Keira McArthur

I’ve seen it time and again, but it never fails to restore my faith in humanity:  if you gather smart, hardworking teens together under a conductor every week with their chosen instruments and good music to play, magical things happen.  Add 40 degree heat inside the church, a six-week hiatus from playing and a good audience and impossible magical things happen.

I love these young people and what they can do – sometimes they know exactly what they’re capable of, more often they surprise themselves.  I’m feel honoured to bruise my fingers with them (this leads to better calluses and stronger playing).  Yesterday we began practise at 4pm, and played straight through until 10pm, with only two 20 minute breaks.  That requires a special kind of stamina, especially when playing material that even pro orchestras and soloists find challenging. My fingers are killing me this morning.

If you haven’t heard of this group, I’m happy to introduce you.  Keep an eye out for us near Christmas, and again in May of 2013.  It’s always worth it to come.

Here’s a link to the website, which only needs a little bit of updating – http://www.gbsyo.ca/

What we played last night:

Symphony #1 in C major, III – Menuetto                    L. van Beethoven

Violin Concerto #1 in G minor, I – Allegro                    Max Bruch
Samantha Orr – violin

Horn Concerto #1 in E flat major, I – Allegro                Richard Strauss
Paige Mitchell – french horn

Un Moto di Gioia (from ‘The Marriage of Figaro)           W.A. Mozart
Kathleen Chayer – soprano

Piano Concerto #2 in C minor, III – Allegro                   S. Rachmaninoff
Christine Camidge – piano

Intermission

Hockey Night in Canada                                               R. Mascall

He Shall Feed His Flock (from Messiah)                         G.F. Handel

The Death of Ase (from Peer Gynt)                               E. Grieg

Pavane                                                                       G. Faure

Dreadlocks ‘n’ Dreidel                                                  R. Mascall
Rob Tite – clarinet

Symphony #9 in D minor, II – Allegro Molto                   L. van Beethoven

Encore – Ojibway Songs, IV – Allegro Vivo                      R. Mascall