20172018 Chooi Brothers

Henderson-Kolk Duo

Proteus Saxophone Quartet

with pianist Philip Chiu

From a Facebook post of violinist Jasper Wood, Duo RendezvousPrairie Debut Touring Artists 2015-16

“Yesterday on our way back from Brandon to Winnipeg during our Prairie Debut tour, we stopped

in Carberry to perform an afternoon concert at a senior's residence. This morning I woke up to an

email from the daughter of woman who attended our performance.

This email sums up the reason both Daniel and I go out of way to bring our music to people who

don't always have the chance to get out to our concerts”

"Dear Jasper, I was at the Carberry Care Home yesterday and would like

to tell you how much my mom and I enjoyed your lovely music. We sat

in the front row and my mom kept her eyes closed most of the time.

She was not sleeping but listening to the beautiful music, she is blind

and finds it easier and more pleasant to listen with closed eyes. She

commented after how she wished she could have seen your faces to

see your expressions as you played, I told her you could tell from your

expressions how much your songs meant to you. Thank you so much

for coming to our small town and Care Home, this is music we very

rarely get to enjoy, and the residents who live there never get to enjoy

anymore.”

Canada Council

for the Arts

Conseil des Arts

du Canada

TheLloydCarr-HarrisFoundation

Prairie Debut is pleased to thank its generous funding partners.

20172018

And from the following individuals:

James Anagnoson Janelle Fung Susan NapperLynne Bailey Marguerite Gallaway Anne ReinhardtSusan Bailey Robin Hildebrand Agence Station BleueMichelle Boudreau Kevin Korchinski Andrew Kwan Artists Management Philip Chiu Che Anne Loewen Engaged Innovations Inc.Andrea Davsion Rachel Mercer

“The only organization of its kind in western Canada, Prairie Debut is the conduit that links mostly rural and outside the

the best Canadian classical and world music artists to over 50 communities which are larger centres in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Yukon.”

October, 2016

Welcome to Prairie Debut's 2017-2018 touring roster! Our 21st touring roster features three diverse

ensembles whose talent and dedication to classical music is truly inspiring. Each artist will share their unique

artistic voice and experiences with communities throughout Western Canada.

Prairie Debut is committed to bringing Canada's finest musicians to Western Canada's smaller communities.

In doing so, Prairie Debut contributes to community enrichment, audience growth and emerging artist

development. Since our first tour in 1997, Prairie Debut has taken 133 artists on 49 tours to 69 communities

throughout the Prairie Provinces and Yukon. With over 580 concerts plus hundreds of school shows and

workshops with community musicians, we have reached over 65,000 people. Our activities have an

incredible impact on Western Canada’s communities.

Working with communities across the Prairies, we continue to transform the lives of artists and audiences.

We see and feel the connection, the moments where music transcends and takes audiences on a journey

which only the arts can achieve. It is no wonder that, now entering our 2nd decade, we remain a vital part of

the music ecology and we are grateful to be partners with all of the arts councils and concert series of all

sizes. And of course, complementing the public performances, Prairie Debut sees of equal value the

numerous school concerts occur each season. These evens are often the first exposure to classical music for

many school children...and they love it!

Prairie Debut is determined to remain a part of your community’s artistic vision. We will persevere in

providing the best in Canadian classical and world music to the Prairies, and to nurturing the growth and

development of emerging Canadian artists across our amazing country.

We wish you the very best of the 2016-2017 season.

Lynne BaileyExecutive Director, Prairie Debut

CHOOIBROTHERSwith PHILIP CHIUTwo Violins with Piano

Brothers Nikki and Timothy Chooi are united by a profound understanding and genuine passion for the violin, which

renders their musical union extraordinarily rich. Together, they have an intrinsic musical partnership that makes their duo

artistry unique and interesting. The Edmonton Journal describes their performance as a “beauty of colour and tone...the

Chooi brothers certainly provided that.”

