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Thursday, October 22, 2009

 

The Folk Arts Society presents The 9th annual "Young Folk at The Hall"

On behalf of Christina Smith:

The Folk Arts Society presents

The 9th annual "Young Folk at The Hall"

 

Do you play a traditional musical instrument or sing folk songs???

 

Hi Folks,

Well another year has rolled around and we are getting set to produce the Young Folk at the Hall event again in 2010.  As you may know, the LSPU hall is still closed for renovations so this year the Concert will take place on Sunday, January 24th  at Holy Heart Theatre at 2 pm. The Saturday afternoon workshops will be held onSaturday, January 16th and Saturday, January 23rd from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. at a location to be determined.

 

The purpose of the workshops is to give the young musicians an opportunity to share their talents with other young musicians in an informal setting; to develop musical relationships among the young musicians; and primarily, to foster the idea that playing and sharing music is an enjoyable and fulfilling activity. The content of the Sunday afternoon concert will emanate from these two workshops.

 

We would encourage young folk, especially those familiar with the format of the workshops, to think about bringing some new repertoire to the mix, so to speak. Perhaps choose a piece of music or a song that is not commonly performed. If you need advice about this, get in touch with me.

 

Once again several of our seasoned members will facilitate these workshops sessions. The workshops will give the young musicians and singers an opportunity to talk to and play with these musicians, learn more about their instrument of choice (voice included) and explore  the possibility of musical liaisons with their peers and have FUN!!!!!.

 

The workshops will be free of charge, sponsored by the Folk Arts Society, and any proceeds from the concert will help produce the Neil Murray Stage at the annual Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival in August. If you are interested please reply/register by filling out the details below and mail (or email) it to the return address as soon as possible. If you know of any interested young musical friends please ask them to get in touch with me. Unfortunately space is limited so please register early.

 

Yours truly,

 

Fergus O'Byrne

email: fobyrne@nl.rogers.com

(709) 576-4759

 

http://www.nlfolk.com/

 

Session Workshops & Concert Registration Form

For The 9th annual "Young Folk at The Hall"

 

CONCERT DATE:                 SUNDAY January 24th @ 2pm @ Holy Heart Theatre                

WORKSHOP DATES:          SATURDAYS, January 16th  & 23rd

TIME:                           2:00 - 5:00 P.M.

PLACE:                        TBA

COST:                           Free, but registration (by e-mail or mail) is required (see below):

 

 

TO REGISTER, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING FORM:

 

Name: ________________________________

 

Age: ___________

 

Instrument and/or voice: __________________

 

Please email this form to: fobyrne@nl.rogers.com

Or send it by mail to

Fergus O'Byrne

St. John's Folk Arts Society,

155 Water St.,

Box 6283 St. John's, NL

A1C 6J9

 

(Space is limited so please register early)

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 10:35 PM

Saturday, April 11, 2009

 

STEP teacher Christina Smith nominated for award

One of STEP's founders and teachers, Christina Smith, has been nominated for a prestigious award - the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council "Arts Educator of the Year" award.  Competing against her are writer/educator Robin Grant and percussionist Rob Power. We think she has an exellent chance of winning.
 
The award will be presented at the  24th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC)  Awards Show and Gala. It's a lovely event and members who would like to attend can purchase tickets from the Arts and Culture Centre box office. The Gala is on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Reid Theatre in St. John's.  Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Cultural Assistance Plan for Emergencies (CAPE Fund).
 
Please don't forget  the Avalon Mall Play-In on Saturday, April 18th, beginning 11:00 (for tune-up) to play at 11:30 for about an hour. Come to the lower level of the Avalon Mall by Laura Secord; wearing white tops and black pants or skirts.  This is one of our most popular recruiting and promotional events.  There'll be sweet treats for the players!
 
Happy Easter everyone,
Board chair
Marie Wadden
 
 

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 3:36 PM

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

 

STEP announces! Masterclass with Nancy Dahn!

Saturday, Feb 21,  11:00 - 1:30  in the Choral Room.

