Tag: Youth Concert

Even More NOYSE – An Absolute Pleasure!

by SillyGilly, posted in Review
Even More NOYSE 2020

Review by Jim Leonard

It was an absolute pleasure to attend the NOYSE (North Okanagan Youth Showcase of Excellence) concert at Vernon’s Centre for the Performing Arts at 2 pm. on Feb.1st. Besides providing excellent entertainment throughout the year at bargain prices, NOCCA (North Okanagan Community Concert Association) sponsors the NOYSE concert featuring auditioned talented young musicians. It was a most inspiring afternoon for this reviewer!

The program featured educator and vocalist/actor/performer Paul Rossetti as MC. Paul used his educator skills (he is Principal at St. James Catholic School in Vernon) to interview each performer and/or group. He did this from a comfy chair and couch installed on the side of the stage. His charm and insight brought out the best in each performer.

Teslyn Bates who is only 15, began the program with Debussy’s “Au Claire de la Lune” (By the Light of the Moon). She played the piece with great sensitivity and accuracy. Her second piece- Six variations on a Canadian Folk Song- “Land of the Silver Birch” by Pierre Gallant.(composer not in the program; I hope I heard right!) was mildly modern and very clever. She played it with confidence and rhythmic vitality. I liked it!

Angela Zeng, cellist extraordinaire, thrilled us with her virtuosity on the cello as she played Capriccio by Tchaikovsky. Her intonation was perfect and so was her bowing technique; she showed skills far beyond her 15 years.

Gus Hansen gave us a change in style by playing brilliantly on his guitar; offering: “Over the Rainbow’ ; accompanying himself singing “Running Away” (showing himself as an accomplished vocalist); and a stunning “Corcovado” as a guitar solo. One small reservation from this reviewer: The tone of the guitar was harsh. A much more mellow sound would heighten the listener’s enjoyment. The Line 6 amplifier appeared to have plenty of tone adjustment and the semi-acoustic guitar could be played with the neck pick up. Nevertheless Gus showed wonderful ability!

Noah Wessels, a 17 year old pianist, immediately took charge of things by playing the “Polonaise in A” by Chopin. He brought out the military character of the piece perfectly. The 3rd movement of the “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven was played with authority and brilliance. During his interview, Noah revealed that he made string instruments as a hobby!

After the Intermission, we were treated to the lovely ethereal sound of the VCMS vocal quartet. The four young ladies-Zaela Thiessen, Alex Thiessen, Julia Atkins and Ulyana Doerksen- exhibited perfect ensemble, blend and tuning during their renderings of folk melodies “All the Pretty Little Horses, She Walks With Beauty and Windy Nights.”

Craig Matterson, pianist, tossed off a virtuoso yet sensitive version of Bach’s Partita in C minor. There was lots of excitement in his playing; he knew his stuff. Craig then “changed gears” completely; offering his arrangement of the jazz standard “Someday My Prince Will Come”. It was stunning as he whipped up a hurricane of sound after giving us a solid foundation of the tune at the outset.

Holly McCallum, a 17 year old cellist, offered “Variations on a Rococo Theme”, opus 33 by Tchaikovsky as her part of the program. It is a lengthy work full of mood swings- from melancholy to energetic- and urgent runs up to the highest notes on the cello. Her bowing skills and control were evident in the way she played the runs; ending in exceedingly delicate tones.

“Roots and Strings”- a duo comprised of Anna Konrad violinist, and Jackson Buller electric ukulele,- ended the concert in a fun way. They offered “The Fox”- a medley by “Nickel Creek” followed by a lovely original song “You Don’t Know”. They also had very nice voices! To end on a rhythmic and fun note, the entire roster of performers joined the duo onstage to clap along to a lively foot stomper of a tune. What a great concert it was!

The next NOCCA concert is on Saturday, February 29 2020 at 7:30 pm. Featured is internationally renowned pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin who is returning to Vernon by popular demand. Find more information at nocca.ca.

Review by Jim Leonard for the Vernon Morning Star.

NOYSE 2020 Poster

Audition Applications Open For NOYSE 2020

by SillyGilly, posted in News

NOYSE 2020 Poster

Even More NOYSE Concert – 2 pm Saturday February 1, 2020

Are you, or do you know, a talented young musician or dancer who would love to perform for a live audience on the main stage at Vernon’s Performing Arts Centre? We are very pleased to announce that NOCCA (North Okanagan Community Concert Association) is planning the third NOYSE (North Okanagan Youth Showcase of Excellence) concert for young musicians of the North Okanagan. This gala performance at the Performing Arts Centre is open to any young talent embracing music in any of its diverse forms: any solo acoustic instrument, small acoustic group, song, or dance. Non-professional participants up to 24 years of age are invited to audition at the Vernon Community Music School on Saturday January 11, 2020.