Nikki Chooi was recently appointed one of the world's most prestigious violin posts, Concertmaster of The Metropolitan

Opera Orchestra, a position he begins in August 2016. His playing has been described as “richly expressive and technically

assured” (Calgary Herald) and “vigorous and colorful” (New York Times). As First Prize Winner of the 2013 Michael Hill

International Violin Competition, Nikki completed an extensive tour with Chamber Music New Zealand, performed with

Giordano Bellincampi and the Auckland Philharmonia, recorded his debut album with the Atoll Label, and was featured at

Australia's Musica Viva Recital Series. He is also a winner of the 2013 Astral Artists' Auditions and Laureate of the 2012

Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition. As a concerto soloist, Nikki has performed with international orchestras like Malaysian

Philharmonic, St. Petersburg State Symphony, National Orchestra of Belgium, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, to

name a few. At home, his concerto appearances include Victoria Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony,

and Calgary Philharmonic. Nikki has been invited to prestigious concert series including Vancouver Recital Series, Debut

Atlantic Tour, Canadian National Arts Debut Series, Caramoor Rising Stars Series in New York, Chamber Music Tulsa, Dame

Myra Hess Series in Chicago, La Monnai "Concertini" in Belgium, Chicago's Harris Theatre, and Carnegie's Zankel Hall.

Timothy Chooi captured the 2010 Grand Prix of the 71st l'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Standard Life Competition at

the age of sixteen, bringing him numerous concert engagements. Timothy had his concerto debut with the l'Orchestre

Symphonique de Montréal under the baton of Maestro Jean-François Rivest. Montréal's esteemed music critic Claude

Gingras of La Presse said of his debut "such complete artistry Timothy Chooi has accomplished in just 16 years, I dare say

that what we heard last night was miraculous.'' Timothy was recently awarded the Bronze Medal at the 2015 Michael Hill

International Violin Competition in New Zealand. Timothy has performed with major orchestras across the world including

Santa Barbara Symphony, National Symphony of Costa Rica, Auckland Philharmonia, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra,

and in Canada with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Edmonton Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, and National Arts

Centre Orchestra. Some of the conductors that he has worked with include Pinchas Zukerman, Benjamin Zander, Carlos

Miguel Prieto, Kent Nagano and Yoav Talmi. Timothy has been heard many times on CBC Radio and his performances are

regularly recorded and broadcasted across the world. Timothy acknowledges the generous loan of his 1717 Windsor-

Weinstein Stradivarius from The Canada Council for the Arts.

Inaugural winner of the 2015 Prix Goyer, pianist Philip Chiu is more than a summation of technical and musical abilities, he

has become one of Canada's leading musicians through his infectious love of music and his passion for communication and

collaboration. Noted by La Presse as “a pianist-painter who turns every musical idea into a beautiful array of colours,” Philip

is lauded for the brilliance, colour and sensitivity of his playing, and is particularly noted for his ability to connect with

audiences on and off stage. He concertizes extensively as one of Canada's most sought-after chamber musicians. He has

appeared in recitals with leading musicians of the world stage, including James Ehnes, Raphael Wallfisch, Patrice

Fontanarosa, Regis Pasquier and Stefan Dohr. He performs regularly with Jonathan Crow, concertmaster of the Toronto

Symphony as well as Andrew Wan, co-concertmaster of Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

Program Description

Offering audiences with a fresh twist to the typical classical concert, violinists and brothers Nikki and Timothy Chooi, along

with their pianist Philip Chiu, will perform in many configurations. Their program will highlight significant points in history,

showcased through the music of such composers as Grieg, Prokofiev, Ravel, and Canadian composer Serge Arcuri. The

melodies will span from jazz-influenced classical, to the nationalistic and political commentary of its time. The works

selected will simply display the outstanding musicality and technical abilities of this great duo. Brothers Nikki and Timothy

are united by a profound understanding and genuine passion for the violin, which renders their musical union

extraordinarily rich. They are both talented soloists but their duo playing is special and unique.

HENDERSONKOLKDUOGuitar Duo

Canada's own Henderson-Kolk Duo has built their audience's loyalty with their choice of repertoire, stage charisma and

what Wholenote Magazine describes as “a warm and intimate sound.” Since their formation in 2004, they have quickly

become one of North America's premier guitar duos.

Drew Henderson and Michael Kolk first met at the University of Toronto where they studied with Jeffrey McFadden. They

quickly cultivated a musical chemistry that has resulted in a dynamic and exciting performance style. As soloists, they have

a combined nine international competition prizes. As a duo, they have performed throughout Canada and the United

States, and made their international debut at the Mediterranean Guitar Festival in Cervo, Italy in 2006. In 2011, they

performed and adjudicated at the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America convention in Columbus, Georgia.

Active transcribers, the Henderson-Kolk Duo are consistently reimagining symphonic and piano works into the guitar duo

medium. The added range of Drew's 8 string guitar has opened up possibilities not normally available to guitar duos. This

has resulted in wonderful arrangements of Mozart, Bach, and Schubert, among others. Some of these arrangements can be

heard on the duo's two albums, which have received airplay on CBC Radio 2 in Canada, as well as the Classical Guitar Alive!

radio program broadcast throughout the USA. Their recording continue to receive numerous glowing reviews, the second

album "Henderson Kolk duo play Bach, Ravel, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and Lhoyer" was recently featured on Classical Guitar

Alive! as a Best New Release.

