Way to Go!

Congratulations to all of you who performed in Music Festival!  It takes a lot of courage to get up there on that stage, and I appreciate that you took the time and effort to prepare those solos, duets, etc. and so splendidly represented yourselves, the school, and the strings program.  Great job!   Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

This Is It!!

Time to strut your stuff, girls!  Strings week is here, so practice your hearts out this weekend and rosin up your bows ('cause that's totally what I'd do, whether it needed it or not) so you can OWN that music festival!  Update:  I've been told over-rosining can be dangerous, so maybe, not so much.

STRINGS

(Rivier Academy auditorium)

Wednesday, March 23^rd @ 7pm

·               Harshina Brijlall – Concertino I

·               Harshina Brijlall – Two Rigadouns

Thursday, March 24^th @ 9am

·               Violet Haddad – Zum Gali Gali

·               Jordan McEwen – Sword Dance

·               Marielle Dyer – Baa Baa Black Sheep

Thursday, March 24^th @ 1pm

·               Rivier Orchestra 10 – Snake in a Basket / Theme from First Symphony

·               Rivier Orchestra 20 – Holiday Special / Doin’ the Double Stop Blues

·               Rivier Orchestra 30 – March of the Mathemagicians / Along the River

·               Claire Michalishen – The Merry Widow Waltz

·               Janessa Fouillard – Finale from the First Symphony

·               Danika Nickel – Popular Song

·               Janessa Fouillard and Claire Michalishen – Pachelbel Canon

·               Jordan McEwen and Violet Haddad – Liza Jane

·               Quinn Cappelletto – God’s Tender Mercy, Chandos Anthems No. 9 Mvt. 6

·               Emma Eaton – German Folk Song

·               Emma Eaton – French Folk Song

·               Janessa Fouillard – Vive L’Amour

·               Danika Nickel – Chance Meeting

·               Amanda Loeffen – Listen to the Mockingbird

And if your forget your piece in the middle of your song, just go all "insane violinist" up there on stage.
Remember: It's all about the hair flipping and crazy leg movements to distract them from the fact you've forgotten everything you're supposed to be doing.

 I'm sure they give extra marks for creativity.  Or insanity, or something.  I would, for sure. :)

Have a great long weekend, girls!

Opportunity Is Knocking...LOUDLY!

Okay, I already blogged about the upcoming Bowfire concert - can't wait for Tuesday! It is going to be so great. Now, Mr. Bernier informs me that at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday (the 22nd) the cast of musicians from Bowfire will be doing a soundcheck AND get this - a "meet the performer" at the Rawlinson Center!! WOW. This is for any musician who would like to meet them or ask them questions. Mr. B. has added a P.S. here reminding you that there are also awesome dancers included in this group of world class musicians!!
What an amazing opportunity to meet them before the concert!

Spring Has Sprung, The Grass Is Ris',

My, How Great the Music Is!
Sunday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. Rivier Strings (Orchestra 30L) will be Guest Performers at the
PRINCE ALBERT STRINGS ORCHESTRA ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT,
along with "Coffee or Scotch" (the band, not the refreshments!)
The concert will be in the Rivier Auditorium and you can talk to Mr. Bernier, or any of the girls in the P.A.S.O. about getting tickets.  I was there last year and it was awesome - and I wouldn't just say that.  Even my three-year-old nephew was entertained.  Also, if you're lucky you get to see Mr. Bernier display his talents a little - maybe.
Here's a couple of clips I found of last year's concert:


See? Awesome!

More Inspiration As We Approach Music Festival!

Duh Duh DUHN... Ominous music, the theme from "Psycho" plays, oh wait - that could just be a flashback to my own music festival experiences. I'm sure all of you are well prepared and looking forward to your upcoming performances! Anyhow, perhaps you have watched a TEDtalk before posted over on the  Loopy Library.  I really, really like them, even though they can be a bit long (around 18-20 minutes.)  I'm hoping you'll have a look at this one featuring Natalie McMaster (Canadian) with her husband Donnell Leahy (also Canadian) playing and talking about their music.  I think Natalie was around 12 when she started to become famous for her fiddling - and you have probably heard of the group Leahy.  Donnell talks about how he and his 10 brothers and sisters shared 2 fiddles and one piano growing up and all desperately loved music, so once they had an instrument in their hands they would skip supper because they knew they would lose their turn and not get it back!  So, once again, I'm going to tell you how fortunate you are to have your instrument all to yourself.  Appreciate your amazing opportunities, embrace them, be inspired and be inspiring!  And have a great weekend!

Keep Rocking (And Practicing!)

Music Festival is fast approaching, so I hope everyone is busy practicing their chosen pieces! I know it's nerve-wracking getting up there on stage, but you will be proud of yourselves for your accomplishment afterwards, girls!
I just received the latest issue of Strings magazine today and noticed an ad for Yamaha instruments featuring violinist Mads Tolling. He was described as a two-time grammy award-winner, so of course I had to google him! Here he is with his group:

There's lots of other good stuff in Strings this month - just as Mr. B if you'd like to have a look at it!