An on-line audition application is available on the “NOYSE” page of NOCCA’s website. Applications will be accepted until January 4, 2020. Alternatively application forms can be downloaded from the website, printed and left for Alex Macarthur at the Vernon Community Music School Office Monday to Thursday 8 am-12:30 pm and 1-5 pm (except Statutory Holidays and Christmas Break).

The Gala Performance will take place at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre
on Saturday February 1, 2020 at 2:00 pm.

To help performers prepare, we are looking for the following:

  • An advanced selection in the presentation of choice
  • Advanced level of technical skills
  • Presentation as a performer – introduction of self and selection, stage presence, interaction with audience, etc.
  • Interpretation – expression, phrasing etc. of chosen piece

We hope performers welcome this opportunity to perform in a wonderful concert venue with an attentive audience. Holding the auditions in the early New Year gives performers a longer time to prepare. All final participants will be awarded an honorarium.

If performers or teachers have questions please contact Alex Macarthur at 250-540-6493. And please pass on this information to anyone you think may be interested. We look forward to meeting students in the New Year!

Print Audition Application

 

More NOYSE and Perk-Up, Pianist

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert
2018 "More NOYSE" Participants
2018 “More NOYSE” Participants

Beat the winter blahs with an afternoon and evening of musical sunshine! Sunday January 28th – More NOYSE Youth Showcase at 2pm followed by Sarah Hagen’s comic show “Perk-Up, Pianist!” at 7:30 pm. Both concerts are being held at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.

Special Two Concert Deal: Tickets are $40 for adults, $30 for NOCCA subscribers and $20 for youth to attend both events, as long as they are purchased at the same time. Buy tickets at http://www.ticketseller.ca or call 250-549-7469.

If you’re a Facebook user, check out Jacob Soucy’s excellent videos of this year’s NOYSE participants rehearsing for the concert at https://www.facebook.com/events/152088725421100/ (scroll down to the “Recent Activity” section at the bottom of the feed). Don’t forget to “Like” our page while you’re there. 😏

The following article was written by Kristin Froneman for the Vernon Morning Star:

NOCCA performances fundraiser for youth in arts

Sarah Hagen not only tickles the ivories, she tickles funny bones

Sarah Hagen
Classical Pianist Sarah Hagen brings her funny autobiographic show, “Perk up, Pianist!” to Vernon’s Performing Arts Centre Sunday, January 28th at 7:30 pm

When acclaimed classical pianist Sarah Hagen returns to Vernon Sunday, she’ll not only be tickling the ivories, she’ll be tickling funny bones.

Known as the charming host of Morning Melodies, the classical music series that was held for a number of years in the Marie Fleming Hall at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre, Hagen is returning to the centre for two reasons:

First, she’ll host More NOYSE (North Okanagan Youth Showcase of Excellence) Sunday at 2 p.m. Then, that evening, she will take the main stage with her new show, Perk up, Pianist! Both are presentations of the North Okanagan Community Concert Association (NOCCA).

For the latter show, audiences shouldn’t expect hushed interludes. Instead, prepare to laugh as Hagen breaks all stereotypes of a classical concert being stuffy or elitist by injecting comedy into her performance.

“After compiling material for many years, I began writing the show in 2016 while taking some time away from the stage as a concert pianist,” said Hagen, who is now based in Toronto. “I have been touring it through various fringe festivals across Canada and am very excited to bring it to the main stage in Vernon for the very first time.”

A self-confessed writer of uneducated wine reviews for her blog, Artist Wines!, and an enthusiastic tap dancer, Hagen has been compared to famed pianist/comic Victor Borge.

Not only is she an accomplished award winning classical pianist who has performed as an accompanist and solo artist all over the world, she has developed a show that harnesses her other talent – comic timing.

In Perk up, Pianist, she peppers her performance with personal and amusing anecdotes, playing the part of a touring classical pianist who must remain optimistic in the midst of challenging and often ridiculous situations.

“She wanted to keep the show presentable so that her mother would be able to attend, so Sarah has requested a PG-13 or a mature subject matter rating,” said NOCCA president Paul Maynes, who caught Hagen’s show in Edmonton. “This is definitely a show that ladies can relate to and that men will enjoy too. Give yourself a treat and a good chuckle.”

Before Hagen takes the stage, she’ll introduce the talented youth who have been auditioned to perform at NOCCA’s second ever youth showcase.

