The annual Bergen Strings & Keys music workshop was a resounding success again this year, says instructor and artistic co-director Jamie Syer.
Held June 30 to July 5, this year's workshop saw 40 students from Mountain View County and elsewhere in Alberta and B.C. receive lessons from 10 instructors from Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Vancouver and Bergen. Students ranged in age from five to 55.
“We had a really good class of young students this year,” said Syer, a renowed concert pianist and instructor.
Jamie and his wife Laurie Syer, herself a renowned violinist and music teacher, started the festival in 1995. She is also one of the workshop's artistic directors.
“We taught, performed and explored the pleasures of making music together,” said Laurie.
Students take classical music lessons at the Syers' home and property in Bergen.
This year there were three noon-hour concerts and two evening concerts, all at the Bergen Missionary Church.
This year saw students and instructors put together into ensembles for the performances.
An announcement will be made in the fall about whether Strings & Keys will be held in 2014, Jamie said.
