Local classical musician Cole Knutson and pianist Jaya Hoy will be performing a recital at Third Avenue Church on Sunday, July 31 at 3 p.m.
Knutson is pursuing a saxophone performance degree at the University of Manitoba with plans to follow up with a master's degree in collaborative piano and Hoy is a collaborate pianist, originally from North Battleford, who spends time in both Saskatoon and the United States.
"Jaya will be my duet partner and collaborative pianist and she will be flying to Edmonton from Arizona two days before the concert, and will be driving up the day before the concert to rehearse."
Knutson, the son of Leslie and Theresa, says he'll be soloing on both piano and unaccompanied sax and the concert will be filled with a variety of pieces from the standard repertoire including the first movement of Grieg's Piano Concerto, a Poulenc four-hand Sonata, Clair de Lune and a Beethoven sonata among others.
Knutson says his mentor Hoy is enjoying her time in Arizona. She has performed two recitals and is working on music to present a third recital there.
Earlier this year, in May, Knutson and a colleague from school, trumpet player Miles Thomsen, got together for a Battlefords concert.
Knutson also performed with the National Youth Band of Canada at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts on May 12. That concert was conducted by Dr. Jason Caslor, the son of Karl and Irene Caslor of Meota.
"I had the amazing opportunity to work with artists such as Deen Larsen and Elly Ameling on separate occasions this year," says Knutson.
He is looking forward to a busy year next year.
"I'll be touring parts of Europe with a colleague from Switzerland and will also be performing saxophone and piano in the Netherlands. I have a number of large competitions lined up including one that may result in a short performance at Carnegie Hall."
He adds, "I'll also be registering to perform at NASA's (North American Saxophone Alliance) Region 9 Conference in Vancouver this year. I also am in the process of making engagements to perform as a soloist on piano with the Manitoba Chamber Winds."
While his summer stay in North Battleford will be cut short because of some performing engagements, before he leaves for the school year, he wants to present some music to the public.
"Jaya will be joining me for the Bach and Grieg concerto in addition to the four-handed sonata. We'll have the day before to prepare our parts together, but it is not uncommon in this line of work to have little to no time to prepare for a performance," says Knutson.
"I can think of many performances where I have had a few minutes of notice to sight-read with a performer."
One such recent performance was with a colleague at school, he says.
"I received a call about 1 a.m. saying her pianist cancelled and she had a full recital to prepare for the following day and she was in need of a pianist. I agreed to perform with her and the next day at 3 p.m. we did a full hour and 20 minutes of music! It was incredibly stressful and even more exhilarating!"
For the July 31 concert, he says, he and Hoy have the luxury of being able to practice their parts well beforehand.
"Putting them together will not be troublesome because we collaborate well with one another."
Now that he is away from his hometown most of the time, he looks back at the community with pride.
"Throughout my travels, I have come to learn that the support of the arts in the Battlefords is truly remarkable. The level of skill presented in all art forms is so incredibly strong here with the help of amazing teachers, donors, volunteers, and the community," says Knutson. "It makes me so incredibly proud to tell people I am from this city. I owe so much of who I am, and the strength of my passion for the arts to this community."
He adds, "At university I have learned many things – history of music and art, theoretical knowledge, abilities to be flexible, and the abilities to be the best I can be. These are merely a small number of important things I have learned as a student. One thing that has remained constant throughout my musical life that has been further enriched since attending post secondary is the importance of giving back.
“I have had such great fortune in the help I have received from my family, teachers, mentors, and the community. All of which without I would not be who I am today, doing what I love every day. So the least I can do is take the skills and knowledge I have acquired and apply it in a way that can show the community what they have invested in.
“This I do through performances in the Battlefords. It is the least I can do, and I strongly encourage members of the community to come and listen. Even if someone hasn't heard live classical music before, I strongly encourage anyone to attend because new experiences can change a person in even the smallest way."
The concert gets underway at 3 p.m. Admission is $20 with seniors being charged a discounted $15.
