Classical music has made a dramatic comeback in the world of functions and events. Once regarded as being “highbrow,” classical music is now appreciated for what it really always has been – good music which is entertaining, relaxing, full of beauty and charm.
Whether in the foreground or in the background, light classical music is always a perfect companion to special events. Some of the most popular classical music ensembles include: violin and cello duo; flute and cello duo; string quartet; flute, violin, cello trio; solo classical guitar; oboe, violin and cello trio; flute and classical guitar; solo piano; singers and Rhapsody Quintet (violin, piano, cello, bass, clarinet).
Classical musicians are highly trained professionals with many years of performing experience. Many of the performers represented by Walt Music are members of Symphony Nova Scotia, the only Canadian professional symphony orchestra east of Quebec. The musicians are as comfortable and experienced in wedding repertoire as they are in concert pieces.
Classical music is usually performed without amplification in a concert setting, but can be amplified depending on the nature of your event. Singers and choral ensembles can join in for all or part of your function. Salon music (waltz, tango, e.g.) is also available for dancing.
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Bob Sutherby has been a performer and teacher for over 25 years. At age 11 he took up trombone for the school band, but got really serious about music after discovering guitar at age 15.
Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Bob gained a reputation on the east coast as a versatile electric guitarist, eventually performing/recording with Kim Stockwood, The Gravel Pit Campers, Roger Howse, Jody Richardson, Chad Richardson, Great Big Sea, Billy and the Bruisers and The Janet Cull Band among others, as well as opening for various well-known Canadian acts such as The Tragically Hip and Spirit of the West. (more…)
Originally from Montréal and working in the Maritimes since 1980, Michel Cardin has gained international recognition as a teacher, performer, musicologist and producer. He is currently full professor of guitar and lute at the Department of Music of the University of Moncton (Canada), with a PhD equivalence status, and has made 12 compact discs of solo Baroque lute music. This series of recordings, consisting for the most part of world premieres, is dedicated to The London Manuscript by Silvius Leopold Weiss (1686-1750), the undisputed master of the instrument. (more…)
Ken was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and lived in Ottawa for eighteen years before returning to Nova Scotia. Since age 14, Ken has been a musician and pursued early musical training and practical experience. Just a few orchestral engagements include: the National Arts Centre Orchestra, CBC orchestras under the direction of Ron Milne, Champ Champagne, Bert Carriere, CJOH Television, ATV Halifax, CBC Halifax Music Maritimes producer Jack Sorenson.
As a composer, Ken has written several film and radio scores: “Fanyan The Wizard” (Steven Freygood), “The Medium Gets The Message” (Robert Mariner), “Moses Cody” (NFB), “Tara’s Mulch Garden” (NFB), “Just One of The Boys” (NFB), “The Plot Thickens” (NFB). (more…)
“… one of our finest interpreters of contemporary keyboard music…”
(William Littler – The Toronto Star)
“…astonishing…”
(Stephen Pedersen – The Halifax Chronicle-Herald)
Barbara Pritchard lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she works as a freelance pianist. Her solo career is focused on the interpretation of music from the 20th and 21st centuries. She has released three critically acclaimed solo CDs and has won recognition for her commitment to Canadian music. (more…)
Soprano Sung Ha Shin-Bouey is prize winner of several international vocal competitions, including the Britten Prize in England, the Francisco Vi as in Spain and European finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti Competition in Italy. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from University of Toronto. Her post-graduate studies include an Honours Opera Diploma from the University of Toronto, Master of Music in Performance from University of Victoria, intensive studies at the Banff School of Fine Arts and the Britten-Pears School of Music for Advanced Studies in England, and her career development studies in England, Italy, and Germany which were funded by the generous support from the Ontario and Canada Council Arts Grants. (more…)
Born in Quebec City, oboist Suzanne Lemieux obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Ottawa, a Masters degree from the University of Michigan and studied in Paris and Lausanne with assistance from the Canada Council. Ms. Lemieux was a member of the Calgary Philharmonic and the Victoria Symphony before joining Symphony Nova Scotia in 1986. She taught oboe and chamber music at the University of Victoria and is currently on faculty at Dalhousie University. (more…)
The Halifax Chronicle-Herald has described guitarist Douglas Reach as “one of the finest talents in the country” and enthusiastic audiences throughout North America readily agree.
Douglas Reach has performed across Canada and the United States as both soloist and in chamber music settings. His performances have been heard regularly on CBC radio and television. (more…)
Concert pianist Peter Allen has continually delighted audiences with his power and poetry as a pianist, composer, teacher and conductor. With two solo CD’s to his credit, Peter has a new one in the works including the Brahms Handel Variations and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. He is currently Professor of Piano at Dalhousie University’s Department of Music. Also an active composer, he accepts commissions, most notably by CBC for a piano concerto called “Hurricane Juan”, premiered by Symphony Nova Scotia with Peter as soloist on September 2008 in Halifax. He had the honour of being the only music finalist for the 2006 N.S. Lieutenant Governor’s Masterworks Award for his orchestral work Variations on the Halifax Explosion. As a pianist, he is often heard on CBC regional and national radio. (more…)
Described as a flutist with a lovely tone, a fine sense of phrasing and natural musicality, Patricia Creighton is currently Principal Flutist with Symphony Nova Scotia, a position she has held for 20 years.
As a chamber and orchestral artist, she has performed with such distinguished artists as Julius Baker, Robert Cram, Victor Yampolsky, Isaac Stern, Maureen Forrester, the late William Tritt, Peter Bowman, Steven Dann, Fred Sherry, Malcolm Lowe, Erica Goodman, Anton Kuerti, Peter Allen, Jeanne Lamon, Georg Tintner, Simon Streatfeild, Mario Bernardi, Grant Llewelyn, Denise Djokic, and many others. She is a regular guest artist with the Scotia Festival of Music and most Nova Scotian concert series and with the New Brunswick Music Festival. She has performed across Canada, in the United States and in Germany, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, and Mexico. (more…)
Karen Rokos began her harp studies in her native city of San Diego, California. After only two years of study, she won the position of Principal Harp with the internationally acclaimed San Diego Youth Symphony. She continued her studies in college with Marjorie Call at the University of Redlands where she was awarded membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, a music scholarship society. Karen completed her formative studies with internationally renown harpist Susann McDonald at Indiana University, where she finished her Bachelor’s Degree and earned a Master’s Degree, both in Harp Performance. She graduated with distinction from Indiana University in 1986. (more…)
