High River Gift of Music Society

10/02/2024

Described by the Globe and Mail as “one of the most searching musical intellects and 10 of the nimblest fingers in the business," pianist Jamie Parker is the third member of the Gryphon Trio.
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​​​✴​ Frequently appears on CBC, Bravo, Global Television Network, Much, and media platforms around the world
​​​✴​ Serves as Rupert E. Edwards Chair in Piano Performance at University of Toronto Faculty of Music
​​​✴​ Three JUNO awards and many other nominations from a vast discography
​​​✴​ Winner of the First prize at the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, the CBC's 25th National Competition for Young Performers and the Virginia P. Moore Prize (known today as the Virginia Parker Prize)
​​​✴​ Graduate of the Vancouver Academy of Music, University of British Columbia and Juilliard
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​​Tickets are available via the High River Gift of Music website.
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​​Photo by Bo Huang

09/29/2024

With less than a week to go before Gryphon Trio come to High River, we introduce another member of this Juno Award-winning trio.
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​​A founding member of the trio, cellist Roman Borys has broken new artistic ground through cross-genre collaborations and multimedia performances.
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​​​✴​ Honorary Doctorate from Carleton University in recognition for his contributions to the community
​​​✴​ Past Artistic Director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society
​​​✴​ Programmed the summer Ottawa Chamberfest (among the world’s largest chamber music festivals) and a suite of community engagement and education initiatives including sensory-friendly concerts for families with children on the autism spectrum
​​​✴​ Conceived, developed, and produced the Trio’s flagship educational program, Listen Up!, in communities across Canada
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​​As a member of the Trio:
​​​✴​ 11 nominations and three Juno Awards for Classical Album of the Year
​​​✴​ Winner of the Canada Council's Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts
​​​✴​ Leads Orford Music Academy’s Piano Trio Workshop and the Classical Music Summer Programs at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, together with Gryphon Trio members Annalee Patipatanakoon and Jamie Parker
​​​✴​ Ensemble-in-residence at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston, Ontario and artists-in-residence at Trinity College, University of Toronto
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​​Tickets are available via the High River Gift of Music website.
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​​Photo by Bo Huang

09/28/2024

Allow us to introduce the musicians of the Juno Award-winning Gryphon Trio, coming to High River on October 5th.
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​​Violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon is one of Canada’s most respected performing artists, and a founding director of Gryphon Trio.
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​​​✴​ Graduate of Indiana University and the Curtis Institute of Music
​​​✴​ Laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels
​​​✴​ First prize winner of both the Canadian Music Competition and Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition
​​​✴​ Associate Professor of Violin and Performance Area Chair of Strings at University of Toronto Faculty of Music
​​​✴​ Conducted masterclasses at Rice University, Stanford University, Royal Conservatory of Music, Hochschule für Musik Mainz, Domaine Forget, Orford Music Academy, Tuckamore Festival and School, Mount Royal University and others
​​​✴​ Can be heard on 22 recordings on Analekta, Naxos, and other labels
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​​The Gryphon Trio are also ensemble-in-residence at the Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts in Kingston, Ontario and artists-in-residence at Trinity College, University of Toronto.
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​​Tickets are available via the High River Gift of Music website.
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​​Photo by Bo Huang

09/27/2024

Here’s a taste of what our audience will enjoy in next week’s Gryphon Trio concert.
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​​Good news - season passes are still available via our website and the United Church office.
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Felix MendelssohnPiano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66Allegro energico e con fuocoproduced by Riddle Films

09/20/2024

What can you look forward to in our 2024/25 Season of Connection? We’re looking forward to hearing these exquisite, world-class musicians in a comfortable environment that feels as if you’re amongst friends.
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​​Gryphon Trio
​​Juno Award Winners
​​Saturday October 5, 2024 • 7:30 pm
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​​Blue Dawn Quartet
​​Christmas Choral Concert
​​Sunday December 1, 2024 • 3:00 pm
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​​Orontes Guitarists
​​Syrian Guitar Trio
​​Friday February 7, 2024 • 7:30 pm
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​​Young Musicians Extraordinaire
​​Friday April 11, 2024 • 7:30 pm

09/18/2024

The Juno Award-winning Gryphon Trio is coming to High River! Our audience will savour masterful performance of classics by Haydn and Mendelsson.
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​​Here’s a taste of what we’ll enjoy on October 5th.
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The story of the Gryphon Trio.

09/16/2024

Coming up in October - the Juno award-winning Gryphon Trio, a violin, cello and piano ensemble redefining classical music for a new millennium. Season passes now available!

09/11/2024

Thanks to everyone who came out for Honens Open Air High River on Sunday! We had a wonderful audience on hand to enjoy Jon Kimura Parker, Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko and WindSync in this free celebration of the gift of music.

09/11/2024

Thanks to everyone who came out for @ Open Air High River on Sunday! We had a wonderful audience on hand to enjoy Jon Kimura Parker, Concert Pianist, Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko - Pianist and WindSync in this free celebration of the gift of music.

