Concluding the Lyell Gustin Centenary Year

Summer Chamber Concert ends the 2012 Series
Cellist Oleksander Mycyk and pianist Sofia Mycyk were the featured artists in the third recital of the annual Lyell Gustin Recital Series. Returning home to Saskatoon from Chicago and Montreal respectively, this fine brother-sister duo gave a wonderful performance of works by Bach, Beethoven, Franck and Sarasate. Mr. Mycyk’s informative talk and demonstration of cello techniques preceded the recital, which was held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

Centenary Grand Finale Recital
The New Orford String Quartet made its first-ever visit to Saskatoon on October 14, 2012, to perform the grand finale concert of the Lyell Gustin Centenary Year. The critically acclaimed ensemble—Jonathan Crow, concertmaster, and Eric Nowlin, associate principal violist, Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Andrew Wan, concertmaster, and Brian Manker, principal cellist, Montreal Symphony Orchestra—enthralled a large and enthusiastic audience at Third Avenue United Church with quartets by Haydn, Hétu, and Brahms.

Centennial Donors sponsor Finale Recital
Gustin House is profoundly grateful to two sponsoring couples whose magnanimity made possible the Centenary Recital of October 14. Cecily and Robert Bradshaw of Toronto graciously donated toward the concert in honour of Ms. Bradshaw’s parents, Herb and Helen Strutt of Brock, Saskatchewan. The Bradshaws, prominent music and art philanthropists, both serve on the Boards of several public companies and organizations. Ms. Bradshaw, who studied music in Saskatoon with Gustin Studio graduate Sheila Shinkewski, enjoys painting, and Mr. Bradshaw is a sculptural artist. They join in commenting, “It is a joy for us to give!”
 Robert and Lura Mae Sider of Saskatoon directed their co-sponsoring gift for the October 14 recital through the Robert D. and Lura Mae Meeds Sider Fund (Saskatoon Community Foundation). Dr. Sider, scholar and author, is a specialist in Christian Latin Literature, and Mrs. Sider a deeply committed volunteer in community and church; they are well known for their generous support of culture and the arts in Saskatoon. “This is a very exciting event for us, said Dr. Sider. “Lura Mae and I are so happy that we have been able to make a small contribution through our Fund. And although we had no knowledge of Mr. Gustin until we retired here, we are very touched by the devotion of his students, and the creative ways in which [they] are stimulating the 'good life' in Saskatoon.”

An Evening at Gustin House, Perfect Cadence!
The final program of the 2012 Centenary took place at Gustin House on Sunday, November 18. Michael Harris, tenor, with collaborative pianist Gregory Schulte, performed Gerald Finzi’s solo cantata Dies Natalis along with several selections from Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise. Master florist Fred Chlan demonstrated the art of floral design, commenting on compositional principles as well as on the value of tradition and heritage. The evening of beauty was both a celebration of the rich and continuing Gustin legacy and a farewell to the Lyell Gustin Centenary Year.

Lyell Gustin Recital Series 2013
Gustin House proudly announces our recital artists!

Great Songs from Salon and Stage, Fri., Jan. 4 ~
Ileana Montalbetti, soprano, & Rachel Andrist, pianist.  Originally from Saskatchewan, now based in Toronto, and often engaged abroad, the artists perform great beloved classics by Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, Britten and others.

The Art of the Clarinet, Fri., March 15 ~
Kornel Wolak, clarinetist, & Chris Donnelly, pianist.
Presented in collaboration with Prairie Debut, the recital by internationally known performers features wide-ranging repertoire, from Bach to Rossini, Mozart to Gershwin.

One Piano, Two Friends, Four Hands! Tues., Aug. 20 ~
Kathleen Lohrenz Gable & Che Anne Loewen, pianists.
Prairie-born musicians and award-winning former students of Garth Beckett, this wonderful duo bridges Saskatoon and Toronto respectively with duets by Schubert, Ravel, Weber, Barber.

All recitals are held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 436 Spadina Cres. East, beginning at 7:30 p.m.; prior to each performance, there is a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m.

Season Pass for all three recitals: $75 regular, $60 student, available at McNally Robinson, Yamaha Piano, and Darren’s Music, or by mail from Deborah, tel. (306) 343-0542. The season pass is a great gift for anyone, any time! Your purchase supports artists and the Lyell Gustin Recital Series. (Single tickets are $30 regular, $25 student, at retail locations and at the door).

February 2013, Heritage and Anniversary Month
An afternoon event at Gustin House will mark the 25th anniversary of the passing of Lyell Gustin (d. February 7, 1988) with music composed by graduates of his Studio: Ewen Coxworth, Lynda Finnimore, Marguerita Spencer, Robert Fleming and Boyd McDonald. Please watch the web site for more details.

