It's like manna from heaven. For the third consecutive year, the CSSA's yearly Heritage Park Play-in was held under ideal weather condition. The sun was
out in all of its glory, showering both people and things with its warm, potent rays. The wind, true to its seasonal form, gently caressed the trees, helping them shed their golden leaves. The sight, as in previous Playins, was picture-perfect. It was exactly the fall we often envision in our minds.
As if on a cue, people, smarting from what is probably the soggiest Calgary summer ever, responded. The Play-in drew a sizeable crowd and a record number of performers, among them were a group of cello students, marking it the first time that cellists participated in the annual music fest. It was an afternoon of unforgettable music.
Teachers and students alike, from Seitz to Twinkle, played with skill and dedication. They filled the air with passionate playing, enriching an afternoon blessed with the sun and a gentle breeze. At the Play-in, the music and the weather, truly, made a very fine mix. Let’s hope this mix carries on next year.
In Heritage Park, it was Play-in day.
CSSA kids had gathered to play.
Everyone came to hear and to see.
Parents and players, their admission was free.
Up to the bandstand all the musicians went
And proudly carried their instruments
The accompanist's eyes and fingers were true
As he played with the teachers and children too
The Pre-twinklers lifted their violins
The violas played and played with a grin
The cellos, looking the smartest fellows
Zoomed and zoomed on their mellow cellos
What a roar! What a sound!
Their great music filled the air all around
Over the slopes, in through the rides
Up and down the old streets, and old houses besides.
The excited audience made a great noise
Cheering on stage all the girls and the boys
They stomped their feet, they clapped their paws
There was no end to their loud applause
All done the performers bowed and bowed
The students, teachers and parents were proud
To have played in such a special place
So restful and pretty and full of grace
And so CSSA sends a big thank you to you
For giving us such a great howdy do
And letting us enjoy your vintage treasure
Under wide clear skies of a tinge of azure
You made our day....
Photos courtesy of Maxine Morris (grandmother of Anthony Bewcyk, a student of Heartstrings Studio)
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What a perfect way to start the year! The setting, one out of a time gone by, was nostalgic and peaceful. The weather, with the sun warmly illuminating the lovely interplay of fall colours, was splendid and beautiful.
With such a perfect location serving as background and the weather cooperating, forty Calgary Suzuki Strings Association (CSSA) students representing the studios of Andrea Hudson, Laura Jones, Kathy Lapp, Anne Lyon, Hisako Sato, and Carmen Wise gave a well-received performance last September 28 at the Heritage Park.
The students performed a repertoire ranging from Twinkles to Seitz from Book Four. Often interspersed with the periodic sound of the park's steam train's horn, the kids' performance achingly augmented the turn of the century western feel of the park. It effectively transported the audience, a mixture of Suzuki families and park patrons, into a time when the West was still in its formative years.
Howard Janzen provided able piano accompaniment for the group. Throughout the performance, he fought off an erratic breeze that kept on teasing his wayward music sheets. He pulled off this acrobatic act, which was a virtuoso act in itself, while keeping up with the CSSA performers' playing.
At the concert's end, several park workers complimented the CSSA contingent for their lovely performance. Donna Palmer, events coordinator at the park, has invited the CSSA to play again next year. The CSSA, in turn, is considering making it a yearly fall event.
A blacksmith who works for the Park felt cheated as his lunch break was too short to enjoy the full performance. He wondered if any of the students would share some music with him. Stephanie, one of Andrea Hudson's students, was targeted as she was the only one with an instrument at that time. Though hesitant to play, she proceeded to perform a solo act amongst onlookers and friends. It took lots of nerve! The blacksmith was thoroughly pleased and expressed sincere appreciation afterwards.
