Music series' founder retires

ELIZABETH NIDER

Imagine waking up to a cup of coffee, some light sandwiches and a one-hour concert of jazz, bluegrass and Hungarian gypsy? Or perhaps classical chamber music or a tango-inspired trio will tantalize your tastebuds?

Music in the Morning is one of Canada's largest presenters of live classical music and was founded by musician June Goldsmith in 1985. With four series to choose from, there is something for everyone.

It all started when Goldsmith taught music at an outreach program at the University of British Columbia. She wanted people to hear classical music and appreciate what it means, and so Music in the Morning was born.

"The underlying idea is that I want to present [an opportunity] that can challenge [the audience] and open the door for further enjoyment," said Goldsmith. "I want people to hear the music and say 'Oh, so that's what it's about.'... Music in the Morning is a nice social time for people to get together and there's a great sense of anticipation at 10:30 when the concert is about to begin." Now, 25 years later, Music in the Morning has about 43 concerts a year.

When asked how Music in the Morning has changed over the past 25 years, Goldsmith explained, "It was good when it started, so it's just getting better and better." She said she feels grateful to have had the opportunity to develop friendships with the audience members – all 1,200 of them.

Goldsmith explained that Music in the Morning has a fresh and casual atmosphere, where one feels welcomed and connected. The emotions one experiences when sitting in the full concert hall with lively people, listening to wonderful music together is exhilarating, she said. Goldsmith called it "the concert experience: you feel as if you're part of it ... the audience is focused and quiet and for one hour you share [this feeling] of getting out of yourself with 300 other people."

In March, Goldsmith announced her plans to retire from the leadership of Music in the Morning. "I'm retiring, but you can't get rid of me," Goldsmith warned. She is still going to be quite involved, but with her extra time she plans to continue lecturing and teaching about music and spend more time with her grandchildren, including overseeing their music lessons.

The new executive artistic director, Barry Shiffman, will officially start his new post on June 1 and Goldsmith said she is excited about the future. She has been good friends and colleagues with Shiffman since 1992 and knows that the "audience will be very comfortable with what [he] programs ... he knows them very well," she said. Goldsmith is confident that Shiffman is full of new ideas that will enhance the program of Music in the Morning.

As a member of the St. Lawrence String Quartet from 1989 to 2006, Shiffman began appearing in concert for Music in the Morning in 1992 (where he also happened to meet his wife) and he has returned every year since. Shiffman said he is thrilled about taking this position because he feels that Music in the Morning is "a shining example of something done for the right reasons. They love music and they want it to be shared. It's

a grassroots organization that's achieved remarkable success. Music in the Morning demonstrates what is possible when you put your audience's experiences first: making it special, creating an environment [where] the audience steps out of their regular routine," he said. Shiffman's main interest is having "the opportunity to share artists with one of the most special group of listeners in the country. Many people don't give enough credit to the role ... the audience plays. If there is a feeling of interest, a good vibe, the artist senses this and plays differently ... this is inspiring and exciting to be part of [and] as a result, the music is better because of the audience."

Shiffman said Judaism has contributed to his appreciation of music. He was inspired by Jewish music heard in synagogue and by Jewish musicians, including Argentinean composer Osvaldo Golijov, who combines classical with klezmer. Drawing from these inspirations, talent and experience, Shiffman plans to maintain the core programming, but expand community outreach and education, and bring in more diverse world musicians.

"There are a number of projects in progress," said Shiffman, adding "Vancouver is a leading place for artists and this is a fantastic time to be involved."

Elizabeth Nider is a freelance writer living in Richmond.

^TOP