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Pro Nova Ensemble/ Classically Delightful! music I by P e g g y Stortz W e have many blessings here o n t h e North Shore: the s p e c t a c u l a r n a t u r a l e n v i r o n m e n t , a rich b l e n d of cultures, d y n a m i c c o m m u n i t y facilities, a n d t h e Pro N o v a Ensemble. Founded in 1985 as t h e Pro N o v a String Q u a r t e t under the u m b r e l l a o f the D e e p C o v e C h a m b e r Soloists Society, the g r o u p c h a n g e d it n a m e t o Pro N o v a Ensemble in 1991 w h e n their first violinist left. The r e m a i n i n g three m e m b e r s i n v i t e d guest artists t o join t h e m , s o m e t i m e s s w e l l i n g their numbers t o as m a n y as eight. The s t r i n g q u a r t e t is still t h e heart o f the e n s e m b l e , but t h e i n c l u s i o n o f o t h e r i n s t r u m e n t s , s u c h as flutes, b a s s o o n s , a n d even harpsichords, enabled the group t o e x p a n d t h e i r repertoire. They n o w present a w i d e variety o f c h a m b e r m u s i c r a n g i n g f r o m B a r o q u e classics t o 20th-century c o m p o s i t i o n s . X t y p i c a l p r o g r a m is likely t o include Bach and Telemann alongside such contemporary composer^as^Brindle and the N o r t h Shore's o w n Jean C OU H V i o l i s t a n d m u s i c a l a d v i s o r Hans-Karl Piltz says that he seeks o u t m u s i c t h a t is " o f f the b e a t e n t r a c k " t o c o m p l e m e n t t h e everp o p u l a r c l a s s i c a l c h a m b e r pieces. Hence the n a m e Pro N o v a . Piltz is o n e o f the f o u n d e r s o f t h e M u s i c D e p a r t m e n t at U B C , w h e r e he t a u g h t stringed instruments a n d music history for 30 years. He w a s also the c o n d u c t o r o f t h e UBC s y m p h o n y a n d b a n d . O n e of the unique aspects o f a c h a m b e r ensemble is its intimacy w i t h the audience. A t the symphony, in a large concert hall, o n e often needs opera glasses to see w h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g o n stage. W i t h a chamber group, Piltz points out, "If w ^ h a v e trouble t u r n i n g ; page, o r if w e hit a sour note, theatftfience is w i t h us. They can see theexprfSssions o n our faces. In ajyjTjphenyTnobody notices." Pro Nova's style is informal. Informative c o m m e n t a r y accompanies each selection and, at the intermission, the players mingle w i t h t h e audience. The other three members of Pro N o v a are A u r o r a Felte (first violin), Sandra Fiddes (second violin), a n d Audrey N o w d e l l (cello). A l l are a c c o m p l i s h e d professional musicians w i t h plenty o f collective orchestral experience t o their credit. The ensemble keeps its concerts local, w i t h five programs per season; each of these is presented twice, once in North Vancouver a n d once in W e s t Vancouver. W i t h o u t the rigours of touring, the Pro Nova Ensemble has the time a n d energy to prepare a colourful assortment of music for the North Shore audiences. Travelling ensembles tend to play the same pieces for the duration of their tour. The splendid variety of Pro Nova's C A L L FOR V O L U N T E E R S ! We a r e l o o k i n g for v o l u n t e e r s i n t e r e s t e d in art and c u l t u r e to h e l p u s with o u r m a n y c o m m u n i t y N V ' s n e w gallery, C i t y S c a p e projects. at I n d i v i d u a l s w h o w o u l d like to b e a d o c e n t at t h e C i t y of repertoire gives vibrancy a n d spontaneity to their ever-changing programs. C o m m u n i t y A r t S p a c e needed. 335 Lonsdale Avenue, are especially Upcoming concerts are April 22 at the Mount Seymour United Church and April 25 at the West Vancouver Baptist Church, featuring at Schubert's Death and the Maiden. On May 30 at West Van Baptist Church and June 3 at Mount Seymour United, the ensemble will present a special piano concert featuring the Shostakovich Quintet. Starting time is 7:30 p.m.; admission is by donation. ART RENTAL W E E K (March: Wed 21 - Sun 25) O u r d i v e r s e c o l l e c t i o n of art p i e c e s will b e o n d i s p l a y C i t y S c a p e C o m m u n i t y A r t S p a c e for the c o m m u n i t y monthly rental to costs rent for their h o m e s a n d o f f i c e s . T h e r a n g e from $ 5 to $ 3 0 . HELP M A K E C H R I S T I E We H O U S E A REALITY! to and are currently s e e k i n g help from the c o m m u n i t y o p e n a n e w a r t s & h e r i t a g e facility, with a 3 D g a l l e r y out m o r e information a b o u t C H , or m a k e a contribution, contact the NVCAC. The Deep Cove Chamber Soloists Society welcomes new members as well as financial sponsorship. If you are interested in joining and supporting the work of this wonderful ensemble, please write to the Deep Cove Chamber Soloists Society, c/o Box 27175, West Vancouver, V7T 2X8. e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m m i n g , in t h e D i s t r i c t of N V . T o f i n d tax-deductible North Vancouver C o m m u n i t y Art C o u n c i l P r e s e n t a t i o n H o u s e Art C e n t r e , 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver B C , V 7 M 3 G 9 T: 9 8 8 - 6 8 4 4 F: 9 8 8 - 6 8 7 7 E: nvartscouncil@telus.net 33 March | April