Captivating audiences, leaving them breathless with impeccable phrasing and musicality.
Violinist, Haerim Elizabeth Lee has developed a playing style indicative of the very essence of her personality: passionate, deliberate and often witty. In 2015, Elizabeth performed as the concertmaster with Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center Honors concert in Washington, D.C. to recognize Maestro Seiji Ozawa, which was attended by former President Barrack Obama.
Elizabeth possesses a progressive philosophy when it comes to exploring and premiering works by living composers.
Elizabeth describes her interpretation of George Gershwin’s works for violin and piano as a “contemporary take on timeless music that captures the vibrant spirit of New Your City as it once was and as it is now. Her new album, My Time is Now, will delight die-hard Gershwin fans and capture the hearts of new followers. More about Liz Lee
Pianist, David Fung will be performing with Elizabeth. He is widely recognized for “interpretations that are elegant and refined, yet intensely poetic and uncommonly espressive.” David regularly appears with the world’s premier ensembles, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Israel Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the San Francisco Symphony, as well as the major orchestras in Australia.
David garnered international attention as a laureate of the Queen Elizabeth International Music Competition in Brussels and the Arthur Rubenstein Piano International Masters Competition in Tel Aviv. In Tel Aviv, he was further distinguished by the Chamber Music and Mozart prizes, awarded in areas in which he has a passionate interest.
David is currently on the faculty at the University of British Columbia and is a curator at the Chan Center for the Performing Arts. More about David Fung.
Click on the links below to view videos of violinist Haerim Elizabeth Lee and pianist David Fung.
Saguenay and Lafayette String Quartets Saturday October 26, 2019 7:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Saguenay and Lafayette String Quartets – These two internationally acclaimed quartets amalgamate to perform three sophisticated and sparkling string octets by Danish Niels Gade, Canadian Airat Ichmouratov, and Felix Mendelssohn’s masterful String Octet in E Flat Major. This is musical dialogue and communication at its most sensitive and compelling.
The Saguenay String Quartet (formerly known as the Alcan Quartet) -violinists Laura Andriani and Nathalie Camus, violist Luc Beauchemin, and cellist David Ellis. The Saguenay String Quartet has developed a reputation for excellence throughout Canada and internationally since its formation in 1989. The Quartet’s originality, contagious enthusiasm, unique sonority, and remarkable cohesion have all contributed to its long-term success. The ensemble’s list of accomplishments is impressive: 1,000 concerts; over 100 live radio broadcasts, numerous television appearances; tours throughout North America, Europe, Asia; and a number of commissioned pieces and first performances.
The Quartet’s recent tours have led the Quartet to Italy, France, the United States, Asia and all over Canada. Its last visit to the Lanaudière Festival, accompanied by pianist Alain Lefèvre, was hailed by more than 6,000 people and welcomed by enthusiastic critics. This concert was also awarded the Opus Prize for the concert of the year by the Conseil québécois de la musique, as well as a Félix (Adisq) prize for the recording of the same André Mathieu repertoire.
Another cornerstone in the Quartet’s history, is the release of its highly anticipated Complete cycle of Beethoven’s 16 string quartets as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. In addition to its performing career, the Quartet is regularly invited to teach and conduct master classes at universities, conservatories, and summer chamber music institutes both in Quebec and abroad. The Saguenay String Quartet is based in Chicoutimi, Québec, where it receives the unconditional support of the Orchestre symphonique du Saguenay. Saguenay Quartet
The Lafayette String Quartet – violinists Ann Elliott-Goldschmidt and Sharon Stanis, violist Joanna Hood, and cellist Pamela Highbaugh Aloni. In July 1986, these four young musicians, based in Detroit and just beginning their professional careers, performed together for the first time as the Lafayette String Quartet. Today the LSQ continues to flourish with its original personnel. The members of the Lafayette String Quartet divide their time between entertaining audiences all over North America and Europe and teaching some of Canada’s finest young string players. Their residency at the University of Victoria is rich in local performances and community involvement. Their concerts in Canada and abroad are hailed as “Passionate, riveting, and with flawless ensemble.”