Masterclass FAQ


What is a Masterclass, anyway?

A Masterclass is an opportunity to watch a master teacher teach students individually.  It's a fantastic way to get new ideas, learn about a piece which you will be playing soon,  and be inspired both by the teacher and the students who are playing. 

Who has been chosen to play for the Masterclass?

Niamh Maguire: Concerto in A minor, 1st. mvt.  Vivaldi
Jacquelyn Redmond:  Concerto in A minor, 2nd mvt. Vivaldi
Theo Stylianides:  Czardas,  Monti
Sarah Harris: Concerto # 2, 3rd mvt.:   Seitz
Olga Trela:  Concerto in G minor, 1st mvt.;  Vivaldi

How were they chosen?

Our Master Teacher for the day, Ms. Nancy Dahn, requested that teachers put forward names of their students who could play a *polished* piece from mid book four or higher.   The teachers submitted names of their students.  Preference was given to students who had not performed in prior masterclasses.  If any slots were left,  names would be drawn first from those students who played two years ago, then from those who played last year.

Who is Nancy Dahn?   http://www.duoconcertante.com/biography.html

(from the website) 
Nancy Dahn is Professor of Violin and Viola at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland and Co-Artistic Director of the Tuckamore Festival. 
Hailed as an artist "so genuinely interesting to listen to one forgets how good her technique is"(The Sunday Herald), violinist Nancy Dahn has created an international career as one half of Duo Concertante with pianist/husband Timothy Steeves.  Critics have described her performances as "vigorous, passionate and red-blooded"(CBC's Sound Advice) and praised the "great mastery of her playing... her singing and poignant sound... She never sacrifices beauty for the sake of virtuosity" (La Scena Musicale).
 
As a soloist, Nancy Dahn has performed concerti by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bach, Mozart, Saint-Saens, Part, Lou Harrison, and Andrew MacDonald with orchestras in Canada and the United States. She recently presented the world premiere of Alice Ho's Double Concerto, written for Duo Concertante with the assistance of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and in 2007 performed Marjan Mozetich's concerto Affairs of the Heart. 

Dahn received her training at the New England Conservatory of Music with Masuko Ushioda, the Juilliard School with Glenn Dicterow, and at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she received a doctorate in violin performance with Donald Weilerstein. She has participated in summer festivals such as the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Colorado Music Festival, the Britten Pears Festival, the Taos School of Music and the Tanglewood Music Centre. A winner of numerous competitions, including the concerto competitions of the Cleveland Institute and New England Conservatory, Dahn was a finalist in the Louise McMahon International Competition. 

Christina Smith
csmith@nf.sympatico.ca

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 11:41 PM

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

 

Senior Group Class' London Tour Highlights

On behalf of Jennifer Johnson.
 
On January 4, ten of our senior students from STEP's most advanced group class got on a plane and embarked on an exciting adventure to London, England to perform and to absorb a new culture.  They played 6 concerts in 6 days including two school concerts, two concerts in churches in Notting Hill, and one concert for the UK Wolf Conservation Trust.  This last was exciting as we were taught to safely approach the socialized wolves and actually stroke them!  The sixth concert was perhaps the most exciting because of its unexpected nature:  one of Helen Brunner's (our host) students' mothers heard us play in a rehearsal and was so enthralled with these young people, she invited the group to play at her lawyer husband's 50th birthday party at the Lanesborough Hotel (swanky!) on the Friday night.  It was a paid private concert after which we were offered the possibility of playing on a recital series that our new lawyer friend runs for his international array of clients. The children were billeted with families in Helen's studio:  one pair lived for the week across from Paul McCartney's house, and another pair lived right beside Orlando Bloom!  Quite glamorous!  Their playing improved each time they performed and they reached glorious new heights of ability.  We were all very proud and happy for them!

