HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME !

I completely forgot to talk about my aahumm… 30… something birthday on July 23rd. We, Network Winds, were hot into deep practicing that week, and this picture above was actually taken at Nadina’s house on the day of my birthday.

This was my first birthday EVER without my mom ! it was very sad for me, but I felt ok about it.. I do really miss her though!... she would always be the first one to call me first thing in the morning to wish me a Happy Birthday. Last summer she was still alive and we had a nice party at her place on Charles Street.

This year I spent the day surrounded by great friends, and that was a great support !!



Later that eveing a big party, BBQ at my place with about 20 friends and family !

Toronto's newest show...

This weekend I have playing in the orchestra for the Toronto production of " SPAMALOT" .. a hilarious spoof on the Monty Pythons series.... it's been loads of fun, and the guys from the orchestra ( I'm the only women) have been just sweethearts, and the nicest bunch of musicans I have ever worked with.





Here I am with the star of the show " King Arthur" ....



In the pit with my stand partner Doug...

My Quintet concert was a huge success !!

Network Winds, my new quintet performed its first concert on July 27, 2006 at the Glenn Gould studio, and it was a huge success ! we recieved a wonderful review in the Toronto Star... we are off to great start !

here's the review:

Quintet debuts with talent and taste

Jul. 28, 2006. 01:00 AM

JOHN TERAUDS

CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC - Toronto Star

One of the most compelling chamber concerts of the year turned out to be one of the most overlooked musical dates as well last night.

It was the debut of a new classical quintet, the Network Winds, at the Glenn Gould Studio. Made up of first-rank artists who either live in Toronto or have close ties to it, the small ensemble showed itself to be huge on talent, taste and intelligent programming.

Leslie Newman (on flute and piccolo), Kathy Halvorson (oboe and English horn), Micah Heilbrunn (clarinet), Nadina Mackie Jackson (bassoon) and Wendy Limbertie (French horn) — along with guest contrabassoon player Fraser Jackson — chose works from the 20th and 21st centuries that combined to show off the full spectrum of tonal colour and contrapuntal effect that their instruments can offer.

And, contrary to what most people think of music written in the past 80 or so years, everything on the program was easy and fulfilling listening.

The small audience knew it was in for something special when the five main players dug into the fabulous rhythmic romp that opens the Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet written in 1953 by recently deceased Hungarian composer György Ligeti.

That work's six movements are alive with contrasting textures and atmospheres. The writing also throws all kinds of difficulties at the performers.

It was a theme on the program that would repeat in the playful Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963), the languorous Summer Music of Samuel Barber (1910-1981), which evokes the season as superbly as his bigger-scale Knoxville, Summer of 1916, and the Kvintet, Op. 43 of Danish composer Carl Nielsen (1865-1931).

The program closed with a new work by Montreal bassoon virtuoso and teacher Mathieu Lussier, the Sextet for Wind Quintet and Contrabassoon. Firmly tonal and with a neo-classical structure, Lussier's work created a lush, common colour filled with playful passages.

The Network Winds have arrived in style. Long may they play together.

My wonderful new house !

Well, all is finally finished, all painted, carpets are in... I'm one happy camper !
I truly hope I can stay here a very long time, and make this my last pit stop, and my all time topper of a home !