UNews - Music Conservatory

CASA opens its doors

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:08:05 +0000

The City of Lethbridge, Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are excited to announce the Grand Opening of CASA, a truly functional 42,000 square foot arts centre with a striking building design.

CASA is the realization of a 20-year dream, shared by many in the Lethbridge arts community, to expand or replace the Bowman Arts Centre and provide a home for the arts in one central location.

"I am very pleased to participate in today's celebration, which will usher in new opportunities for Lethbridge and southern Alberta's artistic community," says Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Worthwhile projects such as this create jobs and encourage economic growth, while also providing Canadians with valuable cultural spaces."

Funding for the $20.69 million project includes $6 million from the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (with $3 million provided by both the Federal Government and Alberta Transportation under BCF-CC), $14.4 million from the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (administered by Alberta Municipal Affairs) and $200,000 from the City of Lethbridge.

"We're pleased to support local priorities and build communities through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative," says Greg Weadick, Associate Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs and MLA for Lethbridge-West.

"Facilities like CASA bring together families and neighbours while they enrich lives, entertain and create more vibrant economies."

CASA will allow for students of all ages to learn and explore many different mediums of art, drama, music, dance, yoga and more. It will become home to many local groups and events.

After the 11 a.m. Grand Opening, and for the remainder of the week, special events will be taking place in the evenings, with a Party On the Plaza from noon until 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. This community festival is free and will include many local musicians and entertainers, from the Lethbridge Community Taiko Association to the U of L Conservatory of Music.

Other events during the week include dance, theatre, film, the inaugural CASA art exhibit opening and the music of Oscar Lopez.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music has numerous events planned that showcase both the new facility and their diverse programs.

U of L Conservatory information, including program registration and upcoming events listings, can be found at this website.

"Our local arts community has been waiting for this day for a long time. For decades to come, this new arts facility will be a significant cultural and economic asset for downtown Lethbridge and for the entire community," says Mayor Rajko Dodic.

Along with the Allied Arts Council, who will be overseeing the facility, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is also a major partner with its Music Conservatory moving to this facility.

"We are extremely proud of U of L Music Conservatory Director Peggy Mezei and her team, and their achievements as they move in to CASA's bright and beautiful space," says Dr. Mike Mahon, the U of L's President and Vice-Chancellor. "Our commitment to the community takes on many forms, and being such an integral part of the CASA group is something we are very pleased to be a part of. This new facility will be of great benefit to our present and future Conservatory students, and also to the many members of the arts and culture community who use the facility to express their own creativity."

The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge have also provided support to the project which has led to the naming of the Rotary Plaza, the location of the festivities on Saturday, May 18.

CASA will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 pm. on Sundays. Classes and workshops, including the opportunity to try "sampler" classes for a nominal fee, will begin the week of May 20.

Information on Grand Opening Week events as well as information on classes, workshops, facility rentals and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Music Conservatory can be found at the CASA website.

Vocal program draws talented singers

trevor.kenney — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:44:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Recital Hall is bursting with song this week as 43 talented young singers from across Western Canada take part in the 4th annual Southern Alberta Vocal Experience (SAVE), Aug. 12-18.

The SAVE vocal program offers talented young singers, aged 13 to 20, the opportunity to study and perform in close collaboration with established artists, teachers and vocal coaches. In addition to preparing musical excerpts, students participate in a daily regimen that includes choir, creative movement, private lessons and master classes, allowing them to develop vocal skills in a comprehensive program of studies.

Directed by Joanne Collier, the teaching staff includes U of L Faculty members Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, Dr. Sandra Stringer, Dr. Deanna Oye and Carolyn Herrington; U of L alumni McKade Hogg, Nicole Higginson-Swen, Acacia Doktorchik and Audrina Steciw; and guest artists David Shefsiek (managing director of Alberta Theatre Projects), Suzy Smith (Toronto-based vocal coach) and Winston Noren of Calgary's Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. They are joined by accompanists Gregory Knight, Elinor Lawson, Joel Goodfellow and Jesse Plessis and undergraduate student assistant Jana Holesworth.

