Canada Music Week Reports
Yorkton
Yorkton RMT decided to celebrate early this year due to two musical productions taking place in November in our community. We hosted our own wonderful Saskatchewan composer Lynette Sawatsky as more of a kick-off to the teaching year in September. Students did not have to prepare anything but came and participated in interactive group sessions. It was a great way to be introduced to new music friends, new pieces and a variety of instruments.
We dedicated Friday evening to Composition. In an organized and skillful session, Lynette unfolded the steps to beginning and completing a piece. Each student worked through a sixteen-measure piece of their inspiration by alternating several group teaching segments with working time at their own keyboard. By the end of the 2.5-hour session, many had completed a great piece complete with chords and were able to share their work with a performance for everyone.
We would like to thank Lynette for her excellent teaching in each session and her encouragement to our students. It is a real treat to be able to meet and interact with the composer themselves. The pieces take on much more meaning and focus for each student.
West Central
East Central
As individual teachers, we teach Canadian Music to our students and have them perform these pieces at recitals, festivals and for exams.
I, Marj Moldon taught 3 students who sang in the Honour Choir. This choir consisted of vocalists from throughout the province and they performed some Canadian music by Canadian composers on November 3rd, 2023 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
The Saskatoon Branch had a record-breaking number of entries for their Contemporary Showcase with 113 pianists registered. Stephanie Chua from Ontario was our adjudicator and we kept hearing from people how exceptional she was. Each student got a turn at the piano with her so they could experiment with her ideas. Stephanie commented several times on how high the standard of music making was, saying it would be difficult to recommend only 15 performers for the Canada Music Week Recital. She felt she could have easily chosen 35.
We were lucky enough to hear 23 wonderful performances at our Canada Music Week recital from beginner to ARCT levels.
Huge thanks go out to teachers who support this showcase and to the volunteers who make it work. Many were impressed with how organized it was and it certainly impressed us that Stephanie managed to stay on time AND get each child up to the piano.
We want to encourage violinists to participate and have had an inquiry about voice, but so far not enough interest has been shown to cover the expenses of an adjudicator.
This has become an extremely popular event which we hope will be able to continue for years to come.
Swift Current
The Registered Music Teachers of Swift Current held their 2023 Canada Music Concert early this year due to pending renovations at our Art Gallery. On November 12, sixteen performers, students of 5 Swift Current Music teachers, were able to perform. The concert opened and closed with performances of O Canada on the piano, One of these was a lovely duet arranged by S. Wilson. Ten students performed selections by Canadian composers. Students were able to play on the grand piano which is housed in the art gallery and was purchased by the RMTSC several years ago, The afternoon also included 3 vocal solos. The event closed with refreshments and cookies baked by one of the music teachers. This photo is of Michael Liu, student of Marilyn King, performing Etude in C Major by H.L. Adams.
