UNews - L Conservatory of Music

Feel the Beat celebrates Mozart

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:15:50 +0000

Join us on a magnificent voyage as Mozart and his young son Karl come to life on stage at Southminster United Church, May 15 and 16.

Discover Mozart's passion for composing and embark on a magical journey into the world of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute. Follow the Prince and Papageno as they try to rescue Princess Pamina from the Queen of the Night in Sarastro's enchanted castle.

Mozart's Magnificent Voyage includes 23 excerpts from the master's music. Performed by musicians from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, these excerpts are masterfully woven into the drama as two actors recreate historical incidents from the composer's life.

"The Feel the Beat concert series offers free performances year round for children, providing opportunities to hear and see classical music performed live," says Breeanne Fuller, conservatory program co-ordinator. "Our programs are age appropriate, relatively short and always free!"

This mesmerizing concert and story performance is about 50 minutes long and is recommended for audiences age six and up. More than 3,500 seats have already been reserved, but with six performances in total, seats are still available in three performances.

Supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra, Feel the Beat is completing its fifth successful season.

Seats are available for only the following presentations: May 15 at 12 p.m., May 15 at 6 p.m., and May 16 at 2 p.m.

Tickets must be reserved in advance by calling the U of L Conservatory of Music at 403-329-2304 or by visiting www.uleth.ca/music-conservatory/mozarts-magnificent-voyage and clicking Register Online.

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.

Future of Penny Building looks bright

trevor.kenney — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:23:46 +0000

It's taken a few years, but the redevelopment of the downtown Dr. James Foster Penny Building is coming along. Parts of the building are already accessible and the main floor is set to open in January 2013. A recent $800,000-renovation to Level 1 and sections of Level 2 has enhanced the building immensely.

Upon completion, the Alumni Relations office within ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement will move into its new home, complete with five offices and a meeting room. As well, a new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ gift shop will be created and the art gallery space updated, allowing Faculty of Fine Arts students a venue to showcase their work. The building's entrance will also be spruced up and the stairwell to the second floor is receiving a facelift.

An artist's conception of the lobby area inside the Penny Building.

The U of L Conservatory of Music is calling the second level of the Penny Building home until it moves into the new downtown Community Arts Centre in the spring of 2013.

Meanwhile, other areas of Level 2 continue to undergo construction, including a community meeting room, boardroom and upgrades to the washrooms and kitchen area.

The U of L Call Centre is also housed on the upper level of the building. It will continue to occupy the space part time throughout the year.

Renovations to the Penny Building have been ongoing since it was donated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2007. Formerly a furniture store and a pool hall, the Penny Building has a long history in Lethbridge. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the greatest condition when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ took ownership, and with no set purpose for its use, construction to the building didn't get off to a roaring start.

The Project Management Office (PMO) first began work on the building to make it functional starting with the creation of gallery space for the Faculty of Fine Arts. However, there was a slight delay before the gallery could move in.

"We were doing the renovation for Fine Arts, but at the time, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery needed a home because their building was being renovated, says Project Manager Greg Lacey. "So we renovated the Penny Building for Fine Arts knowing that they wouldn't move in until after SAAG was done occupying the building."

In 2010, SAAG moved out and Fine Arts moved in, and soon after the PMO began an overhaul of the mechanical components throughout the building. Previously, each floor was broken into two zones, which offered little control of the heating and cooling systems among other mechanical operations.

"We did that for functionality of the space because we wanted to be able to mechanically zone the area to outfit anything we wanted to," says Lacey.

All renovations included the installation of energy efficient lighting and low voltage relays. A new hot water tank was also installed.

"We are using anything we can to make the building as energy efficient as possible," says Lacey.

Situated in downtown Lethbridge, the 2,862 gross sq. m. Penny Building not only presents more space for U of L programming, it is the perfect site for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host events and further immerse itself into the community – part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's strategic plan to build relationships off campus.

"Right from the get-go, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ identified the building as a good place to have galas and other events," says Lacey, adding many events have already been held on the site.

