2022 – Vancouver Island Symphony

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Heather is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony. The VISO is continuing to perform in 2022 throughout the covid pandemic, but with 50% seating capacity, special covid protocols in place, and some modifications of schedule.

More information about the Vancouver Island Symphony, and a full list of 2022 concerts, can be found at: https://www.vancouverislandsymphony.com

Please note: our January concert has been re-scheduled to June 2022.

ELECTRIFYING EROICA – Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 5:00 pm OR 7:30 pm (**now in June)

Our full orchestra returns to the stage, featuring the piece which we were rehearsing when our world was interrupted: Beethoven’s third symphony. Powerful symbolism permeates the work, the most perfect example of resilience in face of adversity. Also on the program, a new VIS commission featuring the words of Nanaimo Poet Laureate Tina Biello , with music by Vancouver composer Katerina Gimon.

When not playing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique. For more information about lessons or workshops, please contact her at info@soundbeingstudio.com.

January 2022 – Alexander Technique for UVic “Business of Music” Class

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On January 21st, 2022, Heather Walker will be presenting a virtual seminar about the Alexander Technique to the University of Victoria “Business of Music” class, MUS 310. The class is required for all music majors, and also open to students from other disciplines.

Heather is a professional musician, playing French horn in many different orchestras and music groups. She is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, a century-old system for incorporating more awareness, ease, and efficiency of movement and thought into everything a person does. The Alexander Technique is particularly well known in the music world, since there is so much refined and repetitious movement in playing an instrument, and this often manifests itself into tension, repetitive strain, and injury.

For this presentation, Heather will touch on many aspects of the technique. Discussion will include:

  • The history of the Alexander Technique
  • The difference between treating a symptom, and un-learning harmful habits that are creating the problem
  • The understanding of kinaesthetic awareness and re-education to be able to change habits
  • Some of the principles of the Alexander Technique and how they are taught
  • Some basic experiments and tools to try at home
  • A better anatomical understanding of our design, especially the head, neck & back relationship

Heather is always happy to give lessons, workshops, and presentations on the Alexander Technique. Please contact her for more information at info@soundbeingstudio.com, or 250-716-3464

Fall 2021 – Vancouver Island Symphony

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Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island symphony. The VISO, based in Nanaimo, is continuing to perform, although juggling a modified 2021/2022 season due to the corona virus. The VISO performs at the Port Theatre, which has been at 50% capacity, with special covid protocols in place. Heather did not perform in the fall concerts due to the small instrumentations, but looks forward to performing with her colleagues again in 2022.

In the fall of 2021, VISO musicians performed three shows:

FRIENDSHIP – Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 5:00 pm OR 7:30 pm

The program includes two gems from the chamber music repertoire – one freshly written, one immortal. In both cases, written from one friend to another. Harpist Lani Krantz and Clarinetist Christopher Lee weave the melodies, accompanied by their friends: our own VIS String Principals.

DOUBLE THE FUN! – Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 5:00 pm OR 7:30 pm

Double your pleasure with these two works for Double String Quartet. Respighi’s work features ultra-romanticism at its best, while Mendelssohn’s Octet remains the absolute reference piece for this unusual instrumental formation. A tuneful, spectacular, powerful program featuring the front row of the VIS String Section.

KEEP CALM & CAROL ON – Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 5:00 pm OR 7:30 pm

And the trumpet shall sound! Celebrate the holiday season with fun, games and merriment, with brass fanfares and flourishes – courtesy of our own VIS Back Row Brass with special guests Festive Brass.

For more information about the Vancouver Island Symphony: https://www.vancouverislandsymphony.com/symphony-at-the-port-theatre

2021 Professional Music Pause

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2021 Professional Music Pause

Heather is a professional musician, having played French horn since the age of ten. She is currently a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and the Vancouver Island Symphony, as well as playing often with other groups such as the Vancouver Symphony, the Kamloops Symphony, chamber music groups, and a variety of other opportunities. Unfortunately COVID-19 has put a “halt” on the majority of music performance opportunities for 2020 and ’21. Heather looks forward to seeing her colleagues again when things open up!

