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(Posted 11 a.m., Nov. 28)
GMC
kicks off 25th season on a high note
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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 Maria
Rechner performs a violin recital during the
Gloucester Music Concert on Saturday. Fred
Sherwin/Photo
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It's
hard to believe that the Gloucester Music Club has been
providing young musicians with a venue to express themselves
and gain valuable experience playing in front of an audience
for the past 25 years.
The
GMC kicked off their silver anniversary season with two
nights of recitals at Orléans United Church on
the weekend.
The
lineup on Saturday featured some first-timers as well
as some Gloucester Music Club veterans. The youngest was
just six years old, while the veterans included siblings
Alexander and Charlotte Hou, and Kevin and Alice Yang.
There
were 21 performances in all from the very brief to the
extremely ambitious, which is what makes the series so
special. You really do get a little bit of everything.
Some
of the highlights during the Saturday evening concert
included Catherine Rechner's rendition of "Nocturne"
by contemporary American composer Paul Sheftel; Alexander
Hou's recital of James Hook's Sonatina in D+ Op12 No.
1; and Charlotte Hou's performance of Johann Hassler's
Allegro in D+ Op38 No. 28.
Hook
and Hassler were both celebrated composers and organists
in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Anika-France
Forget's piano recital of Domenico Scarlatti's Sonato
in D- was also pretty special, as was Yaying Chi's rendition
of Mozart's Sonata in F+, I, K332.
Kevin
and Alice Yang were their usual consistent selves with
both of them turning in strong performances. Kevin chose
Bach's Prelude and Fugue in G+ BMV 860; while Alice played
Schubert's Impromptu in Ab+ Op 90.
But
my favourute performance of the evening was delivered
by Maria Rechner who played her own arrangement of the
theme from "When Calls the Heart".
Interspersed
among the piano recitals was a pair of violin recitals
by Elane Welter and Maya Racicot.
The
honour of closing the concert was given to GMC veteran
Amy Li who played Frédéric Chopin's Nocturne
in Db+. Li is one of my favourite Gloucester Music Club
performers and on this night she was impecable.
The
GMC is run by a group of local music teachers to give
young musicians the opportunity to perform in front of
an audience. The organization puts on three sets of concerts
every year – one each in the fall, winter and spring.
The
Gloucester Music Club is planning to hold a special anniversary
reunion concert on June 5, bringing together many former
GMC performers.
The
next Gloucester Music Club recital is scheduled for Feb.
5 and 6, while the third installment is slated for March
11 and 12..
(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.
