CBC Calgary and Calgary Public Library present: Instrumental Stories
This monthly program opens up different worlds of music featuring instruments with cultural significance
Strings of Serenity: A Musical Odyssey on the Ethereal Harp
Thursday, May 25
Doors open 6:00 p.m.
Programming begins 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration closed.
Join harpist Gianetta Baril on a musical journey as she enchants you with the ethereal sounds of her harp. Gianetta will share her unique talent and passion for connection through music. So sit back, relax, and let the angelic sounds of Gianetta's harp transport you to a world of peace and tranquility.
About the Artist:
Gianetta Baril is a renowned harpist with a lifelong passion for sharing the transformative power of music through her beloved harp "Amadei".
As a soloist and chamber musician, she has enchanted audiences around the world with her virtuosity and delicate nuances. Alongside her successful career, Gianetta is a dedicated teacher and co-founder of the Canadian International Summer Harp Institute.
In response to the challenges of COVID-19, Gianetta created the "Harp to Heart" project, bringing restful and comforting live harp music to those feeling isolated and anxious. With her modified Ford Transit van serving as a mobile concert hall, she has driven over 56,000 kilometers and given 300 COVID-safe concerts for hospitals, seniors' homes, churches, and schools across North America.
Information on Gianetta's projects can be found at www.harptoheart.org and www.harptoheart.ca
A Musical Journey through Cree Ancestry: Exploring Indigenous Wisdom and Earthly Connections
Thursday, April 27
Doors open 6:00 p.m.
Programming begins 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration closed.
Join singer-songwriter Walter Macdonald White Bear for an evening of storytelling and sharing through music. Drawing from his Cree ancestry, Walter brings a wealth of songs, both original and traditional to our stage, shared with a healthy dose of humour and ancestral wisdom!
About the Artist:
Walter Macdonald White Bear is a Cree singer-songwriter, educator, and motivational speaker originally from the First Nation of Moose Factory, Ontario. Walter has been sharing his music on guitar and flute music for many years, and it is a reflection of his personal journey as a First Nations person in Canada.
Performance highlights include The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, The Chiefs Summit with Tom Jackson, The Dream Speakers Festival, The Mountain Song Native Theater, and the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education. Walter has shared his cultural knowledge with various audiences from correctional services to principals, teachers and students. He has been invited to give keynote speeches on a range of topics, including social services, justice, education, wellness and the environment.
An Odyssey of Sound: Exploring the Beauty of Hindustani Classical Music
Thursday, Mar. 30
Doors open 6:00 p.m.
Programming begins 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration Closed
Vocalist and instrumentalist Aditya Chaudhuri takes us on an exploration of the beautiful and complex world of Hindustani Classical Music through the sounds of his voice, the tanpura and the sitar. The audience will have the opportunity to learn traditional vocal and rhythmic patterns and participate in music-making during this intimate evening of learning and cross-cultural sharing.
About the Artist:
Aditya Chaudhuri is a passionate and promising student of Hindustani classical music. He is known for his versatility and mastery across the genres. In his early teenage years, Aditya discovered a genuine interest in Indian music, and he continued to be devoted to the genre as he became an adult.
Under the tutelage of Dr. Jayashree Thatte Bhat in Calgary, Aditya continued his journey in raga music. Drawing inspiration from the maestros and amateurs alike, Aditya learns what he can from every source of music he hears. He is especially fond of Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and finds himself immersed in his music most of the time. Although primarily a vocalist, Aditya also pursues playing the sitar.
Sounds of Syria: An intimate evening of traditional Syrian music and storytelling
Thursday, Feb. 23
Doors open 6:00 p.m.
Programming begins 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration Closed
Syrian born singer, songwriter and oud player Aya Mhana combines the musical tradition of her homeland with her own unique musical voice. Aya will present an intimate evening of traditional Syrian music and storytelling alongside her own original songs.
About the Artist:
Aya Mhana is a Syrian-born singer, songwriter, and oud player. Since emigrating to Calgary in 2016, Aya has performed at the Calgary Stampede, Globalfest and with the Kensington Sinfonia. She was also a resident artist in the Central Library in 2020 as a rewarding position for her contribution to the art scene in Calgary. In 2020, Ayra received the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society New Canadian Artist Award and the Portail de l'Immigrant Association (PIA) award for her outstanding commitment to the community and art.