09/10/2024

JUST ANNOUNCED:

2009 Honens Prize Laureate Georgy Tchaidze returns to Calgary this October to take the stage with Calgary’s 6th Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster for CADENCE—an extraordinary evening at The GRAND where the boundaries between music and spoken word dissolve in a powerful, collaborative performance. This program explores the deep emotional and rhythmic connections between two seemingly distinct art forms.

This innovative program will transport you to the uncharted creative territory of musical phrase and vocal inflection. It’s more than a performance; it’s an invitation to leap into an unknown yet beautifully harmonious exploration of new sonic frontiers.

Tickets are now on sale at honens.com/cadence for this highly-anticipated collaborative concert featuring two different types of Laureates in collision of artistic mediums. Get your tickets now before they’re gone. This is a performance you won’t want to miss!

Presented in partnership with The GRAND.

09/08/2024

Find your spot in the shade Sunday, September 8 at 2:30 pm in George Lane Park.

Join us for the finale of the 2024 Honens Festival with a family-friendly afternoon at George Lane Memorial Park!

Enjoy the harmonious sounds of pianists Jon Kimura Parker and Illia Ovcharenko, accompanied by the talented flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and horn players of WindSync.

This event is perfect for families, children, couples, and music lovers of all ages!

09/07/2024

Honens Open Air happens this weekend!
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​​WindSync, Jon Kimura Parker, Concert Pianist and Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko bring a musical celebration to George Lake Memorial Park - and you’re invited.
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​​Honens Open Air High River
​​Sunday September 8 2024 • 2:30 pm - FREE!

08/27/2024

We’re excited to hear feature artist Illia Ovcharenko in our upcoming HoHonensoncert in George Lane Memorial Park. (As always, this event is our gift to you.)
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​​Praised as “technically flawless and impeccably musical” (International Piano), Illia has taken the piano world by storm. He embodies Honens’ ideal of the “Complete Artist” with his technical mastery, perseverance against adversity, and an understanding of musical text that is both intellectual and emotional.
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​​See you there!
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​​Honens Open Air High River
​​Sunday September 8 2024 • 2:30 pm - FREE!
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​​Photo | Vere Music Fund

08/25/2024

That’s right! Two weeks from today, WindSync returns to High River as part of our opening concert in the park with Honens
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​​As always, this concert is our gift to you.
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​​Honens Open Air High River.
​​Sunday September 8 2024 • 2:30 pm - FREE!
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​​Details of this concert (and the rest of our remarkable season) are on our website.

08/24/2024

Known for his charisma, energy and dynamic performances, Artistic Director JoJon Kimura Parker, Concert Pianists a driving force behind the Honens International Piano Competition. Winner of the Gold Medal at the 1984 Leeds International Piano Competition, Parker is an Officer of The Order of Canada and has received Honorary Doctorates from the University of British Columbia and the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto.
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​​Jon’s talent will be on display in our upcoming
​​ HoHonensoncert in George Lane Memorial Park. (As always, this event is our gift to you.)
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​​Honens Open Air High River
​​Sunday September 8 2024 • 2:30 pm - FREE!

08/23/2024

Did you know? Since our focus is always on bringing you excellence in performance at an affordable price, a season pass is yours for only $115.
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​​We’re excited by the range of artistry we’ll be presenting in our 2024/25 season.
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​​Honens Open Air High River
​​Sunday September 8 2024 • 2:30 pm - FREE!
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​​Gryphon Trio
​​Saturday October 5, 2024 • 7:30 pm
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​​Blue Dawn Quartet
​​Sunday December 1, 2024 • 3:00 pm
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​​Orontes Guitarists
​​Friday February 7, 2024 • 7:30 pm
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​​Young Musicians Extraordinaire
​​Friday April 11, 2024 • 7:30 pm

08/22/2024

Honens Open Air High River returns! Join us for a glorious concert in George Lane Memorial Park, as we celebrate togetherness, arts and culture, and the simple joy of spending time outdoors. The event reminds us of the magic that live music brings, enriching our lives and connecting us all.
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​​There’s something for everyone in this family-friendly program featuring WindSync, Jon Kimura Parker, Concert Pianist and Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko - and as always, this concert is our gift to you.
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​​Details are on our website.

08/18/2024

With just a few weeks to go before the launch of the 2024/25 season, we're excited to introduce our opening concerts. As our focus is always on bringing you excellence in performance at an affordable price, a season pass is yours for only $115.

Honens Open Air High River
Sunday September 8, 2024 • 2:30 pm - FREE!

Gryphon Trio
Saturday October 5, 2024 • 7:30 pm

Blue Dawn Quartet
Sunday December 1, 2024 • 3:00 pm

Orontes Guitarists
Friday February 7, 2024 • 7:30 pm

Young Musicians Extraordinaire
Friday April 11, 2024 • 7:30 pm

Details are on our website!