OperaTion Youth

For Immediate Release: January 31, 2014

LANGLEY COMMUNITY MUSIC ANNOUNCES NEW OPERA PROJECT “Opera-Tion YOUTH” AND CALLS FOR YOUNG WRITERS

Langley, BC – Langley Community Music School (LCMS) is looking for young B.C. writers between the ages of 12 and 24 to contribute stories to the school’s exciting new project OperaTion Youth.  The winner(s) will have their story set to music by young composers and presented in performance in May 2015.

“We are excited to launch this community music project in Langley,” says Marcel Bergmann, LCMS director of program advancement and OperaTion Youth project co-director. “This is a unique opportunity for young people to be involved in a creative project from its inception, collaborating with an array of professionals and other young artists.”

One or more stories will be chosen through a competitive process, and selected young writers will have the opportunity to work closely with a professional librettist to develop their story into an opera/musical theatre piece.   The production will be adapted to the submissions received – whether ultimately a single multi-act opera or up to three short one act operas. Once the libretto(s) are complete, young composers will also be selected through a competitive process, and will work with a professional composer to develop their scores.  There will be a cash award presented to the selected writers and composers.

Four performances are planned for May 2015 to coincide with B.C. Youth Week. Performances will take place in LCMS’ Rose Gellert Hall. 

OperaTion Youth lead artists include Marcel Bergmann, project co-director; Elizabeth Bergmann, project co-director; Kico Gonzalez-Risso, librettist/director; and Joel Stobbe, conductor.

The call for entries is open to B.C. residents between the ages of 12 and 24. Interested individuals must submit an expression of interest to LCMS including a cover letter with their contact information and age, story outline and a 250-word summary by February 28, 2014. The story will be based on a socially relevant theme and will be suitable for a family audience.  Applicants must attend a March 15, 2014 workshop at LCMS with the librettist.  Additional dates and deadlines are outlined below:   

February 28, 2014                       Expression of interest deadline.

March 7, 2014                              Shortlisted applicants notified.

March 15, 2014                            Workshop with shortlisted applicants.

April 22, 2014                              Story submission deadline (shortlisted candidates only).

April 30, 2014                              Notification of selected writers/stories.

May 1 – June 30, 2014               Selected writer(s) work with librettist to develop and complete libretto.       

May 2015                                      Performances at LCMS during B.C. Youth Week. 

Interested applicants should submit their expression of interest by email to development@langleymusic.com with OperaTion Youth in the subject line or by mail to Langley Community Music School, 4899 207^th St., Langley, BC   V3A 2E4, attention: OperaTion Youth.

“As it progresses, the project will bring many more opportunities for youth in surrounding communities,” says Marcel Bergmann, “including vocal soloists, instrumentalists, and others looking to help with stage management and set design to name a few.” 

For more information please contact Marcel or Elizabeth Bergmann at 604-534-2848.

ABOUT LANGLEY COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

LCMS is a non-profit charitable organization committed to providing the highest quality music education to the community. It is one of the largest community music schools in the province, offering comprehensive and innovative music programming to students of all ages and levels, from early learning to pre-professional, and adult programs. To learn more about the Langley Community Music School, please visit www.langleymusic.com or call 604-534-2848.

BIOGRAPHIES – OperaTion Youth Lead Artists

Marcel Bergmann – Project Co-Director, Composer

For the last 20 years, Marcel has enjoyed an active musical career as a performer, composer, improviser and teacher. His broad range of musical interest and experience in both, classical and popular music has led to an output in a variety of styles and genres.  He has been involved as composer and musical director in a variety of theatre, cabaret and multimedia projects. The BavarianTelevision, Arte and other European broadcasting corporations, have broadcast his music for television features. In 2004, he was a composer-in-residence for Calgary Opera’s Let’s create an Opera programme. In December 2005, Marcel’s Urban Pulse for two pianos was premiered as the commissioned work for The 10th Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition (past commissioned composers included Morton Gould, Ned Rorem, William Bolcom and John Corigliano). His music appears on the Canadian National Conservatory’s series Making Tracks- An Expedition in Canadian Piano Music. He has been commissioned by various organizations including the CBC, the Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, the Spiritus Chamber Choir, the Langley Community Music School and the San Francisco International Music Festival.  His most recent large-scale work, Two Bit Oper-Eh-Shun (an oratorio on homelessness) was premiered at the 2010 High Performance Rodeo in Calgary and was presented as part of the New York Music Theatre Festival in July 2012. Marcel is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre. Marcel is currently Director of Program Advancement at the Langley Community Music School where he also teaches piano, composition and chamber music.