Future phases of the building project have yet to be outlined, but it may include renovations to the bar, art gallery area, and storage space as well as new signage.

This story first appeared in the December 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Conservatory campaign off to rousing start

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:07:53 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge officials, community volunteers and students from the U of L Conservatory of Music launched the "Music in the Making" campaign on Friday afternoon with more than half of their ambitious goal already achieved.

The $500,000 community-based campaign will support the Conservatory's move to the new Community Arts Centre, currently under construction in downtown Lethbridge, east of Galt Gardens on the corner of 8th St. S and 3rd Ave. S.

The Conservatory will be a major tenant in the facility, which will enhance the ability for members of the community to experience and enjoy the arts. With more than $250,000 raised to date, the campaign is well underway, according to campaign Co-chairs Lottie Austin and Dr. George Evelyn.

"Music in the Making will support the Conservatory so that students have access to the equipment and tools necessary to be successful," explains Evelyn, who's excited about the opportunities presented by the new downtown location. "This is an important step as we continue to grow music in our community."

"Music has been a part of my life since my mother signed me up for violin lessons when I was five," says Evelyn, who grew up and completed his training in the United States before immigrating to Canada in 1973. He recently retired from the U of L after a more than 25-year tenure as a professor of music in the Faculty of Fine Arts and as the director of the U of L Singers.

"Although it wasn't with a violin under my chin, I've had a rewarding career and from that first lesson on it seemed natural that music was something I was going to do forever."

Austin acknowledges her business activities have led her away from music, but maintains she constantly finds applications for the skills she learned as a musician. "Music taught me to analyze, to set goals, to compartmentalize, to work towards success and those same tenets can be directly applied to a career in business. I know the majority of people who take lessons will not go on to be professional musicians but they will always carry music with them. It is a core component that no matter where you are or what your circumstances are, you will always have music with you," says Austin.

Both Evelyn and Austin agree that investment in the U of L Conservatory of Music is an investment in community. "By supporting the development of musicians and performers, you create possibilities that extend beyond the practice room, theatre or recital hall – you are helping make our community a better place to live. It's one way your contribution can leave a lasting note on the world," says Austin.

Celebrate your inner drummer

trevor.kenney — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:07:05 +0000

Here's your chance to release your inner drummer.

Everyone is invited to attend the Third Annual Day of Percussion on Saturday, Apr. 10 in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall hosted by the U of L Conservatory of Music. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with $10 registration at the door.

"The day features clinics and performances from world drum educators and performers," says Adam Mason, Percussion Ensemble director. "Everybody in the community is welcome to attend."

Door prizes, giveaways and a showroom of percussion equipment greet attendees. The day is filled with workshops and some hands-on opportunities as well.

"Mike Michalkow, one of our special guests, is conducting a drum set clinic," says Mason. "Michalkow comes to us from Vancouver courtesy of Yamaha. It's a great opportunity for students to meet and work with an exceptional musician."

Another highlight is the Marching Percussion Clinic, led by Lael Johnston.

"Participants are going to experience one of the best drum lines of our region," says Mason.

Tickets for the Global Drums concert are separate from Day of Percussion registration and are available for $15 regular admission and $10 for students and seniors.

Catch the beat during Day of Percussion

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:01:30 +0000

Here's your chance to release your inner drummer.

"The day features clinics and performances from world drum educators and performers," says Adam Mason, Percussion Ensemble director. "Everybody in the community is welcome to attend."

Door prizes, giveaways and a showroom of percussion equipment greet attendees. The day is filled with workshops and some hands-on opportunities as well.

Another highlight is the Marching Percussion Clinic, led by Lael Johnston.

"Participants are going to experience one of the best drum lines of our region," says Mason.

Tickets for the Global Drums concert are separate from Day of Percussion registration and are available for $15 regular admission and $10 for students and seniors.

UNews - L Conservatory of Music

Feel the Beat celebrates Mozart

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CASA opens its doors

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Future of Penny Building looks bright

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Conservatory campaign off to rousing start

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Celebrate your inner drummer

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Catch the beat during Day of Percussion

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