It has been a couple of weeks since I last wrote in this space, and since the last posting a lot has happened in the life of this reporter. I usually try to confine my comments to music and arts-related topics, but occasionally I venture outside those parameters when the need arises. This is one of those times.
The last weekend I wrote, my father was in the hospital after taking a bad fall at the retirement home we moved him to last year. I thought at the time it wasn't that serious, but during the course of that weekend it became apparent the injuries were more severe than first thought. As a result, early Monday morning, April 20th, Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep. Not wanting to get into specifics of the accident, let me just say it drives home the fact we should all be more careful when we grow older, and keep a close watch on those in our care who do fall in their later years. It sometimes results in nothing more than a few bumps and bruises; however, oftentimes the results are more far reaching. This was the case with my Dad.
So, work and work-related tasks all took a backseat to dealing with family matters for a couple of weeks, as we made arrangements for the funeral, which was last Friday. The time since has been full of reflection on my part and beginning the long process of putting Dad's affairs in order now that he is gone. Fortunately for me, Dad cared enough to put as much in place before he left as he possibly could, so the jobs I have to do are much easier than they could have been. But it raises some salient points I think we should all consider in the weeks and months to come:
Do you have a will?
Is your funeral preplanned?
Is your life insurance in place and paid up?
Are your financial affairs in a joint arrangement with someone in a position of care should something happen to you?
Dad didn't take care of all of these things, but much of it he had, and as a result my life is a lot easier in this post-passing period I am now in. Once I finish with Dad's affairs, I plan to begin the process of getting all my affairs in order, and I would suggest you do the same.
Dad was a kind, gentle man who lived his life simply and without fanfare. Yet, his impression on those around him was great; in his former home on Towering Heights and in only a year and a bit at St. Catharines Place, Dad made a huge impression on those around him, and everyone has felt the loss of a great man I had the honour of calling my father. He will be missed by many, but most of all by me; there is an emptiness inside me now I feel each and every day.
While this event was unfolding, I found the news one of my dear colleagues at CKTB RADIO, recently-retired newsman Les Walton, suffered a massive stroke and after a couple of days on life support, passed away peacefully April 23rd with his family at his side. Les was my age, 52, and that hit me pretty hard when I received the news. I attended the visitation last weekend, which was one of the best-attended visitations I can ever recall; everyone, it seems, both within the radio industry and outside it, wanted to pay tribute to a great newsman we lost far too soon. I missed the funeral last Monday, unfortunately, as I was clearing out my Dad's room at St. Catharines Place with the help of family members. From what I hear, the crowd filled the church in Merritton to overflowing.
Les was the consummate newsman: firm but friendly; getting to the heart of the story quickly; knowing what mattered when writing up a story. He possessed the most resonant voice I have ever heard, and now it is silenced forever. Rest easy, good friend. you will be missed.
So, that is what has been on my mind the last couple of weeks. I hope you'll forgive me for writing on this topic today, but in a way, I had to. It helps with the healing process, I think, as we try to get back to a semblance of normalcy in our lives after some very personal upheaval.
By the way, just so I keep some musical content in my entry this week, I will be attending the Niagara Symphony Pops! concerts this weekend, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Centre for the Arts, Brock University. Associate Conductor Laura Thomas has fashioned an interesting collection of music under the title A Passage to India, and it promises to be a wonderful diversion for yours truly. Tickets are still available for both performances through the Brock box office; if you go, stop and say hello in the lobby, as I will be set up both times with my usual collection of musical treasures available for purchase through A Web of Fine Music.
See you there!
May 2nd, 2009.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
In the Soil: Niagara's Homegrown Arts Festival is underway!
Earlier this week, I attended the launch of the In the Soil Arts Festival, an ambitious undertaking spearheaded by a small group of local Niagara arts lovers who felt it was high time we celebrated the great talent we literally grow right here in the fertile Niagara Region. The launch was held at Stella's Restaurant April 14th with what they called a "Soil Sampler", featuring performances by some of the artists you'll see during the week-long festival.
I unfortunately got there too late to hear some of the artists on the program for the festival, but we have ample opportunity now to hear many of them at several locations in downtown St. Catharines, as the festival kicked off Friday evening and continues through next Friday, April 24th, with a special "Jury's Pick" showcase at the Centre for the Arts at Brock University. In all, over 70 performing and visual artists will be performing during the one-week festival, with the finalists whittled down from a list almost twice that long when all the applications were sorted through.
