Classical Fiddling Adds Spark to Symphony: Review of Canadian Violinist Scott St. John in Concert

The Concert was held in 2004 in Salmon Arm, BC. To me the most pleasing sound in the world is that of an orchestra tuning. Last Sunday, however, it was far surpassed by the vibrantly superb sounds of Okanagan Symphony's guest violin soloist, Scott St. John. Canadian-born virtuoso St. John has been hailed for his "electric performances and recitals brimming with extroverted spirit, " and amply demonstrated this spirit in his performance on Sunday. Portraying a Scottish folk tradition of a fiddler weaving through the rows of corn to bless the upcoming crops, St. John entered stage right playing the lilting first bars of Maxwell Davies' "MacDonald Dances.

The Musical Family: Why Parents Should Learn an Instrument With Their Children

Fall is when children return to school, meet new friends, and take on new challenges. Adults can enjoy this exciting time of learning and growth as well. I encourage all parents to learn music with their children. As a violin teacher I know it"s the best way for a child to learn and remain dedicated to their instrument and for the parent to be involved in a constructive manner. Children learn best by example. If their parents say, "I have no musical talent, " kids are bound to live the same fate. However, when you choose to learn music from scratch you prove "if I can do it, you can too! " In six years there has been only 1 parent/child duo of mine that quit.

Children Manifest Life s Virtues: A Violin Teacher Recognizes the Amazing Strengths in Her Pupils

As a teacher I am fascinated by exceptional actions of children and youths every day. Various moments over the past year have left a lasting impression for me. For me, these moments offer precious insights into the manifestation of life"s virtues. Dedication Emily leaps up the stairs with her violin, her face flushed from a track meet. She"s exhausted, yet focuses on her lesson with impressive stamina. Alana dreads the heap of homework lurking ominously in her pack. Still, she concentrates on her music and an upcoming festival performance, where she ultimately earns a "Gold." Flynn strives for weeks to make her "trill" sound like a bird.

Rock Roll Feature: Dylan Bringing the Controversy All Back Home

This is the fourth in a series of Rock & Roll features I'm writing for this site. I'm a rock and roller and I love blues so this column is a way for me to feature a different album that I like from those genres every month. In 1965 Bob Dylan had successfully revived folk music with his first 4 albums, but then he committed the ultimate folk singer sin: he picked up an electric guitar. Bringing it All Back Home was Dylans first real foray into electric roots rock and there was a considerable backlash with a flurry of boos from concert venues and negative press from his folk music following that would grow substantially with the completely electric Highway 61 Revisited.

Getting the Pointe: A Violinist Pursues Her Dream of Dancing Ballet

My sagging sock feet slip on the waxy buffed linoleum as I awkwardly shuffle my way past a gaggle of giggling girls in baby pink tutus. I'm wearing my yoga clothes, which have sadly not seen a yoga mat in two years, and my long mane of hair is reluctantly tied back in a girlie ponytail. I feel ridiculous. I'm a thirty-year-old woman enrolled in a ballet class with teenage girls. The seven-year-olds clear out and any moment now I'll be greeted by perfectly straight white smiles perched on top of perfectly young, toned bodies in lululemon spandex. Slouching in my slouch socks I catch my nervous reflection in the enormous wall of mirrors glaring back at me.

Why Does the iPod Continue to Kill the Competition?

Since the first generation iPod was released in 2001, the sexy little digital audio players have continued to lead the market. But what is it that these particular mp3 players offer that the competition obviously lacks? Style - there are literally hundreds of words just itching to be used in the description of iPods; sexy, sleek, stylish, unobtrusive, cute, cool, hip... the list could go on forever but you get the idea. Each subsequent generation has gotten smaller, and thinner and even more appealing to consumers and it goes without saying that future generations will carry on this trend.

Boards of Canada: Enigmatic, Enlightening or Alarming?

One of the more unusual names in contemporary electronic music, not to mention sounds, Boards of Canada derived their identity from the 1970s documentary films of the National Film Board of Canada, and consist of Scottish brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin; interestingly enough they hid their sibling relationship from the listening public for over ten years, claiming to be "just childhood friends" until a recent magazine interview. Boards of Canada make music for a genuine love of music; the majority of their releases are without advertising and few interviews. They have only performed a handful of times, and not in public for over 5 years;

Mindi Abair It Just Happens That Way Smooth Jazz CD Review

Richly talented Smooth Jazz artist Mindi Abair has released her CD entitled It Just Happens That Way and Wow! It"s really a good one. It Just Happens That Way launches with a great track, Lucy"s that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track. This entire CD has a nicely varied, mix of 12 tracks that are very nicely constructed songs by this clearly superb artist. Listen to this CD and I believe you"ll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Mindi Abair's Sax work is superb.

Walter Beasley Ready For Love Smooth Jazz CD Review

One word describes the CD Ready For Love from Walter Beasley... AWESOME! This one grabs your attention right from the beginning with Free and doesn"t let go until the very last note of the very last song Willa Mae"s Place, which is another great track by the way. Ready For Love is a nicely varied, mix of 11 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly outstanding artist. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are his own personal experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance.

Nelson Rangell Soul To Souls Smooth Jazz CD Review

Nelson Rangell, the richly talented Smooth Jazz artist has released his latest CD titled Soul To Souls and Wow! It's good. Unfortunately, it"s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can"t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Soul To Souls. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish. Soul To Souls has a pleasantly varied, mix of 10 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly outstanding artist. Rangell is one of those musicians that has the ability to just bowl you over with his talent.