UNews - Glenn Klassen

Hendsbee embodies spirit

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:07:38 +0000

It didn't take long for Blaine Hendsbee to see something special in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Similarly, when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ was looking to introduce operatic performance to its undergraduate student body, Hendsbee was a particularly perfect fit for the role.

"When I first came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ I was primarily an opera singer and I had a small private voice studio in New York City," says Hendsbee. "The job was looking for someone who had a strong interest in operatic voice performance and someone who was eager to develop an undergraduate voice operatic workshop."

Faculty of Fine Arts faculty member Blaine Hendsbee is a wonderful example of how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its faculty have matured over the past 45 years.

Hendsbee was that eager body, having gained an appreciation for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the Faculty of Fine Arts from a guest performance he'd made previously.

"I was giving a solo recital in Lethbridge about 12 years ago and I was immediately struck by the spirit and energy of both the students and faculty, as well as the incredible facilities," he says.

Hendsbee is a wonderful example of how the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its faculty have grown over the past 45 years, with instructors that push research boundaries, are active in their field of study and who put great value in the undergraduate student experience.

"Working at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has enabled me to combine all facets of what I love about singing and performing and teaching, all in one wonderful package," says Hendsbee. "I am able to still perform as an operatic solo performer as well as share that gift and love of operatic singing with a wonderful new generation of singers at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

In fact, it was that particular aspect of his position, creating a new operatic culture on campus, which peaked his interest in the job.

"That I could bring forward my professional experiences in operatic performance to help open doors and opportunities for young singers who wanted to explore the genre was very appealing," he says.

He has helped nurture the artistic scene throughout southern Alberta and is thrilled to bring a new initiative to Lethbridge audiences this spring with Mozart's The Magic Flute.

"It's an exciting new collaboration with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Glenn Klassen," says Hendsbee of the Feb. 3-4 performances. "It's an incredible opportunity and exciting new venture for both the symphony and the U of L Opera Workshop as we'll be bringing this partnership to the wider community of Lethbridge to enjoy."

Hendsbee's active research centres on solo creative performance with a focus on English language repertoire. On Saturday, Jan. 14, he headlines the Faculty Artists and Friends Series when he presents Blaine Hendsbee & Friends at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

Ask him what his most memorable moment at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is and it has nothing to do with his own performances, but rather the growth of his students.

"I remember sitting at a performance of The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, and it was the final curtain call," he says. "The students were all coming out to take their bows before a wonderfully appreciative audience, and to see the radiant joy on their faces as they accepted this show of gratitude from the audience was wonderful. This was a culmination of so many hours of work, and to see how happy they were from that experience was something I'll always remember."

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Sing along with Vox Musica

trevor.kenney — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:07:53 +0000

Experience the glory of Handel's Messiah and sing along with the Vox Musica Choir, conducted by Glenn Klassen, on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Augustine's Church.

Vox Musica encourages all fellow community vocalists and the audience to sing together in an evening of fun, light-hearted entertainment.

"This is a first for Vox Musica," says Carolyn Speakman, president, Vox Musica Choral Society. "The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra performs Handel's Messiah every other year, and with this being an off-year for the symphony, we decided to present the Messiah in a different way.

"Sing-Along Messiah is aimed at singers who want to sing the Messiah, but don't have the time or long-term commitment to rehearse. People have two choices for getting involved. They can register to sing on stage with Vox Musica during the evening performance or can sing-along sitting in the audience."

Talented local vocalists perform the solo sections of the Messiah, with Alan Young serving as the accompanist for the evening.

For those who want to join the choir for the event, they can register online at voxmusica.shawwebspace.ca and attend the one rehearsal on Dec. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. A $10 registration fee, which can be paid at the rehearsal, helps cover expenses and fund future choral events in Lethbridge.

"We are only performing the Christmas portion and Halleluiah Chorus," says Speakman. "While hardly a polished performance, we do promise it will be a lot of fun."

Tickets for audience members are available for $10 at Long & McQuade, located at 323 – 8th St. S. or by calling 403-380-2130.

Vox Musica on stage

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:50:26 +0000

An unforgettable night of choral music fills Southminster United Church when two great choirs share the stage. Featuring the talents of Vox Musica and the LCI Singers, Joining Forces, epitomizes choral magnificence, Tuesday, Apr. 5 at 8 p.m.

"Karen Hudson, LCI Singers director, proposed the collaboration between our groups for a performance of John Rutter's Mass of the Children," says Glenn Klassen, Vox Musica director. "The piece is so beautiful; it's breathtaking to hear and truly captivates audiences every time. We're thrilled to join the LCI Singers to bring this piece to Lethbridge audiences."

