It has been 15 years since Nancy Watt, artistic director of St. Albert Chamber Music Society, sat down with the late Don Vaugeois, owner of Don’s Piano Place and local music philanthropist, and tossed around the idea of hosting the occasional chamber music recital.
Initially, after the first season, Watt wasn’t sure a second season would emerge. However, 15 years later, the determined little group that could has added a much-appreciated musical dimension to the city. In celebration of its landmark season, the chamber music society will host six world-class concerts.
“I keep coming back to being grateful it was embraced by the community from the get-go. And for the support we received from private sponsors and the board,” said Watt. “I hope we survive another 15 years. My reward is to see happy people moved by the music and leave with smiles on their faces.”
She added chamber music’s appeal lies in how it emotionally connects to listeners.
“People are moved by classical music whether it’s joy or sorrow. It’s connected to human emotions. And there’s the intimacy. You are up close and can see musicians sweat. You see the finger work. You come away with feeling connected because the sound is so present.”
Pauline McCormick and her partner have attended concerts since the society presented them on the upper floor of Don’s Piano Place in Riel Park.
“We love classical music and were members of Edmonton Symphony. But every time they had a concert we had to drive there and back. Then Nancy gave us the same opportunity to support concerts at home with the same expertise. It was a no-brainer to support St. Albert,” said McCormick.
A former registered nurse, her career spanned several decades working at Royal Alexandra Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital in intensive care units dealing with transplant and dialysis patients.
She made a parallel shift to Alberta Health, formulating health policy “that nobody wanted to hear because it wasn’t politically correct.” She described the work as “very destructive to the soul.”
Music was her salvation. She would jump in the car and turn on CBC classical or listen to Nana Mouskouri just to get home after work.
“Classical music brings peace. We are surrounded by loud music and big concerts. For us, chamber music brings peacefulness to the heart and to the soul.”
McCormick and the chamber society’s many followers can replenish their energy when things kick off Oct. 20 with cellist Luka Coetzee and pianist Susanne Ruberg-Gordon.
“Luka is originally from Calgary and performed here in 2018 as part of Three Sisters Cello Trio. She went to Europe to study and has acquired an agent and signed with a record label. Luka has persevered in a solo career and has won quite a few prestigious competitions. She’s a rising star,” said Watt.
The Ednova String Quartet, performing Nov. 24, blends the talents of four incredible Edmonton Symphony Orchestra musicians: violinists Anita Walsh and Buon Park, violist Clayton Leung, and cellist Meran Currie-Roberts.
“Clayton has performed with us before. He has a big easy-going smile but when he plays, he’s very focused and very expressive. Meran is very talented and plays with Alberta Baroque Ensemble. Buon Park is new and joined the ESO in 2023. She was originally from Korea and studied at the Glen Gould School of Music in Toronto. And Anita also joined the ESO in 2022,” Watt said.
Violinist Robert Uchida, concertmaster of ESO, takes centre stage along with French horn player Allene Hackleman and pianist Sarah Ho on Feb. 9, 2025.
“Robert’s playing is so virtuosic, dynamic, captivating and exciting. I think he’s one of Canada’s finest musicians. Robert has been hard to book because of his busy schedule, but this concert came about through Sarah. They will play Brahms’ Horn Trio. It’s a beautiful piece with a beautiful melody packed with emotion.”
Perennial favourites Top Notes Flute Quartet take the audience through a varied program of light and breezy tunes on March 1. The new grouping is composed of Petar Dundjerski, Elizabeth Faulkner, Elizabeth Koch and Sarah Pollard, who replaced Shelley Young,
“The last time they performed with us, they played a variety of music, and it was very entertaining. There were some slow-movement pieces as well as faster pieces. It was a fun afternoon.”
Violinist Vladimir Rufino and violist Fabiola Amorim partner with violinist Frank Ho on May 4 to play a set of Antonín Dvorák and Zoltan Kodály compositions.
“Vladimir and Fabiola moved back from Victoria, and this is a bit of a welcome back. They recorded a CD this spring and I believe they intend to play music from it.”
As an additional bonus, St. Albert composer-pianist Michael Massey will perform a special solo fundraising concert on June 1.
All concerts take place at St. Albert United Church on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $40. A season package of five concerts ranges from $40 to $160. Michael Massey’s fundraising concert is priced from $15 to $40. Tickets are available at Eventbrite or in person at Musée Heritage Museum.
