West Island secret coming out

BY HOLLIE WATSON

The Chronicle

It may well be one of the West Island’s best-kept secrets.

Now in its 46th year, the Lakeshore Chamber Music Society prides itself on presenting classical concerts of the highest calibre against a backdrop of acoustic excellence.

Not only does the annual series showcase some of Canada’s foremost musicians, but it also provides a chance for up-and-coming young artists to perform in public.

Music lovers don’t have to make the trek downtown and pay exorbitant prices to experience concerts of such high quality when they have this gem in their midst, according to LCMS president Philip Cumyn.

“We also like to encourage families to attend. It’s a great opportunity to expose children to music,� the Baie d’Urfé resident said, adding the intimate setting of Adair Hall in Ste. Anne de-Bellevue allows them to “get close enough to see how the music is played.�

The series gets under way this week with its first concert of the 2006-2007 season, “which we are dedicating to the Conseil des arts de Montreal, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Our concerts are made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Conseil, and we want to say thank you for all the support they’ve given us for over 25 years,� Cumyn said.

Friday’s concert features pianist Minna Re Shin in a program comprising works by Mozart, Schubert, and other composers.

“She is a Montreal resident and a very accomplished young woman who has won numerous international prizes,� explained artistic director Selima Mohammed.

On Nov. 17, the society will present Elizabeth Dolin (cello), and Jean Marchand (piano), both who have performed for the LCMS in the past.

“Elizabeth is a professor of cello at McGill and is a very distinguished musician, with many CDs to her credit. Jean – who is one of the best in the country – is much in demand as an accompanist, and in recent years has been nominated for a Gemini Award and the Prix Gemeaux,� Mohammed said.

The Orpheus Singers will also make a return appearance on Dec. 15.

“This gifted 26-member ensemble placed second in the 2004 CBC Competition for Chamber Choirs,� the Pointe Claire resident said.

The concert will feature seasonal music that will be highlighted by a presentation of “a mass by Liszt, which is quite unusual as the piece isn’t often performed.�

In January, the society plays host to the Schulich String Quartet of McGill University, while the Feb. recital will be a performance by an “outstanding trio who are very well-known in early music circles. That concert will be co-produced by CBC and Radio Canada for future broadcast,� Mohammed said.

The March concert will feature Pointe Claire resident Claire Segal and two fellow musicians from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Wrapping up the series is the traditional student concert in mid-April, a popular event which provides young West Island music students an opportunity to share their respective talents in competitions for woodwinds, strings, keyboard, and ensemble.

Adair Hall is located in Union United Church, 24 Maple Ave. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. (except the April concert, which is at 2:30). To subscribe to the series, or for more information, call 514-457-5280, 514-695-0497, or 514-457-5756.