Renowned Canadian classical guitarist Drew Henderson is known for his sensitive performances and virtuosic technique.

He has earned the highest praise from audience and critics, and is often cited as one Canada's best young classical

guitarists. His solo performances have taken him throughout Canada, the United States and Italy. He has adjudicated local

and international competitions, conducted master classes at universities, and is often invited to perform at international

guitar festivals. Drew studied at the University of Toronto and furthered his studies in Milan, Italy. Most influential of his

teachers were Eli Kassner, Jeffrey McFadden, and the great Italian virtuosi Lorenzo Micheli and Matteo Mela. Drew's

studies in Italy were made possible by a generous grant from The Canada Council for the Arts. Drew was heavily involved in

the competition circuit and was awarded six international prizes. Drew has one solo album titled “Nocturne - Guitar Music

of the 19th Century”. This album is filled with virtuosic masterpieces by Regondi, Paganini, Coste and Legnani.

Michael Kolk has performed at music festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and North America and has been called

"one of the most musical guitarists performing and recording today" (ThisisClassicalGuitar.com). Liona Boyd has described

him as "one of the most brilliant and expressive classical guitarists I have heard in my life." A winner of numerous guitar

competitions, he has released two solo albums to date. Michael has collaborated with musicians in both classical and

popular genres and made his orchestral debut as soloist with the Toronto Philharmonia. His most recent solo album,

Mosaic, released by Alma Records in February 2014, was praised as "playing and musicianship of the highest order" by

WholeNote Magazine. Originally from Vancouver, Michael currently lives and teaches in Toronto. He holds a Performer's

ARCT from The Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Masters of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Toronto

where he studied with Jeffrey McFadden.

The Henderson-Kolk Duo is currently preparing a selection of their arrangements for publication through Productions d'Oz.

They are also planning the recording of their next album, featuring music of Mozart, never before heard on guitar.

Program Description

Since forming in 2004, the Henderson-Kolk Duo has established themselves as one of North America's premier classical

guitar duos. Drew Henderson and Michael Kolk met at the University of Toronto and after their first performance together,

quickly cultivated a musical chemistry that has resulted in a dynamic and exciting performance style. Their program will

feature an exciting array of music with an emphasis on the duo's original arrangements. Of interest are the transcriptions

that take familiar works into the new sonorities of the two guitar medium, creating a fresh and intricate sound delivered by

the sensitive playing of the Henderson-Kolk Duo. Their program will feature arrangements of Schubert's piano works, an

oboe concerto by Alessandro Marcello, the opening movement of a Mozart symphony or selections de Falla's La Vida

Breve. They will also feature works specifically written for two guitars, such as the beautiful pieces by Canadian Patrick

Roux. This is definitely a concert not to be missed.

Tommy DavisHolly De Caigny Mark MichalakMichael Morimoto

The Proteus Saxophone Quartet is redefining the traditional saxophone chamber music experience with their high energy,

intense, and diverse performances. Named after the god of the sea, modular and versatile, the Proteus Quartet explores

the numerous instrumental combinations of the saxophone family through the creation and performance of chamber

music. Since forming in 2011 in Paris where they were each studying, these four Canadian saxophonists developed an

immediate artistic bond and vision and upon their return, have committed themselves to presenting energetic, diverse,

and beautiful concerts. The Proteus Saxophone Quartet has performed throughout Canada, France, and more recently,

into the United States. Highlights of their performances include the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference in

Chicago, the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, and Saskatoon's Strata New Music Festival.

Without adhering to a singular aesthetic or stylistic genre, Proteus promotes collaboration with diverse guest artists in an

attempt to advance new works for saxophone quartet. They are interested in working together with composers or

performers throughout the creation process, currently having worked with composers Justin Boechler, John Celona,

Robert Lemay, Denis Levaillant and Alex Loewen; as well performers/improvisers Mark DeJong, Sean Perrin and François

Rossé.

As educators, Proteus has performed school concerts and university master classes as part of their ongoing commitment

to work with and promote chamber music to students. Often changing saxophones or staging during concerts, they

benefit from these pauses by speaking to and connecting with their audiences by explaining concepts, ideas and working

relationships which contribute to the compositions and aimed at enhancing the concert experience.

