Mikie Spillett has the audience in the palm of her hand
Dawn McRae belts out a solo
Yes, it really is Rebel Luv for Ken Repkow and Mikie Spillett
Dawn encourages the audience to dance
and they do. Here, Mikie accepts Wayne’s invitation to dance.
Iris Larratt, vocals with David Esler, trumpet
Bob Park, drums
Jim Wyse on piano (and vocals for one special song!)
David Esler on trumpet, Iris Larratt enjoying the solo
The Oliver Handbell Ringers and the Oliver Community Garden Society are two new groups under the umbrella of the Oliver Community Arts Council.
The Oliver Handbell Ringers, under the direction of Sue Gay have been performing for the last few years. Their concerts have been gaining in excitement as the ensemble has been gaining in skill. The ensemble attains a clear warm sound, with music that can both stimulate and relax. Proceeds from their concerts and donations from the community have gone towards purchasing tuned sets of bells and sheet music.
The ensemble is always looking to train new members. It’s an exciting and non-threatening way to learn music, and gives you a gentle workout in the process. What more could you ask for?
The Oliver Community Garden Society has also recently joined. See the article below (“Arts Council growing relationship”) for more information about this community-spirited organization or check out their website (click on the link at right under “Member Organizations”).
The “umbrella” of the arts council is a unique opportunity for groups and businesses to:
* have a forum for co-operating and networking within the local arts community, * take advantage of advertising and promotional opportunities (like this one!), * apply for financial aid, and * to have a greater voice municipally and provincially to increase awareness of and access funding for arts groups.And what about you? There’s lots of room under the umbrella! Contact olivercac@gmail for more information about becoming a member or fill out the membership form by clicking the link under the banner above.
The choir performs two concerts a year under the directorship of Alice Deroche: a Christmas concert in December, and a spring concert.
Above is a formal picture of the choir in its early days, looking unusually sedate. My how times change! Now the choir rarely stands still long enough for a formal portrait, and is more often found in costume than in uniform!
Members may be all decked out in top hats and satin gowns for a Dickensian Christmas, flouncing in poodle skirts and saddle shoes and lounging in leather jackets for a tribute to hits from the fifties, or wearing cowboy hats, bandanas, and Wranglers for a country hoedown.
Check out these choir members dressed for their “High Flying Forties” concert: high society women, Hollywood glamour queens, Rosie the Riveter, soldiers, WACS, dapper Dans, and all.
Below is the oddest collection of cowboys you will ever see round a campfire. Maybe it’s cowboys and …. mobster guys taking a weekend off at a dude ranch? You never can tell who or what will show up at a Sage Valley Voices concert.
The choral music is often interspersed with readings, jokes, short skits, and special guest appearances.
Audiences are guaranteed to leave with a smile and the warmth of community spirit!
Concert proceeds are put towards a number of community programs, including the local Sunshine Soup Kitchen.
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings through the fall, winter, and spring. No audition is required.
Join us at our next concert!
“A Sentimental Journey” Music of the 40s and 50s plus special selections from our Senior Choral Fest Gala Concert Saturday May 2 7:00 p.m. Sunday May 3 2:30 p.m. Oliver United Church $5.00 at the door Guest appearance by the Naramata Choir
The South Okanagan Concert Society (SOCS) puts on a series of four concerts per year with a particular focus on classical and world music. They strive for a mix of well-known established performers, and edgy new talent. Performances are generally held at the Frank Venables Auditorium (South Okanagan Secondary School) in Oliver, BC.
Tickets for the upcoming 2009-2010 concert series are already available. Flex passes are a great way to maximize the music! Each set earns you four admissions so you can see each concert as a single, or go to two concerts with a friend, or have a special evening out for four. Early bird flex passes are $45 until the end of April ($55 regular price). Ticket vendor: Miss Molly’s Quilt Shoppe on Oliver’s Main Street. Single concert tickets may be purchased at the door for $20 each.
The 2009-2010 performers are:
DUO AFFINITE
Friday, October 30, 2009
Guy Few on trumpet, corno and piano, and Nadina Mackie Jackson on bassoon create an irresistible combination of muscianship and engaging showmanship. Celebrated internationally as soloists, chamber musicians and recitalists, these two incredible musicians blend their ideas and spirits in this new recital concept. Trumpet and bassoon – the starting point – following the lead of Baroque tradition, the inspiration of 20th century composers and the voices of today. But there is so much more. Programming also includes piano, corno da caccia and voice. Join these two renowned musicians for an evening of musical magic.
“Few and Jackson play with polished tone, immaculate intonation, and infectious high spirits; it’s obvious they’re having a blast.”
All Music Guide, 2007
CALVIN DYCK AND THE GOLDEN VIOLIN
Friday November 27, 2009
Music and theatre are intertwined in the Golden Violin. The engaging script, costumes, backdrops and music draw the audience into the story. Violinist Cal;vin Dyck and pianist Betty Suderman take the audience on a journey, tracing the history of Calvin’s “golden violin”, a beautiful instrument crafted in 1807 by the Dutch violin maker Johannes Cuypers.
“The audience was absolutely enraptured by his flawless interpretation…”
“Dyck and Suderman make a splendid ensemble as extraordinarily skilled musicians and actors.”
“He played with great skill and dexterity … sounding pure, crisp tones with a magnificent bowing technique.”
– Daily News, Nanaimo
EZEADI ONUKWULU AND ONE HUMAN RACE
Friday, February 5, 2010
Ezeadi’s charismatic presence, versatility and soothing voice have endeared him to audiences. Ezeadi is an innovator, motivator and instigator in the African and World Music scene.
Ezeadi’s music, based on traditional Igbo rhythms, evokes the spirit of highlife and afrobeat with a splash of funk, jazz, blues and reggae. The lyrics are prayers and appeals to universal consciousness and our conscience to make the world a better place for all.
His unique mastery of the pennywhistle, other instruments and vocal styling will take you to beautiful new places.
“This music uses gentle African rhythms and bubbling vocals to deliver peaceful idealism emphatically. It is new kind of African roots based world music cooked and ready to be served to the world from British Columbia.” – The Province
VANCOUVER CHAMBER CHOIR
Friday March 5, 2010
The Vancouver Chamber Choir is Canada’s outstanding profressional vocal ensemble. The choir impresses audiences with the depth and range of their repertoire and interpretive skills.
“… When it comes to unearthly beauty and awe-inspiring power, they’re a pretty fine mortal approximation of how celestial singers should sound.” – North Shore News
“Jon Washburn’s Choir remains at the forefront of Canadian vocal ensembles. ….“Canada’s leading professional vocal ensemble.” – Toronto Star
“…the choir’s performance… began with admiration and finally left you in awe.” – Vancouver Sun
