Pianist Godwin Friesen, rising star among young artists of our country, performed a program of music by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, as well as Sonata for Piano by Jean Coulthard. The latter work celebrated another outstanding Canadian woman composer of the 20^th century (Violet Archer had been recognized in our February event at Gustin House earlier this year ). Mr. Friesen received a full scholarship to study at the Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto, beginning in the fall of 2016. 

To mark the 400^th anniversary year of the death of William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the “Bard of Avon,” Gustin House was pleased to present Mark von Eschen as guest speaker. Known widely for his vibrant leadership during 12 years as Artistic Director of Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Mr. von Eschen gave a thought-provoking talk, “Reinventing Shakespeare for Your Audience.”

In a program celebrating “Art without Borders,” three musicians and a clay artist shared their gifts and their insights with an appreciative audience at Gustin House. Erin Brophey, principal oboist of the Saskatoon Symphony, with collaborative pianist Gregory Schulte, performed repertoire from the Baroque to the 20^th Century. Pianist Rodney Epp joined Mr. Schulte in a performance of Canadian folk-song duets arranged by Violet Archer (1913-2000). Archer, colleague and friend of Lyell Gustin, was specially recognized at this program for her seminal role in Canadian composition. Martin Tagseth of Lake Lenore, Saskatchewan, displayed and discussed a selection of his clay art works. He described techniques of his work as a potter, referring to his pottery pieces as conceptual and poetic expressions cast in traditional vessel forms.