Tommy Davis completed his Masters of Music from Université de Montréal under Jean-François Guay. His other teachers

include Jean-Michel Goury in Paris and in Canada, Glen Gillis, William Street, Mark DeJong, and Jason Caslor. Holly De

Caigny divides her time between Edmonton, where she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone

Performance at the University of Alberta, and performing in Calgary. Her principal teachers include Julia Nolan, Jeremy

Brown, and in Paris, Jean-Michel Goury. Mark Michalak, upon completion of his Masters of Music degree from the

University of Calgary, now resides in that city. He studied with Jeremy Brown and further studies in Paris, were with Jean-

Michel Goury. Michael Morimoto completed his Masters of Music under Julia Nolan and continued his studies at the

Conservatoire de Cergy-Pontoise with Jean-Yves Fourmeau. His other teachers include Vincent David, Marie-Bernadette

Charrier, William Street and Po-Yuan Ku.

Program Description

Proteus Quartet performs high energy concerts that illustrate the flexibility, diversity and dynamism of the saxophone

through repertoire which includes classical saxophone quartets, Classical and Romantic music transcriptions, popular

music and commissioned pieces. Originally a hybrid instrument whose purpose was to bridge the gap between the

woodwind and brass families, Proteus strives to highlight this by performing from many styles, and feature the saxophone

and its diverse personas. Proteus will include works from the classical saxophone canon, popular tunes, and transcriptions

and arrangements of music written for other genres. By programming interesting and eclectic concerts, they aim to

entertain and share with the public about the history of the saxophone and the saxophone quartet repertoire. Proteus

Quartet's programs are inspired by the saxophone's capabilities and diversity, drawing from its early acceptance into

popular and jazz music, as well as into the mainstream of the classical music genre.

PROTEUSSAXOPHONEQUARTET

Prairie Debut and our artists have

travelled the 100,000 km of open

prairie roads and by-ways bringing

with them instruments as varied

as harpsichords, marimbas,

bassoons, accordions, and yes,

they have carried multi-million

dollar violins onto small

prop planes in order to reach

northern towns. All this travel to

reach over 1 million Western

Canadians lives throughout our

20 year history.

= Committed to Communities!

Our Partners

ALBERTA Virden Virden Community Arts Council

Airdrie Bert Church Theatre Winnipeg University of Manitoba

Banff The Banff Centre Winnipeg Virtuosi Concerts Inc. , U of Winnipeg

Barrhead Barrhead Arts Council Winnipeg Women's Musical Club of Winnipeg

Bragg Creek Bragg Creek Performing Arts

Brooks Newell Concert Association SASKATCHEWAN

Camrose Performing Arts Centre Camrose Assiniboia Assiniboia Arts Council

Cold Lake Kinosoo Performing Arts Biggar Biggar & District Arts Council

Consort Neutral Hills Arts Alive Canora Canora Arts Council

Drayton Valley Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre Estevan Estevan Arts Council

Edson Chautauqua Edson Arts Council Hudson Bay Hudson Bay Allied Arts Council

Ft McMurray Keyano Theatre - Celebrity Series Kindersley Kindersley & District Arts

Ft Saskatchewan Dow Centre Kipling Kipling & District Arts

Grand Prairie Grand Prairie Concerts La Ronge La Ronge Arts Council

High River High River Gift of Music Society Leader Leader & District Arts Council

Lacombe Burman University Luseland Luseland Arts Council

Leduc MacLab Centre for the Performing Arts Melfort Melfort Arts Council

Lloydminster Lloydminster Concert Association Melville Melville Arts Council

Morinville Morinville Community Cultural Centre Moose Jaw Moose Jaw Cultural Centre

Okotoks City of Okotoks Moosomin Moosomin & District Arts Council

Red Deer Red Deer Concert Society North Battleford Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts

Sherwood Park Festival Place Ltd. Outlook Outlook & District Arts Council

Spruce Grove Horizon Stage Prince Albert E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts

St. Albert Arden Theatre Quill Lake Quill Plains Arts Council

Stettler Stettler Variety Showcase Quill Plains Quill Plains Region Arts Council

Vermilion Vermilion Allied Arts Ravenscrag The Seville Theatre

Westlock Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre Series Redvers Redvers & District Arts Council

Regina Regina Musical Club

MANITOBA Rosthern Station Arts Centre

Altona Southern Manitoba Concert Series Saskatoon Lyell Gustin Recital Series

Brandon Pro Series, Brandon University Saskatoon Third Avenue Centre

Carman Golden Prairie Arts Council Saskatoon University of Saskatchewan Arts Council

