NEWS

 
GUY&NADINA MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT UPEI
January, 2012

As part of an outreach initiative by Atlantic Presenters Association, the 2011 Contact East Conference worked with a number of organisations to present workshops and master classes across the province of PEI. Presented by the University of PEI, AKAM showcasing artists guy&nadina were invited to give a special master class to the brass, woodwinds and piano music students. Exceptionally well received by students and professors, a highlight for all was the attendance of a 14 year old aspiring bassoonist who took this opportunity to travel to Charlottetown to see his 'bassoon idol.' To read about this young man's experience, please click the link below.

Here is what Dr. Andrew Zinck, Associate Professor and Chair, UPEI Music Department also shared about the master classes:

"We were truly fortunate to have Guy Few and Nadina Mackie Jackson provide master classes for our students. This duo shares a deep passion for their music making and communicates that passion and intensity in their teaching. They find effective ways to relate to the students at their level and, in doing so, inspire our young performers to achieve. Bravo!"

More Information



ERIN SPARKS AWARDED EMERGING AGENT OF THE YEAR
January, 2012

Each year, Ontario Contact gives awards to recognize and celebrate the contributions towards overall excellence in the field of live presentation and touring in the province of Ontario.

AKAM is pleased to announce that this year's recipient of the Emerging Agent of the Year Award was Erin Sparks.

In 2008, Erin was brought into Ontario Contact as part of the "Colleagues of Tomorrow" program. In 2009, with the assistance provided by CHRC's internship program, Erin was employed by Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. and has since excelled in her role as an Artist Representative.

*Seen in photograph at Ontario Contact with AKAM artist Lucille Chung.



GRYPHON TRIO APPOINTED CMC ARTISTIC AMBASSADORS
January, 2012

Two time Juno Award winning Gryphon Trio will be the Artistic Ambassador of the 2012 Canadian Music Competition.

The Canadian Music Competition (CMC) is a national organization which supports and encourages young Canadian performers of all instruments in the classical music genre. With 17 chapters throughout Canada, the CMC develops musicians aged 7 - 30 in a supportive and collegial environment throughout all stages of the competition.

"CMC is excited that the Gryphon Trio will be the Artistic Ambassador for 2012, especially as Annalee is a former CMC - Stepping Stone winner. As well as being outstanding Canadian performers, the trio members are dedicated teachers. It is a great opportunity for the CMC to have musicians of this stature represent and promote the organization."

- Julie Lebel, CMC Executive Director

Created in 1958, the Canadian Music Competition has seen thousands of young Canadian musicians compete. Among the alumni are some of Canada's most prolific musicians including Marc-André Hamelin, Louis Lortie, Martin Beaver, James Ehnes, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, André Laplante, Angela Cheng, Boris Brott and Jacques Hétu.

The CMC organization runs three different programs: the annual Canadian Music Competition, a Junior Program that runs concurrent with the annual program and the biennial Stepping Stone Competition. The dates for this year's Regional and Provincial rounds are March 30 - June 1 with the National Final in Toronto from June 19 - July 6, 2012. The biennial Stepping Stone will be held in Ottawa from June 2 - 10, 2012.

More Information



NADINA'S LATEST CD RELEASE
January, 2012

On October 30, 2011, bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson released a special and important recording titled 24 Solos by Jean-Daniel Braun. A true addition to the bassoon recording inventory, this CD represents the only recording of this complete set of compositions.

Details of composer Jean-Daniel Braun are limited. He is thought to have been born in Alsace, likely in the late seventeenth century. The earliest mention of Braun occurs in the autobiography of Johann Joachim Quantz. Although Quantz's identification is ambiguous, it is certain that Jean-Daniel Braun was active as a flutist, composer, and music publisher in Paris during the 1720s. Braun was known as "Musicien ordinaire de la musique de notre très cher Cousin le Duc d'Epernon" (Regular Musician for my [Louis XV's] very dear cousin, the Duke of Epernon) which entitled him the 'royal privilege to print' and publish his works. By the time of Braun's death, a final volume of his works containing a sonata for flute with basso continuo and these 24 short pieces alone was published posthumously in 1740.

Nadina and her colleagues celebrated the CD launch at a release party held at the Conservatory Theatre in Toronto's TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The Royal Conservatory. She was joined by special guests Guy Few and Young-Ah Bang.

More Information



AKAM ARTISTS: 2012 NEW YEAR = NEW TOURS
January, 2012

guy&nadina - Western Canada Tour

January 15: Regina SK - Cecilian Concert Series
January 17: Brooks AB - Newell Concert Association
January 19: Pender Island, BC - Gulf Islands Concert Series
January 21: Whitehorse YK - Whitehorse Concerts
January 24: Trail BC - Trail Performing Arts Society
January 28: Saskatoon SK - with Amati String Ensemble, U of Saskatchewan
January 29: Brandon MB - Pro Series, Brandon University

This tour is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Gryphon Trio - Overseas Tour

Among many engagements throughout Canada and the United States, the Gryphon Trio will soon depart for a tour of European Cities and Kuwait beginning in February 2012.

February 2: Neuchatel, Switzerland
February 3: Appenzell, Switzerland
February 4: Roeselare, Belgium
February 5: Maastricht, Netherlands
Amati Chamber Music Series, Maastricht Conservatorium
February 8: Kuwait City, Kuwait - Al-Maidan Cultural Centre
February 13: Imola, Italy - Circolo della Musica di Imola
February 14: Amsterdam, Netherlands - Het Concertgebouw

This tour is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council.

The Schumann Letters - Atlantic/ Ontario Tour

February 24: Shelburne NS - Osprey Arts Centre
February 25: Halifax NS - St. Cecilia Concert Series
February 26: St. John NB - Imperial Theatre
February 27: Antigonish NS - Antigonish Performing Arts Series
February 29: Sarnia ON - Sarnia Concert Association
March 2: Deep River ON - THEOP
March 3: Oakville, ON - St. Jude's Celebration Series

This tour is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

PAST NEWS