For a full list of artists and performing times, go to their website at www.inthesoil.on.ca and click on The Artists link. The best part of all is the price: only $ 5 per event downtown, and only $ 20 for the Friday night showcase at Brock. You can't beat prices like that for such a wide array of talent, all of it local and much of it largely undiscovered.
So, will Niagarans embrace a spring arts festival? We'll have to see, but I have to think if all goes well, we have the makings here of a great new tradition in Niagara. As the earth reawakens for another season, we reawaken our senses with a wide array of artistic talent, all home-grown. The timing is perfect: we all want to get out after a long, hard winter - especially this year - and this is the perfect vehicle for it. After all, the Guelph Spring Festival, for example, started out in the late 60s due to the vision of one man, Nicholas Goldschmidt, and now it is established as one of the premiere regional arts festivals in Ontario. The In the Soil Arts Festival could become just as well established if we all decide to support it year after year.
So once you get the yardwork at least started for another season, why not celebrate the season with some of the talent from the In the Soil: Niagara's Homegrown Arts Festival? Enjoy!
April 18th, 2009.
I unfortunately got there too late to hear some of the artists on the program for the festival, but we have ample opportunity now to hear many of them at several locations in downtown St. Catharines, as the festival kicked off Friday evening and continues through next Friday, April 24th, with a special "Jury's Pick" showcase at the Centre for the Arts at Brock University. In all, over 70 performing and visual artists will be performing during the one-week festival, with the finalists whittled down from a list almost twice that long when all the applications were sorted through.
For a full list of artists and performing times, go to their website at www.inthesoil.on.ca and click on The Artists link. The best part of all is the price: only $ 5 per event downtown, and only $ 20 for the Friday night showcase at Brock. You can't beat prices like that for such a wide array of talent, all of it local and much of it largely undiscovered.
So, will Niagarans embrace a spring arts festival? We'll have to see, but I have to think if all goes well, we have the makings here of a great new tradition in Niagara. As the earth reawakens for another season, we reawaken our senses with a wide array of artistic talent, all home-grown. The timing is perfect: we all want to get out after a long, hard winter - especially this year - and this is the perfect vehicle for it. After all, the Guelph Spring Festival, for example, started out in the late 60s due to the vision of one man, Nicholas Goldschmidt, and now it is established as one of the premiere regional arts festivals in Ontario. The In the Soil Arts Festival could become just as well established if we all decide to support it year after year.
So once you get the yardwork at least started for another season, why not celebrate the season with some of the talent from the In the Soil: Niagara's Homegrown Arts Festival? Enjoy!
April 18th, 2009.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Niagara Symphony announces four conductors to vie for Music Director's post
Last week I wrote about the Niagara Symphony set to announce the four candidates to audition next season to become the next Music Director of the venerable orchestra. The four candidates were announced from the stage at the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre at the Centre for the Arts at Brock University on Sunday afternoon, April 5th. NSA Search Committee Chair, Christopher Newton, says "The next twelve months provide us with a great opportunity to include the community-at-large in helping to select a new artistic leader." That they will, as all four candidates will conduct one Pops and one Masters concert next season, and all will conduct one short piece at one of their concerts so we can compare sound and style, if you will. This is by no means a novel approach, but I think it is an approach that makes sense at this stage of the orchestra's history.
On Sunday afternoon, two of the candidates were in attendance: one in the audience; the other guest conducting the performance. And what a performance it was! John Morris Russell, the present Music Director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, put the orchestra through their paces with three works, including a fairly muscular performance of the Beethoven Symphony No. 5. It's a work we've heard dozens of times in the past, and one I think every conductor really wants to get their teeth into given the chance. John Morris Russell not only got his teeth into it, he wouldn't let go like a pit bull showing dogged determination. I think many people in attendance - myself included - didn't think the orchestra could sound so big and, well, full. But they did, and you can credit Morris for working hard to impress a few people in the early going. It was perhaps not the most refined performance of the work, but hey, when you go for the gusto, you sometimes give up a little finesse, right?