More NOYSE features pianist Brandon Schmor, cellist Holly McCallum, violinist Libby Wyse, the Jacob Soucy Quartet (trumpet, keys, drums, bass), vocalist-guitarist Shaughnessy O’Brien, vocalist Jax Dolman, violinist Marcus Coetzee, dancer Jonathon Fraser Monroe, dancer Tiernen O’Keefe, and the Inter Contemporary Dance Group from Accentz Dance Studio.

Both “More NOYSE” and “Perk up, Pianist!” are fundraising performances to establish a performing arts scholarship fund for youth in the North Okanagan.

Separate from the NOCCA season, tickets for MORE NOYSE are $20 for adults, $15 for NOCCA subscribers, and $10 for youth 18 and under. Tickets for Sarah Hagen’s Perk up, Pianist! are $30 for adults, $25 for NOCCA subscribers and $20 for youth. Tickets are $40 for adults, $30 for NOCCA subscribers and $20 for youth to attend both events as long as they are purchased at the same time. Get them at Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca.

 

 

Inter Contemporary Dance Group from Accentz studio

More NOYSE – January 28, 2018

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert
Inter Contemporary Dance Group from Accentz studio
Inter Contemporary Dance Group from Accentz studio

More NOYSE
Sunday January 28, 2018 2:00 pm
BUY TICKETS

NOCCA is excited to support North Okanagan’s incredible young talent with a bi-annual North Okanagan Youth Showcase of Excellence (NOYSE) concert held at Vernon’s Performing Arts Centre. NOYSE is back this year with More NOYSE. The inaugural showcase in 2016 was an unqualified success and 2018 promises to raise the bar.

Hosted by Sarah Hagen of “Morning Melodies” fame at Vernon’s Performing Arts centre, More NOYSE promises to be an afternoon of outstanding variety and entertainment.

Featuring Marcus Coetzee – violin, Jax Dolman – vocal, Jonathan Fraser-Monroe – dance, Inter Contemporary Dance Group from Accentz studio, Holly McCallum – cello, Shaughnessy O’Brien – guitar and vocal, Tiernen O’Keefe – dance, Brandon Schmor – piano, Jacob Soucy Quartet – trumpet, keyboard, bass & drums, and Libby Wyse – violin. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our young artists, and to hear and see how bright the future is for the performing arts in the North Okanagan!

This concert is not part of the regular NOCCA subscription series. Seats are available on a first come-first serve basis and all proceeds will go to an education fund to provide ongoing scholarships for music students in the North Okanagan as they continue their musical careers.

SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $20  NOCCA subscribers – $15  Under 18 – $10
Students on the 8to12 program – $5

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

NOCCA Youth Showcase

NOCCA Youth Showcase – Auditions November 10th & 11th, 2017

by SillyGilly, posted in News

2016 NOYSE Participants with MC Ian Parker (far right) and NOCCA President Paul Maynes (far left)

NOCCA is excited to support North Okanagan’s incredible young talent with a bi-annual North Okanagan Youth Showcase of Excellence (NOYSE) concert held at Vernon’s Performing Arts Centre.

Singers and musicians from Lake Country to Salmon Arm, under the age of 25, preferably with Grade 10 or higher, are invited to audition for an opportunity to participate in this concert. Both soloists and small groups are welcome. Our goal is to present a variety of individual and ensemble performances, each being approximately ten minutes in length. The achieved grade level is not mandatory, but the ability to entertain and be comfortable doing so is an asset. We are looking for excellence in ability as well as a variety of programming. Classical presentations are preferred, but not exclusively.

Honoraria for selected participants will be $300 for solo, $400 for duo and $450 for trios or larger ensembles. Those students not chosen to perform in the showcase concert may instead be selected to open for NOCCA concerts.

The next NOYSE Concert is at 2pm on Sunday January 28, 2018.

Auditions will be held on November 10th & 11th, 2017 at the Vernon Jazz Club.
A tuned piano will be provided.

Audition performances should be approximately 10 minutes in length. Candidates may feel more relaxed presenting something they have played previously and are very comfortable playing. Applicants will be chosen not only on their musical skill level, but also on their ability to entertain and connect with an audience. To register for an audition please complete the form on our website (click here) or call Alex MacArthur at 250-540-6493.

NOYSE concert tickets will be $20 for adults, $15 for NOCCA subscribers and $10 for ages 18 and under. Seats will be available on a first come-first serve basis and all proceeds will go to an education fund to provide ongoing scholarships for music students in the North Okanagan as they continue their musical careers.