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.  Edel has also resumed her Westwinds Blue Band rehearsals on Thursday nights.  And Sandra has joined Westwinds Green Strings Band this September which is a totally new experience for her.  Her band rehearsal nights are on Monday evenings.  
 

​Recent and Upcoming Music Exams​​

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

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

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

       Congratulations, Joanne!

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

       Congratulations, Edel!​

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

        Congratulations, Ann!​

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

         Congratulations, Kathleen!​

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

           Congratulations, Sandra​!

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

          Congratulations, Leslie!​

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Members' Participation in Music Festivals and Camps 

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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!

 

The 2023 first ever ALMSG Fall Fete ran Nov 18th, 2023, 11 am - 3 pm

The following members participated with one music selection unless otherwise noted:

• Heather, Piano, virtual entry

• Dorothy, Piano,

• Linda, Piano,

• Graham, Piano, 2 music selections

• Sandra, Piano, 2 music selections

• Kaylene, Violin, 2 movements

• Kaylene, Viola,

• Donalda, Voice,

• Edel, Piano,

• Sandra, Voice, 2 music selections

• Alan, Piano, 3 music selections

This event was co-sponsored by our Vice-President, Kaylene 

 

The Contemporary Showcase Festival ran November 23-25, 2023

• Graham & Alan, Piano, entered this festival and performed on Friday Nov. 24, 2023

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Community Service/Volunteering

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Sandra  volunteers for/as:

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 a daytime shift, usually in the position of cashier but can undertake any role in the casino cage

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 Sept 18, 2024