Approximately 200 people filled the Chapel Gallery Sunday afternoon to celebrate Canada Music Week and to pay tribute to one of the community's most influential and well-known musicians, Junice Headley.
The recital was presented by the Battlefords Registered Music Teachers as part of Canada Music Week. Marjorie Klassen welcomed the crowd and introduced the performers. Many of the pieces played were by Chopin, appropriate since it is the 200th anniversary of his birth.
"Chopin forever changed the way the piano is played," said Klassen.
In addition to the selections by Chopin, a number of works by Canadian composers were presented. Canada Music Week activities aim to introduce music of contemporary Canadian composers, to recognize the performers and to emphasize not only Canadian work, but also the significance of music generally.
Canada Music Week is commemorated in the third week of November each year, which includes Nov. 22, the day honouring St. Cecilia, patron saint of music. This year marks the 50th season since the event was inaugurated.
Sunday's recital was entitled Music Keeps You Young At Heart. Klassen noted it was aptly named since the afternoon's honouree, Junice Headley, a teacher and performer whose career has spanned six decades, is only recently cutting back on a hectic schedule. The recital's special guest performers were the Meota Hobby Band, of which Headley is a member.
Klassen said she was pleased to welcome former community piano teacher, 95-year-old Ada Treleaven who had travelled from her home in British Columbia to be there for the recital and the tribute to Headley, who was unaware Treleaven would be attending.
Treleaven said the famed piano teacher, Dr. Lyell Gustin of Saskatoon, with whom both Treleaven and Headley trained, said being a musician is two per cent inspiration and 98 per cent perspiration.
"Junice's career reflects that comment very well," said Treleaven.
Battlefords Registered Music Teachers member Diane Neil read a number of messages wishing Headley well, including missives from the principal of Trinity College of Music, London, England and the national and provincial music teachers association.
Headley has been an active member of the BRMTA since 1954, said fellow teacher Diane Gryba, serving in all the executive capacities, leading workshops and spearheading new initiatives.
Headley's four children, Laura, Linda Machniak, Barry and Timothy attended the event, with Linda speaking on behalf of the family and announcing the formation of the M. Junice Headley Music Education Fund set up with the Battlefords Community Foundation.
Headley's family was involved with her career, said Machniak, and life on the family farm evolved into a routine that complemented the commitment Headley showed to her career and students - "her kids," that is, she said.
Machniak said she became a good cook, and learned to "set a mean table," as the family prepared for the 10-minute window between lessons when they would sit down to supper.
Her father, the late Robert Headley, often said the family "dined with live dinner music every night," said Machniak.
Originally from the Glenrose district, Headley's formal music education began with Treleaven, followed by intensive instruction with Dr. Gustin. In 1953, Treleaven moved to British Columbia, assigning her current class of early graduate students to Headley, thus establishing the foundation of an enriching teaching career.
Headley obtained the Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto (ARCT) teacher's diploma in 1956 and, in 1980, attended the International Society of Music Educators (ISME) Conference in Warsaw, Poland. Motivated to seek further training, she spent another five years of intensive training with Dr. Gustin to earn her master's level Licentiate of Trinity College of Music, London, England (LTCL) teacher's diploma.
The year 2009 marked Headley's 55th year of active participation in the local music festival, and the 2009 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival was dedicated to her as a long-time resident, performer, music teacher and devoted supporter of the arts.
Earlier this year, she was inducted as a member of the Wall of Fame sponsored by the Frontier Mall in North Battleford.
She has served as the official accompanist for the Third Avenue United Church Junior Choir, and may be found in the musical ministries at church services, funerals and weddings. She also has provided "easy listening" music for banquets and teas and at the annual Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame induction gala. Along with the Meota Hobby Band, she is often found entertaining at seniors' homes and community events.
