The Garneau String Quartet, instructors for MacEwan Conservatory’s Chamber Music Academy, kicked off this year’s concert series on October 2 with special guest, cellist Desmond Hoebig.
The Chamber Music Academy program offers advanced string and piano students aged 12 to 25 the opportunity to be taught by experienced professionals like the Garneau String Quartet. This is its second year running.
“I love playing chamber music and it’s a great opportunity to get into that and be able to do it on a weekly basis,” said program participant Todomu Turnbull.
The program is more than just classroom work, offering students a mixed-learning environment that includes access to the concert series. This experience gives students a chance to see their instructors in action and often features a special guest performer who will teach a master class to the students.
“To me, it is a really great educational opportunity for our students and conservatory community to experience music in different ways,” said Faye Stollery, program assistant at the MacEwan Conservatory.
For the first night of this year’s series, cellist Desmond Hoebig joined the Garneau String Quartet in a performance of String Quintet D. 956 by Schubert, which was a delight for Todomu.
“It was awesome. I mean, they played my favourite piece of all time [Schubert], so I’m biased but I mean, it was great,” Todomu said.
Last year the program launched as two separate semesters, but this time it will run from September to May to foster a better community-building environment for the students.
“I keep using this word community, but I find that is really valuable for youths to get together and play together— have those connections,” Stollery said. “To me, music can be played and learned on your own, in your studio, in your practice room or at home, but I do feel like it’s really meant to be shared with others.”
The next performance of the concert series is on November 27 with guest performer and violinist, Jessica Linnebach.
This story was updated on October 10, 2023 for further clarity and accuracy.
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