Helen sent a letter to us a few days after our departure saying that people were still talking about our students' performance at the final concert at St. Peter's church in Notting Hill.  Christina's leading of the group in the fiddle tunes were especially well-received as most of the Londoners had never heard authentic Newfoundland traditional music before.  We arrived home exhausted (23 hours of travelling due to Air Canada delays! and an impromptu concert at Heathrow airport to boot) but extremely happy for the experience.  Thanks to the whole program for your support for STEP's senior group class!

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 9:21 PM

Saturday, August 23, 2008

 

Registration Day September 6th

Sent on behalf on Evelyn Osborne, Artistic Director, to all our contacts.  Apologies if you no longer want to be on our mailing list or if this is sent to the wrong address: please let us know.
 
Dear STEP membership and new families,

I hope you've all had a great summer.

Registration will be September 6 from 9-12 at the Arts and Culture Centre at Irwin's Court. To find this room, enter at the Box Office, go forward up over the few stairs to the central area and back down again to see the canteen on your right; keep going away from the Box Office to the old restaurant location (large curtained windows), turn left, and continue to the end of the hall. Application forms will be available there.
 
There will be a Play-in as well in the Upper Concourse, so, returning students, please bring your instruments to tune up at 9:30 for a 10:00 start. Wear your Suzuki shirt if you have one. Parents too: bring your own instrument and join the happy throng for a Twinkle or two, or however many pieces you know.  For newcomers: a Play-in is a concert of a random selection of pieces from all levels of the Suzuki curriculum, each one played in unison by however many students have already learned that piece; those below that level, listen until a piece is called for that they can play.  Come to listen, and you'll hear a great cross-section of the music your child will play throughout the years of study.  The concert's free of charge and very informal: it's no more than an hour or so, so stay as long as you like, and feel free to ask any questions about the program, of the registration volunteers in Irwin's Court.
 
There will also exciting information about our upcoming year including a posh fund raising auction, a debut of a piece written just for STEP and other fun events!

Let's get a great STEP into the year! See you all on September 6!
Sincerely
Evelyn

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 3:54 PM

Monday, April 30, 2007

 

STEP orchestra attending Montreal Symphony Orchestra Workshop

By request of a parent:

Last Saturday afternoon our Senior STEP Orchestra attended a workshop with the conductor in residence of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. It was a very demanding session but our students rose brilliantly to the challenge! It was certainly a great experience and we owe thanks to the NL Music Teachers Assoc who organized the workshop and extended the invitation to Kellie.

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 12:13 PM

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

 

Annual General Meeting Announcement

You're invited to attend STEP's general meeting, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 30th, 7 to 8:30pm, in the sanctuary of St. David's Presbyterian Church on Elizabeth Avenue.

Topics on the agenda include Chair's Address, Artistic Director's Report, and financial report from Valerie Howe, our out-going Treasurer. In addition, a presentation of the survey results will be made. Refreshments will be provided, and there will be a Q&A and social session after the meeting for you to provide feedbacks.

Please make every effort to attend this meeting as the board has been undertaking some exciting projects that we'd like to tell you about, and with the upcoming anniversary it's important for our members to be informed! Kindly RSVP to confirm your attendance.

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 9:55 AM

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

 

International Music Festival Winners in STEP!

This good news is sent by request of Janet Hewson, congratulations guys!

Three of our STEP members are with the St. Bonaventure's College Wind Ensemble who have just taken first place in the All American Music Festival in Orlando, Florida! As well they received the highest marks awarded to a band this season (that's 3 or 4 festivals).

Congratulations to Timothy Brennan (trumpet), Valerie Hewson (clarinet) and Rhiannon Tracey (clarinet).

Here's their official Orlando picture.

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 2:44 PM

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

 

March Newsletter available!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, March's newsletter is now available for viewing!

A few articles of interest include a hello from our Artistic Director, Evelyn Osborne; the journey across worlds and cultures for Christina Smith, and some Body Mapping from Jennifer Johnson! It'll be a very interesting read I'm sure. Also, a new column for practicing tips has been established and it is wide open to parent contribution for future issues, i.e. contributors will keep this column going. So keep a pencil and some paper nearby as you read through the newsletter, and scratch down some ideas for us.

