Classical music fans rejoice: the Sea to Sky String Orchestra has reached its 10th anniversary and displays no sign of slowing down.
Over the last decade, the Orchestra has swelled from just six players to a roster of 20. They average half a dozen concerts per year, including their gigs at holiday events, the Whistler Writers Festival (WWF), Sea to Sky Gondola and various local fundraisers. Four traditional instruments make up their collective toolbox: violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Yuko Iwanaga is the only director in Orchestra history. She moved from Tokyo to Canada in 1994 with a suitcase, skis and a violin, and has found plenty of use for all three items. An alumna of the Suzuki Method's highest level (postgraduate No. 4), Iwanaga has 19 years of private teaching experience under her belt, including high school strings at the Whistler Waldorf School.
"Sharing various songs and coaching the Orchestra gives me great joy, especially bringing in music from my youth," says Iwanaga. "It brings back so many great memories. There are no limits when it comes to music! I don’t really try to lead; I just focus on sharing the best from what I know."
Charlotte Jacklein, who plays viola, figures she and her cohorts have played in more than 60 community concerts to date. She was quick to heap praise on Iwanaga for facilitating it all.
"Yuko is one of the most incredibly inspiring and dedicated human beings I have ever met," Jacklein remarks. "She is a wonderful, quiet leader who guides us and encourages us, even when we think something might not be possible, and she is so dedicated to bringing music to the world.
"Yuko has this incredible gift where she encourages people and makes them stretch beyond what they think is possible, but in the kindest, gentlest way you could imagine."
Working to create something beautiful
Simply put, the Orchestra is a group of passionate musicians who love classical music and love sharing it with their community. They represent a wide range of professions: doctors, firefighters, nurses, teachers like Iwanaga and Jacklein, and more. Some have immersed themselves in the musical realm since childhood, while others have picked their instruments back up after hiatuses in adult life.
Recognized composers like Mozart, Vivaldi and Mendelssohn feature prominently in the Orchestra's repertoire, complemented by modern-day soundtracks like Game of Thrones and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Some folks are surprised to learn of Whistler's healthy classical niche. The genre is often associated with urban centres instead of resort towns, but Sea to Sky musicians are dedicated enough to make up for their smaller numbers.
"In so many ways, I feel that over time we've developed certain traditions that we as players look forward to," says Jacklein. "For example, one tradition is playing a free Christmas concert at the Fairmont lobby, usually around the winter solstice. For many of us, that really is an important part of the holiday season. It feels very special, and it's a gift that we love to give.
"I love how when we all play together, the worries of the world drop away a bit and I feel really present in the moment … connected to the people around me as we work together to create something beautiful."
Music: a part of life
When asked to reflect on her memories of the Orchestra, three broad experiences came to Jacklein's mind: seeing young kids awed at their first orchestral experience, travellers expressing how happy they are to enjoy classical music in the Sea to Sky, and clearly-emotional audience members sharing how a given piece reminded them of a special person or moment in their life.
"Music has played a big role in our lives, and so we love to show young people what different opportunities are out there," Jacklein expresses. "Often, it's pretty easy to see what athletic opportunities exist in the Sea to Sky: biking, skiing, snowboarding, all those great things. But, it's not always obvious that there also are musical or creative opportunities. Sometimes, it can take a little while for young people to find their niche and for some [of them], music might just be a fit where they feel inspired."
Iwanaga agrees wholeheartedly.
"Music was never an extra activity [for me], but rather a part of life. It is a special way to speak and express one’s soul,” she says. “Communicating without words through an instrument is so special. I think it is so important at any age to hear the harmony, the sound and feel, and interpret them freely to one’s life experience."
If any proficient string player, especially a cellist, feels inspired to take up a new hobby, the Orchestra is looking for talent to fill some recent vacancies. According to Jacklein, the desired skill level is Royal Conservatory of Music Level 7, Suzuki Volume 8 or an equivalent curriculum.
Learn more about the Sea to Sky String Orchestra at .
