Members of the Baril family gathered at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre last Sunday evening (Nov. 9) to honour the late Louise Baril, on the 25 year anniversary of her death.
Baril was actively involved in the arts, sang in a choir and was particularly fond of music. After her passing, the family set up the Louise Baril Memorial Music Award in her memory, and over the years many local musicians have benefited from it.
Past Sunshine Coast Arts Council president Bruce Milne opened the ceremony, introducing Louise’s sister, Suzanne Baril, who spoke about the award. She described how several of its recipients have gone on to professional careers, notably Beth Buono who sings with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Patricia Hammond whose vocal career blossomed in England.
Baril hopes to raise more money for an endowment fund that will assure the bursary’s continuation. She’s aiming at $10,000, she told the crowd, and they have already raised $5,550 for the award.
The 2012 Baril award winner, Michele Satanove, performed on her cello with Patricia Greenfield’s piano accompaniment. After a Vivaldi piece, Satanove played a charming, delicate piece from a Canadian composer, Imant Raminsh, called Juniper and Pine.
The Seacoast Chamber Players were active when Louise was alive, and they had played at her memorial. When they met again on Sunday evening, several accomplished singers and teachers performed: musicians Kathleen Hovey, Michelle Bruce and Carolyn Mitchell with Jo Hammond and Shelley Dillon on vocals. Paula Seward performed on piano and the Reflections Choir gathered once again to sing a cappella. Each member of the Baril family in attendance (there are 12 altogether although not all were present) introduced each performer in turn and said a few words.
When it came time to introduce this year’s Louise Baril Award winner, Katherine Johnston from the Arts Council’s board and a family member, Lucille Landry, both spoke eloquently about the recipient, Robyn Edgar, who is now attending college in Nelson and studying vocals. Edgar hopes to go on to Berklee in Boston with a scholarship.
Edgar is the whole package — she has a lovely voice, plays piano and has a confident stage presence. She sang Autumn Leaves then turned her attention to a Baril family favourite, originally sung by Maurice Chevalier: “Every little breeze seems to whisper Louise.”
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council administers to the award fund (www.scartscouncil.com). Donations are tax deductible.
