CHRISTMAS MUSIC NIGHT

Every year, the college that my Dad was on staff at would put on a major production we called: Christmas Music Night. People would travel from near and far to pack out the auditorium which back in the day sat 4500. A 180 voice choir, 60 piece orchestra and various smaller groups, soloists and instrumentalists made up this large production. Every 4th year the entire entourage would travel to Calgary and Edmonton, first by train and later by busses to perform the exact same program in the beautiful Jubilee Auditoriums which sat 2500 people a piece and were often sold out as well.

While I may not have fully appreciated what I experienced at the time I have realized that these experiences played a role in my overall musical appreciation. While the music was very conservative, there was a high standard of quality when it came to the performances. Pitch, tempo, diction, blend and host of other factors which make for an enjoyable musical experience bacame important factors for me later in life.

I want to recommend 3 different videos for you to be able to experience your own, "Music Night" this Christmas season. Pour yourself a steaming cup of hot chocolate, (with marshmallows of course) and enjoy these artists and performances alone or with a group of family or friends. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

The first one is by Yo Yo Ma and his very musically diverse friends. Everything from classical, folk and celtic make this a fantastic holiday experience. This one you may need to do a search for each song as I couldn't find a play list for the entire thing. This should start you off . . .

Yo Yo Ma And Friends ~ Songs Of Joy and Peace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxDZjg_Igoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxDZjg_Igoc

The second one is from Sting. Set in the stunning Durham Cathedral in England the performance are stellar and the lighting is spectacular.

Sting: A Winter's Night . . . Live from Durham Cathedral

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl1FnmSGj1Q

The third one is from Andrea Bocelli and David Foster along with a host of friends. Again, the sound and performances are A-1 and there is something there for every taste.

Andrea Bocelli ~ My Christmas ~ Live From The Kodak Theatre, USA / 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz2HYs59m2g&list=PLW5iZBBR47Dj-0wjxVOCecE3uHU0sH2dQ

You may need to do some searching to find these but it is well worth the effort!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? #15 ~ ROY HENRY VICKERS

Next up in my, "Where Are They Now" series is PHS alum, Roy Henry Vickers. Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers is best known around the world for his limited edition prints. He is also an accomplished carver, design advisor of prestigious public spaces, a sought-after keynote speaker, publisher and author of several successful books.

In addition, he is a recognized leader in the First Nations community, and a tireless spokesperson for recovery from addictions and abuse.

Roy has received many awards and honours for his art and community involvement. Among them are a hereditary chieftainship and several hereditary names he has received from Northwest Coast First Nations.

Roy had and has many relatives who have attended Prairie over the years and he speaks of his student work at Prairie where he wrapped insulation around steam pipes in the newly formed steam tunnels.

An astounding fact for such a prominent, world class talent as Roy, is that he is colour blind. When you see his work you would never guess that he has that condition.

If you are ever in Toffino, Roy's Gallery and Museum are, "must sees"!! More than 500,000 visitors a year from around the world visit it each year and it is one of the area's main attractions.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? #14 ~ JILL PAQUETTE (DeZwaan)

This next artist in my, "Where Are They Now" series may well be the singly most talented artist I have ever had the privilege of working with.

As a freshman at Prairie College the word quickly got around about this amazing singer, songwriter, guitar and keyboard player named Jill Paquette. Classically trained Jill arrived on campus at 17 already an accomplished piano player. Soon after arriving Jill joined Matt Brouwer's, MNW (Monday Night Worship) and recorded 2 albums with them.

I will never forget the evening I asked Jill to come over to the house and we recorded a couple of demo / audition songs in my very crude basement studio. The first thing that blew me away was when I asked Jill who some of her influences were when she was growing up, she without reservation said, "Wendy Swanson".

Turns out Wendy had been on tour and Jill and her Mother had heard her and her Mom had bought her the CD and the songbook. I looked at Jill incredulously as I had produced two albums for Wendy back in 1987 and 1990 and to prove it Jill sang me one of Wendy's songs! The moment Jill opened her mouth to sing I knew what an incredible gift and talent she had.

It was an honour for me to be part of the team along with Eldon Winter and Phil Madeira to have produced Jill's debut record for Reunion Records in Nashville, TN. The album went on to win a JUNO award, 2 Western Canadian Music Awards, 3 VIBE Awards, nominated for 2 DOVE awards and Jill was named a, "Best New Artist" by Christianity Today.

Jill now lives in Colorado with her husband and family and in addition to her musical pursuits has opened an Etsy store.

I will post links in the comments to both Jill's website and her Etsy Store. Please check them out!

https://jillpaquettedezwaan.wixsite.com/website

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/FeatherandPineFinds

REWARD OFFERED FOR ANY INFORMATION ON THESE INSTRUMENTS!

I am reaching out to the community to see if someone may be able to provide any clues on the following missing items.

I am offering a substantial reward leading to any information or recovery of these instruments. 

In addition to their monetary value, some of these have great emotional / sentimental meaning to me and I hope one day to be reunited with them. For instance: The Larivee' guitar was probably used on over 200 projects that I was a part of and was one of the original hand-built instruments by Jean Larivee' himself before he went into, "commercial" production. That guitar played and recorded like a dream!

These instruments were last seen in the Franklin, TN area.

We have reason to believe that they may have been sold or pawned in the Chattanooga, TN area.

