Music Lovers, Is This Your Tribe?

Chin Injeti, Tonye Aganaba, Colleen Rennison

Thanks to my friends who came out last night to support my new favourite charity, Instruments Beyond Borders. A women in front of us summed up the evening perfectly when she said, “The only thing wrong with tonight was that it had to end.” We all agreed, but this morning my opinion has changed; it's a good thing that the concert ended. While we could have stayed there indefinitely, that was not the purpose of the evening. The purpose of the evening was to fill our hearts with music, and to inspire us to share with others. That purpose could only be achieved if we got out of our seats and back into the world where the message about Instruments Beyond Borders still needs to be heard. Their work providing funds and instruments to groups like the The Saint James Music Society and the Landfill Harmonic Orchestra of Cateura Paraguay is inspirational and heart-warming.

There were many generous hearts in the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Woodward's last night. The sold-out event attracted some of Vancouver's top entrepreneurs and philanthropists; in this city there is a strong correlation between success in business and success in supporting great causes. Finding creative ways to weave business and charity together is part of the fabric of Vancouver's economy, and it's something I'm proud to support. Notables in the “Big Band Circle of Donors” included:

Peter Brown, Samir Manji (Amica), Steve Curtis, (ZAG Group), Garry Zlotnik (ZLC Financial), Erez Behar, (Davidson & Co.) Manny Padda, Shafin Diamond, Theo Sanidas, Praveen Varshney, (Mogo Financial) Murray Leith, Marina Newson, and Marcello Leone, (RYU). Community Partners included: SFU Woodward's, Prussin Music, Moksha Yoga Vancouver, Float House, M&R Environmental, and the Ben and Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation.

As Georgia O’Keeffe said, “To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage”. If you wonder how an organization as young as IBB pulled off such an extraordinary event and attracted so much support, it's because they had the courage to do so. They see the world as it is, and despite that, do not lose sight of the vision for what it could be. They are creating a world where children are given musical instruments; instead of a world where they fashion them out of the garbage we throw away. They are creating a world where inner city kids stand on stage with world class professionals wielding violin bows; instead of on the corner with gangs wielding guns. They are creating a world where what we earn grows from what we give; a world where politics, race, religion, and nationality are not boundaries that divide us, but borders we go beyond thanks to the transcendent power of music. Why are they able to achieve so much? My firm belief is because they bothered to try. They didn't sit around lamenting what couldn't be done, they got together and did what they could. Thanks to the generosity of last night's attendees and the organizers who brought them together, today they will be able to do a little more, and tomorrow more than that.

Lynn Colliar with Dan Payne holding a violin made from recycled materials

Good humour to get the audience going and keep the program on track was supplied by Lynn Colliar and Dan Payne, who introduced an amazing lineup of musical guests. Among these were: Ryan Guldemond, Jasmin Parkin, Tonye Aganaba, and Colleen Rennison, all of whom jammed with Chin Injeti, winner of three Grammies and two Junos. The evening also included the St. James Music Academy Senior Orchestra, Van Djano and the Borealis String Quartet. Cameron Wilson performed with Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies.

Cameron Wilson and Don Davies

The only “off colour joke” came during this set; and by “off colour” I mean it was a reference to a political colour not ordinarily found in my inkwell. While I do not normally wave “the Orange flag”, I was clapping loudly at Davies' entertaining performance, and today commend him for his support of this cause. Davies' inspiring performance causes me to send out a challenge to all MP's to get behind Instruments Beyond Borders; especially those who could join in on stage. Don Davies, perhaps next year you might consider a violin and piano performance? If so, there might be another politician willing to join you (stage right of course). Might I also suggest that a bit of the “Blues” be added to the program? As I said IBB inspires people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum; thanks for sharing the spotlight next year with any politicians willing to join in.

While unable to attend, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson sent a video message of support as did Bramwell Tovey of the VSO. I'm so glad to know IBB has such support in this city. The event struck the perfect balance between a top rate performance and a casual kitchen party, where music flows spontaneously among friends. Among my friends in the audience I was pleased to welcome Shastine Hudson and Natalie Sonnen (Director of Life Canada).