Of the four candidates, I would have to think Russell has the inside track in the early going, at least, as he still has his two performances to go next season to prove his work last week was no fluke. Generally, the feedback last week from most quarters was very favourable; talking to Russell after the performance, he seems genuinely interested in the position and the future of a performing arts centre eventually taking shape in downtown St. Catharines.
For the record, the other three candidates are: Timothy Hankewich, Music Director of the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra; Bradley Thachuk, Associate Conductor of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Music Director of the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony; and Diane Wittry, Music Director of both the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. So that means Russell appears to be the only conductor leading a Canadian orchestra in the running for the position, although Thachuk was actually born in Toronto. In all, there were over 100 applications for the position, which speaks well of how other conductors view the position here in Niagara and how well situated geographically they would be.
So now, we wait and see what plays out next season with four eager young conductors ready to put the orchestra through their paces twice each. At the end of it all, we should have a pretty good idea what's in store for all of us once the new Music Director takes over in the 2010/2011 season. Should be fun...let the battle begin!
April 10th, 2009.
On Sunday afternoon, two of the candidates were in attendance: one in the audience; the other guest conducting the performance. And what a performance it was! John Morris Russell, the present Music Director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, put the orchestra through their paces with three works, including a fairly muscular performance of the Beethoven Symphony No. 5. It's a work we've heard dozens of times in the past, and one I think every conductor really wants to get their teeth into given the chance. John Morris Russell not only got his teeth into it, he wouldn't let go like a pit bull showing dogged determination. I think many people in attendance - myself included - didn't think the orchestra could sound so big and, well, full. But they did, and you can credit Morris for working hard to impress a few people in the early going. It was perhaps not the most refined performance of the work, but hey, when you go for the gusto, you sometimes give up a little finesse, right?
Of the four candidates, I would have to think Russell has the inside track in the early going, at least, as he still has his two performances to go next season to prove his work last week was no fluke. Generally, the feedback last week from most quarters was very favourable; talking to Russell after the performance, he seems genuinely interested in the position and the future of a performing arts centre eventually taking shape in downtown St. Catharines.
For the record, the other three candidates are: Timothy Hankewich, Music Director of the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra; Bradley Thachuk, Associate Conductor of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Music Director of the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony; and Diane Wittry, Music Director of both the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. So that means Russell appears to be the only conductor leading a Canadian orchestra in the running for the position, although Thachuk was actually born in Toronto. In all, there were over 100 applications for the position, which speaks well of how other conductors view the position here in Niagara and how well situated geographically they would be.
So now, we wait and see what plays out next season with four eager young conductors ready to put the orchestra through their paces twice each. At the end of it all, we should have a pretty good idea what's in store for all of us once the new Music Director takes over in the 2010/2011 season. Should be fun...let the battle begin!
April 10th, 2009.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
News from the Niagara Symphony comes this weekend
This weekend, the first weekend of April, the Niagara Symphony presents an ending, and a beginning. The ending is the final concert of the current Masters series, Sunday afternoon, April 5th at Centre for the Arts, Brock University. Guest conductor John Morris Russell takes the podium to conduct the Spring Dance from Chan Ka Nin's Four Seasons Suite, Beethoven's wonderful Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67, and the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47. The guest artist is violinist Catherine Manoukian, truly a young artist to watch in the future.
But the Niagara Symphony will also be looking ahead to next season, as they announce on Sunday the four finalists in the six-month search for a new music director, following the hasty departure of Daniel Swift just prior to the beginning of the season. We're assured the four candidates are pretty impressive; we'll find out next season when each will conduct one Masters and one Pops! concert, and that takes us to an announcement around May of 2010 of who the new music director will be. This is never an easy process, and takes a lot of time and effort. This time around, especially, the Niagara Symphony knows they have to get it right: in this day and age, we can't do this again for awhile! So Christopher Newton, Chairman of the Niagara Symphony Music Director Search Committee will announce the four finalists at the beginning of Sunday afternoon's concert. I am interested to hear the results of the search: I have been kept in the dark along with everyone else as to who the four candidates will be.
