This is a list of past concerts and workshops sponsored by the Comox Valley Piano Society. If you would like to see current and upcoming events, please visit our Events Page.

Kids Concert with Glen Montgomery Date: November 13, 2011 Time: 2:30pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College Glen Montgomery, while visiting the Valley, will be presenting a special concert designed for young students (ages 5- 14). Mr Montgomery will playing and talking about the music and lives of Bach, Schumann and Bartok as he performs the music that these composers actually wrote for their own children. This concert will be a wonderful introduction to classical music for the young listener and an inspiration to all young music students. (All tickets $10) Tickets for this concert are available through local music teachers or by contacting Donna 250-339-7782 or events@comoxvalleypianosociety.com Cost: $10

Glen Montgomery - Solo Concert Date: November 12, 2011 Time: 7:30pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College Glen Mongomery, leading Canadian concert pianist , returns to the Comox Valley. This year, Glen is bringing a colleague of his, Blaine Hendsbee, a lyric tenor. Both gentlemen reside in Lethbridge, Alberta where they are on the Faculty of Music at the University of Lethbridge. Glen Montgomery began his musical career on both piano and clarinet. By his early teens, he had decided to focus on the piano and began to excel on this instrument so that by the time he was sixteen, he had already made guest appearances with several of Canada’s major symphony orchestras. Since then Montgomery has given numerous recitals throughout the world. He made such and impression in the former Soviet Union that he was invited back to be a member of the jury at one of their international piano competitions. In Canada, he has been a frequent recitalist for the CBC radio, a favourite accompanist of several of this country’s great instrumental soloists, a popular adjudicator at music festivals and in great demand as a solo recitalist. Blaine Hendsbee, tenor, is heard regularly in opera, oratorio and art song recitals throughout Canada and the United States. He has a repertoire of more than 60 roles, which span the entire operatic repertoire. He has performed with most operatic companies across Canada as well as several New York premieres with The Centre for Contemporary Opera. This season he performed several art song recitals in the Atlantic Provinces, Manitoba the American Midwest and Florida, specializing in music from The British isles, as well as Schubert lieder and French melodies. Cost: $20 Adults

CVPS Year-End Recital Date: May 27, 2011 Time: 7:00pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre This is one of our most exciting concerts of the year! Students from various local music studios come and perform one of the pieces that they have prepared in their studies during the year. We, as their audience, get to celebrate with them as they show the product of their hard work and the time that they have put into practicing. This is also the time that we congratulate the winners of the CVPS Music Awards, the Shirley Fletcher Book Award and the Marie Josephine Richard Scholarship. (See Awards and Bursaries for more information) Cost: Free

Breaking Out of the Straight Jacket Date: April 2, 2011 Time: 1:30pm - 4:30am Location: Stan Hagen Theatre A workshop for classical teachers, students and tango lovers Order of Events: 1:30-2:00 local musicians perform 2:00- 4:00 Breaking out of the Straight Jacket 4:00- 4:30 Questions Workshop and Concert Opportunity: Linda Lee will perform a solo tango concert on Friday, April 1, 7:30 pm at the Stan Hagen Theatre. Attend both the concert and the workshop for $40. If you are traveling and would be interested in billeting, let us know. Linda Lee will speak about: - Freeing up our imaginations - Breaking the bonds that bind classical musicians - Encouraging ornamentation and improvisation (she will use both Baroque and tango to demonstrate) - Making your own arrangements - What is perfection? Some materials will be provided. For further information about the workshop or Linda Lee Thomas, please see www.lindaleethomas.com OR call Donna Griffiths at 250-339-7782 dgriffiths@shaw.ca Cost: $30

Linda Lee Thomas - "The Queen of Tango" Date: April 1, 2011 Time: 7:30pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre Although Linda Lee Thomas has worked in the classical field for many years, the principal pianist of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for 38 years, the Artistic Director of Masterpiece Music Chamber Music Series for 17 years, her passion has become the music and dance of Argentina - the Tango. Once Linda Lee began to explore the music and dance of Argentina - the tango, she was hooked. She has performed and recorded with Argentine bandoneonists Daniel Binelli and Nestor Marconi. She has her own Tango Trio - Tangissimo featuring Ed Henderson on guitar and Miles Foxx Hill on bass. They have played to thousands in live concerts, broadcasts and recordings. Their CD, Tangissimo Live, was chosen as one of the best releases of 2002 by Radio Canada's Espace Musique. In 2006, Tangissimo was taken to Buenos Aires by Infinity Films to shoot a documentary "Chasing the Tango High" which has aired several times on Bravo TV. Every year, Ms. Thomas leads tours to her beloved Argentina called the "Insiders Tour of Buenos Aires" The spring of 2008 saw the release of her first solo piano tango album entitled "Tango Magic". She is in constant demand as a solo tango artist. In 2000, she was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions to the industry. While in the Comox Valley, Ms Thomas will be conducting a workshop for senior music students, piano teachers and interested public on Saturday, April 2 1:00 - 4:00. Entitled "Freeing the Performer." Ms Thomas will be using classical music as well as the tango to demonstrate how to gain more freedom in the music that you perform. For more information on the workshop, please see "Workshops" below. Cost: Adults $20, Seniors $18, Students $10