This year I've been blessed many times to be invited to work on music projects with some amazingly talented musicians; the happiest messages I get in my inbox are those containing audio files from musicians who have set my lyrics to the their work. There is something wonderful about creating a work that blends another person's talents with one's own; when we learn the skills to collaborate in music, we learn the skills to collaborate in life. IBB is not just giving children instruments, they are giving them a life.

As I looked around the audience last night I thought: “This is my tribe.” These are the people who understand the importance children, the power of music, the tools of business, and the perennial need each generation has to collaborate to improve the world they inherited, so that it might be better when they pass it on to the next generation. These are the people who transcend boundaries to get done the jobs worth doing. If you have similar values and a willingness to contribute to this tribe, consider this your invitation do so.

Please check out http://www.instrumentsbeyondborders.org/ for ways you might lend your support.

Ryan Guldemond, Chin Injeti, Tonye Aganaba Jammin' for IBB

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Clarke's Tinwhistle Product Review Part One

One of the great pleasures of my life is stumbling upon true stories that resonate with my values. These stories seem to emerge when they are most needed and often through unexpected sources. The history of the Clarke's Tinwhistle is one such story. It came to my attention while doing research for a review of the instruments they produce. The Clarke Tinwhistle Company was founded by Robert Clarke in 1843 and is one of those rags to riches stories about entrepreneurial success that has the power to stoke the fire burning in every emerging musician or owner of a start-up. These days many artists find themselves being both an artist and an entrepreneur, responsible for not only creating their music but also producing it and marketing it. Robert Clarke would have related to many of the challenges musicians face today, and his ability to supply a product that met the challenges of financially strapped, Irish whistle players made him a legend in his day.

In case you're wondering, “tinwhistle” is not at typo, the word according to Clarkes is in fact spelled “tinwhistle” not “tin whistle” or “tin-whistle”. The original black whistle made of tin was invented by the Englishman Robert Clarke. It also became known as the penny-whistle or Irish-whistle. The term penny-whistle emerged because it was so inexpensive to purchase and the term Irish-whistle developed because the instrument was so popular among Irish laborers. The price of the whistle no doubt made it appealing to the Irish working class who often worked for meager wages at home and abroad. The tinwhistle's arrival in the marketplace was well timed to coincide with the potato famine that drove many Irish to seek new opportunities in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and other countries around the world. Wherever they went, the whistle playing members of the Irish diaspora brought the Clarke's tinwhistle with them.

This instrument of humble origin is still known around the globe. It is once again growing in popularity thanks to several on-line tutorials that teach how to play the instrument step by step. In addition to the tutorials you will find videos of renowned musicians such as James Galway producing wonderful music from the tinwhistle. According to Galway, “In the hands of a master [the tinwhistle] is a real virtuoso instrument”.

Yet none of its popularity and virtuosity could have existed without the entrepreneurial spirit of Robert Clarke. On the website for the company he founded, you will find Clarke described as “...uneducated, hard-working, deeply religious and devoted to his family.” This description is hardly the sort one would write about most people on Wall Street, so it's nice to hear that, on occasion, fortune turns its wheel to favour the little guy struggling to live well. Prior to manufacturing the now famous whistles, he worked on a farm where he was accused of poor work habits. Such accusations were unfounded and in protest he refused to continue working for the farmer. At that time he learned of the new material called tin and decided to use some of it to fashion the prototype for the now famous Clarke's tinwhistle. According to the company, the first one he made did not have wooden mouthpiece that subsequent whistles had because he did not own a saw. Instead he used one of the ribs from his wife's corset which he shaped with a file. From this meager start, Clarke became a wealthy man by making an excellent product that appealed to the masses. Through this product the joy of music was brought to the world; possibly to your own home too.

Check back for more information on the Clarke's tinwhistle in upcoming posts. Posts related to instrument reviews and other product reviews will be a regular feature on this blog going forward. If you miss a post, please be sure to check the archives or search the blog using the term “product review”.