(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on April 29, 2009.)
A rare opportunity to hear some exceptional young classical artists in concert at the Algonquin Theatre presents itself this Sunday, May 3.
The Young Artists Performance Academy of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto will present an afternoon of excellent music and feature a number of solo performances.
Twenty-four of the academy’s most gifted students will be returning to Huntsville after their very successful concert last May, when Huntsville’s Ashley Hill brought her fellow classmates to the Algonquin Theatre. The resulting performance was a very rewarding experience for the audience and participants alike.
“We plan on featuring a number of our recent competition winners in the program,” said Alicia White, academy manager. “The program will be very approachable with works including Handel’s Concerto Grosso (Alexander’s Feast), Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Winter, Beethoven’s Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 and a newer work by Jeff Ryan titled Ecce Homo.”
Primarily because of the link with Hill, a Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HFA) scholarship recipient at every age level, the festival sponsored the concert and is bringing back the artists for a second time.
“Initially, I was approached by Ashley about having the Royal Conservatory students play in Huntsville, and it just seemed so appropriate to provide an opportunity to have her come home and showcase both her skills and the skills of the talented students she is working with,” said HFA general manager Rob Saunders.
The Young Artists Performance Academy provides the ideal nurturing environment for committed, gifted young classical musicians to perfect their performance skill, musicality and artistic excellence. Working together with world-class faculty and acclaimed guest artists, academy students share high-calibre musical experiences and celebrate each other in achieving an outstanding level of musicianship.
The academy is designed for musicians looking to challenge and refine their unique talents. Faculty believe that young talent, expertly trained, can become great talent and that a nurturing, yet challenging, creative environment produces disciplined, well-rounded artists who will seek to communicate their unique voices through the lifelong celebration of performance.
“Surprisingly, they do not get many opportunities to perform outside the GTA, and both the school directors and the students are thrilled about Sunday’s concert in Huntsville,” said Saunders.
The concert begins at 2 p.m. and will run for approximately 90 minutes. Adult tickets are $15, with a special price of $5 for youth under 18 to encourage aspiring young artists to come and listen to these youthful prodigies.
Tickets are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office, by dialling 789-4975, or online through the festival website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.
