We are extremely disappointed to have to tell you that the Marina Thibeault and Janelle Fung concert scheduled for Friday January 21,2022 has been cancelled. Marina and Janelle, along with their agent, decided that the current COVID situation posed too much of a risk to their audiences as well as to their families, and have cancelled their entire tour.
Ticketseller is handling the process of contacting ticket holders to let them know of the cancellation and to handle any refunds that are requested.
If it’s any consolation, Erin Kennedy (artistic director at the Performing Arts Centre) commented that she has recently had to cancel five shows.
We are still planning on going ahead with the February 24th concert. It is hoped that Omicron will have burnt itself out by then.
A NOCCA executive meeting will be arranged in the very near future and we will keep you advised.
Janelle Fung & Marina Thibeault Friday January 21, 2022 7:30 pm **** Gala Evening **** BUY TICKETS
The North Okanagan Community Concert Association is delighted to present Marina Thibeault on viola and Janelle Fung on piano on Friday January 21, 2022, at 7:30 pm at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre. This Gala opening concert of our new season marks our return to presenting live music. Marina and Janelle will be presenting works by Haydn, Mozart, Clara Schumann, and Beethoven.
Named Radio-Canada’s classical “Revelation” for 2016-2017, Marina has delighted audiences across Canada, the United States and Europe with her elegant, spellbinding performances and engaging presence. An accomplished concerto soloist, she has performed with orchestras throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
Marina’s first album, Toquade was released in 2017. Her 2020 Juno-nominated album, Elles, honours groundbreaking women composers from Clara Schuman to the present day. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Thibeault has utilized the broad-ranging Elles project in various iterations to reach out to at-risk women and raise awareness for organizations that support this important cause.
Marina Thibeault holds numerous honours and distinctions, winning first prize in the string category of Prix d’Europe (2015), the McGill concerto competition (2015), the Radio-Canada “Young Artist” prize (2007) as well as a special prize at the Beethoven Hradec International viola competition (2008).
Marina received her Master’s degree from McGill University and is currently completing her doctoral degree. She is an Assistant Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the UBC School of Music.
Canadian pianist Janelle Fung has performed in concert from coast to coast in Canada. Winner of the “Artist of the Year” from the BC Touring Council in 2014, her international concerts have taken her to over twenty countries on five continents.
Janelle has been a prize winner in numerous national and international competitions, including the Joanna Hodges International Piano competition, the Concours OSM-Standard Life, and the Canadian Music Competition. She has been featured on radio stations nationally and internationally.
Janelle’s interest in opera has led to collaboration with Nicole Cabell, Teresa Stratas, and William Warfield, and is currently on faculty at Highlands Opera Studio.
Born in Vancouver, Janelle began her musical studies at the age of Four. Her principal teachers have included Nelita True, Julian Martin and Marc Durand. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, her Master of Music degree from the Julliard School and her doctorate for L’Universite de Montreal.
Opening the concert is lyric Soprano Sophia Friesen. Born and raised in the Okanagan, she is excited to be back singing at home after spending the last four years completing a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria. With her combined repertoire of showtunes, arias, and art song, along with her work on and off the stage, Sophia is one of the most versatile emerging artists performing today.
Click on the image/link below to view a video of Janelle Fung & Marina Thibeault:
Janelle Fung, piano and Marina Thibeault, viola
SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS Adults – $40 22 and Under – $20 Guest of a subscription member $35
Introducing the North Okanagan Community Concert Association’s2021-2022 Season
NOCCA volunteers have been waiting, watching and anticipating improvement in pandemic conditions, allowing us to safely begin presenting concerts again, and January 2022 is the time! The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre strictly follows all Provincial and Interior Health orders – all VDPAC staff, tech crew and volunteers, as well as all artists, renters, and audience members are required to verify identity and full vaccination upon arrival. Masks are mandatory, and social distancing encouraged. We want to assure our valued audience that we are doing our very best to make your concert experience as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Subscriptions for NOCCA’s Four concert 2021-2022 season may be renewed through Ticketseller at $120 for adults and $60 for youth (22 and under). Regrettably we cannot guarantee your previous seat location as we are utilizing VDPAC at half capacity (as per provincial guidelines) and VDPAC’s seating program blocks off seats adjacent to occupied seats as tickets are purchased. Renew early for best seat selection!
Tickets for individual concerts are available at $40 for adults and $20 for youth (22 and under).
Our gala opening concert will be Friday January 21, 2022 and will feature Marina Thibeault on viola and Janelle Fung on piano. These award-winning Canadian musicians will present a program of music by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Having toured the world, both musicians bring a wealth of experience and musicality to our concert stage. Their presence and enthusiasm will fill you with wonder and delight. Purchase tickets for this concert.