In addition to their collaborative work, each choir performs an eclectic array of pieces to showcase the diversity of their skills.

Tickets are available from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office, weekdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are also available at the door.

Community teamwork

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:01:30 +0000

In addition to their collaborative work, each choir performs an eclectic array of pieces to showcase the diversity of their skills.

Tickets are available from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box, weekdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are also available at the door.

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Music events dot calendar

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:26:04 +0000

A bounty of music concerts are coming in November and December, each of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge music ensembles present their end-of-semester offerings.

Winds on the Moon
Friday, Nov. 26, 8 p.m. at Southminster United Church

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Wind Orchestra, directed by Dr. Tom Staples, performs to elevated heights with their moon-inspired concert. With a program that includes Introduction to the Moon by Libby Larsen, Spin Cycle by Scott Lindroth, Galilean Moons by Roger Cichy, Moon by Night by Jonathan Newman and Sleep by Eric Whitacre, this concert will be out of this world.

Magnum Mysterium
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m. at Southminster United Church

Vox Musica and the U of L Women's Chorus share a concert of magnificent choral Christmas selections.

Vox Musica has perfected two versions of O Magnum Mysterium: one by Tomás Luis de Victoria and the other by Morten Lauridsen.

"These are two very different musical arrangements using the same text," explains Glenn Klassen, Vox Musica director.

Other highlights include Ralph Manuel's Alleluia, and an unforgettable performance of Ralph Vaughn Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols, featuring organist Mary Lee Voort and U of L alumnus McKade Hogg (BMus/BEd).

The U of L Women's Chorus takes to the stage under new conductor,
Dr. Ruth Phillips, to perform Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten, a glorious seasonal arrangement for treble choir.

Birth of the Cool
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

The U of L Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. David Renter, returns to the roots of jazz, performing selections from two of the most important and influential recorded jazz albums of all time, Miles Davis' Kind of Blue and Birth of the Cool.

Selections include timeless classics, So What, All Blues and Freddie Freeloader. Other program highlights include a seasonal jazz arrangement of O Tannenbaum and selections by pianist Herbie Hancock.

Classical Percussion Concert
Friday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Combining a touch of Christmas with chamber percussion selections, this season's Classical Percussion Concert promises to appeal to everyone.

Featuring guest performers, Raymond High School Percussion Ensemble, the program highlights Latin percussion, steel band, a powerful, mirrored drum duet and an incredible piece for Percussion Orchestra.

Directed by Adam Mason, the U of L Percussion Ensemble boasts more than 40 members including ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ students and community members. Audiences can look forward to another unforgettable night of rhythm.

Get Your Tickets

Tickets to all these concerts are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office, Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are priced at $15 for regular admission and $10 student/senior.

For a look at the full issue of the November Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Glory and Grandeur

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:33:02 +0000

Celebrate the glory and the grandeur of magnificent wind band music with the U of L Wind Orchestra, Friday, Mar. 26 at 8 p.m. in Southminster United Church.

"Our feature piece provides the title of our concert," says director Glenn Klassen. "The Glory and the Grandeur by Russell Peck is going to knock everyone's socks off!"

An exciting composition for percussion trio and wind orchestra, three guest percussionists take the stage for this piece – U of L percussion instructor Adam Mason and music majors Jodi Bartel and Matt Groenheide.

"It's a terribly exciting, upbeat and jazzy piece. It's also visually stunning to see the percussionists running back and forth on stage," Klassen says.

The program also features an H. Owen Reed piece entitled, La Fiesta Mexicana.

"This is a wonderful piece inspired by the composer's visit to Mexico during Carnivale," Klassen explains. "The piece has both festive and sacred components, including a Mariachi section. It has some of the typical Mexican sounds and flavours."

Other items on the program include Shostakovich's Festive Overture and another piece called Festivale, which will be conducted by a special guest conductor, to be revealed at the concert.

Audiences outside of Lethbridge also have the opportunity to hear the U of L Wind Orchestra during their tour in March.

"We leave on Mar. 1 for British Columbia," Klassen says. "We'll be playing across the province, from Penticton to Vancouver."

Among the many performances during the tour, a highlight is their appearance at the Okanagan Band Festival.

"We are the featured band for the festival," Klassen says. "This is a big deal for the Wind Orchestra. With over 30 bands performing, it's a great honour to be named as the feature performer."

Tickets for the Mar. 26 Lethbridge performance are on sale at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616) and at the door. Tickets are priced at $15 regular and $10 for students and seniors.

Glory and Grandeur

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:40:43 +0000

Celebrate the glory and the grandeur of magnificent wind band music with the
U of L Wind Orchestra, Friday, Mar. 26 at 8 p.m. in Southminster United Church.