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Instruments and voice come together in concert

Few teens can say they’ve joined a community orchestra with no school band experience.
Julia Merriam
Sixteen-year-old Julia Merriam plays violin for the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs its winter concert March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Okotoks United Church.

Few teens can say they’ve joined a community orchestra with no school band experience.

Yet, 16-year-old Julia Merriam, who is home-schooled and began taking violin lessons 12 years ago, was invited by her pastor Terry Lee at the Okotoks Alliance Church to join the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra when it formed two years ago.

As the first chair, second violin, Merriam quickly became accustomed to playing as part of a group after years spent playing solo.

“Playing with a group is very different than playing on your own,” she said. “When you’re on your own you can change your speeds and your dynamics. In an orchestra you’ve got to stay with everyone else.”

Merriam is one of five youths and 25 musicians performing in the orchestra’s winter concert, For the Love Of, on March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Okotoks United Church.

The concert features love songs from such classical music greats as Debussy, Schubert and Strauss.

Merriam said while the pieces they play are often challenging, she feels
supported from the range of experience surrounding her and has noticed a growth in her ability and confidence the past two years.

“It’s very encouraging,” she said. “I’m a young violinist and it’s a more advanced group. It’s a very cool thing to be a part of. I love orchestral music. The sound is so full and it’s a thrill to be able to play with the orchestra.”

As second violin, Merriam has more of an accompaniment role.

“The violin holds quite a melody part, especially the first violin,” she said. “The second violins are sometimes with the violas and sometimes with the first violins.”

As part of a quintet, Merriam will perform Minuet for Quintet No. 11 by Boccherini with the other four youth in the orchestra.

The Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra concert is a collaboration with the Foothills Philharmonic Chamber Chorus and Little Rock Show Choir.

Colette Conway,
president and musical director of the show choir, said the young singers will perform three songs from its end of season show that takes place April 10-11 at the RPAC at 7 p.m., including the ever-popular Rocky track Eye of the Tiger.

The youths are also invited to join in the concert’s finale song O Canada.

“We’ve participated in other community events like the Avenue of Trees and Light up Okotoks, but this has been the first opportunity for us to perform with another group,” explained Conway. “It will help people to get to know our group but also it’s a great opportunity for the kids to get to know a little bit more about what adults do in music as well.”

Lee, orchestra conductor and artistic director, said the group is constantly trying to build bridges with other musical organizations in the area. A new partner is the Little Rock Show Choir, which consists of children ages four to 17.

“Any time you add kids to a concert they just bring joy and excitement to it,” said Lee. “I hope they’re inspired by the idea of performing around the orchestra.”

The orchestra consists of a broad group from semi-professional musicians who are teaching alongside senior players who picked up their love for music again, said Lee.

“It’s a very diverse group in spanning age ranges as far as geographical expanses,” he said. “What we’re attempting to do is bring high-quality well-delivered music and we have an awful lot of fun while we’re doing it.”

Lee said the concerts are made even more intimate by the setting.

“At the Okotoks United Church you’re up close and personal with the musicians,” he said. “It’s seeing your friends, your family and your neighbours who are volunteering together who bring beautiful music to the Foothills.”

During intermission, two professional Calgary dancers will offer a brief ballroom dance lesson and invite the audience to dance during the performance of Blue Danube Waltz by Strauss. One of them is Lee’s own daughter.

Tickets to see For the Love Of cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and children 12 and under are free. To purchase tickets or for more details go to foothillsphilharmonic.com

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