Centennial Spotlight on Musical Instruments
The Steinway grand piano in Gustin House is in need of some restoral work, and during the Gustin Centenary Year, this was creatively addressed by musicians associated with the Gustin tradition. In 2012, two ensembles performed house concerts to raise funds toward refurbishment of the grand, the last piano on which Dr. Gustin taught.
In Kitchener, Ontario, cellist Paul Pulford joined pianist Boyd McDonald to give a springtime benefit concert. Mr. McDonald, Honourary President, has had a national and international career since studying with Dr. Gustin. Mr. Pulford, who is on faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University, frequently performs and records with Mr. McDonald. The recital was held in the elegant home of Constance Madelina, former student of Boyd McDonald, in St. Jacobs, Ontario. A warm thank you to these musicians for their commitment and for the donation from their musical performance.
In North Battleford, Saskatchewan, pianist Jaya Hoy and contralto Lisa Hornung gave a concert earlier in the 2012 season and contributed the proceeds toward piano refurbishment. Ms. Hoy studied with Lyell Gustin; she has since enjoyed an international musical career, recently returning to her home province. Ms. Hornung is well known as a concert artist and leader in voice and choral work. Our appreciation to this duo for their gift.
Walter Mossman of Saskatoon has helped solve a long-standing piano mystery at Gustin House! The earliest Gustin Studio grand known, one associated with Australian pianist Percy Grainger, had come into the possession of Dr. Gustin during the 1920s. When that first Steinway was replaced in 1968 by the current grand piano, it faded from the scene, its whereabouts seemingly untraceable. We now know that Elsie Mossman Onysko, a Gustin graduate, owns it and has used it during her music teaching career. To Mr. Mossman, our thanks for making this connection, and our gratitude to him also for the donation of two violins with bows, historic concert programs, and music scores, to assist in funding.

Thank you for . . . help and services:
Zane Hrynewich, specialized ongoing web services; Rachel Pomedli, Peter Hinton, and Chris Daviduik (all of Toronto), assistance with computer and print materials; Blair Schmidt (Martensville SK) and Marlene Reinbold, professional assistance; St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church staff, and Leo Janssens, help with all manner of recital detail; Audrey Ens, participating in Gustin House maintenance; Jim and Lynne Graham, yard work; Helen and Allan Few, and Alyssa Thompson, baking; McNally Robinson, Yamaha Piano, and Darren’s Music, handling recital tickets; Saskatoon Heritage Society, Nutana Community Association, the Saskatoon Registered Music Teachers Association and Musical Art Club, announcing our events; Saskatchewan Arts Board, Sask Lotteries and SaskCulture, and the Department of Canadian Heritage, funding assistance for 2012 Lyell Gustin Recitals; performers and speakers at all programs, for their art and their insights shared with generosity;
 . . .  assistance for Centenary Finale on October 14: Steve Boechler and Karen Sterner, event hosting at their home; Third Avenue United Church staff, Mark Turner, and Third Avenue Centre, venue services and publicity; Delta Bessborough Hotel, extended welcome to the musicians; Flowers by Fred, presentation bouquets; Nathan ter Velde, Zoe Strutt (Kindersley SK), Meredith Delday (Ponoka AB), Hugh McKee, Claire and Emma Kate Heinrichs, Randy Rodger, Eunice Koehler, Lorene Nickel, Marlene Reinbold, Lynda Finnimore, Michael Pomedli, Lynne Graham, Edna Thiessen, Alyssa Thompson, Gregory Schulte, Eric Bews, stage managing, flower presentation, admission and hosting;
. . . items received: Zach Hauser, rare photo album of Studio summers at Emma Lake, 1947, inscribed from Pansy Pomeroy to her teacher Lyell Gustin; Lynne Graham, easel; Shirley Lockerbie Smith (Calgary AB), book originally given her by Lyell Gustin; Walter Thiessen, Saskatchewan Music, anthology of works by composers from the province;
. . . donations that enable our programs to flourish: Peter and Audrey Siemans, Garry and Janice Shoquist, Sheryl and Hugh McKee, and Edna and Walter Thiessen, all of Saskatoon; Walter Falk (Lethbridge AB), Jean Harach (Regina SK), Ken Adams (Winnipeg MB), Irena Bubniuk (St. Andrews NB), Louise Hughes (Oshawa ON); Theresa Skwara and Colin Macdonald, through the Saskatoon Community Foundation; Anonymous, and Anonymous.
 
Saskatoon History Review 2012
Saskatoon Heritage Society’s 25th anniversary issue of the Review hails two late Saskatonians as “heritage heroes:” Lloyd Rodwell, foundational benefactor of Gustin House, who established Gustin/Trounce Heritage Committee, and Donald Irvine, who identified Trounce House and worked to preserve it. To purchase, call Peggy at (306) 652-9801.

November is “Leave A Legacy” Month
A reminder: your legacy gift to our musical-cultural and heritage work will make a significant difference to the activity and outreach of Gustin House, and will help shape the future! For information, call (306) 373-1451.

“To teach, you need to know how to guide other people; you must first know how to guide yourself.”—Lyell Gustin

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Gustin/Trounce Heritage Committee Inc.: Honourary President, Boyd McDonald (Kitchener ON); President, Deborah Rodger; Past President, Walter Thiessen; Secretary-treasurer, Joan Halmo; Sheryl McKee, Peggy Sarjeant, Karen Sterner

Contact us:  (306) 343-0542;  www.gustinhouse.ca
Mailing address:  47 Pony Trail, Riverside Estates, Saskatoon SK  S7T 1A4

—Joan Halmo, editor