November 2018

Newsletter Date Lead Story Headline Volume 1, Issue 1 Message from the President of ABE

By Jason Baxter Upcoming Alberta As I look at the 39th season for For 39 years, Paul and the ABE sense of how it would change Baroque Ensemble the Alberta Baroque Ensemble, have been offering my life and how I would come I am extremely energized and an avenue to explore and ap- to see the ABE and the Schieman excited. preciate the wonderful music family as part of my own family Concerts that is Baroque. Many different and my identity. Once again we have amazing Robertson-Wesley musicians, soloists, volunteers musicians and soloists, strong and audience members have I am lucky enough to have great United Church support from our donors, grant weaved a narrative and a com- board members that make the job providers and volunteers and a munity that I count myself lucky a pleasure, fantastic staff who 10209 123 St., Edmonton strong and exuberant audi- to have been part of. handle all the details, an outstand- ence. ing pool of volunteers that make (Sundays, 3 p.m.) My own personal journey with the concerts happen and an amaz- We had a wonderful start to the the ABE started 19 years ago ing Artistic Director and friend season with Italian Masters and when I was asked by a good who has the passion, knowledge the upcoming Chamber con- friend and former stage manag- and wherewithal to keep us fo- November 18, 2018: cert, Baroque Chamber Music er to help out with set up for the cused and energized towards our Treasures is always an inspir- Baroque Chamber ensemble. Being a full-time common goal. ing and intimate concert. As I student and a part-time theatre look what is to come, I can't (continued page 2) Music Treasures technician and musician, I help but reflect as well. jumped at the gig without any

December 2, 2018: Paul Schieman — Founder and Artistic Director Music for a Festive After graduating from Schieman’s contributions to the Season McGill University with a Edmonton arts community have Bachelor or Music Degree earned him multiple awards double majoring in Organ and recognitions including an February 3, 2019: and , Paul Schieman induction into the Edmonton landed in Edmonton in 1978. Hall of Fame (2001) and a Baroque Musical He joined the Edmonton named chair at the Francis Win- Symphony , where spear Centre for Performing Delights he still performs today as Arts (2012). He has performed Second Principal Oboe and nationally and internationally, Principal English Horn, and including a trip to New York quickly found a community with the Edmonton Symphony March 17, 2019: interested in the era of mu- Orchestra to perform at Carne- sic that first sparked his Baroque Ensemble exploded and gie Hall. From Salzburg passion, the Baroque era. to this day still brings in more than Today, Schieman still calls the to Vienna 500 people per concert. During Seeing a demand for more the late 1980s, Schieman formed Capital Region home where he lives with his wife of more than local performances of music the Alberta Baroque Music Socie- 40 years, Janet (Business Man- from the early 17th to the late ty, the not-for-profit and regis- 18th centuries, he formed the tered charity whose mission is to ager with the Alberta Baroque April 14, 2019: Music Society) and his two Alberta Baroque Ensemble not only support the Alberta Ba- dogs. His three grown sons Splendor of the and performed the first con- roque Ensemble but also continue each have their own active Baroque cert as Conductor and Artis- building the community and shar- tic Director in 1979. The ing the music and culture of the involvement in the Edmonton arts community. popularity if the Alberta Baroque era. Next season marks 40th anniversary of Alberta Baroque Ensemble

So, what do the Alberta Baroque Ensemble and the Edmonton Oilers have in common? How about four decades of being a part of Alberta’s Capital City!

That’s right, aside from having a huge Edmonton fan base, the common thread between these two local treasures is that both organizations are celebrating their 40th anniver- saries in 2019. The Edmonton Oilers joined the NHL and the ABE formed in 1979. Though, the ABE has had a much better record! That’s probably where the comparisons end, but the truth is that both organizations have now been entertaining Edmonton audiences for four decades. In anticipation of this 40th anniversary starting in fall 2019, the ABE is planning a special commissioned work by one of ’s busiest and the Dean of Fine Arts and Communications at MacEwan University, Dr. Allan Gilliland (shown right).

“Looking ahead to our milestone 40th season, it’s all been made possible by the hard work of everybody involved,” says Artistic Director and Founder Paul Schieman. “This includes the musicians, audience members, subscribers, donors and board members.”

First concert of 2018/19 ABE’s Susan Flook ABE Contact Info: season a huge success! A native of Sudbury, Ontario, https://www.facebook.com/Alberta A total of 517 audience mem- BaroqueEnsemble/ bers enjoyed the first con- ABE Concertmaster Susan cert of the season on Sunday, Flook holds a Bachelor of Mu- https://www.albertabaroque.com/ October 21. This was one of sic degree from the University [email protected] the highest audience figures of Western Ontario. for a season debut ever for the ABE. . We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers. (President’s Message contin- ued from page 1) If you or someone you know is inter- ested in volunteering with the ABE, I never would have imag- please see a board member or ined that I would still be in- volved almost 20 years later contact Business Manager Janet when I showed up that first Upon graduating, she won a Schieman directly at: day but I quickly discovered position with Orchestra London [email protected] that there is an energy and community around the ABE Canada. 780-467-6531 that is infectious and a posi- In 1987 Flook won a position tive factor in life. in the First Violin Section of the I would like to thank every- Edmonton Symphony Orches- ABE Reaches Out! one who attends the con- tra and in 1994 she became certs and supports the Al- More than 100 people attended a special berta Baroque Society for Assistant Principal Second performance of the ABE in Beaumont on Sun- your patronage, energy and Violin. day, November 4. By invitation of the Beau- mont Society of the Arts, the ABE performed your friendship for the past Today, Flook continues to call its Italian Masters program. 39 years. I look forward to sharing many more seasons Edmonton home where she On November 11, members of the ABE also of outstanding music and lives with her husband and participated in a performance of the Richard Eaton singers program, “Last Light Above companionship to come. three children. the World.”