Heather will be busy doing all sorts of other things….including learning to play alto recorder, just for a fun music challenge. In the meantime, Heather is also a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, and continues to teach out of her home studio in downtown Nanaimo. Heather came to the Alexander Technique through her music work, as early studies led her to tension problems, injuries, and pain. The Alexander Technique was the tool that helped her change patterns, play more efficiently, and ultimately have a career as a professional musician. She enjoys teaching the technique to everyone who wants to move with more ease – whether they are musicians or not!

October 2020 – Strauss and Dvorak by winds of the Vancouver Island Symphony

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October 2020 – Strauss and Dvorak by winds of the Vancouver Island Symphony

Heather plays French horn as a core member of The Vancouver Island Symphony, based in Nanaimo. The VISO is pleased to announce a limited concert series in the Port Theatre with COVID protocols in place for the 2020-2021 season.

The next concert will be October 24th, 2020, in the Port Theatre, Nanaimo. It is featuring the winds of the VISO playing the Dvorak Serenade and the Richard Strauss Suite in B-flat Major, op. 4.

Heather looks forward to performing for you again! Please contact the Port Theatre or Vancouver Island Symphony for more information.

When not performing music professionally, Heather also teaches the Alexander Technique, a method of movement awareness and postural re-education. It can be used by anyone to avoid injuries, move with more efficiency and freedom, create better posture, and live your life with more lightness and ease.

July 2020 – Chamber music for horn and strings

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July 2020 – Chamber music for horn and strings

Heather had the opportunity to perform summer pop-up chamber music concerts with her colleagues in the Vancouver Island Symphony in July 2020. The concert featured a sextet comprised of 2 horns and string quartet. Heather had great fun playing with all her colleagues, including Andrew Clark on horn.

The concert program was as follows:

Handel Water Music, selection of movements in F

Beethoven Sextet Op.81b

Mozart Divertimento K.522 Ein musikalischer Spaß (A musical joke)

The group performed 11 concerts in beautiful outdoor venues over a one week period. Many venues were at private homes in Ladysmith, Yellowpoint, Cedar by the Sea, Nanaimo, Nanoose, Lantzville, and Parksville areas. The group also performed at 40 Knots Winery in Comox, and recorded a live streaming concert from the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River. A great time was had by all – musicians and audience alike!

We hope to see you in 2021 for more pop-up concerts by the Vancouver Island Symphony.

July, August 2020 – Vancouver Island Symphony Summer Pop Up Shows

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July, August 2020 – Vancouver Island Symphony Summer Pop Up Shows

Join Heather as she performs French horn as a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, based in Nanaimo.

More information can be found here: https://www.vancouverislandsymphony.com/

With the anticipation of Phase 3 of the Government of British Columbia’s re-start plan, the Vancouver Island Symphony, is offering a series of four (4) summer Pop Up Concerts featuring different ensembles from the Vancouver Island Symphony in July and August.

These ensembles include:

  • Trio of Flute, Violin and Bass
  • String Quartet with two French Horns
  • Brass Quintet
  • Trio of Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon

Several of these four (4) concerts series packages have been sold out. Single Tickets are available for some performances of the Friday and Saturday Pop Up Concerts – please email or call the office to book: 250-754-0177.

The VIS will present these concerts using health regulations as outlined by the Government of British Columbia. There are specific rules and we will be following them for everyone’s safety.

CONCERT INFORMATION

  • Concerts will be held outside on private property and can accommodate 40 audience members that will be seated with social distancing in place.
  • The exact concert location address will be provided once you book your ticket.
  • Concerts will be one hour (60 minutes) in length with audience members arriving no more than 30 minutes ahead and leaving no later than 30 minutes after the concert.
  • Audience Members need to bring their own chairs, masks (optional), hand sanitizer, gloves (optional), beverage (no food or alcohol please).
  • A washroom will be available for Emergencies ONLY.
  • Parking is on the street.
  • Audience members will be asked to line up prior to entering the yard. They will then be directed to move to a space where they can place their chairs for seating. Audience members may sit in their COVID Bubbles.
  • Audience members agree to not attend if they are sick or not feeling well.
  • The concert series packages are non-refundable but they are transferable. The Purchaser may sell or give their concert space to someone else. When packages are resold or transferred, we must be notified and the new package owners must provide their contact information in order for the VIS to remain compliant with health regulations and COVID-19 Tracking.
  • We are unable to reschedule these concerts. If it rains the show will go on. In the event of rain, the musicians will be under tents however audience will not. Please bring your umbrellas.

