Tag: Vernon BC

meagan&amy – Concert Review

by SillyGilly, posted in Review
Meagan&Amy


On April 19th, NOCCA presented its last concert of the season that showcased a young local trio and a more mature Canadian duo.

Just minutes before the show was to begin, a power outage affecting a wide swath of Vernon postponed the concert. In fact, we were all ushered into the foyer where we waited with bated breath, crossed fingers and toes in hopes that the powers that be, aka, B.C.Hydro, could remedy the situation before too long. If not, the concert would have been cancelled. To the great relief and delight of everyone, the electricity was restored and we were treated to a truly exquisite presentation well worth the extended delay.

The opening by the Barbaza Trio of siblings, was well received. Henry, on cello, Benjamin, on cello, and Lenna, on violin, are accomplished young musicians who are composed and highly focused. They treated the audience to four works that showcased their combined talents ending with a flowing and vibrant interpretation of Ravel’s Allegra from Trio No.1 played beautifully with harmonious blends of the instrumental voices. These young musicians have established themselves and will make a mark on future musical endeavours in Vernon and beyond.

The featured artists, Meagan Milatz, on piano and Amy Hills on violin, offered a magnificent performance that awed concertgoers. Their offerings were coupled works; classical pieces contrasted by modern pieces inspired by the classical work in the coupling. The performance opened with a Mozart Sonata followed by the commissioned work of Winnipeg composer, Jocelyn Morlock. “Alba” which means dawn or sunrise and also represents the Alberti Bass of Mozart’s Sonata, where bass notes of the chord are broken, “creating a carpet foundation to the piece.” The music was evocative and created imagery of the early morning as the world awakened. Both musicians were dynamic and one with the music and their instruments completing the piece with a full sunrise.

Amy and Meagan were both energetic and sensitive in their presentation. The interplay between the duo was delightful to behold. Their body language was dramatic and was demonstrative of their passion for both classical and contemporary music that held together across their entire performance. Their technical expertise was in alignment with the difficulty of the music. This promises that they are and will be a duo who commands respect and place on the world chamber music stage.

We would like to thank NOCCA for their role in recognizing, promoting and bringing such incredible music to Vernon. We look forward to next season’s concert series and encourage everyone to attend.

Review by Gerry Sholomenko and Shannon Marsh.

Classical Valley Concerts in May 2023:

Meagan Milatz (piano) will be returning to the Okanagan in May to play a selection of piano quartets from France and Spain with Violaine Melançon (violin), Marina Thibeault (viola) and Nicholas Denton Protsack (cello). The Venue is Vernon Community Music School’s Carriage House at 7:30 pm Tuesday May 16th. Tickets are $30 each (students $15). More information on this and other concerts in the Classical Valley series can be found at https://classicalvalley.com/concerts-2023.

Correction:

We would like to make a correction to an ad that appeared in the concert’s printed programme which stated the Vernon Community Band presents “Sounds For Spring” on Saturday May 12th, 2023 at 2pm. This is incorrect, May 12th, 2023 is a Friday! The concert is actually being held 2pm Saturday May 13, 2023 at Trinity United Church, admission by donation. There will be an onsite bake sale, coffee and tea.


2023/24 NOCCA Season:

Tickets will go on sale soon for NOCCA’s 2023/24 concert series for those wishing to become new season subscribers or wanting to purchase single concert tickets. Links to purchase season subscriptions or single concert tickets will be provided from our website as soon as they are available on ticketseller.

Existing season ticket subscribers will be receiving renewal notices directly from ticketseller, and all renewals need to be confirmed by May 31st, 2023.

Information about the 2023/24 season can be found on NOCCA’s website NOCCA.ca.

The first concert is on Tuesday September 12. 2023 featuring pianist Jaeden Isak-Dzurko. We look forward to seeing you there!

meagan&amy – Wednesday April 19, 2023

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert



meagan&amy
7:30 pm Wednesday April 19, 2023
Buy Tickets

Passionate, innovative and fearless music-making!


meagan&amy, a vibrant Canadian duo consisting of violinist Amy Hills and pianist Meagan Milatz, share an intense passion for innovative programming and fearless music-making. They began their partnership in 2011 at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. Their individual strengths – Meagan’s interest in the fortepiano and Amy’s in contemporary music combine in their wide range of repertoire. Praised for their energy, sensitivity and musical maturity, they were awarded the first ever “Pan-Canadian Partnership” recital tour, being chosen from over 50 applications. “Their collaborative musicianship combined with their very accessible, yet audacious repertoire made an immediate impression on the jury.” Their concerts present works by local composers as well as European classics, and through their artistry are interesting, intriguing and fun!

More about meagan&amy.

Click on the links below to view a couple of short videos of meagan&amy:

https://youtu.be/ebyfgdYkyVc 

https://youtu.be/3dX2iKXpmcI

The youth opener for this concert will be the Barbaza Trio which is made up of three siblings: Lenna, 13 years old on violin, Benjamin, 12 years old on Cello, and Henry, 10 years old, on cello. In addition, all three are studying piano. On their chosen instruments, Lenna and Benjamin are in level 10 RCM and Henry is in level 8 RCM. They are all members of the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra and have been active in many local and provincial music festivals, as well as with ensembles and youth orchestras. 

SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $40  22 and Under – $20
Guest of a subscription member $35

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
All concerts are held in the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.

*** NOCCA’s first concert of the 2023/24 Season will be on Tuesday September 12, 2023.
Please visit nocca.ca for more details. ***

Valencia Baryton Project Pre-concert Talk – March 19, 2023

by SillyGilly, posted in News

Valencia Baryton Project Pre-concert Talk
7 pm Sunday March 19, 2023
Museum & Archives of Vernon

The Valencia Baryton Project is a trio that centres on the rare early classical instrument, the baryton, accompanied by violin and cello. The baryton has 16 strings – 6 on the front and 10 on the back, played like a harp.

Popular for about a hundred years in the 16th century, the classical baryton was considered the pinnacle of aristocratic instruments and was the preferred instrument of Joseph Haydn’s patron, Prince Esterhazy.

Today the baryton is played by only a handful of people in the world. Come meet and hear this rare instrument in an intimate pre-concert talk with Matt Baker 7 pm Sunday March 19th at the Museum & Archives of Vernon.

Location:
Museum & Archives of Vernon (MAV)
https://vernonmuseum.ca
3009 32nd Avenue
Vernon BC, V1T 2L8

Staff contact:
Jenna Kiesman / 250-550-3140 / jenna.kiesman@vernonmuseum.ca

*** The Valencia Baryton Project will be giving a concert at Vernon and District’s Performing Arts Centre the following evening – 7:30 pm Monday March 20, 2023. This is part of NOCCA’s 2022/23 concert series.
Tickets for the concert may be purchased at ticketseller.ca ***

Change of Venue for NOCCA’s February Concert

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert, News

Happy New Year to all NOCCA’s subscribers and friends!

Due to a recent cold snap the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre experienced water damage and are working to restore the theatre. Unfortunately this results in having to change the venue of NOCCA’s next concert on Friday February 17, 2023 to the Trinity United Church, 3300 Alexis Park Drive, Vernon BC.

Those who already hold concert tickets will be emailed a new ticket by Ticket Seller. If you don’t receive an updated ticket, your name will be on a list at the door. Doors Open at 6:30 pm and the show is at 7:30 pm on the original date (Feb 17, 2023). Your tickets will now be General Admission and you will pick your own seat at the Church.

Tickets can be purchased on-line at https://www.ticketseller.ca/tickets/event/marc-atkinson-trio

Pentaèdre – Concert Review

by SillyGilly, posted in Review
Nicholas Covaser

Like many of the musical delights presented in the 70 year history of the North Okanagan Community Concert Association, the concert that was showcased on November 19th was a standout that created complete delight of audience members. In the tradition of the series, the young double bass virtuoso Nicholas Covaser warmed up the audience with a Shubert Sonata accompanied by Carol Colpitts on piano. The 14 year old played the compete piece from memory which was brilliant to behold, making even the more technical sections a pleasure to hear, bowing and playing pizzicato sections seamlessly with expression, grace, appropriate intensity and sensitivity. He was one with his instrument.

The main attraction Pentaèdre then took the stage with good humour and seamless professionalism. Described as a “unique musical ensemble” in the Canadian musical scene, the group opened their selections with a JS Bach piece entitled Toccata and Fugue in c minor BWV911. The first piece quickly demonstrated both the superb technical expertise and the amazing interpretive musicianship of the group. Ariane Brisson flute, Elise Poulin oboe, Martin Carpentier clarinet, Louis-Philip Marsolais horn and Mathieu Lussier bassoon. The musicians showed complete joy in the music that was selected both in their expressions and body movements which was pleasurable to be a part of. After a minor mixup in the music (a clarinet part was misplaced) and some good humour around lost music, the concert continued with excerpts from the Mozart Opera, the Magic Flute. Indeed the flute and all of the instruments took on a magic fairy tale-like quality that matched the musical selections and the exquisite careful listening each musician needed to echo the sensitivity of the others. The flute, oboe and clarinet demonstrated unsurpassed sensitivity that this reviewer has not experienced often.


The second half of the concert opened with the missing piece of music, a sensitive commissioned modern piece by Barbara Assiginaak entitled Mshkodeng (in the clearing) that showcased the virtuosity of the quintet’s expertise whether playing modern supersensitive music or more classical transcriptions of older music. In closing the main concert, the group played Quintet #3 by David Maslanka, a deconstructed chorale based on the JS Bach work with 3 incredibly challenging movements. The quintet rose above the occasion to evoke an immediate standing ovation from the audience. All in all, it was a wonderful concert with congratulations to the organizers, musicians and audience.

Review provided by Gerry Sholomenko.

Nocca’s next concert will feature the Marc Atkinson Trio with Cam Wilson (Joe Trio, Van Django) on Friday February 17, 2023. Tickets can be purchased at ticket seller.ca or phone (250) 549-7469.

Below is a youtube video link of Nicholas Covaser (double bass) and Carol Colpitts (piano) from the concert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb1hlLIvNwE