Our branch celebrated the 4th collaborative project with Lions Gate Sinfonia Orchestra on Saturday evening, April 21st, at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver to a nearly sold out audience!
We had four events this year with an additional masterclass and an ensemble concert with a string quartet with musicians from Lions Gate Sinfonia. Fifty-two students auditioned and 50 took part in all events. We had a masterclass with Jaeden Izik-Dzurko on Tuesday, a masterclass with Clyde Mitchell with the musicians who were performing with the orchestra last night. He conducted the masterclass with a view to working with a conductor, how to make sure the students are on the conductor, when to breathe, etc. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and it really prepared the students will for the big night.
On Friday we had the first ensemble concert with 16 students. The each played the piece they auditioned with and Clyde wrote the accompaniments for the string quartets. The students had one rehearsal with the quartet before their performance on Friday night. It was a huge hit with the parents and students alike and the teachers were absolutely thrilled!
Last night we had a nearly sold out concert at the Centennial Theatre and for all the teachers who have attended our collaborative concerts in the past, last night was the best! The students played some substantial pieces of music – such as the Rumanian Folk Dances, Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G minor – which sounded like a Rachmaninoff concerto, Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm”. We also added a vocal duet, clarinet piece, and violin concerto!
We were then treated to the Mendelssohn’s G minor Piano Concerto performed by Jaeden Izik-Dzurko and it was nothing less than spectacular and he was greeted by a very enthusiastic standing ovation!
The students were “over the moon” with their experiences and there is no doubt that these collaborative projects are one of the most important and valuable projects the North Shore RMT has ever participated in. It has inspired some of the students to continue their music studies in universities across the country and at the very least, an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Valerie Cook, Past President,
North Shore Branch