Don't forget to send in any suggestions you may have for newsletter topics, and keep an eye out for upcoming contests and events!

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 10:58 AM

Monday, March 12, 2007

 

25th anniversary volunteer call

On behalf of Evelyn, our Artistic Director:

Next year is the 25th anniversary of STEP! I can't believe that I was here at the beginning playing away on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! And I still play it almost everyday!!! What a beautiful piece of music to live life by!

We're hoping to plan many events for the upcoming Anniversary year 2006/2007, not the least of which will be the return of an alumnus, Mark Fewer, now an internationally acclaimed violinist. He will be playing with the NSO in November and has kindly agreed to be a part of events for us. Please check out his bio at the Vancouver Symphony where another one of our alumni also is a member, Jennie Press.

There are also many other exciting offers and opportunities for events for our students in the upcoming anniversary year.

To make these events happen and our year special WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! The time for organizing and brainstorming of events is nigh; please volunteer now and we can make a great year of events. We need lots of people to make this happen so that a few aren't overworked!

If you're interested in volunteering for anniversary events, please let us know; we need general volunteers as well as a few people to help set up a committee to oversee the preparations and successful launching of events.

Show your STEP spirit and please email stepanniversary@yahoo.ca to indicate your interest. Also please send along any ideas you have!

Sincerely,
Evelyn Osborne, Artistic Director.

Please show your support and get involved with the anniversary planning, it will be a fantastic year for us all, and even more perfect with your enthusiasm and help. :)

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 3:10 PM

Friday, March 09, 2007

 

Kiwanis Rose Bowl Results

Let's give a big round of applause for the STEP Fiddlers and STEP Senior Orchestra! Both groups competed in the Group Rose Bowl events last night, and thank-you to Christina Smith and Kellie Walsh for their excellent leadership in helping our two ensembles achieve marks of 90% in their preliminaries! Kellie Walsh, our Orchestra Director, is also the director of the Rose Bowl winning St. Bonaventure College Girls' Choir. The group received a 92 in their class earlier this week, and a couple of our students also participate in this group's activities! Other STEP ensembles also received amazing marks in the Festival, with the Intermediate Orchestra scoring 88%, Junior Orchestra scoring 88% and Émile Benoît Fiddle Class a 90%!

Again, we're interested in publishing individual achievements in the Festival, so if you'd like to send in your results by Monday, March 12th, we'll make sure you're recognized in our next newsletter, coming very soon.

Thanks again everyone! Students, for your talent and passion; parents, for your dedication and patience; and teachers, for your leadership and devotion to your craft. Congratulations, you've once again done STEP proud.

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 11:34 AM

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

 

Kiwanis Festival

Congratulations to the STEP Fiddlers and the STEP Senior Orchestra for earning places in the Kiwanis Rose Bowl Competition! The concert is tomorrow night (Thursday March 7th) at the Arts and Culture Centre, so please come out and applaud our hard-working young musicians. Many thanks to Kellie and Christina for their leadership, and GOOD LUCK to all!

We are very interested in hearing about how the rest of our students did in the Kiwanis. We truly have a very talented community of young and gifted musicians, and it would for be great for everyone to share the news! If you've taken part, please send in your name, instrument (not just strings!) and placement, and we'll acknowledge everyone's accomplishments in this year's Festival in our next newsletter, which is coming very soon.

Great job everybody, hope you all had fun during the Festival!

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 1:45 PM

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

 

Updates to website

There have been some updates to the website: as updates are done, they'll be listed here, but not go out in e-mail.

  • Added: STEP Teachers' Studio Policy, required reading for parents and teachers alike: http://www.nfld.com/~step/step_teachers_studio_policy.htm .
  • Added: Words to "Allegretto" in Book 1 - all about the three bears: http://www.nfld.com/~step/words.htm . Fun!

Both of these have links to them on the Reference for Members page.

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 1:46 PM

Friday, December 22, 2006

 

December newsletter

The December issue of STEP newsletter is now ready for viewing online!

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# posted by Heather Patey @ 2:35 PM