock

and roll, bluegrass and Brazilian choro. He is in demand as a jazz bass player and

session mandolinist in his home state of Vermont and has of late been traveling to

NYC, Paris, California and Grenada for gigs and recordings dates. During the last

12 years he has been leading his own quintet comprised of mandolin/octave mando-

lin, violin, guitar, flute, clarinet and string bass. The group has been focusing on

Gypsy jazz and Brazilian styles and perform many original compositions in their

repertoire.

Another mandolinist who has asked to be a performer in Regina is Tim Connell.

Tim is a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music, and

makes his home in Portland, Oregon. Tim is a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist with

over twenty years professional performing experience. Tim Connell is a quietly

rising star in the acoustic music world, forging a unique and sophisticated new

voice for the mandolin in his recordings and tours with renowned jazz guitarist Er-

ic Skye, fellow mandolinist Jack Dwyer, and the Brazilian choro group Rio Con

Brio. Tim is an experienced teacher and workshop presenter, teaching mandolin

workshops and leading the choro jam at the annual Wintergrass festival in Belle-

vue, WA and leading the choro jam at David Grisman and Mike Marshall’s annual Mandolin Symposium in

Santa Cruz, CA. As a prolific session musician, Tim’s mandolin (and Irish tin whistle, guitar and bass) are fea-

tured on dozens of CD’s, including the latest release in the wildly popular Oy, Baby! series of Jewish chil-

dren’s music, where he can be heard putting the “Oy!” in mand-oy-lin.

With all this talent showing up in Regina, it’s going to be difficult to choose which concurrent workshop to

attend!

For folks who are interested in hearing our guest artists perform, we are pleased to announce that you will be

able to hear them at free public performances taking place on Friday, September 27th (at the Executive Royal

Hotel – Emerald Ballroom) and on Saturday, September 28th (at the Regina Performing Arts Centre). Exact

details will be available closer to the convention. The R.M.O. will have a slot on the Friday performance

schedule as well. And Saturday’s performance at R.P.A.C. will include several selections played by the En

Masse Orchestra, comprised of all convention delegates. It’s a rare and magical experience to see and hear

that many members of the mandolin family of instruments on stage at the same time!

As if all this excitement weren’t enough to keep R.M.O. busy, we have been attending to our regular perfor-

mances around town. Our ‘String Thaw’ concert in April introduced some new repertoire, and featured a great

‘guest performance’ by our own Brian Templeton on bass. On Monday, May 20th, we performed for a very

appreciative audience at the Cathedral Performing Arts Festival at Westminster United Church. Our next per-

formance will be in September, as part of the C.M.S.A. Convention . . . undoubtedly this will require us to

keep our fingers in shape over the summer!

Regina Mandolin Orchestra

www.mandolin.ca

www.mandolinconvention.com

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 6

Saskatoon Suzuki Strings Program’s Orchestras Perform

in the Cities of Warman and Martensville By Ken Pontikes

The Boccherini and Paganini Orchestras of the Saskatoon Suzuki String Program performed their 2012-13

yearend concerts in Saskatchewan’s newest cities, Warman and Martensville. These concerts were in addition

to our annual yearend orchestra concert in Saskatoon.

The purpose of the concerts in Warman and Martensville was to introduce and promote the Saskatoon Suzuki

Strings Program to families and students residing in urban and rural areas near Saskatoon. The concerts were

promoted through posters and newspaper advertisements. A feature article on the orchestras appeared in the

May 23, 2013 edition of The Clark’s Crossing Gazette, a weekly newspaper that serves the region.

In addition to Warman and Martensville, our promotion of the concerts included residents of several towns

(e.g. Osler, Dalmeny, and Langham) and rural areas, including farms, within commuting distance of Saska-

toon. This area, with over 30,000 residents, is experiencing a rapid growth of population. Many young fami-

lies are locating in this area.

Group picture of the students in the Boccherini Orchestra and the Paganini Orchestra

The concert in Warman occurred on May 23, 2013, at the Brian King Centre. The Martensville concert was

held on May 30 at the North Ridge Centennial Community Centre. Each one-hour concert consisted of twelve

orchestral selections (ranging from Coldplay’s Clocks to Rossini’s Finale to the William Tell Overture and the

Third Movement of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4) performed by our two orchestras, separately and

together. Our advanced violin group and teachers performed Vivaldi’s Concerto in A Minor.

Thirty-two musicians and seven teachers participated in these concerts. Agata Czajkowski conducted the Pa-

ganini Orchestra; Jim Legge conducted the Boccherini Orchestra; Lillian Jen-Payzant directed the advanced

violin group.

After the concerts, children in the audience were invited to have a closer look at violins and cellos. Teachers

with our Program assisted the children in trying to play the instruments which are part of the Program’s inven-

tory of instruments of various sizes.

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 7

SUMMER STRING EXPERIENCE 2013:

A Galaxy of Fun!

Sunday, July 7th to Friday July 12th, 2013

At the Cornerstone Mennonite Church on Lenore Drive

A week of music and fun where string players and those ready to learn a string instrument

can explore a whole universe of sound, fun and friends!

