Canadian National Conservatory of Music

"Lemonade Through a Straw" by Nancy Telfer sets the stage for an inviting picnic complete with 'slurping' lemonade through a straw! This triple metre character piece is dance-like but relaxed. The use of the damper pedal and changing registers paint a dreamy sound picture - relaxed and lazy - perfect for sipping Lemonade Through A Straw. The piece is played here with panache by Evan Raes. https://youtu.be/-b5-GNIyYdY Don't forget to subscribe to the CNCM YouTube channel!

The weather is getting warmer and it's time for another Picnic! "Lazy Afternoon" by Debra Wanless is just that - lazy, relaxed and the perfect afternoon for a picnic. The left hand plays a 'cool' ostinato in detached style while the right hand just freely 'noodles' around on the blues scales. The 'Lazy Swing' doesn't rush - image you are lolling around on a lovely picnic blanket on a warm summer day. https://youtu.be/VUfEL7vkbmc... Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

It's here -- The Digital Conference Program is live! cfmta.org//resourc/conference/Conference_Program_Final.pdf Read all about the speakers, presenters, clini...cians/adjudicators, business/organizations and competitors who will make Connecting Canada an opportunity to enhance our nation's reputation as fostering a musical mosaic. See more

Our next series of videos is themed as Picnic Time! As we look to the summer in this time of pandemic, joining together outside in the warmth has never seemed more inviting or important. Spreading a blanket or setting a picnic table with all our favourite dishes, playing a game of frisbee or throwing a tennis ball to our four legged friends--these are memories that stay with us. Warm sun, squeals of laughter, grass tickling our toes. "In Golden Meadows" by Judith Snowdon ...is an enchanting, pop ballad with a relaxed and syncopated melody. The ascending left hand arpeggios create the sense of a gentle breeze flowing over the beautiful golden meadow - perfect for a relaxed summer picnic. https://youtu.be/CK0fZF5TYEI See more

April is in full swing, complete with swings of weather as spring teases us with the full rainbow of Canadian weather. Whether you are still pulling up your coat collar or leaving that coat at home we are look to warmer weather and lighter times. "One April Evening" by Marco Burak (written one April evening) is a gentle ABA mood piece. The slow A section is very reflective with an evolving melodic line which gives way to a bright and quick B section. One April Evening is a ...charming work - an ideal performance piece! https://youtu.be/5Q87Azm_RBo Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Happy Easter from CNCM! "Hand-Painted Eggs" by Debra Wanless is a charming piece with a pentatonic melody written in compound metre. The damper pedal is held throughout to create the shimmer and sparkle of the 'wobbly' little jewels! Stay safe and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.... https://youtu.be/m9_KdEfrB00

Imagine you are in Roblin, Manitoba right now! "Spring in Roblin" by Wendy Wright was not only written in spring but it also captures the melting snow, the dripping water and small streams changing into puddles of springtime. This lovely character piece paints a picture of bright days, ever changing images and the blossoming of a new season. https://youtu.be/ZcbVpd4_MyM... We hope you enjoy this taste of spring and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

It's officially the first day of spring, and while that can look quite different depending on where you live across our vast country, we hope at least the spirit of the season will lift your hearts. "Spring Song (now with artificial birds!)" by Michael Dobinson is an absolutely delightful contemporary work dreaming of trees bursting into leaf, greens shoots popping up, the birth of new animals and fresh beginnings. The freedom of the bird songs are of special significance - r...eturning after a long Canadian winter and signaling the arrival of spring! https://youtu.be/wzpANy1jSpM Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Spring is coming a little early this year as we begin our new series of videos on the theme to mark St. Patrick's day: "When Green Leaves Dance" by Nancy Telfer captures the irregular movement of green leaves dancing in the breeze through the use of irregular metre. The green leaves dance and ripple across the keyboard in this colourful, dreamy and absolutely charming piano solo, played here with style by Sofie Lanthier.... https://youtu.be/cegC7w1r7KA Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A smile for your day!

Getting to know Christopher Norton Christopher Norton (born June 22, 1953) was born in New Zealand and is a British pianist and composer. Norton obtained a degr...ee in music from the University of Otago in 1974. He taught music in Wellington high schools, worked as a composer-in-schools for a year, and then freelanced as a composer, arranger and pianist. How would you describe yourself? A music fan who composes. What makes you smile? Seeing my grandchildren on my computer screen (and even better in real life) What scares you the most? Losing my (excellent) health Are you a bathroom singer? As it happens, no. What type of music do you like to play the most? Classical (Beethoven mid-period sonatas) and 20th century (Ginastera, Shostakovitch, Ravel, Prokofiev) What type of music do you like to write the most? Popular music for students, ideally late intermediate in standard Do you have time to just noodle around and play for yourself or is it always work right now? I do have time to noodle around but most of the time the noodling leads to a composition! How do you describe what you do professionally? Writing music to be enjoyed by young performers all over the world. Are you doing today what you dreamed of when you were young? I really am - I’ve been a composer full-time since 1980 but I always thought, from probably the age of 16, that I would like to write music for a living. How did you get here? By writing what I liked the sound of and combining a diverse range of influences (concert piano, playing in bands, working in studios) into a distinctive style that I can call my own. I’m living the dream, helped by the love and support of my wife, who is a fine published composer herself. How do you describe what you do professionally? I conceive of projects and then write them, often (like Connections and Microjazz) starting with piano books and extending them into other areas - violin and piano, recorder ensemble, wind sextet, classical guitar, lever harp. I have also, along with my wife, written 30 short musicals for schools. What advice do you have for someone who wants are career doing what you do (or hope to do!)? Write what you know and try to write every day - treat it like a job of work, but enjoy all of it as you are doing it. Where do you think you will be after 25 years? Since I am 67, I would expect to be retired at best! https://www.pianozonementors.com/mentors

Loving my time examining with Canadian National Conservatory of Music. From Kelowna BC to rural Saskatchewan, I enjoyed hearing 100s of pieces from students of ...all ages. Thanks to CNCM, teachers, and students for being so organized and for working together for a smooth way forward during this time of COVID. Learning and growing in music together :) https://www.cncm.ca/

Just in time to celebrate Canada Day! Also available at debrawanless.com

I have never been more proud of CNCM, Canadian National Conservatory of Music. The piano exams were done through Skype, due to COVID, with the examiner in Ontar...io. The exams yesterday (Gavin and Evan) and today (Caleb and Owen) ran smoothly, and get this.... marks back the SAME day. Wow!!!! CNCM, you have really outdone yourself this year. It was an exciting day for the kids to officially move into the next level. A huge thanks to Tenley Dyck for teaching the kids, they couldn’t do it without you.