Canada Music Week to be celebrated in Swift Current on Nov. 17 to 23

The Registered Music Teachers of Swift Current are celebrating Canada Music Week by hosting several events throughout the city.

Canada Music Week runs from Nov. 17 to 23, and is a national celebration of Canadian music, composition, and performance. Events are organized to promote the importance of Canadian music and also to showcase performers and composers of Canadian music. Both students and teachers will be participating in these events, all of which are open and free to the public.

Convener, Michael Eckert-Lyngstad, explains, “Canada Music Week is not only a celebration of Canadian composers but of Canadian musicians, music students, and music teachers. During this week, teachers and students from across the country emerge from their private studios and work together to bring music out into their communities. In Swift Current, the Registered Music Teachers are excited about sharing both their own and their students' performances throughout the week, as well as providing a glimpse of their teaching practices through free public workshops.”

The week kicks off with free music classes at the Swift Current Public Library. If you, or you child, have always wanted to learn to play an instrument, come and enjoy a free music lesson and see how much fun music lessons can be: African Drumming (Thurs., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), Music for Young Children – piano (Fri., Nov. 21, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Guitar for Beginners (Sat., Nov. 22, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m). Contact the library to pre-register.

There will be a series of noon-hour “Listen and Lunch” performances at the Library during Canada Music Week. These are free concerts, and the public is welcome to bring their lunch and listen to music performed by several teachers: Nov. 17 - Guitar by Michael Eckert-Lyngstad, Nov. 19 - Piano by Rebecca Chilton, Nov. 20 - Piano by Verna Martens, Nov. 21 - Piano by Andrea Neustaeter. All performances run from noon to 1 p.m.

The popular Jazz and Java Night returns to the Urban Ground Coffee House on Fri., Nov. 21, starting at 7 p.m. Both teachers and students will perform blues and jazz.

“Last year, this event was very well attended and we are looking forward to performing again,” said Eckert-Lyngstad.

Finally, the week concludes with the Student Showcase Recital on Sun., Nov. 23, 3 p.m. at the Art Gallery. This promises to be an entertaining event with students of all ages performing in a variety of different musical disciplines.

“This is also an opportunity to acknowledge awards or accomplishments that students have earned in the past year,” said Eckert-Lyngstad. Dessert and refreshments will be served. Admission by donations accepted.

All events are sponsored by the Registered Music Teachers of Swift Current.

RMTs are a professional association of accredited music teachers, dedicated to offering the highest standard of music education. Lessons are offered in piano, voice, guitar, violin, and music theory.

For more information on lessons or the RMT organization, please visit the website at www.srmta.com