Past Events
This season, the YSPF has:
- presented three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
The pandemic has finally waned to the point that life is almost returning to normal. For the YSPF, this means that we can go back to live concerts.
This season, the YSPF has:
- presented four Young String Performers in Concert events in front of a live audience at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 10 June 2023, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Floralove Katz
Special Guest Performer: Donnie Deacon
Program (musical program on 2nd page)A total of 25 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
The pandemic, which started in 2020, continued into 2022 and disrupted YSPF plans for the 2021–2022 season, though not as seriously as in the 2020–2021 season. Concerts with a live audience were permitted from March 2022 onward. As an alternative until live concerts were allowed again, the YSPF recorded videos of performances by some of its young artists.
This season, the YSPF has:
-
recorded one Young String Performers in Concert video:
- January 2022 Video Program
- presented four Young String Performers in Concert events in front of a live audience at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
The pandemic, which started in 2020, continued into 2021 and seriously disrupted YSPF plans for the 2020–2021 season. Concerts with a live audience were not permitted, because of the danger of spreading the disease. As an alternative, the YSPF recorded videos of performances by some of its young artists. So far, the YSPF has recorded videos on:
-
Saturday 23 January 2021
Program
Recorded at the:
Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau
430 blvd Alexandre-Taché, Gatineau QC -
Saturday 27 February 2021
Program
Recorded at the:
First Unitarian Congregation
30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa ON -
April 2021
Program
Recorded in the homes of the performers or in the facilities of their respective music schools -
June 2021
Program
Recorded in the homes of the performers or in the facilities of their respective music schools, together with a special video provided by Jonathan Crow, Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a member of the YSPF’s Artistic Advisory Board.
During the 2019-2020 season, the YSPF has held:
- two Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
It also organized a third Young String Performers in Concert event that was to take place on Saturday 28 March. Unfortunately it had to be cancelled because of measures to contain the corona virus. Here is the Program as it looked about a week before the concert.
A fourth concert, the yearly Fundraising Concert, was scheduled for early June, but it was unfortunately clear well in advance that corona rules would prevent the concert from taking place.
During the 2018-2019 season, the YSPF has held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
one Special Event
at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
- Sunday 5 May, 7:30 p.m.: The Sultans of String
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 1 June 2018, 7:30 p.m.
at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.
Guest artist was Yehonatan Berick, accompanied by Ioulia Blinova
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Floralove Katz
Program (musical program on 2nd page)
Bio of Yehonatan BerickA total of 16 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
During the 2017-2018 season, the YSPF has held:
-
one special concert on to celebrate two anniversaries:
Canada’s 150th and the YSPF’s 15th.
Friday, September 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Guest Artists
Jonathan Crow, Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, member of the New Orford String Quartet and an Artistic Advisor to the YSPF,
Andrew Wan, Concertmaster of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and member of the New Orford String Quartet
Eric Nowlin, Associate Principal violist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and member of the New Orford String Quartet
Philip Chiu, Concert pianist and collaborative chamber music pianist
Program (musical program on 2nd page)
Artist Biographies - three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 9 June 2018, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Julian Armour
Program (musical program on 2nd page)A total of 21 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
During the 2016-2017 season, the YSPF has held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 10 June 2017, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Marc Langis
Program (musical program on 2nd page)A total of 17 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
During the 2015-2016 season, the YSPF has held:
- two Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
two Fundraising Concerts:
-
a Fundraiser on Wednesday 30 September 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West, Main Foyer / Jean Pigott Place
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
ProgramThis concert was presented by the YSPF to help cover the cost of the trip to Vienna by 12 young string performers of the YSPF.
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 4 June 2016, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Marina Kun
ProgramA total of 17 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
-
a Fundraiser on Wednesday 30 September 2015, 7:30 p.m.
-
a “Musical Exchange with Vienna”
From 7 to 14 October, the YSPF took a group of thirteen young musicians to Vienna. This “Musical Exchange with Vienna” was organized in co-operation with Vienna’s Johann Sebastian Bach Music School (JSBM). The musicians, either current or past performers in YSPF concerts, were accompanied on the trip by YSPF president Joan Milkson and several parents. The young performers presented three concerts in churches in Vienna and three concerts together with students of the JSBM.
