Eight young soloists will bring their talents to Sidney on March 4 as part of the Sidney Classical OrchestraB次元官网网址檚 annual Young Soloists concert. A violinist, soprano, flutist, cellist, and four pianists will play works by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, and Faure.

Brown said they typically choose between five and eight soloists, and it is one of their more popular concerts of the year. The soloists range in age from 11 to 22 years old, and include Karen Chan, Gillian Newburn, Alexander Martin, Mariah McDonald, John Evans, Ricky Chiu, and Lexie Krakowski. Rebecca Reader-Lee, a Grade 10 student at Claremont, will play the first movement of MozartB次元官网网址檚 Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major.

B次元官网网址淢ozart in general is quite challenging, but not technically,B次元官网网址� said Reader-Lee. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more mentally challenging. ItB次元官网网址檚 just difficult in a way that other pieces arenB次元官网网址檛, and I like to work through those challenges.B次元官网网址�

Reader-Lee has been playing violin since just before her third birthday, at Suzuki violin lessons with Yasuko Eastman. She later studied with Michael van der Sloot for three years; this is her first year with M眉ge B眉y眉k莽elen.

Reader-Lee played with the SCO at last yearB次元官网网址檚 young soloist concert, but she wanted to do it again.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a wonderful experience, and I really appreciate working with the orchestra,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all wonderful people and a really good experience, so I wanted to do it again.B次元官网网址�

In January, Reader-Lee played The Planets, Gustav HolstB次元官网网址檚 epic seven-movement orchestral suite which partly inspired John WilliamsB次元官网网址� score for Star Wars. The piece required the Victoria Symphony to join forces with the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra, of which Reader-Lee is also a member. She said it is the biggest group she has played with to date.

Krakowski, a fellow soloist, is a good friend of Reader-LeeB次元官网网址檚; they are both students of the Victoria Conservatory of MusicB次元官网网址檚 Collegium Program for young musicians, and play in ensembles together, but Reader-Lee said she appreciates both solo and ensemble playing.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e both completely different to me and I love them both.B次元官网网址�

Outside music, Reader-Lee is interested in the sciences, and is an avid bird watcher. She volunteers to band birds at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory.

B次元官网网址淚t takes organization, and sometimes it is stressful, but eventually it works itself out,B次元官网网址� she said.

Conductor Stephen Brown said the concert is one of the most popular shows of the year.

B次元官网网址淲hen we did this last year there was a guy at the end of the concert. He lept up, he was sitting in the front row and said, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 96 and I think these people are absolutely stupendous! Come on, everybody, get on your feet!B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚t was amazing,B次元官网网址� said Brown. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like we paid him to do it!B次元官网网址�

reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
Like us on and follow us on