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(Posted 8:30 a.m., March 26)
Gloucester
Music Club ends concert series on a high note
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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 Seven-year-old
Alexandre Hou was among 45 young musicians
who took part in the third instament of the
Gloucester Music Club concert series on the
weekend. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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The
Gloucester Music Club held its third and final set of
recitals on the weekend with 45 young artists performing
over two nights at the Orleans United Church.
Many
of the performers used the opportunity to fine tune their
repretoire for the upcoming Kiwainis Music Festival which
will be held from April 10 to 28.
Catherine
Gallagher kicked off Saturday night's proceedings with
a lively rendition of "Golliwag's Cakewalk"
by the French composer Claude Debussy. Gallagher is a
Gloucester Music Club veteran, having performed a half
dozen times.
Anthony
Kulbelka turned in the surprise performance of the night
with his recital of "Comptin d'un autre �t� L'apr�s-midi"
by the contemporary French composer Yann Tiersen. He played
the piece with depth and emotion and a level of musicality
that belied his years. Simply put he was amazing.
Ten-year-old
Emily Hou had the tough job of following Kulbelka on stage
and she was more than up for the challenge, as she delivered
a flawless performance of "Romance" by Toronto
composer Larysa Kuzmenko. The evening was off to a great
start.
Other
early highlights included Alice Yang's performance of
Clementi's "Sonatina in F+" and Alexandre Cooper's
recital of the first movement of Dvorac's "Four Romantic
Pieces".
Seven-year-old
Alexandre Hou also drew an enthusiastic round of applause
for his rendition of "Menuet en Rondeau" by
the seventeenth century French composer Jean-Philippe
Rameau, as did sisters Lauran and Reta-Anne McKay who
sang "Alone in the Universe" from the musical
"Seusical" together despite Lauran having to
perform with a terrible cold.
The
best was definitely saved for last however, beginning
with Cheng Zheng's performance of "Evening at the
Village" by Bela Bartok. He was followed on stage
by Kevin Yang who demonstrated a incredible combination
of dexterity and musicality with his recital of Johann
Sebastien Bach's "Sinfonia in E+".
The
pentultimate performance of the evening was delivered
by Amy Li, who was impressive during her two previous
GMC appearances this season and was her confident, talented
self during her recital of the Kuhlau's rather ambitious
"Sonatina in C+".
The
honour of bringing the recital to a close was bestowed
upon Heidi Li, who was making her first ever Gloucester
Music Club appearance. The Grade 9 Colonel By IB student
was absolutely impeccable during her performance of Chopin's
"Fantaisie Impromptu" which drew the loudest
ovation of the evening.
Li
used the opportunity to prepare for the Kiwanis Music
Festival where she will be competing in the senior graded
diploma division. She is also preparing to take her ARCT
exam which is the highest level one can attain in the
Royal Conservatory of Music grading system.
"It's
better to perform in front of people than at home, because
there's more pressure. It's good practice," said
Li, is the proud new owner of grand piano which she recently
received for her birthday.
Like
Heidi, Emily Li (no relation) is also preparing for the
Kiwanis Music Festival. Two years ago she won a $75 scholarship
in her class. She used the money to buy music books.
Emily
will be performing in Grade 8 piano.
Several
of this week's performers may very well receive an invitation
to the Gloucester Music Club's 2012 Gala Concert which
will be held on Friday, Feb. 23. Judging by the quality
of the peformances at this year's concert series, the
organizers will have their work cut out for them in selecting
the final line-up.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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TAPROOM 260 presents Crooked Creek live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
MATT LULOFF W/ EDISON RUPERT performing at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. To register your team visit 
OTTAWA CARLETON MALE CHOIR in concert at the Navan-Vars United Church 1129 Smith Rd. in Navan at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $20 at the door.
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. presents Oyster Wednesdays every Wednesday. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near McDonalds.
BLACKBURN HAMLET COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entire community is invited…rain or shine! Please keep visiting blackburn.ca for more up-to-date information as it becomes available.
