A Cello Extravaganza Benefit Concert for Africa and for Ann
"Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity" writes Edwin Hubbell Chapin and vibrations will resonate throughout Hamilton at the Cello Extravaganza Benefit Concert on Saturday Dec. 3 showcasing over 30 cellists from Hamilton to Montreal, and points in between. Perhaps one the largest gatherings of cellists in Southern Ontario, Cello Extravaganza will feature cello solos, and ensembles including duets, a trio, a quartet, and a quintet, finishing with a 30+ cello orchestra (choir). Artistic Coordinators Rachel Mercer and Kirk Starkey will also perform in the event. Rachel Mercer will be performing solo Bach on the 1696 Stradivari cello, and Kirk Starkey will be presenting a new work of his own composition for cello and electronics. Performers will include Alexis Allen, Sandra Bohn, Rachel Desoer, Nadia Felix, Susan Gagnon, Daphne Grittani, Amy Laing, John Marshman, Paul McCullogh, Rebecca Morton, Miriam Stewart-Kroeker and many more!
All the cellists are playing in support of Blooms for Africa, of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and for the Ann Vallentyne SOCMI Fund for Excellence.
Many of the cellists performing in the Cello Extravaganza studied in private lessons from an early age, with the much loved, teacher and cellist, Ann Vallentyne, while others experienced their cello instruction through an organization she founded, the Southern Ontario Chamber Music Institute (SOCMI). Upon her death in 2009, Ann ensured the creation of a scholarship fund that would support an aspiring string musician pursuing music studies and develop talents to their greatest potential.
Blooms for Africa is one of 240 Grandmother (and Grand 'other') groups from across Canada who raise funds for African Grandmothers who care for their grandchildren who were orphaned due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. Blooms for Africa was formed in 2007 by women in the Hamilton, Burlington and Dundas area to respond to this need and effort to ease the pain. Since 2007, Blooms for Africa has raised and donated over $60,000 to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Roberto De Clara, Conductor of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra will emcee the evening and cellists will be accompanied by pianist Mary Ficzere.
The program includes some of the finest works ever composed for cello including selections from the J.S. Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, the Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Cellos in G minor, Popper Requiem and much more. The cello choir will conclude the evening with the haunting Catalan folk song “Cant des Ocells” (Song of the Birds) made famous by Pablo Casals.
Organizers of the Benefit Concert, Rachel Mercer and Michele Corbeil of the Chamber Music Series, 5 at the First and Kirk Starkey (Hamilton Cello League) are excited about this collaboration in bringing together what might be the largest gathering of cellists in Southern Ontario for a cellofest while raising funds for aspiring musicians who wish to pursue their music professionally and for the Grandmothers of Africa raising their orphaned grandchildren.
Date: Saturday December 3rd
Location: First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn Street South, Hamilton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $25.00/Adults $15/Seniors $10 Students/Unwaged
Call for more information and tickets 905-627-5425
Tickets on sale at:
You Me Gallery, 330 James Street North, Hamilton
Picks and Sticks, 140 Locke Street South, Hamilton
Bryan Prince Bookseller, King Street, Westdale
Carnegie Gallery, King and Olgivie, Dundas
NEWSFLASH!
We are very pleased to announce that we have established the Ann Vallentyne SOCMI Fund for Excellence at the Royal Conservatory's Young Artists' Performance Academy (YAPA)!
In honour of Ann Vallentyne’s lifelong commitment to helping young artists develop their talents to their greatest potential. This scholarship will support a deserving string student training at YAPA, provide funding for a student ensemble to travel to Banff in 2013 to participate in the Banff Young Artists Training Program of the Banff International String Quartet Competition, and bring internationally celebrated guest artists to The Conservatory to coach Academy students in special sessions.
We would like to thank Barry Shiffman for making this scholarship possible. Barry is Associate Dean and Director of Chamber Music at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and directs the RCM’s Young Artists Performance Program. He is one of the original violinists in the St. Lawrence String Quartet. He is executive director the Banff International String Quartet Competition. Barry was a SOCMI faculty member in the early nineties, knew Ann Vallentyne, a founding SOCMI director, and has pleasant memories of his time at the Institute.
So rather than running a summer school SOCMI's aims will be ably carried forward by Barry, year-round, at the Conservatory and triennially at Banff. We are therefore winding up the Institute as an entity and future support for its programs will be addressed to the Conservatory.
WHO ARE WE?
The Southern Ontario Chamber Music Institute (SOCMI) is an independent, non-profit, educational organization, established in 1988, funded by private individuals, business community leaders and local granting agencies.
SOCMI focuses on the intensive in-depth study of chamber music in the quest for complete musicianship.
Our internationally-acclaimed faculty provides student participants with expertise and guidance through a unique mentoring experience.
SOCMI focuses on the intensive in-depth study of chamber music in the quest for complete musicianship.
Our internationally-acclaimed faculty provides student participants with expertise and guidance through a unique mentoring experience.
SUMMER INSTITUTE
The summer institute takes place at SOCMI'S summer residence, Appleby College, www.appleby.on.ca/students
a private school situated on 52 acres of beautiful lakeshore in Oakville, Ontario.
The week includes individual lessons, at least two ensemble coachings per day (three hours minimum daily), masterclasses, open rehearsals, guest lectures, and performances by faculty, guest artists, and students.
OUR MISSION
“To provide a unique, educational chamber music opportunity for young musicians
and to heighten public awareness and appreciation of chamber music.”
We accomplish this through our intensive mentorship program which, through expertise, guidance and inspiration,
brings students together into a well-formed chamber music ensemble.
and to heighten public awareness and appreciation of chamber music.”
We accomplish this through our intensive mentorship program which, through expertise, guidance and inspiration,
brings students together into a well-formed chamber music ensemble.
OUR ROLE
‘To develop young and adult amateur chamber musicians and to make their music accessible.’
Students and alumni are featured regularly at community events and are given the opportunity to be seen and experienced by the general public as often as possible.
Students and alumni are featured regularly at community events and are given the opportunity to be seen and experienced by the general public as often as possible.