Flin Flon Flin Flon Arts Council Shaunavon Shaunavon Arts Council

Holland Tiger Hills Arts Association Swift Current Swift Current Allied Arts Council

Killarney Tri Lake Concert Association Tisdale Tisdale Arts

Minnedosa Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee Unity Unity Council of the Arts

Pinawa Eastern Manitoba Concert Assoc. Watrous Watrous Area Arts Council

Portage la Prairie William Glesby Centre Weyburn Weyburn Concert Series

Snow Lake Ravna Concerts Yorkton Yorkton Arts Council

Souris Souris District Arts Council

Steinbach Steinbach Arts Council Golden Golden District Arts Council, BC

Strathclair Strathclair & District Theatre Committee Haines Jct Haines Junction Performing Arts, YT

St. Jean-Baptist Comite Culturel St. Jean Whitehorse Whitehorse Concerts, YT

The Pas The Pas Arts Council

Thompson City of Thompson

Cecilia String Quartet, 12/13

1997/98 St. Lawrence String Quartet1998/99 Bellows & Brass1999/00 Ricardo Peres, piano

Michael Donovan, baritone with Susan Sametz, piano2000/01 Anagnoson & Kinton, piano duo

Sylvie Proulx, guitar2001/02 Gryphon Trio

Lee Pui Ming, piano2002/03 Jasper Wood & Peter Allen, violin & piano

George Gao Erhu TrioIan Parker & Kaori Yamagami, piano & cello

2003/04 Lucille Chung, pianoErika Raum & David Moroz,violin & piano Les Voix Baroques Ensemble

2004/05 Robert Pomakov, vocal bassDaniel Bolshoy, guitarMagnan & Parker, oboe & piano

2005/06 Yi-Jia Susanne Hou & Daniel Spiegel, violin & piano Guy Few & Stephanie Mara, trumpet & piano Fubuki Daiko, taiko drumming

2006/07 10th Anniversary SeasonDenise Djokic & David Jalbert, cello & piano Gryphon Trio & Barry Shiffman Montreal Guitar Trio

2007/08 Winston Choi, pianoSophie Bouffard & David McIntyre, soprano & piano Anne-Julie Caron & Akiko Tominaga, marimba & piano duo

2008/09 Les Boréades de MontréalHarrington & Moroz, saxophone & pianoBellows & Brass

2009/10 The Schumann LettersQuartangoJean Sébastien Roy & Mathieu Gaudet, violin & piano

2010/11 Bax & Chung, piano duoGuth, Duncan & Switzer, voices with pianoJorge Miguel Flamenco Ensemble

2011/12 Alexander Sevastian, accordionSharon Wei & Angela Park, viola/pianoTorQ Percussion Quartet

2012/13 Winners' Tour with Georgy Tchaidze & Cecilia String Quartet Couloir: Ariel Barnes, cello and Heidi Krutzen, harpKornel Wolak and Chris Donnelly, clarinet and piano

2013/14 musica intima, vocal chamber ensembleYadong Guan Trio, pipa, cello & guitarGuy Few & Nadina Mackie Jackson, trumpet & bassoon

2014/15 Fung-Chiu Duo, one piano, four handsEnsemble Caprice, baroque quintetKang-Mercer-Park, violin, cello & piano trio

2015/16 Marie-Josee Lord Trio Duo Rendezvous Luis Mario Ochoa Cuban Quartet

2016/17 Duo Fortin-PoirierFlûte Alors!Duo Milot & Bareil

Bellows & Brass, 98/99

Quartango, 09/10

Fung-Chiu Duo, 14/15

The Schumann Letters, 09/10

Our Proud History

Couloir Duo, 12/13

Gryphon Trio, 06/07

20172018

Prairie Debut Inc. is a registered charitable organization (No. 86799 3495 RR0001)

Prairie Debut

Lynne Bailey, Executive Director

PO Box 273, 55 Wildwood Bay

Onanole, MB R0J 1N0

lynne@prairiedebut.com

(204) 848-7427

www.prairiedebut.com

Friday, October 21, 2016

(Evening Showcase)

Shell Theatre, Fort Saskatchewan AB

Saturday October 22, 2016

(Evening Showcase)

Access Event Centre, Morden MB

Saturday, October 15, 2016

(Afternoon Showcase )

Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon SK

ATAA Showcase 2016

Chooi Brothers, violin duo

with pianist Philip Chiu

MAN Showcase Contact 2016

Proteus Saxophone Quartet

OSAC Showcase 2016

Henderson-Kolk Duo, guitar duo