Thank you - SjR

1 - Fender Telecaster Guitar w/ original certificate, paperwork, etc., with original hardshell case. Serial Number: DZ0257271

1 - Gibson - J 185 - 12 string Guitar w/ original certificate, paperwork, etc., with original hardshell case. Serial Number: 00740041

1 - Gibson Flying V w/ original certificate, paperwork, etc,. with original hardshell case. Serial Number: 01180764

1 - Gibson Les Paul w/ original certificate, paperwork, etc., with original hardshell case. Serial Number: 901523

1 - Gretsch 8211 with original hardshell case. Serial Number: 2-0203

1 - Larivee' Acoustic Guitar with original hardshell case. Serial Number: 091778

1 - PRS - Bass Guitar w/original certificate, paperwork, etc. with original hardshell case. Serial Number: EB00289 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? #13 ~ LINFORD DETWEILER (Over The Rhine)

Next up in the, "Where Are They Now" series, I am featuring, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and PHS alum, Linford Detweiler.

A long line of Linford's siblings attended PHS and one of my fond memories of Linford is from his piano playing. Back in the day we had to be in our seats for an 8 a.m. start for morning chapel and unless you were good buds with the row checker or you were the row checker you didn't want to be late or absent.

Linford would arrive a little early and pound out some tunes on the old upright piano in the High School Auditorium. One of my memories is of him playing, Bad, Bad Leroy Brown and at the sign of the first teacher magically transition into a staid hymn!

After High School, Linford became a member of the band, Servant. In the spring of 1989, he with 2 other members of Servant along with Karin Bergquist, formed a new group called, Over The Rhine named after a neighbourhood in Cincinnati, OH.

Over the Rhine released independently their first two albums, Till We Have Faces, in 1991 (named for the C. S. Lewis book of the same title) and Patience in 1992, before eventually signing with label giant I.R.S. Records later in 1992. IRS acquired both Till We Have Faces and Patience, issuing them as the first two releases from the band, and later in 1994 would fully fund the band's third LP release Eve to rave reviews.

OTR has released 3 wonderful Christmas albums and I would recommend you add them to your Christmas listening.

Linford and Karin live on their farm in OH called: Nowhere Farm where they host a yearly music and arts festival, Nowhere Else. It is certainly on our bucket list to attend one of these years.

I am going to post two songs in the comments below:

Fair Warning: Possible Trigger

If you have suffered loss or are going through a time of grief, this song may not be for you so feel free to move on to the next one. Linford has written a heartfelt tribute to his father and sings and delivers the lyrics in a deep way. It may also be an encouragement to you.

The next song is more, "Christmasy" in nature but also is maybe a good song for this 2020 year we have all been through.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haukwn2sBwc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxyDHupA6Og

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? #12 ~ HOLLYWOOD HEROES (Jon Rendall, Michael Wiens, TJ MacKenzie)

Next up in the; "Where Are They Now?" series features 3 childhood friends who grew up together and were in the same class at PCA from kindergarten through to Grade 12. Another interesting fact is that all 3 had parents who were staff kids as well as grandparents who were also on staff.

TJ MacKenzie, Michael Wiens and Jon Rendall formed the band, Hollywood Heroes in 2009 and recorded their first EP which was released in 2010.

The future looked bright for the band as they had good looks (I might be a little biased here) hooky songs and energetic live performances. Radio quickly embraced the band and Hollywood Heroes was about to embark on their first national tour across Canada.

After a show in Calgary, lead singer Jon had tremendous pain in his vocal cords. The condition didn't get any better and after being thoroughly checked for thyroid, nodules, allergies, taking a month of vocal rest and anything else the doctors could think of nothing seemed to help.

The tour had to be cancelled and the band was put on hold. As you can imagine this was devastating to the guys on multiple levels. Several months later there began to be an acceptance that HH was not to be and the guys each went their separate ways, marrying and having families.

Hear their song ETERNITY here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ItUM8VdVnI

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? #11 ~ STEPHEN BACKHOUSE

Next up in my; "Where Are They Now" series is PHS alum and former staff kid, international speaker, teacher and author, Stephen Backhouse.

I have known Stephen and his brother David since they were born. Their Father and Mother, Norman and Vaila were on staff at Prairie where Norman taught in the college and later pastored the Prairie Tabernacle Congregation.

Catherine and I loved Stephen's Grandmother, Vera Nicolson or as we called her, "Mrs. Nic". I remember many Sundays after church, (where Vaila would have played her vibraphone) begging Mom and Dad to invite them over for lunch, which they often did.

Later I knew Mrs. Nic as the hostess of tea time in the Dining Hall at 3pm every weekday. Dressed in her apron, a smile on her face and a cheery word for all she served in this capacity long after retirement age.

Catherine and I had the privilege many times of taking her with us on numerous trips to the U.S. and dropping her off at her son, Grahame's place in Montana. A more gracious lady you will not find!

Stephen is the Lecturer in Social and Political Theology at St. Mellitus College, London. He has also lectured and taught for the last two decades to thousands around the world in churches, universities, schools, festivals, political conferences, youth camps, newspapers, magazines, television and podcasts.

Stephen has a doctorate from the University of Oxford and multiple master’s degrees from McGill University in Montreal and Oxford, where he also did his undergraduate studies in philosophy and theology.

He is an historian of Christian thought, an expert on the work of Søren Kierkegaard and an authority on the political theology of nations and nationalism. He has published a number of critically well-received books and articles on religion, history, and Kierkegaard, from the popular Compact Guide to Christian History (Lion Publishers) to the academic Kierkegaard’s Critique of Christian Nationalism (Oxford University Press). He is the author of many publications, including the award-winning popular biography Kierkegaard: A Single Life (Zondervan: 2016).