North Battleford’s Dianne Gryba, Cecilia Burton, Junice Headley and Cathy Swerid, Marjorie Klassen of Glenbush and Carolyn Voss of Spiritwood brought a few of their students to Unity Nov. 27 to join students of Robyn Rutherford and Diane Neil in a special Canada Music Week recital at the Unity Baptist Church.
After 22 students had either performed a piano piece or sung their recital selections, guest artist Will Ballantyne performed for the audience of more than 80.
The recital was presented by the Battlefords Registered Music Teachers Association. As Canada Music Week is meant to highlight Canadian composers, pieces written by Canadian composers were highlighted in the program. In addition, four students – Carter Flanagan, Molly Orobko, Amara Menki and Zenon Orobko — played piano selections written by Saskatchewan composers.
The afternoon’s repertoire ranged from fun piano pieces such as Bouncing on My Bed, Spiders Web and Monster Trucks played by younger students Layla Bahrey, Ryland Morin and Sam Haase to the lovely, lyrical notes of Farewell performed by Adam Stifter, the lively Dance of the Marionettes by Brooklyn Mamer and award winner Jacelyn Stabbler’s rendition of Far Away Friend.
Also playing piano were Tyrone Marodza, Mathew Escorpiso, Shae Worthington, Natawna Foreman, Grace Heck, Ava Bahrey, Tayla Skinner, Ainsley Orobko and Sarah Bargen. Jacelyn Delhommeau and Kaybree Spendelow played the Mosquito Rag duet. Most had memorized their pieces and came to the grand piano in the Unity Baptist Church without the written music.
Two of Dianne Gryba’s students, Courtney Wouters and Jordyn Nachtegaele, sang vocal selections, and were accompanied by Gryba on the piano.
Before introducing the guest artist, Gryba thanked the students and parents for their commitment, noting that music is “a slow learn” with “nothing instant about it.” She also referenced the research that shows learning music improves overall learning.
The afternoon ended with the performance by the multi-talented Ballantyne, who not only sang and played guitar, but also demonstrated his mastery of the fiddle and mandolin. He told the students and other audience members the mandolin is primarily used in bluegrass and Celtic music. Ballantyne, however, played fiddle tunes on it as fiddle tunes are what he best knows, performing a medley of Irish Washerwoman and Irishman’s Heart to the Ladies, followed by a tune written by a Jewish fiddle instructor from New York.
Ballantyne concluded his performance by returning to the guitar and singing How Deep is the Father’s Love. He told the audience that although it is not a Christmas song, he believes it is what Christmas is about, that music and other talents are a gift from God and that Jesus was sent to Earth so we could be reunited with God.
The BRMTA holds a Canada Music Week recital each year, most often in North Battleford. Music loving Unity residents were pleased to have the opportunity to attend the recital at home this year.