On Thursday February 24, 2022 NOCCA is pleased to present Aljoša Jurinić, world renowned Croatian pianist, currently living and working in Toronto. Aljoša wins top awards at premier piano competitions and is a master of the world’s preeminent concert halls. It is no surprise that he is praised for flawless and formidable technique, and words like “pure and unadulterated virtuosity”, “nothing less than sublime”, thrilling, astonishing, and speechless infuse his reviews. He is also known for his beautiful and expressive interpretations with well-built dynamics, and “yet sometimes whisper-soft touch.” He touches the hearts of his audience with intense intimacy and an electrifying performance that will be long remembered. Purchase tickets.
Since its 1999 debut, the Canadian Guitar Quartet has established a reputation as one of the finest guitar ensembles in the world, and they will play for us Friday March 25, 2022! Featuring a repertoire of classical masterpieces and original compositions, CGQ demonstrates mastery and the brilliance of their instruments. “The Canadian Guitar Quartet made one of the greatest New York City Debuts of any artistic ensemble in decades…STUNNING !!!” Not to be missed! Buy tickets.
Joe Trio, definitely NOT your average piano trio, will grace our stage Monday May 2, 2022 at Trinity United Church. With their repertoire of classical, contemporary, and their own arrangements of popular, jazz and rock tunes they strive for diversity, versatility, unpredictability and more than a little humour. Beyond virtuosic, these fantastic performers engage their audience in ways few classical musicians can. You will leave the theatre with a smile and a new appreciation for classical music. Buy tickets.
We are very much looking forward to being able to present concerts again, hoping you are equally excited to return, and maybe bringing a few new folks along! One of the things that has been emphasized by our lack of concerts during the pandemic is how important live music is to us, and how dearly we miss it. Here’s hoping that we will all return with renewed appreciation for everything that live music has to offer.
Opera Kelowna welcomes back Tenor Colin Ainsworth for a live recital, with tickets available for Vernon and Kelowna. He was last with the company in 2019 at St Michael’s Cathedral, Kelowna and we are delighted to announce his return to the Valley, with pianist Laura Loewen.
Join us for an evening of extraordinary art song performed by one of Canada foremost opera artists.
Thursday, September 30th, 2021 7:30pm Trinity United Church (Vernon)
Friday, October 1st, 2021 7:30pm St. Michael’s Cathedral (Kelowna)
Sunday,October 3rd, 2021 7:00pm private residence (Naramata) SOLD OUT
Praised equally for his incredible voice and his magnetic stage presence, Ainsworth enjoys an international career performing across North America and throughout Europe. At ease performing in major opera houses or on intimate recital stages, his radiant tenor voice has been described as being “as clear and warm as a sunny August day” (Seattle Times) and “a true gift to audiences” (Toronto Star).
Ainsworth will be joined at the piano by Laura Loewen, one of Canada’s most sought after collaborative pianists, who was last heard in the Okanagan performing with soprano Tracy Dahl. Loewen enjoys a national reputation as a collaborative pianist with a robust technique and musical sensitivity. Local violist Ashley Kroecher will join the stage for two selections.
The Program:
RalphVaughan-Williams4 Hymns for Tenor, Piano & Viola
Louis Andriessen, arr. Beatles Songs
Intermission
Michelle Poirer Brown & Jeffrey Ryan The Length of Day
Peter Tiefenbach Chanson do mon placard (songs from my cupboard)
Ainsworth and Loewen have crafted an imaginative program of music designed specifically to bring their listeners from a place of reflection to a place of joy. From the gorgeous Hymns for Tenor by Ralph Vaughan Williams to the ingenious treatment of Beatles songs set by Louis Andriessen the music offers a wonderful variety. The heart of the recital will feature The Length of a Day for tenor and piano by Jeffrey Ryan which sets four poems by Michelle Poirier Brown tracing a dramatic arc which descends into darkness then emerges into light. These moving songs were commissioned by Pacific Opera Victoria specifically for Colin Ainsworth and premiered in April 2021. The recital closes with a madcap romp with Peter Tiefenbach’s (of CBC fame) Chansons de mon placard, a tongue in cheek ode to household items found in the composer’s kitchen cupboards. Opera Kelowna is thrilled to share this exciting concert with Okanagan audiences.
For more information, visit Opera Kelowna’s website here.
Covid-19 Safety Information:
Seating for this performance will be spaced between parties and safely distanced from the performers with limited tickets available. Masks are mandatory in all indoor spaces. Proof of double vaccination will be required for entry as per provincial guidelines for large events.
NOCCA will be holding its AGM at the above date and time. In consideration of COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s AGM will be held on ZOOM. If you would like to attend the AGM please email Su Lonsdale at nocca.secretary1@gmail.com and she will send you the password and instructions for using ZOOM.
In addition to a review of the past year, we will be revealing our plans for the coming season.
The minutes of the AGM will be distributed following the meeting.
North Okanagan Community Concert Association 