Elizabeth Bergmann – Project Co-Director

Elizabeth Bergmann has an active performing career as pianist and chamber musician and is the recipient of many awards and prizes of international competitions such as the International Chamber Music Competition in Caltanissetta, Italy and the 4th Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition. She performs most regularly with her husband as the Bergmann Piano Duo and has recorded numerous CDs with various ensembles and artists appearing on the Arktos, Naxos and Brilliant Classics labels. Recitals and concerts with orchestra have taken her to many parts of the world including the United States, Italy, Germany, Holland, Greece and Canada.  Elizabeth is nationally and internationally involved as a lecturer, presenter and juror of festivals and competitions. She is Artistic Director of Concerts and Director of Summer Programmes at the Langley Community Music School in Langley, BC. She has been on faculty at The Mount Royal University in Calgary and at the University of Calgary and for many years was involved in various musical activities at the Banff Centre for the Arts. She was a core member of Calgary Land’s End Chamber Ensemble and in the 2004-2005 season, she and her husband served as Artistic Directors of The Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition and Foundation in Miami.

Kico Gonzalez-Risso – Librettist, Director

A published playwright, director and librettist, Kico has had his work produced at various theatres, including The Arts Club, Waterfront Theatre, Richmond Gateway Theatre, Calgary’s Lunchbox Theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary Opera Association, Lancaster Opera, The Cleveland Institute of Music, NYU’s Black Box Theater, Heartland Opera Theater in Missouri and the Maryland Arts Festival. Among his professionally produced plays are the musical GHOSTS IN LOVE (book and lyrics), WONDERVILLE, SLEEPWALKER, INSPECTOR SLY’s SECOND-TO-LAST CASE, ART ATTACK, PHONING IT IN (for CBC Radio Drama), INQUISITION, THE FOREPLAY and VOODOO. His work has been broadcast on C.B.C.’s West Coast Performance and SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA. His play, HARP & SOLO (featuring harpist Rita Costanzi) sold out its run at Vancouver’s prestigious Music in the Morning series. Kico then wrote A SCORE TO SETTLE for Rita which premiered at MusicFest Vancouver, and continues to be performed internationally. With Japanese composer Koji Nakano, Kico wrote BRUSH, a chamber opera about Goya commissioned by Tapestry New Opera. He wrote the chamber opera La Señorita Mundo with Chinese Canadian composer Njo Kong Kie for Toronto’s Summerworks Festival. Kico’s choral texts have been performed by musica intima, Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Turning Point Ensemble and Vancouver Cantata Singers. In 2011, Kico and composer Cameron Wilson wrote SUPERNATURAL NOIR a film noir opera produced by Fugue Theatre. Last season Kico wrote SECRET SERVICE, an espionage operetta composed by Neil Weisensel and presented at Performance Works.  Kico is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada and SOCAN.

Joel Stobbe – Conductor

Born and raised in Prince George, Joel Stobbe has received his Artistic Diploma of Music Performance from the Augsburg Conservatory of Music in Germany, regularly performing as soloist and with chamber groups in Germany, France and Italy. Upon his return to Canada, Joel was a founding member of the Borealis String Quartet (2000-2005). He toured with the quartet, giving performances throughout Canada and the United States, with frequent broadcasts on radio and television. In addition to regular quartet activities, Joel enjoyed giving educational concerts and masterclasses to young people from Dawson City to New York City.  Joel is currently the principal cellist of the Vancouver Island Symphony, and enjoys an active career giving frequent concerts as soloist and chamber musician. Joel is the Program Coordinator for Advanced Programs at LCMS, and conducts the LCMS Concert Orchestra.

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Media Contacts:
Meagan Baker
Communications Consultant
604.351.0525
mb.baker@telus.net

Carolyn Granholm
Assistant Principal
Langley Community Music School
604.534.2848
development@langleymusic.com