CONCERT BONUS! The VIS will be selling subscriptions to a Streaming Concert Series featuring these four summer concerts. Everyone who attends the live concerts will receive a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to the Streaming Concert Series. Details will be sent to attendees as they become available.

Musicians have been hard hit financially by the pandemic and will continue to be challenged to make a living in the next 18 months. These Summer Pop Up concerts will support our VIS musicians and allow the VIS to re-launch when safe to do so. Your support is so important in ensuring that the VIS will be able to continue to operate.

April 2020 – Vancouver Opera COVID cancellations and postponement of 60th anniversary season

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April 2020 – Vancouver Opera COVID cancellations and postponement of 60th anniversary season

Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

It was with great sadness that Vancouver Opera was required to cancel their April 2020 production of “Another Brick in the Wall,” Roger Waters’ mythical work, in lyric version. The cancellations were due to the precautions around the coronavirus pandemic.

Like many organizations, Vancouver Opera has been struggling with the challenges presented by COVID-19. Although the closure of venues, social distancing measures, and restrictions on gatherings of more than 50 are in place for the foreseeable future, Vancouver Opera remains committed to our mission: to create extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire and entertain our audiences through voice, music, and theatre.

However, it is now clear that we will be unable to present our 2020–2021 season on the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre as originally planned. Our much-anticipated 60th anniversary season that includes Carmen, Così fan Tutte, and Falstaff will be postponed to the 2021–2022 season.

When not performing music professionally, Heather also teaches the Alexander Technique, a method of movement awareness and postural re-education. It can be used by anyone to avoid injuries, move with more efficiency and freedom, create better posture, and live your life with more lightness and ease.

April 2020 – VISO shows cancelled due to COVID-19

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April 2020 – VISO shows cancelled due to COVID-19

It was with sad hearts that the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra had to cancel their all-Beethoven concert in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a sold-out show, and all the audience members and musicians were looking forward to a wonderful celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. The musicians had just finished their first rehearsal when we heard that the closure of venues and restrictions on gatherings of more than 50 people due to the coronavirus would prevent us from performing.

In the subsequent weeks, we found that continued restrictions would prevent the performances of the rest of the VISO season, including our 25th anniversary celebration in April 2020. All the musicians were heartbroken, and since then have very much missed playing music with colleagues and for our wonderful audiences. We will keep you updated on new developments.

Heather Walker is a professional French horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. When not playing music, she teaches the Alexander Technique, a method of movement awareness and postural re-education. Contact her at heather@soundbeingstudio.com

March 2020 – All Beethoven celebration with Vancouver Island Symphony

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SATURDAY March 14, 2020 7:30 PM

FRIDAY March 13, 2020 7:30 PM
TIDEMARK THEATRE | CAMPBELL RIVER

Ticket Information:  www.vancouverislandsymphony.com

Iconic Beethoven

250 years after his birth, Beethoven still stands as one of the greatest creative minds in history; his revolutionary Eroica Symphony ushered classical music into a new era, while the Triple Concerto remains one of the only examples of its kind. This concert truly features all facets of Beethoven – strength and power, but also elegance, nostalgia, clarity and most of all – pure joy!

Concert Programme

Conductor         Pierre Simard

BEETHOVEN   Namensfeier (Name-Day) Overture, op. 115

BEETHOVEN   Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C major op. 56

BEETHOVEN   Symphony no. 3 (Eroica ) in E-flat major, op. 55

Guest Artists:   Calvin Dyck, Violin,    Cameron Crozman, Cello,   Philip Chiu, Piano

Heather Walker is a professional musician and a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique.  When not performing music professionally, Heather teaches the Alexander Technique both privately and in group classes and workshops. The Alexander Technique helps people learn to move, feel, and perform better in everything they do. It’s an educational approach used by people of all ages and abilities to increase physical and mental well-being and decrease strain in daily life.  For more information, contact Heather at 250-716-3464 or heather@soundbeingstudio.com.