Amazing was the word of the week at the 13th annual Coast School of Celtic Music (CSCM) held at Roberts Creek July 8 to 12.
"It was amazing. It was amazing weather, students, volunteers and sponsors," said Ann Law, one of the organizers, at the July 12 in-house afternoon performance.
The show featured a brief number from each of the classes, including half of the school's popular Trad Band class, teenagers with talent learning under an annual import from Scotland, Iain Fraser, and home grown musician James Law. The other band members were busy rehearsing for a Saturday public performance in Powell River.
Piano teacher Roxanna Sabir also used the word amazing to describe the week and her keyboard students.
"Everyone came in at a different level of knowledge, but by the end of the week all of them had achieved a higher standard," she said.
Sabir was assisted by enthusiastic Coast resident Anneke Bonser, recently graduated from an online high school, who hopes to continue with her piano music. Bonser is proud that she's one of the second generation of Coast String Fiddlers (the third generation is currently performing in Bad to the Bow) and she's helping pass on knowledgeto the younger kids. Since the Friday concert included Fiddles and Skittles, a mob of the littlest group of performers, some scarcely bigger than their violins, it's certain that there will be a fourth generation of the fiddlers too.
All ages attended camp - adult participants joined in with the fiddle class from Ivonne Hernandez and choir with Mairi Campbell.
"If you take choir with Mairi you know in your heart you can sing," said Law, speaking of the Scottish vocalist and musician who led the group. Christine Hanson and her cello class showed how the classical music instrument could perform when playing traditional Scottish music.
"One of the best things about this school," Sabir said, "is that we get to collaborate with so many different artists."
Last year's bluegrass instructor added a new element to her music, and this year the piano collaboration with the beginners' fiddle class has given both groups a boost.
The popular wrap up concert on Friday evening drew an almost full house to Sechelt's Rockwood Pavilion to hear the professionals show off. Even though they had limited rehearsal time and space, they did not disappoint.
Hanson and her cello were on stage most of the evening demonstrating her versatility by accompanying the others. Gordon Stobbe, another CSCM regular, shared his vast knowledge of Canadian folk tunes. Law and long-time friend Graeme McGillivray had a chance to play together again; on one occasion they performed with pianist Emily Wood, home for the summer before returning to jazz piano studies in Montreal in the fall.
Sunshine Coast violinist Serena Eades, who taught a fiddle class, looked elegant and poised as she performed one of her own lovely compositions.
Craig McGregor dazzled with guitar and a new fresh face from Scotland, Rona Wilkie, was a hit with her charming voice and stage presence. Wilkie and Campbell together were a musical team.
More about the school can be found at www.coastcelticmusic.com.