Programs include:

Music in Early Childhood classes (6 months – 2 ½ years of age)

Beginner classes in violin or cello, ages 3-14.

Orchestras for experienced players

Instruction from Saskatoon Suzuki String Program teachers and special guests.

Crafts

Organized recreation

Group Classes

Final Concert …and so much more!

For further info call 373- 9130 or email: summerstring@gmail.com

www.saskatoonsuzukistrings.ca

The combined attendance for both the Warman and Martensville concerts

was 140 people. While the majority of the audience consisted of family

members of the musicians, we estimate that approximately 50 people were

attending our concerts for the first time and many of these consisted of

children who could be potential students in our Program.

Our hope is that these concerts created an interest among families in or-

chestral music generally, and in the Saskatoon Suzuki Strings Program,

specifically. While we will not know until the fall whether these concerts

generated new students for our Program, we believe that our outreach initi-

ative to growing communities such as Warman and Martensville, as well as

other communities and rural areas within commuting distance of Saska-

toon, needs to be an on-going effort. As we gain greater familiarity with

the communities and as the residents hear more about our Program, we an-

ticipate that there will be more interest in what we have to offer to families

and therefore, more future orchestral students and musicians from this area.

Funding for the concerts in Warman and Martensville was provided by the

Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, Saskatchewan Lotteries, the Sas-

katchewan Arts Board, and SaskCulture. We were pleased that Ms. Pat Grayston, Vice President of SaskCul-

ture, attended the Martensville concert.

We also want to thank the families of the musicians in our orchestras who drove the children to both concerts.

Without this commitment to supporting this initiative, the concerts in Warman and Martensville would not

have been possible.

John Payzant helping a new

child to play a cello

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 8

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 9

How Parents Can Enrich Their Child’s Music Education, Part 2 by Wayne Toews

Some questions parents should ask

Parents wanting a quality music education for their child need to know what they can do to provide it. Follow-

ing are questions that will help parents connect to the adventure that a music education provides.

What music will be studied?

• For young string players, the material provided in the Suzuki Talent Education program has formed at least

a part of the modern curriculum. Dr. Suzuki selected material that is interesting and provides progressive

technical and musical development. It includes recordings of all music in the carefully organized repertoire.

In the hands of a teacher who has studied the Suzuki pedagogy it provides extensive ear training, basic theory

training, music reading, performances and ensemble skills. Those who receive supplementary studies in ear

training and music theory will make better progress.

• In Canada, the Royal Conservatory of Music and Conservatory Canada provide a graded curriculum with

opportunities for students to take exams and receive marks.

• The material to be studied is the core of a music education. Any basic course needs to be supplemented by

pieces that provide additional focus on technical and musical development, that expose students to a broad va-

riety of styles, that provide ensemble experiences and that are interesting and motivating for the student

What skill development and musical progress should be expected by the end of the term?

• Often that question can be answered by identifying a level of music to be mastered. Suzuki students will

identify their progress by telling the most recent piece that they have completed. Others may tell the conserva-

tory grade they have completed.

• Because a music education involves so many elements, it is important to identify all technical and artistic

goals. For example, a student may be able to demonstrate a good level of technique without much artistry or

vice versa. Parents shouldn’t expect that all dimensions of a music education will be developed simultaneous-

ly but should expect that appropriate experiences to address all the elements will be introduced when the stu-

dent is ready for them. It is valuable to have the student participate in setting the goals and creating a plan to

achieve them.

• Students should focus on producing a beautiful sound by hearing excellent models and learning the tech-

nique to produce it. They need to know that players work all their lives to improve the sound they make.

How will progress be measured?

• Simple, informal tests can be motivating. For example, how long can the violin student sustain a down-bow

with good tone compared to the beginning of the term? How many fast notes can be played in 15 seconds?

How much of the music can be played from memory? Of course, some sort of a celebration to mark the ac-

complishments is in order.

• Some may choose activities such as conservatory tests or festival performances to receive a rating or marks.

The students need to be reminded that the assessments are an informed opinion but are not objective as one

would expect of an exam with correct answers. The experience can be exhilarating for some and devastating

for others. Students need to be prepared psychologically for the experience by participating in practice tests or

recitals. It is a good idea to become familiar with the requirements of conservatory exams whether one choos-

es to take the exam or not.

• An important measure is how much and how often the student wants to play the instrument.

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 10

What other experiences should be provided?

• The more quality performances the student can hear, the better. Live performances are the most interesting

and motivating for young musicians. The broadest range of musical styles should be sampled. Recordings of

quality performances are so numerous that it can be difficult to choose among them but students should just

start listening and enjoy. I have never met a musician who was not inspired and motivated to make a greater

effort by hearing an outstanding performance.

• Players should be encouraged to compose and to improvise. The music should be recorded and saved. The

musicians should write down what they can to preserve their ideas. That may inspire the study of music theo-

ry, valuable for all who make music. Computer programs such as “Smart Music” provide accompaniments to

make the experiences even better.

• Workshops are invaluable. Progress made during full-day or week-long workshops will outstrip that of

many months of occasional practice. It is motivating to be able to demonstrate new learning that has been ac-

complished in a short period of time.

