Tag: North Okanagan Community Concert Association

NOCCA Welcomes its Eighth Decade of Live Concerts

by JP, posted in Concert, News

Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 PM, the North Okanagan Community Concert Association begins its 81st year of presenting a season of live musical performances.

TRIO TANGERE is the first offering this season and they are nothing short of “eclectically amazing”. Each member of the trio has been individually recognized for his artistry by publications and award ceremonies, as well as critical reviewers. As a trio, check out what they can do as recorded in sessions throughout the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, taking advantage of the unique acoustics.

Not only do they perform classical compositions, but they commission new works from Canadian and international composers as well.

Violinist Marc Djokic is concertmaster of l’Orchestre Classique de Montreal and music director of ART CRUSH. His awards for solo works and recordings include winning an East Coast Music Award in 2020 for his solo debut album “Solo Seven”. He has performed as soloist for the Toronto, Quebec and National Arts Centre Orchestras, and has appeared and performed in over 100 music videos and recordings.

Jerome Ducharme appeared on our stage as a member of the Canadian Guitar Quartet. Since winning the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, Jerome has been invited to perform at festivals
and in concerts across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. He has taught at McGill University in Montreal since 2011, and in 2019 began a teaching position at Conservatoire de Musique de Montreal.

Louis Trepanier is also an alumnus of the Canadian Guitar Quartet as he returns to our stage as well. Louis’s energy and sensitivity easily translate into his musicianship, but also into his composing and arranging. He has performed on three continents for more than twenty years and continues his successful career by collaborating and judging on the national and international levels. He is also Coordinator of the Guitar Sector at the University of Ottawa School of Music.

Come out and be entertained at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre to an evening of delight. Tickets are available through Ticket Seller at 250-549-7469 or at ticketseller.ca.

New Branding for NOCCA’s Steinway

by JP, posted in News


We are thrilled to share that our beloved 1978 Hamburg Steinway piano now proudly features the NOCCA logo. The stunning new decal not only enhances the piano’s elegance but also reinforces our identity and commitment to the arts in the North Okanagan.

A special thanks goes out to Sunshine Graphics for their incredible work and generosity. Because of the complexity of the film used, owner Landen Ehnes graciously sent their skilled technician, Tysen, to apply the branding at no cost to NOCCA. Their expertise and attention to detail have truly brought our vision to life, and we couldn’t be more grateful.


Below is Ian Parker with Paul Maynes (current President of NOCCA).
Ian (along with Sarah Hagen) provided NOCCA with their gracious input for the selection of this incredible instrument.

Restoration work done by Rod Verhnjak at Verhnjak Pianos – Whiterock, BC http://www.pianoman.ca/

NOCCA 2024-2025 Season

by JP, posted in News

Welcome to another fantastic season of NOCCA concerts, celebrating the diversity and emotion that music embodies.  Thank you so much for continuing to support music, culture and the arts here in our wonderful community.  It is because of you that we are able to bring these moments of inspiration and creativity to people of all ages.

We are excited to present the following concerts, to not only potentially introduce you to new artists, but to also provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in a blanket of music that connects us all in a profound and enlightened way that reconnects our passions.

New this season are three Sunday matinee performances, in anticipation of providing more opportunities for families to attend.
The dates for our upcoming season are:

• Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 at 7pm – Trio Tangere.  Trio Tangere is an exciting new ensemble with the uncommon combination of two guitars and violin.  The three members, Marc Djokic, violin, Jérôme Ducharme and Louis Trépanier, guitars, were already established virtuosi when they started performing together; from the first notes of the first rehearsal, they knew they had a magical simpatico in their playing.  This ensemble performs exciting repertoire from the select body of works already in existence for this instrument grouping, as well new commissions and transcriptions.

• Thursday, November 28th, 2024 at 7pm – Ô-Celli, a Cello Octet. The unique vibration of this instrument multiplied by eight gives a sound cathedral dimension to the works arranged and revisited by the musicians.  This ensemble also likes to perform the creation of original works. 

• Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 at 2pm – Rémi Bolduc Jazz Ensemble.  Rémi Bolduc is a highly accomplished and respected jazz saxophonist and educator, with over 40 years’ experience in the music industry.  He serves as an associate professor in the jazz department at McGill University in Montreal, where he has remained a highly active figure on the music scene since his arrival in 1982. 

• Sunday, March 30th, 2025 at 2pm – Bergmann Duo, with 4 hands and one piano.  The Bergmann Duo’s dynamic and energetic performances of uniquely eclectic programs, which include numerous own arrangements and compositions, have inspired audiences internationally.  They have performed in concert and with orchestra in: Canada, the USA, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Macedonia, Greece and China. 

• Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at 2pm – Sarah Hagen.   A visionary and an idealist, Sarah’s performances are conceptually innovative, involving photography, dance and spoken word.  She is Artistic Director for Pro’ject Sound, a performance project involving live piano with large-scale projected images. 

You don’t want to miss any of these exciting events!  Combined with our up and coming musical youth openers, there is something for everyone to enjoy this season!  Join us as we celebrate the beauty and joy of music that brings people together.

Subscriptions for NOCCA’s five concerts can be purchased through Ticket Seller, www.ticketseller.ca.
Prices are $150 for adults ($30/concert) and $75 for students (21 and under).

Treat yourself to the gift of musical inspiration for yourself and those you love today!  Consider giving a subscription for Father’s Day.

We look forward to seeing you and your family!

North Okanagan Community Concert Association – The Excellence Continues

Adam Cicchillitti & Steve Cowan – Tuesday April 23rd, 2024

by JP, posted in Concert


Adam Cicchillitti & Steve Cowan
7:30 pm Tuesday April 23, 2024
BUY TICKETS

Two of Canada’s most skilled and forward-thinking classical guitarists.

Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan have set a benchmark in the world of classical guitar with their award-winning recordings, commissions of major orchestral works, and competition performances. On their debut release, FOCUS, Tracy Anne Smith (American Record Guide) states that “with sensitive, authoritative, au courant playing, Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan retain their individuality while communicating like old friends.”

In 2021, the duo released its third album with Analekta Records, Intimate Impressions, featuring original arrangements of piano, harp, and guitar music written in 20th century Paris. They were awarded third prize at the 2021 international ensemble competition of the Guitar Foundation of America, arguably the most prestigious guitar ensemble competition in the world. These two virtuosos are clearly at the top of their game.

Click on the image/link below to view a short video of Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan performing.

The warm-up act for this concert will be performed by Aya Swerdelian. Aya has been playing violin for the past 11 years. She started with her mother who is a professional violinist and is now taking lessons with Bev Martens. Aya has performed solos with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and has gone to many festivals and provincial competitions throughout the years. She was awarded the MQN Architects Scholarship in 2022, and the Caroline Galbraith Memorial Scholarship in 2023, at the annual VCMS Scholarship Recital. Aya’s goal is to play more solos with the orchestra and show her passion for music. This evening, Aya will be performing Accolay Violin Concerto in A minor by Jean-Baptiste Accolay and Playera Op.23 No.1 by Pablo de Sarasate.



SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $40 
Youth (22 and under) – $20

Purchase tickets at:

TICKET SELLER
Phone: (250) 549-SHOW (7469)
E-mail: boxoffice@ticketseller.ca

– or –

Visit The Performing Arts Centre Foyer
3800-34th Street, Vernon

The concert will be held in the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.

Haerim Elizabeth Lee & David Fung – Concert Review

by SillyGilly, posted in Review
Elizabeth Lee and David Fung

On January 24, NOCCA presented its fourth concert of their seventy-first season and once again the audience was beguiled by the offerings showcased by the performers.

The introductory duo opened with Evy Erickson on violin accompanied by Jenny Sunderland on piano. The pair performed an energetic interpretation of O. Rieding’s Concertino in A minor. This piece was beautifully contrasted by the slow and emotive music of Jules Massenet, Meditation from Thais. Both pieces were played expertly from memory. When Ms. Erickson and Ms. Sunderland concluded their presentation, the audience seemed spellbound as it took several seconds for the resounding applause to occur.

Elizabeth Lee and David Fung graced the stage for the main section of the concert and treated the audience to a cornucopia of modern composers including Debussy, Ravel and Gershwin. The musicians performed with technical brilliance and passion. They encapsulated the different genres of music into a highly complex offering for the concert-goers. It was evident that Ms. Lee and Mr. Fung were thoroughly enjoying themselves as they exuded pleasure both on their faces, smiling widely and in their body language. They were one with their music, their instruments and with each other.

Their playing evoked many images; someone rushing around the streets with a great need to get somewhere fast, to the warm, relaxed ‘Summertime’ of the southern states.

They received a well-deserved standing ovation and were enticed back to the stage three times before offering the audience more brilliant musical prowess in an intensely beautiful, intensely Gershwin finale.

Review by Shannon V Marsh and Gerald Sholomenko.

NOCCA’s next concert will feature: 
Guitarists Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan on Tuesday April 23, 2024. 
Tickets can be purchased at ticket seller.ca or phone (250) 549-7469. 
For more information visit our website nocca.ca