LJYO in the News

April 22, 2008

Violinist marks nine years in Orchestra with ‘Sonic Bloom’ concert.

      The “Sonic Bloom” concert is always a special occasion for the members of La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra, but this season’s finale is extra special for Garrett Shannon.
     The eighteen-year-old violinist from Cobourg has played with Port Hope-based LJYO for all nine years of the Orchestra’s existence, but he is heading off to Durham College to study chemical engineering next year, so “Sonic Bloom” represents his last full concert with the group.
     At least five other members are also graduating and moving on. Flutist Alicia Stroobach of Cobourg, trombonist Ian McKeown of Cobourg, clarinettist Carina Canonico of Courtice, violinist David Shewchuk of Bowmanville, and cellist Emily Karpazis of Oakwood, are all planning college or university studies that will take them away from LJYO next year.
     The departure of several leading players each spring makes recruitment a perennial challenge, so the Orchestra holds auditions in June and again in September.
     Garrett Shannon can still remember his first audition. He was in grade 5 when he first heard that a new group was starting an orchestra in the area. “I was worried that I wasn’t good enough, because I heard they would be playing some really difficult pieces,” he recalls, “but they encouraged me to give it a try.” He auditioned, and he was accepted.
     Since that time, he says, every season has had many high points. “Rehearsals are fun because of the social aspects,” he says, adding that “I never would have gotten to know many of my friends if I hadn’t joined the Orchestra.”
     LJYO also goes on several field trips each year, to perform and to hear other orchestras perform. These trips offer lots of opportunities to get to know other students.
     On concert day, “it’s all business -- but at the same time it’s really fun to hear all the pieces played right through,” Garrett says.
     This year’s “Sonic Bloom” concert includes a typically ambitious programme. Major works on the bill include Carl Maria von Weber’s “Oberon Concerto”, “Espana” by Emmanuel Chabrier, and “Night on Bald Mountain” by Modest Mussorgsky.
     Garrett notes that all three are challenging pieces to play, but each is enjoyable to listen to in its own way. In particular, he says, “Night on Bald Mountain” is a favourite of Orchestra members.
     The “Sonic Bloom” concert is Sunday May 4 at 3 pm, at the Port Hope United Church. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors or students, or $40 for a family of four, available at 1-866-460-5596, online at www.ljyo.ca, and at the box offices of Victoria Hall in Cobourg and Capitol Theatre in Port Hope.