Are you an Adult beginner to intermediate level string student looking for an opportunity to immerse yourself in a musical community this summer? Reconnect with your SOAR colleagues or join us for the first time as we continue our musical journey together. SOAR activities take place in both of the neighbouring villages of Silverton and New Denver – a short, 5km drive away from each other. The dates for the 2024 camp are Sunday August 11th – Friday August 16th.
SOAR is the adult string orchestra experience that takes place alongside, and in collaboration with, the Valhalla Summer School of Music. VSSM is a camp for children and youth up to college age (as well as for adult players of wind and keyboard instruments). SOAR serves adult string players. If you are a family of musicians, you may have people who can enjoy both programs during the same week.
What is the SOAR Experience Like? The core SOAR program is centred around playing a variety of music in a string orchestra setting. There will be orchestra rehearsals and sectional coaching on a daily basis. Additional social opportunities will take place, and of course a performance by the orchestra will conclude the week on Friday.
The following optional classes and lessons are also available to SOAR participants who would like to add more music to their afternoons:
- Instrument-specific technique class
- Optional private lessons with SOAR and/or VSSM faculty
- Optional chamber music classes
- Instrument care and maintenance with our resident luthier
Fees:
The $30 registration is non-refundable and must be paid within 14 days of registration to secure your spot. The Core SOAR Orchestra tuition ($400) and tuition for any optional lessons and classes must be paid by June 1. Space permitting, late registration may be permitted for the Orchestra program until August 11th. Payment can be by cheque or e-Transfer.
Many SOAR participants choose to camp at one of the two village campgrounds. Silverton Village campsite reservations are limited this year and must be booked directly through the Village of Silverton. Centennial Campground reservations can be made directly with the Village of New Denver. Some students opt to rent private homes or make a billet-like arrangement; listings for private home rentals are linked on the Housing Exchange Facebook Group. (Please note that these private home listings tend not to appear until late spring or early summer when locals begin firming up their own summer plans. There is almost never a shortage: only a delay.) Commercial accommodations in the area are limited, so we encourage you to book those early. The Housing Facebook group also has some links and information for commercial options.
CHRISTINE BOOTLAND (cello):
Christine Bootland, a passionate music educator and cellist, has been a teacher and performer in Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan over the last 20 years. She recently retired from the Medicine Hat Conservatory of Music and has taken over the role of Chair for the Alberta Music Education Foundation. Her philosophy is to help create future generations of music lovers of all styles, whether they be professionals, amateurs, or concert-goers. Each student is unique, and her goal is to help them develop their own individuality and personality in their playing. Christine has extensive experience as a cello instructor, ensemble coach, conductor, and performer, and currently teaches both privately from her home in Medicine Hat as well as at the University of Lethbridge Conservatory.
Christine is an active extra performer in various chamber ensembles and with the
Lethbridge, Red Deer and Regina Symphonies as well as the Symphony of the Kootenays and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. She has toured Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia as a member of the Armadillo String Quartet of Canada and was first prize winner in the CIBC National Chamber Music Festival Competition with the JEB string quartet. Christine has adjudicated all over Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan and her students have won numerous awards at all levels but for her she gets immense joy from doing educational outreach performance programs wherever she is. Christine was on the faculty at Medicine Hat College from 2001-2021 as cello instructor, ensemble coach, Academy Instructor and conductor and program coordinator for both the Community and Junior Orchestras. In 2010 she was pleased to be invited to become a cello instructor at the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music three days a week. Her favorite thing to do in her down time is to read, experiment in her garden and go for walks. Christine is very excited to continue the amazing tradition of the SOAR orchestra and take it into the future with Gabe.
GABE KASTELIC (violin, viola):
A native of Lethbridge, Alberta, Gabriel Kastelic has been heavily involved in the Southern Alberta music community for many years. He has extensive experience as an orchestral musician, having performed in concert with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Red Deer Symphony, Symphony of the Kootenays, and is currently the Principal Violist of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. He is also a seasoned chamber musician, winning first place the Chamber Music category at the 2012 National Music Festival with his ensemble, the MRU String Trio and is presently the violist in the Musaeus String Quartet.
Along with performance, Gabriel’s greatest passion in music is teaching. He has held numerous teaching positions over the years including professor of violin/viola for the Calgary Multicultural Orchestra, Director of the String Academy for Medicine Hat College, and most recently as Music Director of the Sinfonia Allegro String Orchestra and violin/viola instructor with the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music. Gabriel is also a sought-after adjudicator, frequently serving in this role for various music festivals and competitions.
