Collaborations 

 Many of our group members are collaborating on a music piece  "The Water is Wide" on the app Acapella.  Kaylene is heading this project so if you want more information and/or would like to be a part of the project, please contact Kaylene. 

 

Members' Orchestra/Band Concert Nights

Kaylene has started up her Ambrose Arts Orchestra rehearsals on Thursday evenings in September.  Kaylene has started rehearsals again after the Christmas break - stay tuned for details on her concert performances in the spring

 

Edel has also resumed her Westwinds Blue Band rehearsals on Thursday nights.  Edel has started rehearsals again after the Christmas break - stay tuned for details on her concert performances in the spring.

 

Sandra has joined Westwinds Green Strings Band to learn cello this September which is a totally new experience for her.  Her band rehearsal nights are on Monday evenings.  Sandra has started rehearsals again after the Christmas break - stay tuned for details on her concert performances in the spring.

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​Previous Years Music Exams​​

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• Heather, previous member, Sexsmith AB,  Completed Level 2 Piano Exam Feb'24

       Congratulations, Heather, on achieving Honours with Distinction on this exam!​

• Joanne, current member, north of Saskatoon SK, Completed Level 9 Piano Exam Jun'23

       Congratulations, Joanne!

• Edel, current member, Calgary AB, Completed Level 9 Piano Exam Jun'23

       Congratulations, Edel!​

• ​Ann, current member, Toronto ON, Completed Level 3 Piano Exam Oct '23

        Congratulations, Ann!​

• ​Kathleen, current member, Calgary AB, Completed Level 2 Piano Exam Nov'23

         Congratulations, Kathleen!​

• Sandra, current member, Calgary AB, Completed Level 6 Piano Exam June 21st, 2024

           Congratulations, Sandra​!

• Leslie, previous member, Collingwood, ON, Completed Level 8 Harp Exam June 26, 2024

          Congratulations, Leslie!​

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Members' Participation in Music Festivals and Camps 

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The Contemporary Showcase Festival ran November 21-23, 2024

• Graham and Alan, Piano, had entered this festival.  Their performance class was Nov 21st 7:45 pm .

 

The Chinook School of Music Performance Masterclasses runs in early December 2024.  Sandra and Dorothy were both registered for the adult piano masterclass scheduled for

Dec 1st, 2024 4:30 - 6:00 pm. (Sandra was not able to attend unfortunately)

 

This year, the Adult LPI (Lethbridge Piano Intensive) had a different format from the previous four years.  Instead of the first two Saturdays in June, it took place on 3 consecutive days on July 5 - 7, 2024 and the following members and family members took part in person unless otherwise noted:

• Graham and Alan, Alan's daughter, Sandra's daughter (senior level)

• Dorothy, Linda, Sandra (intermediate level)

• Kathleen (beginner level) via Zoom on Friday, in person on Saturday and via Zoom on Sunday

As you can see, many different levels of pianists participated and most importantly felt welcome at this summer camp.  The LPI clinicians, of which there are five, met each pianist at their level and taught each participant utilizing their own unique teacher training specialties.   This was done with warmth and kindness as these clinicians are deeply invested in our learning growth and in us as individual people and not just what we do on the piano.   Please read the July newsletter as I will essentially be writing a detailed summary of the smorgasboard of learning that we were offered.

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The APTA ( Alberta Piano Teachers' Association) Festival* ran from March 4 -16,2024 and the following members participated:

• Linda, Kathleen: Adult Piano Solo class

• Sandra, Graham, Alan: Adult Piano Recital class

• Linda: Sing and Play class

• Kaylene & Alan: Piano Combo Class - Violin/Piano Duo

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Congratulations to Alan on being invited to perform at the APTA showcase concert.  (Alan did not attend however as it conflicted with his family plans.)

*Please note: Many of our members volunteered to help out this festival as either secretaries for the adjudicators or as reception greeters.  Edel, Sandra and Kathleen all volunteered and helped out at this festival.  Volunteering for music organizations is one of the mandates of our group!

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The North York Music Festival runs April 5-28, 2024.  The registration for virtual entries opens Mar 1 and ends April 1st.  Video entries must be submitted by April 1st to be considered.

• Kaylene entered this virtual festival for Adult Level 9/10 Violin and submitted three video performances -two on violin and one on viola.  Update:  Kaylene achieved gold for all three of her submissions.  Congratulations, Kaylene!

• Ann entered this virtual festival for Adult Level 3 Piano and submitted five performance videos.  She achieved gold on four and she will be attending the Presentation Gala in June as she lives in Toronto.  Congratulations, Ann!

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Community Service/Volunteering

​Sandra  volunteers:

1. for Alberta Health Services as a patient support musician volunteer.  She plays at the McCAig Tower weekly on Fridays 1-2 pm on the Boston Grand piano on the ground floor. 

2. for JazzYYC as a Front of the House assistant by by checking in guests,  selling event tickets and artists' CDs at jazz concerts

3. for MountainView Festival, ProArts Society, JazzYYC, and CADME(Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education) as a casino volunteer - usually in the position of cashier but undertakes any volunteer role in the casino cage as needed

4. for the APTA festival as a secretary for the adjudicator during the festival.

Edel and Kathleen also volunteer for/as:​

• for the APTA festival as secretary for the adjudicator and as greeter, respectively

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updated Jan 8, 2025