Hello Everyone,
The difficult decision to close Cassa on-site programs for the summer of 2020 has been made. After the Stampede was cancelled, the city summer camps were cancelled, and the ruling that we can have no more than 15 people at an event until August 31st…the decision was basically made for us. This is our official announcement.
The Cassa board members and admin are working hard to apply for grants and are looking for government options for help. We will pilot some online courses this summer, so that is exciting. Our interdisciplinary programs will include: Pedagogy, Piano Masterclass, Jazz Piano, Piano, Musical Theatre, Songwriting, Playwriting/Creative Writing for two age groups and Business of the Arts.
Personally, I have to say that it must have been difficult for the Stampede to make that decision after 128 years or so, but I found this no less difficult, after 27.
Here’s to 2020 and to what becomes the new Cassa!
Sincerely,
Linda
An updated covid-19 message from Cassa Artistic Advisor, Janice Dahlberg
Dear Cassa Friends, We find ourselves in uncertain times due to COVID-19 and the changes rapidly happening in Canada. I share with you some thoughts about local Cassa summer programs and steps we are taking to assure the ongoing focus of our organization with our commitment to bringing events in musical arts enrichment to the community. We thank you for your past participation and send our best wishes to you for your good health and survival in these times of social distancing and isolation.
The Early Bird deadline has been extended from May 15 until June 15. Our mission and values are in alignment for summer 2020 with those imposed by Health Canada. Alternative online methods to reach you are underway as we explore creative possibilities and approaches. Please refer to the new web site for the most up to date information: www.cassamusicalarts.com.
Challenging times are here for all arts groups. We look forward to welcoming you to the traditional Cassa programs in virtual time. Change is necessary, but trust that it will be innovative thanks to our multi-talented team of instructors and administrators. Your support is vital to continuing Cassa summer sounds.
Sincerely yours,
Janice Dahlberg, Artistic Advisor
Covid-19: a message from Cassa President Linda Kundert
Hello Cassa Friends,
We are now in the middle of dealing with the reality of Covid-19, and everyone has been social distancing and doing their part. We, at Cassa, would like to express our concerns for you, and our best wishes to you, for continued good health while you handle your particular situation in your own way.
At the moment, we are waiting to see how these circumstances unfold. We have moved our early bird deadline to June 15th instead of May 15th, and we will make a decision in early June as to whether we go ahead with summer programs as we know them, or not.
In the meantime, we are working on some online offerings, so stay tuned for some wonderful opportunities with Cassa. We are committed to our ethical and high-level quality programming as we make the leap. We continue to support our participants and contractors, and we are concerned about you.
“Consider that your work through music awakens and stimulates the three greatest attributes of humankind — emotion, curiosity, and imagination — all the while opening the door to a sublime realm of beauty and a higher purpose for humanity.” (Peter Simon, President of the Royal Conservatory of Music)
The following is an article about the benefits of studying music, for your continued inspiration, and anticipation of a renewed future.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/your-brain-will-thank-you-for-being-a-musician/
Yours Truly,
Linda Kundert
Cassa President & Artistic Director
Cassa Piano Participant Satai Miller performed with Ambrose Orchestra in March!
Satai Miller, Cassa Piano participant, and student of Edwin Gnadt (2019 Cassa Piano clinician), performed Mozart’s piano concerto K. 595 with the Ambrose Orchestra in March! We are very proud of this tremendous accomplishment of one of our program participants, and wish her our heartfelt congratulations!
Save the date - Recital Announcement - Taryn Platter
Early Recital Announcement: Sweeter than Roses
On Friday May 22nd at 8pm, join us for a delightfully sweet recital in the beautiful setting of Hycroft Manor. The program, ranging from opera excerpts to newly composed songs, will be performed by three singers (Emma Jang, Nicole Koh, and Taryn Plater) with piano (Derek Stanyer), and harp (Hayley Farenholtz).
Stay tuned - tickets go on sale in late March!
2020 Cassa recital confirmed! Dr. Christopher Hahn plays the Waldstein!
July 19, 7 pm, St. Vladimir’s Cultural Centre. Buy tickets here.
Family (up to 7 people): $50
Adults: $20
Students and seniors: $15
Cassa is thrilled to announce that our annual recital will feature Dr. Christopher Hahn playing Beethoven’s magnificent Waldstein Sonata, as well as Louie’s I Leap Through the Sky with Stars. Cassa instructors will also be performing - TBA.
Tickets may be purchased at the door, or on our registration page here.
Cassa Grad Taryn Platter starring at UBC!
Taryn Platter is a former Cassa camper and assistant who is now doing remarkable things in UBC’s production of Mieczysław Weinberg’s Pasazerka (The Passenger). See a live recording here: https://nexuswebcast.mediasite.com/Mediasite/Play/4192c0e954474ee1a70125942e433f661d
The 2019 newsletter is here!
Our 2019 newsletter hot off the press! Click here to view or download!
Piano Clinician for 2020, Dr. Christopher Hahn
Dr. Christopher Hahn maintains a multifaceted career as pianist, adjudicator, clinician and author. He has been featured as a solo and collaborative artist throughout North America and Europe, and has performed in recital at Carnegie Hall—Weill Recital Hall, The Music Gallery in Toronto, and the Haydnsaal in Eisenstadt, Austria. He had the honor of performing for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the
Read moreViola Hutchinson Appointed to Board
Viola Hutchinson, who has worked with Cassa since 2011, has accepted the position of Cassa Secretary. We are pleased to welcome Viola to this position. She has been invaluable implementing our registration and our social media presentation since 2011.
In Passing, Dorothea Johanson
We lost our dear friend, colleague and teacher, Dorothea Johanson, on November 8th, 2019. Dorothea supported Cassa from its beginnings in 1993, first as a teacher sending students to the programs, then as a volunteer photographer and videographer, leading the field. Later, she became a popular instructor, and
Read moreOp-ed
Funding of music education has been on the decline for a very long time. According to the Coalition for Music Education, only about one-quarter of schools teach music as part of a
Read moreSpecial Acknowledgement of Janice Dahlberg and Dorothea Johanson
We want to recognize Janice Dahlberg and Dorothea Johansen who taught at Cassa Piano Camp and are teaching volunteers for CASSA Piano this year. The have both been with CASSA and Cassa Musical Arts for 25 years.