News
CORINNE FITZHERBERT THE VICTORIA STAR (published online 15-June-2015)
Year-end concerts are celebrations of time well spent and progress made.
The Sistema NB Tobique orchestra was applauded for its “phenomenal” accomplishments by centre director Dave Halpine when the 2015 finale concert was held at Mah-Sos School, Tobique First Nation, on June 11.
The program at Tobique First Nation now has a first-year orchestra, comprising 11 members and a second-year orchestra with 13 members. Participation requires dedication as children attend the program every afternoon after school, but as Halpine acknowledged, the investment pays off as the students develop their skills at a rapid pace.
“ It’s so exciting to see the capabilities,” Halpine said.
Guests at the concert included Don Matheson of Moncton, executive director of Sistema NB, who praised the accomplishments of the orchestra members and the instructors.
“This is such a fantastic occasion,” Matheson said.“We are so fortunate to have these wonderful teaching artists to work with these young people.”
Sistema continues to grow in the province, and the newest program will be launched in Edmundston in September. Several guests from Edmundston were in attendance, along with Sam Arnold, who has been involved in music instruction in the province for many years.
Matheson said although the centre at Tobique is only in its second year, it has seen many accomplishments, including having members invited to perform at the final concert of the Victoria County Music Festival. Orchestra member Aaron Halpine was also named an instrumental junior star performer.
“We are here to give opportunity,” Matheson said of Sistema. “When opportunity meets determination ... fantastic miracles happen.”
While the concert was a celebration, it was also a bittersweet event as cello teacher Emmanuel Ortega, who has been with Sistema Tobique since it began, and violin teacher Monica Dube, are leaving.
Halpine presented gifts to the instructors and noted they have made a huge contribution to the program.
While Dube is leaving Tobique First Nation, she is not leaving Sistema. She will be the director of the new centre in Edmundston.
The concert opened with the children’s honour song. Halpine said the song is about grandfather eagle flying around the world looking for children, so he can help them and teach them native ways.
The first-year orchestra had their time in the spotlight, playing the “Two Finger Song” and “Obertura.”
“Nekotkok Kcitmitaman,” a piece composed by cello teacher Emmanuel Ortega in honour of Tobique First Nation, has become a popular piece with the Sistema students.
Vivaldi’s “Spring” was played by the instructors Halpine, Ortega and violin teacher Dube followed by the orchestra playing “Twinkle, Twinkle.”
The “Scale in D/Kreutzer,”“Merry Go Round” and “German Folk Song/Old Carol” rounded out a set played by the second-year orchestra, with the help of some of the more advanced first-year members.
The words “grant us peace” were delivered to the audience through a vocal performance of Dona Nobis Pacem.“Cello Canon” was followed by a performance of “Hornpipe” by five members of the Sistema orchestra.
“They are professional musicians trapped in tiny bodies!” Halpine said in his introduction.
A performance of “Chorale” ended the program, but not the concert as calls of “Encore!” brought the orchestras back one more time.
Halpine acknowledged the assistance of Jennifer Broad, who also works with the Sistema Tobique group, Makayla McQuade and Paula Pirie, Mah-Sos School principal; and Ann Marie Berry-Wattie, Andover Elementary School principal.