I remember going down this road several years ago, twice in fact; first when Michael Reason was chosen for the post, and then a decade ago when Daniel Swift assumed the post. Each time, the new music director brought a lot of hope and promise for a better future, and fresh new ideas to the season. With both of those music directors, their promise was fulfilled, at least for a time, and each decided to leave the post for other opportunities further afield. That is not a bad thing, really, as fresh blood can do amazing things for the players of a symphony orchestra. This year, in fact, the revolving door of guest conductors has produced largely impressive results from the orchestra, kept on the edge of their collective seats as they learn the wants and desires of each guest conductor. It has been a fun, if rather uneven, experience this season.
Also this Sunday, I will be in the lobby before, at intermission and after the performance with my customary selection of recordings available for sale, including a couple of complete Beethoven symphony sets, conducted in different eras by Herbert von Karajan. I'll also have a good selection of Catherine Manoukian's recordings for sale, courtesy of the good folks at Marquis Records. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you're at the concert.
Of course, both the Beethoven sets and one of Catherine Manoukian's discs are currently available on the Mike's Picks page of my website, found at www.finemusic.ca, ready for purchase right now. Manoukian is a gifted young artist, and I am sure after hearing her on Sunday you'll want to get at least one of her discs for your collection. Her Chopin for Violin collection, made up of many of Chopin's familiar piano pieces transcribed for violin, is my particular favourite, and you'll find that featured on my website.
Hope to see you at the concert on Sunday, and let's see what the news is on a new conductor for the Niagara Symphony!
April 1st, 2009.
But the Niagara Symphony will also be looking ahead to next season, as they announce on Sunday the four finalists in the six-month search for a new music director, following the hasty departure of Daniel Swift just prior to the beginning of the season. We're assured the four candidates are pretty impressive; we'll find out next season when each will conduct one Masters and one Pops! concert, and that takes us to an announcement around May of 2010 of who the new music director will be. This is never an easy process, and takes a lot of time and effort. This time around, especially, the Niagara Symphony knows they have to get it right: in this day and age, we can't do this again for awhile! So Christopher Newton, Chairman of the Niagara Symphony Music Director Search Committee will announce the four finalists at the beginning of Sunday afternoon's concert. I am interested to hear the results of the search: I have been kept in the dark along with everyone else as to who the four candidates will be.
I remember going down this road several years ago, twice in fact; first when Michael Reason was chosen for the post, and then a decade ago when Daniel Swift assumed the post. Each time, the new music director brought a lot of hope and promise for a better future, and fresh new ideas to the season. With both of those music directors, their promise was fulfilled, at least for a time, and each decided to leave the post for other opportunities further afield. That is not a bad thing, really, as fresh blood can do amazing things for the players of a symphony orchestra. This year, in fact, the revolving door of guest conductors has produced largely impressive results from the orchestra, kept on the edge of their collective seats as they learn the wants and desires of each guest conductor. It has been a fun, if rather uneven, experience this season.
Also this Sunday, I will be in the lobby before, at intermission and after the performance with my customary selection of recordings available for sale, including a couple of complete Beethoven symphony sets, conducted in different eras by Herbert von Karajan. I'll also have a good selection of Catherine Manoukian's recordings for sale, courtesy of the good folks at Marquis Records. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you're at the concert.
Of course, both the Beethoven sets and one of Catherine Manoukian's discs are currently available on the Mike's Picks page of my website, found at www.finemusic.ca, ready for purchase right now. Manoukian is a gifted young artist, and I am sure after hearing her on Sunday you'll want to get at least one of her discs for your collection. Her Chopin for Violin collection, made up of many of Chopin's familiar piano pieces transcribed for violin, is my particular favourite, and you'll find that featured on my website.
Hope to see you at the concert on Sunday, and let's see what the news is on a new conductor for the Niagara Symphony!
April 1st, 2009.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Spring is Here! Bring on the choral music!
Spring officially, finally, arrived yesterday morning at precisely 7:44 am. I was out for my walk late yesterday afternoon and although it didn't feel too spring-like with the cooler temperatures, the blue sky and calm winds, along with the start of spring bulbs poking up through the earth in the garden already, told me that yes, indeed, we are on that road to spring for another year.
I don't know why, but I always associate choral music with the springtime. Perhaps because Easter is in the spring and so many concerts feature choral music geared towards the season, we just naturally link the two together. And for me, hearing voices rise up in song and resonate from a vaulted ceiling in a lovely old cathedral just sounds right at this time of the year.
