Brassy H'Arts The Fine Arts
Euphonium yEG-GA and L.O. Recollections In Concert
L.O., a dedicated musician, graduated from Mother Margaret Mary in Edmonton in 2015. In Y150, she continued her journey towards the completion a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Linguistics at the University of Alberta. She further explained to the School of One Carver how she plays in the university's Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and a pop orchestra called "Orbis.excellence in post-secondary global education".
The marble used for this piece was “upcycled” from a demolition or renovation of a house in Edmonton, although its actual origins remain unknown. It is also part of a new group of YEG-GA sculptures developed since the inception of Project Y150 YEG-GA that are intended to promote the re-use of materials further and heighten awareness of personal environments. The carving began its journey on March 24, a few days before a concert entitled “Shadows and Light” was performed at the Winspear Centre, Edmonton. Euphonium YEG-GA is dedicated to thoughtful female musicians at Western Canadian universities, especially those artists who are part of the University of Alberta Symphonic Wind Ensemble in 2016-2017.
Accounts Received: March 28, 2017: Fine Arts March
Introduction and Forthcoming Fanfare
Edmonton, March 24, 2017. 3°/-3°C
“Euphonium” YEG-GA was introduced to me at the Southern end of HUB, close to the Fine Arts Building. This introductory venue seemed fitting, as most of her forthcoming life would centre around music and the Fine Arts. Immediately after our initial encounter, I met up with some friends for drinks. This made me reflect on the importance of friendship and connections. It seems that in these hectic days and busy times we’re so focused on the futures and our careers, that we lose sight what is most important in our lives: friendships and relationships with others.
Casting Positive Light on Sad Shadows
Edmonton March 26, 2017. 10°/-2°C
“Euphonium” YEG-GA’s first foray into the musical world began on Sunday March 26, 2017 at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton. She listened to the soundcheck and the last minute panic that only performances bring to musicians. Many colleagues were late, due to a fatal accident farther down the LRT line, which only added to the general frantic buzz surrounding the stage. A professional oboe player made her debut appearance on stage as a conductor. She’d been playing on that stage (and even in the audience) for years, but had never had the opportunity to perform at the conductor’s podium.
The theme of this concert, “Shadows and Light”, is intended to contrast and highlight the intricacies of music, and its effect on the human soul. We chose to play a piece that was based on a Hussite War Song, adapted for the War in Prague in 1968. It uses percussion and flutes to show the descent of a peaceful city into war; with a lone piccolo representing a singing bird, and the percussion drums representing approaching tanks. The piccolo (bird) comes in at the beginning with a lovely trilling solo that sounds like a bird's song in the morning. When the drums (tanks) come in, the bird is silenced and the piece becomes more structured and militant. In the final movement, the whole band (after a section of a complete musical fiasco) comes together to play the theme once again in order to create unity and resistance against the war. The piccolo then emerges from the band to play one last song, showing that peace has once again returned. This piece was chosen to honour the memory of Karel Husa, the composer of this piece, who passed away in December last year.
Most of our pieces centered around darkness and shadows, further highlighting the difficult year the department has faced emotionally after losing one of our own. We also played this concert in the memory of all those who have left before us.
