By Ann Mendenhall
On Saturday, Nov. 20, the Cowichan Valley Music Teachers’ Association presented two delightful concerts of Canadian music, performed by more than 40 students and teachers, at Duncan United Church, to mark Canada Music Week.
Canada Music Week is celebrated annually across our country in the third week of November. We have many wonderful Canadian composers and it was an honour to be able to present some of their works before a live audience. Some of the Canadian composers were born in the last century, but many are alive and continuing to compose today.
Both concerts opened with the singing of ‘O Canada’, and contained a mixture of student performers — pianists, violinists, harpists and vocalists. Students also submitted brief biographies of all the composers and these were included in the program notes so that all in the audience might gain a better understanding of the wonderful composers we have in this country.
It was a great feeling to participate in a live concert, after such a long time away from being able to gather in person. All of the students performed well, to the best of their ability, and were well-received by a very attentive audience.
Audience members were invited to donate for the relief of B.C.’s flood victims, and the $150 collected in the violin case was sent to Canada Helps FoodBank.
Ann Mendenhall is the president of the Cowichan Valley Music Teachers Association.