When you talk great choral music for Easter, you almost invariably think of Bach and Handel, with the former usually leading the latter in choral performances at Easter. Handel usually wins the Christmas popularity contests with his oratorio Messiah, but you could - and should - enjoy Messiah at Easter also, as much of it really has to do with Easter rather than the Christmas season. And in fact, it premiered in Dublin around Easter time in 1741. But now, it is a Christmas staple, leaving the choral field open to Bach and his wonderful St. Matthew and St. John Passions and the magnificent Mass in B Minor, not to mention his Easter Cantatas.
I remember years ago, after attending the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival (now there's a juxtaposition of activities!) driving down to Hamilton to hear a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Bach-Elgar Choir at a cathedral in the downtown core, the name of which escapes me after all these years. But the blue sky with the sun going down as we entered the church for the performance on a cool spring evening, setting the scene for the powerful music we were about to hear inside, has stayed with me to this very day. I also remember not as many years ago hearing the same work at the majestic Church of Our Lady in downtown Guelph, set high on a hill as you enter the downtown. The performance by the Guelph Chamber Choir was equally moving that Sunday afternoon; I remember being particularly touched that day as it came about a month or so after the untimely death of my mother, and it was the first concert I had gone to since that event. There have been other performances, of course, in Toronto, here in Niagara and elsewhere that somehow define Easter season and the beginning of spring.
This season, we have already had a performance of the Mass in B Minor with Chorus Niagara a couple of weeks ago, and although I was in the wing outside of the church proper, I could tell the performance was exceptional and had touched the hearts of the capacity crowd at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria here in St. Catharines. Next Saturday evening, Choralis Camerata presents their spring performance, titlted "Heaven Laughs, The Earth Rejoices", at Lundy's Lane United Church in Niagara Falls. Featured will be the Easter Cantata 31 by Bach, along with other works appropriate to the season. It promises to be a great evening of music, and if you want to go, tickets are available by calling 905-354-4348, or you can log on to their website at www.choraliscamerata.com. I will be there that evening in the lobby at intermission and after the performance, so be sure to say hello if you go.
On my website this month, found at www.finemusic.ca, you can find excellent performances of both the B Minor Mass and the Easter Cantata 31 for sale, both at excellent prices. The B Minor Mass is a two-CD set on Naxos featuring the Dresden Chamber Choir and the Cologne Chamber Orchestra. The Easter Cantata, also a two-CD set from Berlin Classics, features all of Bach's Easter Cantatas performed by the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. These recordings will keep the performances with you long after the spring has gone for another year!
March 21st, 2009.
I don't know why, but I always associate choral music with the springtime. Perhaps because Easter is in the spring and so many concerts feature choral music geared towards the season, we just naturally link the two together. And for me, hearing voices rise up in song and resonate from a vaulted ceiling in a lovely old cathedral just sounds right at this time of the year.
When you talk great choral music for Easter, you almost invariably think of Bach and Handel, with the former usually leading the latter in choral performances at Easter. Handel usually wins the Christmas popularity contests with his oratorio Messiah, but you could - and should - enjoy Messiah at Easter also, as much of it really has to do with Easter rather than the Christmas season. And in fact, it premiered in Dublin around Easter time in 1741. But now, it is a Christmas staple, leaving the choral field open to Bach and his wonderful St. Matthew and St. John Passions and the magnificent Mass in B Minor, not to mention his Easter Cantatas.
I remember years ago, after attending the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival (now there's a juxtaposition of activities!) driving down to Hamilton to hear a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Bach-Elgar Choir at a cathedral in the downtown core, the name of which escapes me after all these years. But the blue sky with the sun going down as we entered the church for the performance on a cool spring evening, setting the scene for the powerful music we were about to hear inside, has stayed with me to this very day. I also remember not as many years ago hearing the same work at the majestic Church of Our Lady in downtown Guelph, set high on a hill as you enter the downtown. The performance by the Guelph Chamber Choir was equally moving that Sunday afternoon; I remember being particularly touched that day as it came about a month or so after the untimely death of my mother, and it was the first concert I had gone to since that event. There have been other performances, of course, in Toronto, here in Niagara and elsewhere that somehow define Easter season and the beginning of spring.