The week of activity culminates in a pair of public performances, beginning with a Friday, Aug. 17 concert (7:30 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall) where SAVE singers will be presenting solos from the art song and concert repertoire, accompanied by piano. The program will open and close with a choral selection learned during the week. Admission for this performance is by donation at the door.

The final gala concert, One Enchanted Evening, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m., also in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall. Audience members will be treated to songs and tales from the lands of fairies and all things enchanting, including theatre classics from shows such as Brigadoon, Camelot and Cinderella, along with more recent selections from Into the Woods, The Secret Garden and Spamalot.

"All of the music has been chosen for its beautiful melodies, musical merit and ability to showcase each singer to the best of their ability," says artistic director Joanne Collier. "At the same time audiences will be treated to an array of musical maids and men, heroes, fools and villains."

Tickets are $10 each and available at the door.

Those interested in the SAVE program can contact the U of L Music Conservatory for more information: 403-329-2304.

Campaign surpasses goal

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:05:33 +0000

Music in the Making fundraising campaign surpasses $650,000

Elected representatives, funding partners and a handful of local arts community members got a close-up look at the new Community Arts Centre today.

With construction on time, on budget and now halfway to completion, the City of Lethbridge held a briefing and tour of the $20.7-million facility for federal, provincial and municipal officials.

Also present were local artists and representatives of the Allied Arts Council as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, which will be a major tenant when the Community Arts Centre opens in May, 2013.

Support for the U of L Music Conservatory's move to the downtown location has been overwhelmingly positive, and is natural extension of an already-productive City/��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ partnership, according to U of L President Mike Mahon.

"The City of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have a long history of partnering together to improve the personal well-being of individuals and families, and to enhance the quality of life in local and regional communities," says Mahon. "We are excited to be a key tenant in the new Community Arts Centre as we work with other members of the southern Alberta community to improve access to the arts in our community."

Mahon says that community support was critical to the extremely successful conclusion of the Music in the Making fundraising campaign, launched last year to support the Conservatory's move downtown.

"We set a goal of $500,000, and I am pleased to say that we exceeded it by more than $150,000. Our volunteers and Lottie Austin and George Evelyn, who co-chaired this campaign, have good reason to be proud of the future opportunities their work will provide to current and future Conservatory students."

Funded by the Building Canada Fund – Community Components (BCF-CC) program, Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), and the City of Lethbridge, the Community Arts Centre will serve as a local arts education hub and become the new off-campus home of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's music conservatory. In addition, an enhancement to the south-east entrance plaza area is being undertaken by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge.

"Today's tour highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Once completed, this project will further strengthen our city's creative community, while providing new opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Lethbridge's cultural attractions."

Senate recognizes duo

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:26:11 +0000

Lottie Austin and George Evelyn have repeatedly shown their willingness to commit personal time and resources to increasing community awareness and appreciation of the arts.

Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Medal, Evelyn developed a fundraiser for the U of L Singers called the Festival of Art and Song. A founding member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Planned Giving Committee, Austin chaired the Festival of Art and Song Committee for several years, and was key to the festival's success, ensuring it met and exceeded its fundraising goal every year.

Lottie Austin and George Evelyn have earned the 2012 Senate Volunteer Award.

Austin and Evelyn share a passion for education and music performance, and an expertise in administration. The U of L's arts and music programs have received broader awareness through their efforts.

The two agreed to be co-Chairs of the Music in the Making campaign, and have been critical in its success.

Designed to benefit the U of L Music Conservatory and launched in 2011, the Music in the Making campaign surpassed its fundraising goal of $500,000, thanks in large part to Austin and Evelyn's efforts to rally supporters of the arts and of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Campaign funds will support the purchase of appropriate equipment and musical instruments for the Music Conservatory's new space in the Community Arts Centre in downtown Lethbridge. The success of this campaign will allow the Conservatory to successfully relocate to its new home.

For their unwavering commitment to the U of L and the community, Lottie Austin and George Evelyn are the recipients of the 2012 Senate Volunteer Award for volunteer work on behalf of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

This story first appeared in the May issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Music Conservatory

CASA opens its doors

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Campaign surpasses goal

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