"None of us will live on this planet forever. I think some people live very intensely and burn very brightly during their time here. I think I am one of those people."
Canadian composer and musician Oliver Schroer wrote these words on his website last April, a year after being diagnosed with leukemia. He passed away on July 3 in Toronto.
Schroer's impact on the Coast's fiddling community has been enormous, and it promises to continue after his death. Schroer's playing appears on more than 100 albums of new, traditional, acoustic and popular music from various recording stars. He has composed more than 1,000 pieces, recorded eight CDs of his own and produced many albums, two of which have turned to gold. But beyond the discography, it is Schroer's unique and recognizable style that has truly inspired others, particularly youth.
"His music has influenced my writing," said Coast String Fiddler graduate James Law. "It's in every song I write."
The eighth annual SC Celtic Music School opened this week in Roberts Creek with classrooms jam-packed with musicians: adult harpists, young keyboard players, cellists, tall fiddlers and wee fiddlers. In the largest classroom, under the watchful eyes of instructors Harris Playfair and Iain Fraser, a group of teenagers, many of whom studied with Schroer in the past, are learning one of his songs, Square Dance in Soweto, as a tribute to play at this Saturday's Traditional Big Band concert at the Heritage Playhouse.
One of Schroer's special projects was dubbed The Twisted String - a select group of energetic young local fiddlers combined with another such group in Smithers who would perform in Schroer's multi-part compositions with him. In newly acquired colourful costumes, (Schroer thought their old outfits too drab), the String kids became a hit, playing many gigs around B.C., including opening the show at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in 2005.
"It was really exciting for us," remembers Twisted String member Sophie Heppell. "It was the biggest audience we'd ever seen."
The first generation of the Twisted String has moved on - mostly to further their musical education. And the torch has been passed. Gibsons' Chelsea Sleep studied under Schroer for the past six years and now teaches violin to the next generation. This year, she travelled back and forth to Toronto to visit her mentor while he was receiving treatment. She recalls her final wonderful day with Schroer.
"This past month for him was tough, but the last two days he was bright and chipper. He played his last concert on June 5 and it went off with a bang. The last tune he taught me is called Poised, which is exactly how he went," Sleep said.
In February, some of the first and second generation of Twisted String, now under Sleep's direction, travelled to Schroer's home in Toronto to be part of a benefit concert for him. Maya Broeke, Esme McClaughlin Brooks and Acacia Slingerland, currently studying at Celtic Music camp, have already played many gigs in Vancouver, Saltspring and Victoria as part of the newest String. They have gained an appreciation of the musician's style.
"It's not Scots or Irish," said Broeke. "It's Oliver."
Slingerland adds, "We're going to keep his music alive." The Twisted String, the second generation, will perform in honour of Schroer at the Sea Cavalcade opening ceremonies at 9 p.m. on July 25.