This season, we have already had a performance of the Mass in B Minor with Chorus Niagara a couple of weeks ago, and although I was in the wing outside of the church proper, I could tell the performance was exceptional and had touched the hearts of the capacity crowd at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria here in St. Catharines. Next Saturday evening, Choralis Camerata presents their spring performance, titlted "Heaven Laughs, The Earth Rejoices", at Lundy's Lane United Church in Niagara Falls. Featured will be the Easter Cantata 31 by Bach, along with other works appropriate to the season. It promises to be a great evening of music, and if you want to go, tickets are available by calling 905-354-4348, or you can log on to their website at www.choraliscamerata.com. I will be there that evening in the lobby at intermission and after the performance, so be sure to say hello if you go.
On my website this month, found at www.finemusic.ca, you can find excellent performances of both the B Minor Mass and the Easter Cantata 31 for sale, both at excellent prices. The B Minor Mass is a two-CD set on Naxos featuring the Dresden Chamber Choir and the Cologne Chamber Orchestra. The Easter Cantata, also a two-CD set from Berlin Classics, features all of Bach's Easter Cantatas performed by the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. These recordings will keep the performances with you long after the spring has gone for another year!
March 21st, 2009.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Service is out there...somewhere...
While I usually try to confine my comments in this space to music-related subjects, occasionally I take a detour for a bit of a rant of some sort before getting back to business as usual. Today is one of those days...
We hear so much these days about how customer service is the key to increasing business and weathering the current economic storm. And yet, often I find the customer service lacking to a great degree. Why is this? You would think, especially now, businesses would try to hold on to whatever customer base they have and try everything they can to increase it. One of the easiest ways, and one that costs nothing but a bit of time and effort, is in the area of customer service.
Last week, I had two experiences with customer service I'll share with you today: one was very good; the other not so good. The not so good concerns a certain big box technology retailer based in the United States with stores in Canada that wants you to know their sales persons are not working on commission. That's all very well and good, as I don't like commissioned sales people breathing down my neck while I am browsing, but when I am ready to spend, I expect someone to be available. On several occasions in the past week, not just once, mind you, I was at said retailer looking to upgrade a computer program and their sale price on that upgrade was significantly less than the competition. Do you think I could find a person to help me out with my purchase? I did find one soul who could offer me little or no insight into the product, so I decided to leave it for the time being and perhaps even shop elsewhere. I might still get the upgrade there, when all is said and done, but I must say the lack of service and product knowledge was quite frustrating.
The very good experience came last Saturday evening when Sophie and I were out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. We went to Treadwell's in Port Dalhousie on a truly dark and stormy night, and in spite of a winemakers' dinner taking up a lot of their attention from 7 pm onwards just a few feet away, the service at our table was exceptional. Granted, you pay for that service with the bill at the end of the evening, but still, the service is not always reflected in the size of the bill. This night, several people, not just our particular server, went out of their way to make sure every last detail was taken care of and the evening would be a memorable one. It was, and I certainly will recommend them to others who might be planning a nice dinner out in the future.
So what is different here? One large U.S. based retailer just doesn't seem to get the message that you have to hit the proper balance between being there and not being overbearing; a local restaurant goes out of their way to make the evening special, without even knowing it was indeed a special evening. All it takes is a little effort, and the dividends are significant.
With my business, A Web of Fine Music, while I don't operate a storefront location so often I only communicate with my customers via email or the internet, I still try to make every effort to be informative, friendly, and attentive. Many customers I talk to on the phone or make personal deliveries to, and the approach is always the same. It takes little effort to show you care, and the customer matters. I don't know about you, but I personally would rather pay a little more in order to get the service I feel I deserve; I will likewise avoid a great price if I don't feel the business is the least bit interested in keeping me as a customer. I may not always have the lowest price on a particular item, but I always try to remain competitive and certainly include value added items like free local delivery, whenever possible.
If you're frustrated finding the music you love, whether you are here in Niagara or elsewhere, why not give me a try? You can find my website at www.finemusic.ca, and my email address is music@vaxxine.com. If music is your passion, why not support a local business that shares your passion?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
March 14th, 2009.