We would like to thank everyone who supported and encouraged the YSPF Ensemble on the “Musical Exchange with Vienna.” This was an amazing musical and cultural experience for our young musicians. They were incredible representatives for Canada and we can not wait to welcome the Vienna “Young Masters” of the JSBM to Ottawa later in 2016!
For photos and short video clips, please visit the page on the website of the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau and the Young String Performers’ Foundation Facebook page.
During the 2014-2015 season, the YSPF has held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 6 June 2015, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
ProgramA total of 17 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
-
two master classes
-
a ‘cello master class on Friday 5 September
and Saturday 6 September 2013 with Mineo Hayashi,
Director of the Cello Department of
the Suzuki Talent Education Institute
in Matsumoto, Japan.
Announcement Mineo Hayashi Bio Program -
a violin master class with Yehonatan Berick of the
School of Music of the University of Ottawa
on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February 2015
Program
-
a ‘cello master class on Friday 5 September
and Saturday 6 September 2013 with Mineo Hayashi,
Director of the Cello Department of
the Suzuki Talent Education Institute
in Matsumoto, Japan.
During the 2013-2014 season, the YSPF has held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 7 June 2014, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
ProgramA total of 24 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
During the 2012-2013 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
a Fundraiser on Saturday 1 June 2013, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Artists: Yehonatan Berick and Arminè Kassabian
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
Program Artist BiographiesA total of 28 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
-
one master class
(thanks to a grant from the
Ontario Arts Council):
-
a violin and viola master class on Saturday 9 February
and Sunday 10 February 2013 with Yehonatan Berick of
the University of Michigan.
Announcement Program
-
a violin and viola master class on Saturday 9 February
and Sunday 10 February 2013 with Yehonatan Berick of
the University of Michigan.
During the 2011-2012 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert event at Glebe-St. James United Church, 650 Lyon St. South (at Glebe Ave.):
-
a Fundraiser (our 10th anniversary fundraiser!)
on Saturday 2 June 2012, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation
Guest Artists: Renée Lapointe
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
Program Artist BiographiesA total of 27 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after this concert, the final concert of the season.
-
two master classes
(thanks to a grant from the
Ontario Arts Council):
-
a ‘cello master class on Saturday 25 February and
Sunday 26 February 2012 with
Hélène Gagné of Montreal.
Announcement Program -
a violin and viola master class on Saturday 9 June
and Sunday 10 June 2012 with Yehonatan Berick of
the University of Michigan.
Announcement Program
-
a ‘cello master class on Saturday 25 February and
Sunday 26 February 2012 with
Hélène Gagné of Montreal.
During the 2010-2011 season, the YSPF held:
-
three Young String Performers in Concert event
at Glebe-St. James United Church, 650 Lyon St. South
(at Glebe Ave.):
-
Sunday, 24 October 2010, 2:30 p.m.
Program
A Concert dedicated to the memory of the late Jacob Siskind
Guest Artists: Ida Haendel, C.B.E. and Andrew Tunis
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Gary Hayes -
Sunday, 16 January 2011, 2:30 p.m.
Program
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Bill Parker -
Sunday, 5 June 2011, 2:30 p.m.
Program
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
-
Sunday, 24 October 2010, 2:30 p.m.
Program
-
a Fundraiser on Sunday 6 March 2011, 2:00 p.m.
Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada
Guest artists: NORTEÑO tango nuevo quintet
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Rob Clipperton
Program - a violin master class on Saturday 8 January 2011 with Jonathan Crow, professor in the Schulich School of Music, McGill University.
During the 2009-2010 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at Glebe-St. James United Church, 650 Lyon St. South (at Glebe Ave.): A total of 19 young string artists received bursaries at the reception after the final concert of the season.
-
a Fundraiser on Sunday 7 February 2010, 2:00 p.m.
Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada
Guest artists: Donnie Deacon (violin), Tim McCoy (’cello), Galina Razaeipour (violin), Emmanuel Beaudet (viola)
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
Program
During the 2008-2009 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.: A total of 18 young string artists received bursaries at the final concert of the season.
