November 3, 2020 —
NOTE: We within the Desautels College of Music are extremely happy with our college students. Whereas COVID-19 is sidelining in-person graduation ceremonies across the globe, we need to discover alternate methods to have a good time our graduates and provides them the popularity on account of them. Till we are able to collect collectively to correctly applaud the years of research and follow which have led to this milestone, please be a part of us in congratulating our Fall 2020 Desautels College of Music graduates.
Immediately we have a good time Caitlin Wiens!
Caitlin Wiens has all the time been a performer.
“I’ve been concerned within the Scottish music/pipe band group since I used to be born,” she says.
She started singing when she was 4 years outdated, and, from that second, has by no means stopped. So it would come as a shock that the mezzo-soprano from Winnipeg didn’t take into account pursuing a profession in music till shortly after highschool. After a profitable audition, Caitlin joined the Desautels College of Music, and made a decided entrance into her college research.
“Once I consider Caitlin I all the time keep in mind her first few courses within the Musical Theatre Ensemble – she was so shy but all the time watching and observing,” says Donna Fletcher, an teacher within the DFOM and director of the College of Manitoba Musical Theatre Ensemble.
However don’t mistake that quiet for lack of musical expertise.
“The primary time I heard her sing I knew instantly that she was an individual actually personifying the adage that ‘nonetheless waters run deep,’” says Fletcher.
Nonetheless waters make a splash
Wiens belies her reserved nature by wowing crowds whereas performing with Celtic Seinn, a Winnipeg band that performs actively all through town.
She went from being the little woman watching Celtic performances at cultural centres to being the girl that others now watch!
Celtic Seinn is called a lot for its beautiful choices of conventional Scots-Irish songs – like “Whiskey in a Jar” and “Galway Girl” – as it’s for belting out raucous rock tunes, and is an in-demand band, particularly round St. Patrick’s Day, when the group alternates between performances in cultural halls and bars round Winnipeg. Certainly one of their closing performances earlier than the COVID-19 shutdown started was a part of a St. Patrick’s Day celebration this previous March.
The group has even coated the Dropkick Murphys, the well-known American Celtic punk band, with Wiens performing a stunning cowl of “Rose Tattoo,” the band’s story in regards to the recollections we write completely on our pores and skin. Wiens’ model delivers a distinct sound from the bawdy authentic, stuffed with soul and mourning, along with celebration, which will be heard HERE.
Her rendition of the track is each shifting and wry, evoking advanced emotion.
“She performs from her coronary heart and feels very deeply and would all the time carry her quiet assurance into each rehearsal,” say Fletcher of the way in which Wiens pours herself into her performances.
Within the college
Throughout her time within the college, Wiens was energetic in each the College Singers and the College of Manitoba Musical Theatre Ensemble.
“Donna and Elroy [Friesen, DFOM associate professor and director of University Singers] helped me so much, each growing as a musician and as assist after I was struggling,” says Wiens.
Wiens has little doubt about what her proudest second within the college was.
“Performing in Elijah with the WSO!’ she says of the 2017 efficiency of Felix Mendelssohn’s early Romantic masterpiece in regards to the biblical prophet Elijah, which featured the College Singers.
The piece additionally featured Elroy Friesen conducting, and Desautels Teacher Monica Huisman (soprano).
From biblical prophets to cantankerous nuns
“My favorite reminiscence of Caitlin is because the outdated, cranky, narcoleptic nun in ‘Increase Your Voice’ – the scene we did from Sister Act,” says Fletcher.
“I used to be completely delighted by how she embraced the comedy and the way she lit up the stage together with her fearless and wacky abandon,” Fletcher says.
“She was by no means afraid to dwell the reality of this character simply as she fearlessly has lived the reality of her personal life,” she provides.
Credit score Recital
Although she is a grasp of Celtic songs, Wiens selected fully totally different cultures from which to glean her credit score recital performances, performing a various collection of music in Italian, German, French, and English.
“[I chose] ‘O del mio dolce ardor’ [by Cristoph Gluck], ‘Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt’ [by Franz Schubert], ‘Que fais tu blanche tourterelle’ [from Romeo and Juliet, by Charles Gounod], and ‘A Easy Tune’ [by Leonard Bernstein],” says Wiens.
Recommendation and acknowledgements
“Don’t be afraid to succeed in out for those who need assistance,” says Wiens of the recommendation she would move alongside to incoming college students within the Desautels College of Music.
“I’d wish to thank my mother, for being an unwaveringly enthusiastic cheering squad for me,” she provides.
From getting her into Celtic music, to elevating up an completed singer, we’d additionally wish to thank Caitlin’s mom!
Subsequent steps
“The factor I marvel on the most about Caitlin is her devotion to the scholars she teaches,” says Fletcher.
“I delighted in our many considerate conversations about find out how to carry Musical Theatre to her fees and was so impressed about her need to carry illustration to training,” she provides.
It’s a good thing, then, that Wiens has determined to proceed her path in music and training, with plans to finish a level in training, specializing in early years music.
Fletcher is aware of that she shall be as much as the duty.
“Principally, I’ll keep in mind Caitlin’s transformation from a shy, younger lady to a mature and completed chief – a real credit score to the Desautels College of Music,” she says.
We will’t wait to see what you do subsequent, Caitlin! We all know that the subsequent era of younger musicians shall be fortunate to have you ever on the helm of their training! Congratulations!
