Concert series bringing in the best

A concert series known for bringing world-class musicians to rural Alberta won’t disappoint this year.

The High River Gift of Music Society has a line-up of award-winning musicians from around the world performing in five concerts at the High River United Church throughout the fall, winter and spring.

“We reached for the top – we do every year,” said Michčle Wheatley-Brown, the society’s artistic and executive director. “This is a series that really enriches our whole region. It’s very unique. I haven’t heard of any other classical concert series in rural Alberta.”

The series kicks off on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by trio Jambalaya, featuring soprano Marie-Josée Lord, violinist Uliana Drugova and pianist Dominic Boulianne.

The globe-trotting trio began a western Canadian tour last week.

“There’s a lovely mixture of classical, Broadway, a little bit of jazz and Quebec folk songs,” said Wheatley-Brown. “I have seen (Lord) perform. She’s just incredibly engaging and passionate and energetic and we’re so excited to have her in High River.”

In 2005, the Montréal soprano gained national recognition after she was awarded the prestigious Prix d’Excellence de la Culture from the Fondation de l’Opéra de Québec and was selected to represent Canada at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

“Marie-Josée is a Haitian born Canadian soprano with an incredible voice, wonderful charisma,” said Wheatley-Brown. “The concert will appeal to a broad audience with favourites from opera to Broadway. “

Drugova is a music teacher with experience in ensembles and symphonies who has been winning competitions since the age of 11 and has since received numerous grants and awards. Boulianne is an arranger, vocal coach and founder of Ensemble Triosphere.

Wheatley-Brown said the trio starts a season of quality classical music the concert series has become known for offering.

“They can expect some more excellent music like we’ve been bringing over the past six years and lots of diversity,” she said, adding the audience gets as large as 320 people. “I’m so excited to bring in these musicians. I think there is something there that will appeal to everyone. We’re really looking forward to this season.”

Just before Christmas, the High River Gift of Music Concert Series is bringing Calmus Christmas Concert, a choral ensemble from Germany, to its audience on Dec. 11.

“It’s one of the best a cappella choral ensembles in Europe,” Wheatley-Brown said. “I’m really looking forward to their performance.”

Marimba-player Anne-Julie Caron, accompanied by pianist Akiko Tominaga, will perform Jan. 31.

“She is one of the top musicians in her field,” said Wheatley-Brown of Caron. “It’s an instrument we never featured before. We are really looking forward to this.”

Canadian pianist Ian Parker will follow with a performance on March 6, as the concert series feature pianist.

“We always feature a pianist in our series,” said Wheatley-Brown. “You can count on one of the world’s best pianists to play in our series. He is one of Canada’s foremost pianists. He is very charismatic and great with audiences.”

Wheatley-Brown said the concert series will finish off with a performance by cellist Mari Coetzee and violinist Angela Ryu April 23.

“We are excited to have them in High River and they’re excited to come as well,” she said. “It’s not often young musicians get the opportunity to play for such a sizeable audience we have in High River.”

Some of the concert series’ feature musicians will offer programs and workshops in High River, Wheatley-Brown said.

“It’s something we’re expanding upon, doing outreach in the schools and community to offer master classes and small concerts and reach people who might not otherwise be able to get there,” she said. “There’s some educational opportunities for young musicians to work with these incredible artists.”

Wheatley-Brown’s goal is to make classical music accessible to non-traditional audience members who might not otherwise have the opportunity to hear it.

“I want people who haven’t experienced it before to experience it,” she said. “This is a really rich world of music to be discovered. This is music that has lived on for hundreds of years and there’s a reason.”

Wheatley-Brown said the public has been supportive of the concert series since it began in 2009.

“That’s what’s so gratifying to this is we’ve really reached out to the non-traditional audience,” she said. “Many people never heard this music before and they are really enthusiastic about it. This series just really built over the years and we’re really grateful for the community and the region’s support. Obviously people have come to learn that it’s wonderful music, a good experience and a great gathering of community.”

High River Gift of Music Concert Series season passes can be purchased at the High River United Church and online at highrivergiftofmusic.com

Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door, or $10 for youth and children and can be purchased at the High River United Church, Highwood Natural Foods and highrivergiftofmusic.com