As an artist who inhabits the crossroad between nations, Aya is committed to shaping a peaceful and vibrant cultural mosaic, and translating the rich culture of her homeland for audiences who often know little of Syria, but are eager to embrace her soulful melodies. Inspired by her volunteer work around the world, Aya uses her music to explore the human capacity for hope and connection through music.
Sounds of China: The Flute and the Year of the Rabbit
Thursday, Jan. 26
Doors open 6:00 p.m.
Programming begins 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration Closed
Celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome in the Year of the Rabbit with music!
Experience the sounds of Chinese culture through the lens of one of Calgary's most versatile artists, flutist Jiajia Li demonstrates the beauty and versatility of the Chinese flute. JiaJia's unique take on the instrument incorporates ancient tradition with modern influences to create a truly unique sound journey.
About the Artist:
Classically-trained flutist Jiajia Li is being praised as "one of the city's finest and most adventurous flutists". She was the 2019 recipient of the classical music residency at National Music Centre; 2016 recipient of the JUNO — Canadian music award micro grant; and the prize winner of "Prinzessin Margaret von Hessen" competition (Germany).
Since her arrival in Calgary in 2014, Jiajia has forged her identity through music and performance, cutting across a wide range of modern musical experimentation and traditions. Currently a faculty member at the Mount Royal University Conservatory, Jiajia is an active performer in the city and has appeared in festivals including Sled Island, Calgary New Music Festival, and The Works.
Ballads and the bandura: Ukrainian folk music with Iryna Kalinovich
Thursday, Nov. 24, 6:00 p.m. onwards
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration Closed
Be carried away to the soul and heart of Ukraine with folk songs and music featuring the mesmerizing stringed instrument, the bandura, accompanied by beautiful traditional vocals.
The bandura, considered by many as the national instrument of Ukraine, closely reflects the history of the nation. With elements of the harp and the lute, the bandura has a gentle, magical and "empathetic" acoustic sound. You will experience the mystical land and heritage of Ukraine with resonating sounds of the bandura and epic ballads that are sure to pull at your heart's strings.
About the Artist:
Iryna Kalinovich (Melnyk), born in Lviv, Ukraine, has an extensive musical background in both voice and instrumental performance. Iryna graduated from Lviv's State Music College (S. Lyudkevych) specializing in the bandura and completed her formal music education at Lviv's National Music Academy (M. Lysenko). Iryna has led the Soli Deo choir of Lviv as the musical director, recording three CDs. The choir travelled and performed numerous concerts of liturgical and folk music around Ukraine, Poland, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Hungary, Croatia, Belarus, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Italy.
In the fall of 2012, Iryna moved to Canada and is now conducting the Ukrainian church choir Surma, the Korinnya Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, as well as the bandura ensemble, Calgary Bandurysty. She currently resides near Calgary where she continues to sing, play, perform and teach.
World Beats, Universal Grooves: Exploring the World of Percussion with Malcolm Lim
Thursday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. onwards
Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St. S.W.)
Registration Closed
Flow with the rhythm and feel the beats as renowned musician Malcolm Lin guides you on a musical journey through percussion instruments from around the world. Discover the sounds from traditional Celtic drums to goblet drums from the Middle East to hip-hop percussion styles. Join us for a session full of demonstrations and insight into the cultural importance of several percussion instruments including:
- Bodhrán - New York City (Glen Velez style)
- Dumbek and Riq - Middle East
- Kanjira - South Indian
- Steel Pan - Trinidad
- Congas, Bongos, Guiro, and Clave - Cuba
- Caixa, Repinique, Cuica, Berimbau, Reco Reco, Chocalho, Pandeiro, Surdo - Brazil
About the Artist:
Malcolm Lim is the acting principal percussionist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and teaches percussion at the Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music. He is the current musical director of the Calysto Steelband and was the musical director of the Afro-Brazilian dance and drum ensemble, Calgary Escola de Samba, from 2002 to 2012. Malcolm has taught courses at the University of Lethbridge, led master classes at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and worked as a creativity facilitator at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. He has published in Percussive Notes, the journal for the Percussive Arts Society, and his compositions, "Two South Indian - American Rudimental Solos," will be published by Bachovich Music Publications. Malcolm was born in Singapore and grew up in Taber, Alta.
Instrumental Stories is a monthly program at the Central Memorial Calgary Public Library that will open up different worlds of music featuring instruments with cultural significance.
