Return of the Amity Trio
The next group to perform for the St. Luke’s Gift of Music concert series will be the Amity Trio.
This is a return visit by the local trio which so charmed us two years ago. This chamber ensemble is known for its confident ensemble playing and warm, open interpretations of their musical repertoire. Each of the performers are accomplished instrumentalists and popular soloists in their own right, but when they get together as a group the chemistry creates delightfully musical and passionate performances. This Sunday, the Amity Trio will be performing music by Haydn, Schubert, Piazzolla, and Beethoven.
Violinist Michael Adamson studied violin and chamber music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and worked with members of the leading quartets, including the Griller, Tatrai, Kolisch, Hungarian and Amadeus quartets. Following a European concert career, Adamson returned to Canada where he performs both as a soloist and as a chamber and orchestral musician.
Alyssa Wright, cello, is a versatile soloist and ensemble cellist who has toured widely, performing contemporary, jazz, folk, and traditional music. Formerly acting principal cellist of the Kingston Symphony, she left the orchestral world to concentrate on the intricacies of chamber music. Alyssa is artistic director of the Orillia Folk Society, and a sought after studio and session cellist and singer.
Russian born pianist Olga Lishansky began her musical studies in Siberia, and graduated with a master’s degree in piano performance from the Kiev Conservatory of Music. After emigrating to Israel and then to Canada, she returned to the performance world in 2007 with the successful “Concerto in the Key of Soul.” Olga currently performs as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician.
Last week the Gift of Music also presented its annual music event in the school, starting with a musical presentation for the senior students, and finishing with a workshop with the school band. The featured musicians were flutist Jamie Thompson, clarinetist Nicolai Tarasov, and trumpeter Scott Harrison, all accomplished musicians and educators.
Our annual concerts and school events would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors over the years, notably the Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society, Creemore Springs brewery, the Creemore BIA, and Clearview Township. The yearly PHAHS donation, in particular, supports the school event. Whether you support the Gift of Music program as a corporate sponsor or as an audience member, it enables us to not only enrich the artistic life of the village, it also provides performance opportunities for talented and up and coming musicians both from the area and from a number of faculties of music, notably the Glenn Gould School of Music and the University of Toronto.
In the past, when we have had a good year, we have donated funds towards school instruments for the Nottawa and Creemore Public School band, as well as provided support for ArtsCan Circle, a program which send teams of musicians and artists to remote Canadian Indigenous communities to link creative artists with Indigenous youth at risk, with the understanding that music and the arts are healing for the spirit. Without the support of so many of you in the community, the St. Luke’s Gift of Music program would not exist. Thank you for your ongoing support!!
On a final note, for those of you who made it to classical guitarist Tariq Harb’s performance on the November 27, I’m sure that you will be pleased to know that this incredibly talented young musician will be returning to perform for us again next year. He is one of three finalists, out of 70 applicants from 30 different countries, who will be competing at the Barrios competition in Paraguay on December 4th. Tariq also sent us a little souvenir from last week’s performance, (Click for Youtube), a video of his opening piece at his Gift of Music concert.
Join us this Sunday, December 4, to enjoy the Amity Trio, and on Sunday, December 18, for our traditional final concert with The Divas. All performances are held in the warm and intimate setting of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, and complimentary refreshments are served following our concerts. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Curiousity House Books, the Creemore Echo, and at the door.
