Two young musicians from the Battlefords who are pursuing degrees at the University of Manitoba will be hosting a local concert this month.
Cole Knutson and Jean van der Merwe will present Whither Must I Wander at Third Avenue United Church Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
"We are both very excited to get involved again in the arts community in the Battlefords for the first time in quite a while," says Knutson. "After so much has changed in our lives it will be very interesting performing again in the same hall that we have performed in many times before."
They chose Third Avenue as their venue because it "has always felt like a musical home and so it feels right to perform there once again."
Knutson is pursuing a saxophone performance degree, which he plans to follow up with a master's degree in collaborative performance.
Van der Merwe is going into his third year at the University of Manitoba and is pursuing a classical music degree in vocal performance. Over the past couple of years he has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony orchestra in Handel's Messiah and Haydn's Creation as a part of the University of Manitoba Singers. Recently he performed in both The Pirates of Penzance as a part of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Winnipeg and Life's Lyrics, an original musical debuting in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
Van der Merwe says he is looking forward to his final two years of his degree and the recitals and performances yet to come.
Knutson says one of the main pieces they will be performing is Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel, which depict the story of a wanderer and his encounters throughout life and beyond. One of the nine movements is titled Whither Must I Wander?, which is the name they chose for their concert.
"We chose this name because over the last few years Jean and I have travelled all over the world because of our careers and in a certain way we feel like the wanderer that is described through the words and music of the piece," says Knutson. "To me, there are a lot of sentimental feelings that are attached to the piece itself and it is a real staple in the baritone repertoire, so it is only natural that we put it on the program."
This concert has come about for several reasons, including his experiences as a student of pianist Jaya Hoy.
Knutson explains, "A really large part of my musical upbringing with Jaya was not only to practice and perform in festival. Jaya has always stressed that attending concerts is not only good for the musical mind, but it is a great way to meet people, share a common passion and, most importantly, to have fun. When Jaya moved to town she started doing recitals in our area and she always encouraged me to attend and even help out if I could."
His university experience also plays a part in wanting to put on a concert in his home town.
"When I started school at the University of Manitoba, I found myself completely immersed in the arts. Every day I either saw myself doing things like attending recitals, going to art galleries and seeing theatre performances," says Knutson. "Coming back to the Battlefords from this amazing year I thought it would be a great idea to apply some of the wonderful knowledge and skills that I have acquired and perform in my home town as a homage to my wonderful mentors and the community which has always been truly supportive throughout my development."
Initially Knutson had planned to do a number of recitals on saxophone, which is the instrument of his major, but he found himself busy with travelling, especially since he was performing with the World Youth Wind Orchestra as part of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensemble’s annual conference in California in July.
"I have been very busy travelling and performing so those plans unfortunately fell through," he said.
One of those plans was to do a concert in North Battleford with Hoy, but she is currently out of the country,
"As a result, I was put in a position; don’t do a recital this summer, or find someone who would be willing to collaborate and put on a great show."
He decided to give van der Merwe a ring and ask him if he would be up for singing in a concert with him.
"I thought of Jean because we go to school together, he is a former North Battleford resident, he has a truly awe-inspiring voice, and I love the repertoire for the baritone voice."
Knutson will be his accompanist.
"Quite often people forget that I am both a saxophonist and a pianist. Right now I am pursuing a saxophone performance degree but I have full intent to get a master’s in Collaborative Piano," says Knutson. "As a matter of fact, if the funds are available I have some engagements scheduled next spring and summer as a collaborative pianist performing in Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdome and Switzerland with a European trombonist."
He and van der Merwe decided to do a recital together performing works by Bellini and Brahms, and more famous works like the aforementioned Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel.
"We also decided to add some solo piano pieces for some variety," says Knutson.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Admission will be $15 for youth and adults, and $10 for seniors, which is 60 years and older.