The LSQ’s extraordinary musicianship was recognized early on. Already in 1988, it was ranked among the magazine Musical America’s “Young Artists to Watch,” and in its first years it won the Grand prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and prizes at the Portsmouth (now City of London) International String Quartet Competition, and the Chicago Discovery Competition. As winners of the 1988 Cleveland String Quartet Competition, the LSQ had the opportunity to study for two years with the Cleveland Quartet at the Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York.
In 1991, the four women became artists-in-residence at the University of Victoria’s School of Music, in British Columbia—positions they still hold today. They received honorary doctorates from University Canada West and were honored with the inaugural Craigdarroch Award for Excellence in Artistic Expression in 2010 from the University of Victoria.
The LSQ has performed across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe, with concerts often allied with masterclasses and workshops. They often collaborate with other string quartets including the Saguenay (Alcan), the New Zealand, the Penderecki, the Molinari, the Emily Carr, and the Quarteto Latinoamericano. Lafayette String Quartet
The concert will be opened by cellist Angela Zeng, a student attending Kalamalka Secondary School. She has been playing cello for 7 years and studies with Morna Howie at the Vernon Community Music School. Angela has been playing with the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra since she was 9 years old and has been playing lots of chamber music with family and friends at local senior centres. Angela earned runner-up in BC Provincial Festival String Junior A category in 2017, and first place in Junior B in 2018. Recently she was invited to audition for the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Concert Program:
Neils W. Gade (1817-1890)
String Octet in F major Op. 17
Airat Ichmouratov (1973- )
Spring Octet in G minor “The Letter” Op. 56
Intermission
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
String Octet in E flat major Op. 20
Click on the image/link below to view a video of the Saguenay String Quartet (formerly known as the Alcan Quartet):
Click on the image/link below to view a video of the Lafayette String Quartet:
Duo Rendezvous
Saturday March 18, 2017 7:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Duo Rendezvous—violinist Jasper Wood and guitarist Daniel Bolshoy join forces in a perfect synergy of intimate and virtuosic performance, gifting us with a presentation of humour and passionate musicianship.
This duo was formed as a response to great demand for a refreshing and passionate chamber ensemble with a strong dedication to outreach and education. Their unique programming enriches the existing guitar and violin repertoire with transcriptions of masterpieces from around the world and newly commissioned pieces by leading Canadian composers.
Jasper Wood has established himself as a major talent of his generation. He made his first public appearance at the age of five, and has since captured the hearts of music lovers everywhere. An acclaimed competition winner, Wood has developed a flourishing reputation as a sought-after soloist with major orchestras and as a recital/chamber musician throughout North America and Europe. He has been awarded both the coveted Sylva Gelber Prize (1996) and the prestigious Virginia Parker Award (2004) from the Canada Council for the Arts. Mr. Wood has eight solo and violin/piano CD recordings on the Endeavor Classics, Analekta, Centrediscs, Disques Pelleas and Naxos labels. Jasper Wood is professor of violin at the University of British Columbia.
Having performed hundreds of concerts internationally, Daniel Bolshoy is internationally recognized as a leader amongst Canadian guitarists. He is regularly praised for his friendly and informative spoken introductions, and progressive programming of solo and chamber music. An ATMA recording artist, Daniel Bolshoy appears on seven CD recordings and two documentary films. His most recent CD features the solo guitar works of Eduardo Sainz de la Maza. A devoted music educator, Daniel Bolshoy is currently the head of the guitar division at the University of British Columbia and head of the guitar department at Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s newly created VSO School of Music, where he shares his passion for music with the next generation of guitar enthusiasts and tomorrow’s guitar heroes. duorendezvous.com
The concert will be opened by Vernon pianist Alex MacArthur. Alex began his music studies at the age of eight with Lucy Feldman in Vernon, completing his ARCT in 2003. After receiving his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Victoria in 2008, he studied for two years at le Conservatoire de Musique de Montreal. He has been teaching piano on and off for the past 10 years and recently joined the faculty at the Vernon Community Music School. In addition to performing and teaching, Alex is also an accomplished accompanist for local musicians and students.