We hear so much these days about how customer service is the key to increasing business and weathering the current economic storm. And yet, often I find the customer service lacking to a great degree. Why is this? You would think, especially now, businesses would try to hold on to whatever customer base they have and try everything they can to increase it. One of the easiest ways, and one that costs nothing but a bit of time and effort, is in the area of customer service.
Last week, I had two experiences with customer service I'll share with you today: one was very good; the other not so good. The not so good concerns a certain big box technology retailer based in the United States with stores in Canada that wants you to know their sales persons are not working on commission. That's all very well and good, as I don't like commissioned sales people breathing down my neck while I am browsing, but when I am ready to spend, I expect someone to be available. On several occasions in the past week, not just once, mind you, I was at said retailer looking to upgrade a computer program and their sale price on that upgrade was significantly less than the competition. Do you think I could find a person to help me out with my purchase? I did find one soul who could offer me little or no insight into the product, so I decided to leave it for the time being and perhaps even shop elsewhere. I might still get the upgrade there, when all is said and done, but I must say the lack of service and product knowledge was quite frustrating.
The very good experience came last Saturday evening when Sophie and I were out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. We went to Treadwell's in Port Dalhousie on a truly dark and stormy night, and in spite of a winemakers' dinner taking up a lot of their attention from 7 pm onwards just a few feet away, the service at our table was exceptional. Granted, you pay for that service with the bill at the end of the evening, but still, the service is not always reflected in the size of the bill. This night, several people, not just our particular server, went out of their way to make sure every last detail was taken care of and the evening would be a memorable one. It was, and I certainly will recommend them to others who might be planning a nice dinner out in the future.
So what is different here? One large U.S. based retailer just doesn't seem to get the message that you have to hit the proper balance between being there and not being overbearing; a local restaurant goes out of their way to make the evening special, without even knowing it was indeed a special evening. All it takes is a little effort, and the dividends are significant.
With my business, A Web of Fine Music, while I don't operate a storefront location so often I only communicate with my customers via email or the internet, I still try to make every effort to be informative, friendly, and attentive. Many customers I talk to on the phone or make personal deliveries to, and the approach is always the same. It takes little effort to show you care, and the customer matters. I don't know about you, but I personally would rather pay a little more in order to get the service I feel I deserve; I will likewise avoid a great price if I don't feel the business is the least bit interested in keeping me as a customer. I may not always have the lowest price on a particular item, but I always try to remain competitive and certainly include value added items like free local delivery, whenever possible.
If you're frustrated finding the music you love, whether you are here in Niagara or elsewhere, why not give me a try? You can find my website at www.finemusic.ca, and my email address is music@vaxxine.com. If music is your passion, why not support a local business that shares your passion?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
March 14th, 2009.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Another busy weekend for the arts in Niagara...
Well, we may not have the cornucopia of musical events we had last weekend, but there is still plenty to do this weekend if you are into the arts in Niagara. Here are a few suggestions if you plan to get out the next couple of days...
Leading off the weekend is the next performance by our 100-voice strong choir, Chorus Niagara, who perform this evening (Saturday) at 7:30 at the wonderful Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in downtown St. Catharines. Artistic Director Robert Cooper conducts one of the truly great choral works of all time: Bach's B-Minor Mass. This promises to be a great evening, with voices, orchestra and conductor joining together to fill every corner of the cathedral with the most sublime music you can imagine. I will be there in the new entrance later this evening, and yes, I will be set up with recordings of the B-Minor Mass available for sale along with many other great choral discs. For tickets, call the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257.
Continuing for another week at the Sullivan Mahoney Theatre in the old courthouse next to market square in downtown St. Catharines is Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects latest production: David Mamet's American Buffalo. I was at the opening night performance last Saturday evening and the theatre was full to capacity, and those in attendance were treated to a fine example of late twentieth-century American theatre. Mamet uses rather colourful language to bring his three characters to life, but it does not offend: you cannot imagine these three not using expletives when they speak. Basically, the story deals with three hard-nosed amateur crooks looking for an easier way to chase the American Dream; they decide to rob someone they believe to be in possession of an expensive coin collection, after the person buys an American Buffalo coin from one of the three who runs a second hand resale shop. Unfortunately for them, they cannot get their acts together and never manage to leave the shop to pull off the job. Director Kelly Daniels crafts fine performances from all three cast members here, including her husband, Shaw Festival veteran Ric Reid, as the abrasive Teach. There are several performances before the show closes March 15th, including a Tuesday evening Pay-what-U-can show. For tickets and peformance times, call Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects at 905-938-1222.
