The audience enjoyed a warm spring evening of beautiful music provided by young, local talent on Saturday, April 30 at the Fraternité hall in Alexandria. The event was titled Blossoming Talent: A Recital Featuring Young Virtuosos from Glengarry. The performers were pianists, vocalists, and a cellist who are accomplished music students of Gabrielle Campbell of Alexandria and Rosemary Harden of Vankleek Hill.
All 13 students who performed are in the midst of advanced conservatory training. Each was presented with a bursary contributed by Musical Celebration Musicale and benefactor Claire Lanthier.
For many of the students, it was their first public performance in more than two years due to the pandemic.
“I’m a bit nervous,” said Nathaniel Nadeau, a grade nine conservatory student of the piano, before the concert began. The nervousness was all for naught though, Nadeau gave an excellent performance of the Laurentide Waltz by Oscar Peterson and Polonaise in G-sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin.
Cole Williams, a 12-year-old, grade eight piano student from Dunvegan was taking his appearance on stage in stride, but he acknowledged being a music student at the conservatory level is not easy.
“It’s worth it in the end,” Williams said.
“It’s painstaking, how long we have to practice,” he added.
Williams, a pianist, performed Mazurka in A minor, opus 7, No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin.
Campbell said the concert was an opportunity to show the students gratitude for their talents.
“Tonight, we want to make sure these aspiring musicians are valued and appreciated,” she said.