• Instrumentalists should try other models of their instrument. For example, violinists should play and com-

pare of the sound of other violins. One will find great differences among them and become more and more dis-

cerning about quality of sound. Changing strings on a stringed instrument will renew the best sounds the in-

strument can produce. A re-haired or better bow is usually the key to a more beautiful sound.

• All music students should have the chance to learn to play a keyboard instrument. The keyboard provides an

invaluable tool for learning and understanding music theory and for exploring relationships in sound. For the

developing musician, there are many appropriate keyboard course books that help develop keyboard technique

by building on the musical knowledge the student already possesses.

The development of musical skills and aesthetic sensitivity are priceless gifts that parents can provide for their

children. It is worth the effort to become informed about how to provide the best possible music education.

Wayne Toews taught music in Saskatoon’s Public Schools for 32 years. He was Music Director of the Saska-

toon Youth Orchestra for 25 years and led the orchestra to six successive national performance awards. His

daughter and son studied the Suzuki Violin method and both played wind instruments in their school bands.

He celebrates his many students who have maintained an avocational involvement with music and many others

who are sharing their gifts as professional musicians. He is a founding board member of the SOA.

Why am I receiving this newsletter?

You are receiving this newsletter because you or someone in your family has been a member of an orchestral group

under the umbrella of the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association in the past year. If you wish to be removed from our list,

please contact the SOA office at 306.546.3050 or info@saskorchestras.com.

If you know of someone in your community who you would recommend to receive the newsletter, please let the SOA

office know as well.

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 11

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 12

South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra Update Submitted by Sara Cryderman

Photo courtesy of Cyndie Knorr

The SSYO’s annual Spring Fête was held on Saturday March 23rd at F.W. Johnson Collegiate. This year’s

concert was the culmination of a two day workshop during which the orchestra had the privilege of working

with Michael Massey, long time Music Director of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra. To open the evening, the

orchestra was joined by more than twenty young string players from the Regina Conservatory of Music to play

Brahms’ Hungarian Dance #6. Guest Conductor Michael Massey then took the podium to lead the orchestra

for Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, the first movement of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole and Delibes’

Coppelia Ballet Suite #1. Charlee Wielgoz, winner of last season’s Concerto Competition, was the violin solo-

ist for the Lalo.

Guest Conductor Michael Massey, soloist Charlee Weilgoz and members of the SSYO

On May 4th the orchestra was excited to join the Regina Symphony Orchestra to play the Brahms Overture at

an RSO Masterworks Concert. This annual joint performance is always a highlight of the SSYO season.

This year’s Season Finale will be held on Sunday June 9, 7:30 pm at Knox Metropolitan Church. The program

for the final concert will include Dvorák’s Symphony #6, and Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole.

Auditions for the SSYO's 2013-2014 season will be held on September 6 and 7. Membership is open to all

orchestral instrumentalists ages 12 to 26. For more information about the orchestra or auditions, contact Sara

Cryderman at sara.cryderman@accesscomm.ca.

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 13

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 14

SOA June 2013 Newsletter 15

Next newsletter:

Deadline: Sept. 13, 2013

Publication: Sept. 20, 2013

SOA Board of Directors

President Curtis Scheschuk

Past President Hugh Wood

Vice President Birgitta Heidt

Secretary Wayne Toews

Treasurer Ken McCaw

Director Ramses Calderon

Director Rebecca

Hankins-Vopni

Director Doug Hilderman

Director Carol Ann Patterson

Director John Payzant

Director Jennifer Peak

Director Rudy Sternadel

2013 Events Calendar

THE SOA PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING MEMBER GROUPS

Conservatory of Performing Arts

Friendly Folk

Magpie Strings

Moose Jaw Community Orchestra

Moose Jaw Youth String Orchestra

Poltava Ensemble Orchestra

Prince Albert Strings Orchestra

Regina Community Orchestra

Regina Mandolin Orchestra

Regina Symphony Orchestra

Sakewewak First Nations Artists Collective

Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra

Saskatoon Philharmonic Orchestra

Saskatoon Suzuki Strings Program

Saskatoon Youth Orchestra

Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra

Swift Current Strings

Tisdale and District Strings

Date Event Location June 9 SSYO Season Finale Regina

July 2-6 Regina Summer Strings Regina

July 7-12 Summer String Experience Saskatoon

July 8-11 SMA Summer Music Camp Saskatoon

July 15-18 SMA Summer Music Camp Prince Albert

July 20-27 SOA Saito Conducting Workshop Saskatoon

July 22-25 SMA Summer Music Camp Regina

Aug. 26-29 Prairie Cello Institute 2013 Regina

Sept 6-7 Auditions for the SSYO's 2013-2014 season Regina

Sept. 24-28 Classical Mandolin Society of America Convention Regina

(hosted by RMO)

Saskatchewan Orchestral Association

Tara Dawn Solheim

Executive Director

#1-3504 13th Ave.

Regina, SK., S4T 1P9

Ph: (306)546.3050

info@saskorchestras.com

www.saskorchestras.com