On Sunday evening at 6:30, the Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre at 247 Ricardo Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake presents Muzyka - From Warsaw with Love; Music, Art and Song. The evening combines the stunning art of Wojciech Ciesniewski together with the extraordinary music of Waclaw Zimpel and the jazz music of 2009 Juno Award nominee, Chris Donnelly. Guest peformers include Polish-born Kornel Wolak, the clarinettist from Toronto-based Quartetto Gelato, as well as Niagara's own Wendy Franz. pianist and graduate of the Brock School of Music and soprano Natalie Donnelly. Tickets are only $ 15, including wine and hors-d'oeuvres, so how can you go wrong?
Also opening this weekend is The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien, returning to Theatre in Port in Port Dalhousie. Director Wendy Mackie says you are welcome to participate in the show as well, as most people who follow the Rocky Horror Show will know all too well. The small, intimate space at Theatre in Port should lend itself particularly well to getting 'up close and personal' with your favourite performers from the show. Dinner and show packages are available by calling 905-934-0575, ext. 226. The show runs to March 21st.
So there you go - lots to do on the weekend we welcome Daylight Saving Time back for another season!
March 7th, 2009.
Leading off the weekend is the next performance by our 100-voice strong choir, Chorus Niagara, who perform this evening (Saturday) at 7:30 at the wonderful Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in downtown St. Catharines. Artistic Director Robert Cooper conducts one of the truly great choral works of all time: Bach's B-Minor Mass. This promises to be a great evening, with voices, orchestra and conductor joining together to fill every corner of the cathedral with the most sublime music you can imagine. I will be there in the new entrance later this evening, and yes, I will be set up with recordings of the B-Minor Mass available for sale along with many other great choral discs. For tickets, call the Brock box office at 905-688-5550, ext. 3257.
Continuing for another week at the Sullivan Mahoney Theatre in the old courthouse next to market square in downtown St. Catharines is Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects latest production: David Mamet's American Buffalo. I was at the opening night performance last Saturday evening and the theatre was full to capacity, and those in attendance were treated to a fine example of late twentieth-century American theatre. Mamet uses rather colourful language to bring his three characters to life, but it does not offend: you cannot imagine these three not using expletives when they speak. Basically, the story deals with three hard-nosed amateur crooks looking for an easier way to chase the American Dream; they decide to rob someone they believe to be in possession of an expensive coin collection, after the person buys an American Buffalo coin from one of the three who runs a second hand resale shop. Unfortunately for them, they cannot get their acts together and never manage to leave the shop to pull off the job. Director Kelly Daniels crafts fine performances from all three cast members here, including her husband, Shaw Festival veteran Ric Reid, as the abrasive Teach. There are several performances before the show closes March 15th, including a Tuesday evening Pay-what-U-can show. For tickets and peformance times, call Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects at 905-938-1222.
On Sunday evening at 6:30, the Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre at 247 Ricardo Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake presents Muzyka - From Warsaw with Love; Music, Art and Song. The evening combines the stunning art of Wojciech Ciesniewski together with the extraordinary music of Waclaw Zimpel and the jazz music of 2009 Juno Award nominee, Chris Donnelly. Guest peformers include Polish-born Kornel Wolak, the clarinettist from Toronto-based Quartetto Gelato, as well as Niagara's own Wendy Franz. pianist and graduate of the Brock School of Music and soprano Natalie Donnelly. Tickets are only $ 15, including wine and hors-d'oeuvres, so how can you go wrong?
Also opening this weekend is The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien, returning to Theatre in Port in Port Dalhousie. Director Wendy Mackie says you are welcome to participate in the show as well, as most people who follow the Rocky Horror Show will know all too well. The small, intimate space at Theatre in Port should lend itself particularly well to getting 'up close and personal' with your favourite performers from the show. Dinner and show packages are available by calling 905-934-0575, ext. 226. The show runs to March 21st.
So there you go - lots to do on the weekend we welcome Daylight Saving Time back for another season!
March 7th, 2009.
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