Eleonore Krullaarts Date: March 6, 2011 Time: 3:00pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre Eleonore Krullaarts has performed for the Piano Society several times in the past, but this season she will present a program of popular classics in "Music I Love". Come and hear the tunes that we all love from composers Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin. Born in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Eleonore Krullaarts, began playing piano at the age of 5 and made her debut as a pianist at the age of 7. After grammar school, she went on to study piano in the Conservatory of Utrecht graduating with a Masters Degree in Music. Ms.Krullaarts embarked on an international career; giving solo recitals and appearances with orchestras in Holland, France, West and Eastern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the USA and Canada. Eleonore now resides in the Comox Valley where she has been based since 1989. Between preparing for performances, concert recitals and essay writing, Eleonore manages to find time for her other artistic interests: water colour painting, exploring art exhibitions, and studying energy medicine. Last year, she graduated as a Certified Archetypal Counsellor. Cost: Adults $18, Seniors $16, Students $10

Glen Montgomery Date: November 14, 2010 Time: 3:00pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre Glen Montgomery, one of Canada's leading concert pianists, returns to the Comox Valley for a solo concert. This year Mr. Montgomery will be bringing a program that spans two centuries in what he has titled "1810-1910-2010". This year is the 200th anniversary of the births of both Chopin and Schumann and he will perform works by both composers - 1810. 1910 will be represented by works by Samuel Barber who was born in that year. And finally, 2010 is represented by a recent composition of the performer. Glen Montgomery made his professional debut on stage at the age of 16 with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Since that time he has led a very busy professional life performing from Iceland to Japan, throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. He has performed with the symphonies of Calgary, Edmonton, CBC, Winnipeg, Toronto, La Jolla (San Diego) and Cincinnati. Glen has recorded more than 50 broadcasts for the CBC - both radio and television. Currently, Mr. Montgomery resides in Lethbridge, Alberta where he is on faculty at the University of Lethbridge. During every visit Glen has offered workshops and private lessons to many local piano students. Again this year, he will be presenting workshops and lessons in both Campbell River and the Comox Valley. How fortunate we are in the Comox Valley to have a performer of the quality of Mr Montgomery concertize here annually for over 25 years! Cost: Adults $20, Seniors $18, Students $10

Kids & Music- The Story of Mozart Date: October 3, 2010 Time: 3:00pm Location: Stan Hagen Theatre PLEASE NOTE: There will be two concert times: 3:00pm & 4:30pm This year's children's performance brings Mozart and his music to life. Two young actor/musicians will portray Mozart: Christian Taylor - the young Mozart and Connor Lucas - the older Mozart. Both will be in period dress. Connor in his portrayal of the maestro will weave a story of the life of Mozart and introduce his young audience to Mozart's music, as played by local professional musicians. The musical line-up is impressive - all musicians that you know and have enjoyed hearing in community programs: Megan Skidmore, returning home from teaching at the Powell River Academy, will join with local baritone Chris Belamy in the famous and hilarious duet by Papageno and Papagena from Magic Flute. In the orchestra, will be Erik Taynen, piano; Blaine Waldbauer and Gemma Donn, violins; Ron Edinger, cello; Betsy Edinger, double bass; Alissa Fissette, flute; Brock Lupton, clarinet; Dan Lehton and Daphne Stuart, bassoons; Yolanda Lehton, French horn. These instruments will be heard in various combinations as they perform excerpts of popular Mozart tunes. This concert has been designed for the young listener, but will be enjoyed by all ages. This is an opportunity for you to introduce children to classical music. The concert is priced for the entire family to attend with all tickets at $5. There will be two concert times: 3:00 pm & 4:30pm (A reminder that the first Kids & Music concert sold out both programs, so don't delay getting your tickets.) Tickets are available at the usual outlets and also at local music studios. Cost: $5

CVPS Recital Date: June 4, 2010 Time: 7:30pm Students from local music studios will showcase their years' study. Come help them celebrate their musical successes this year. CV Piano Society Bursaries, The Marie Josephine Richard Piano Scholarship and the new Music Book Award (in memory of long-time member Shirley Fletcher) will be presented. This is a free concert. Cost: $0

Young Artist's Concert with Nathan Schmidt and Hannah Anderson Date: May 7, 2010 Time: 7:30pm Both Nathan and Hannah call the Comox Valley home. Both attended school here and have families still living in the area. Both left the Valley to continue their piano studies. Nathan is now in Calgary teaching and accompanying at the University of Calgary. He convocated in October from the University of Lethbridge, with a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Piano Performance and Composition. Last year, Hannah was a recipient of a CVPS Piano Bursary and selected from the local festival to compete in piano classes at the provincials. Hannah is currently in her first year of music studies at the University of Victoria. Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 students

Classic Blend Vocal Ensemble Date: February 6, 2010 Time: 7:30pm Classic Blend is a group of four classically trained singers who have been delighting audiences in many communities such as Kelowna, Coquitlam, White Rock and hometown Kamloops for four years. They have successfully combined classical music with folk, musical theatre, folk and spirituals and present their musical within the context of a story/stage set. The result has been fun for audiences as well as the performers, who describe their dynamic on stage as “generally playful.” Included in the group is mezzo-soprano Chris Krushel who moved from the Comox Valley six years ago. She was well known for her vocal performances and as a vocal teacher here for several years. Cost: $18 adult, $15 senior, $0 student (membership discounts apply)

Glen Montgomery Date: November 15, 2009 Time: 3:30pm A well known Canadian pianist and teacher based in Lethbridge, Alberta. He has been coming to the Comox Valley and performing a concert and student workshops for over twenty years. Glen has had a close relationship with CVPS over the years and is an honorary member of the society.

Teaching Piano by the Chording Method with Linda Gould Date: October 17, 2009 Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm Location: Huband Park Elementary School, 5120 Mottishaw Rd. Courtenay Give your students the tools to play both classical and contemporary music using the chording method. Teach yourself to play jazz charts. Add adult piano lessons to your studio. School keyboards will be available. If you would prefer to bring your own keyboard , please let us know. Cost: $60 ($50 for CVPS members)