-
a Fundraiser on Sunday 8 February 2009, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada
Guest artists: Donnie Deacon (violin), Peter Rapson (’cello)
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
Program - a violin master class on Saturday 29 November 2008 with Mimi Zweig of the Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana.
During the 2007-2008 season, the YSPF held:
-
three Young String Performers in Concert events
at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
- Sunday 14 October 2007, 7:30 p.m. Program
-
Sunday 24 February 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Program
Guest Master of Ceremonies: Laurence Wall
Concert Celebrating the Donation to the YSPF of the Pawel Szymczyk-Marjanovic Cello - Sunday 8 June 2008, 7:30 p.m. Program
Stanley Leong awarded Pawel Szymczyk-Marjanovic cello -
a Fundraiser on Sunday 13 January 2008, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada
Guest artists: Donnie Deacon (violin), Joan Milkson (violin), Margaret Munro Tobolowska (’cello), Marjolaine Laroche (double bass)
Program - a ’cello master class on Sunday 27 January 2008 with John Kadz of the Conservatory of Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary. Held in collaboration with University of Ottawa
- a fundraising concert on Friday 2 June 2008 for the Celia Franca Foundation
During the 2006-2007 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.: A total of 19 young string artists received bursaries at the final concert of the season.
-
a Fundraiser on Sunday 25 February 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada
Guest artists: Donnie Deacon (violin), Jane Logan (viola), Margaret Munro Tobolowska (’cello), Andrew Tunis (piano)
Program - a ’cello master class on Saturday 2 December 2006 with Winona Zelenka of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Held in collaboration with University of Ottawa
- a violin Master Class on Saturday 14 April 2007 with James Ehnes
During the 2005-2006 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.: A total of 21 young string artists received bursaries at the final concert of the season.
- a violin Master Class on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of October 2006 with Mimi Zweig of the Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana. Made possible by a grant from the Trillium Foundation
- a violin Master Class on Sunday 30 October 2006 with David Zafer of the University of Toronto. Held in collaboration with University of Ottawa
During the 2004-2005 season, the YSPF held:
-
three Young String Performers in Concert events
at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
- Sunday 22 October 2004, 7:30 p.m. Program
-
Sunday 13 February 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Program
Guest Host: Embassy of Italy
Dedicated to the Memory of Franco Mannino (1924-2005), Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, NAC Orchestra 1984-1986 -
Sunday 12 June 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Program
Guest Host: Embassy of Mexico
-
a Fundraiser on Sunday 31 January 2005, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium of Library and Archives Canada
Together with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Foundation - a violin Master Class on Monday 14 March 2005 with Maurizio Fuks of the University of Indiana. Held in collaboration with University of Ottawa
During the 2003-2004 season, the YSPF held:
- three Young String Performers in Concert events at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.: A total of 25 young string artists received bursaries at the final concert of the season.
-
a Fundraiser on Sunday 30 May 2004, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.
Co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
During the 2002-2003 season, the YSPF held:
-
three Young String Performers in Concert events
at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.:
-
Sunday 27 October 2002, 7:30 p.m.
Guest Host: Ottawa West Junior Music Club and the Embassy of Greece -
Sunday 2 March 2003, 7:30 p.m.
Guest Host: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany -
Sunday 15 June 2003, 7:30 p.m.
Program
Guest Host: Embassy of Belgium
-
Sunday 27 October 2002, 7:30 p.m.
The YSPF held its first
Young String Performers in Concert event:
Saturday
1 June 2002, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave.
Guest Host: Ottawa West Junior Music Club,
the Embassy of Austria and
the Austrian Cultural Forum
Guest Artists
The following guest artists have appeared on YSPF concerts:
- Emmanuel Beaudet, viola
- Yehonatan Berick, violon
- Donnie Deacon, violin and viola
- Walter Delahunt, piano
- Arminè Kassabian, mezzo-soprano
- Renée Lapointe, mezzo-soprano
- Jane Logan, viola
- Tim McCoy, ’cello
- Joan Milkson, violin
- NORTEÑO tango nuevo quintet
- Peter Rapson, ’cello
- Galina Razaeipour, violin
- David Stewart, violin
- Margaret Munro Tobolowska, ’cello
- Andrew Tunis, piano