*** Please note: NOCCA volunteers will be on hand at this concert for you to renew your subscription for the 2017/18 NOCCA season of concerts ***
Concert Program:
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Suite in E Minor, BWV 1034
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Suite Populaire Espagnole
Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908)
Introduction & Tarentelle
Intermission
Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994)
Luiza
Ástor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Histoire du Tango
Seasons of Buenos Aires
Vittorio Monti (1868-1922)
Csárdás
SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $40 Under 18 – $20
Students on the 8to12 program – $5
One of the most dynamic and exciting world-class ensembles of its generation, Borealis String Quartet has received international critical acclaim as an ensemble praised for its fiery performances, passionate style, and refined, musical interpretation. Founded in Vancouver in the fall of 2000, Borealis String Quartet has toured extensively in North America, Europe and Asia, performing to enthusiastic sold-out audiences in major cities, including New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rome, Shanghai, Beijing, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Borealis actively seeks to promote new works and are strong supporters of Canadian music… So much so that the North Okanagan’s own internationally known composer, Imant Raminsh, has written music especially for them. Borealis will have the honour of playing Raminsh’s brand new string quartet for the very first time. Giving its world premiere performance right here in Vernon! www.borealisstringquartet.com
Not only will the audience be thrilled with Borealis, but NOCCA will be continuing the “Rising Star” performances initiated earlier this year. In September we welcome 17 year-old award-winning violinist, Julien Haynes, to warm up the audience prior to the ensemble’s highly anticipated program. A student of Bev Martens at the Vernon Community Music School since he could hold a violin, Julien Haynes has completed his Grade 10 RCM examinations in violin, as well as his Grade 6 RCM in piano. Julien will be accompanied on the piano by Lauren Dvorak.
Gala concert: this is our annual gala (bling) night, where we encourage those of you who like an occasion to dress up to wear your most elegant outfits!
Borealis String Quartet Concert Program:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, Opus 18
Imant Raminsh (1943 – )
Quartet No. 3 – WORLD PREMIERE
Intermission
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
Quartet No. 12 in F major “The American”
SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $35 Under 18 – $17.50
Students on the eyeGo program – $5
VAN DJANGO
Friday March 21, 2014 7:30 pm BUY TICKETS
Van Django is an acoustic string ensemble made up of four of Canada’s most talented and eclectic musicians; violinist Cameron Wilson, guitarist Budge Schachte, guitarist/cellist Finn Manniche and bassist Brent Gubbels. Their music is punchy, driving and rhythmically inventive, combining a wealth of musical influences while maintaining their roots in the gypsy jazz made famous by the 1930’s Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
They were such a hit in NOCCA’s 2007 season, last year’s audience survey securely placed them on the “back by popular demand” list. While versatility and variety makes them stand out from their European counterparts, they still cling to their gypsy jazz roots – music inspired by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. They are regulars at Canadian jazz festivals, and have also accompanied the Quiring Chamber Players, been guests of the Electra Women’s Choir, and appeared with the Vancouver Bach Choir. www.vandjango.com
Concert Program:
McHugh/ Fields
Exactly Like You
Cameron Wilson
Tea For Three
Birelli Lagrene
Made In France
Lulu Reinhardt
Lulu’s Swing
Antonin Dvořák
Humoresque
De Sylva/ Rose/ Jolson
Avalon
Lennon/ McCartney
Norwegian Wood
Arr. Van Django
Django TV
Lockhart/ Seitz
The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
– Intermission –
Django Reinhardt
Vette
FInn Manniche
Waltz In The Shape Of A Tree
Bruce/ Brown/arr. Van Django
White Room
Mack/ Brown/ Dabney
Shine
Budge Schachte
Esteban
Beethoven/arr. Van Django
A Fist Of Beethoven
Django Reinhardt
Heavy Artillery
Django Reinhardt
Impromptu
SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $35 Under 18 – $17.50
Students on the eyeGo program – $5
Duo Rendezvous
North Okanagan Community Concert Association 