NORTH BATTLEFORD — The calendar has officially flipped to August, and with the turning of the page, so too closes a chapter of the Cole Knutson and North Battleford story this summer.
Over the course of the last four weeks, residents of the Battlefords have been treated to world-class talents and collaborations at Third Avenue United Church.
The last night of July was no different.
Knutson, who is renowned for his abilities on the both the saxophone and piano, played on the latter. Alongside him was his first friend from Europe, Clara Daly Donnellan.
The Cork, Ireland, product, who specializes in trombone, joined her colleague in a number of collaborative pieces, as well as some riveting solos.
The collaboration is years in the making. The two met in San Jose, Cal., after having both been selected World Youth Wind Orchestra as part of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensemble’s conference.
Both went off to their respective undergraduate and master's degrees, before both unintentionally arriving in London within a day of one another.
The two essentially went almost five years with in-person contact after that initial friendship was forged in California before meeting one another once again.
Whether it was going for coffee, walks or catching a show, the friendship gave Knutson hope of a prosperous future socially and musically in Europe.
Meanwhile, Donnellan’s journey to Europe went to the tune of a different note.
Growing up, Donnellan laughed how she wasn’t musically inclined, however she did have a flair artistically, as well as in drama.
Her mother, who herself was an amateur cellist, made music a priority growing up, taking her to symphony concerts.
Despite begging to play the trombone constantly after first seeing the “big shiny object” at the back of the hall, Donnellan had to wait until her baby teeth fell out for the big day.
While waiting outside the doors for her first lesson, she said to her mother, “I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life.”
Of course Donnellan laughs about her antics growing up, and yet today, she sits on the other side of the student-teacher role.
In the borough pocket in London in which she currently resides, Donnellan primarily now teaches. Her love for teaching students, and the joy she receives from the children and their behaviour can be boiled down to “…it can be unmitigated chaos, and I love it.”
When her teacher hat isn’t on, Donnellan dabbles on the freelance size of the industry, playing chamber music, singing in a choir, playing in musicals, and recently, landing a significant gig in the UK for a symphony orchestra.
To Donnellan, there is genuine disbelief that to this day, she gets paid to do what she loves most.
July 31 was an indication of why these two international talents are sought after in their respective disciplines.
The playful nature of the two performing alongside one another, performing what they both indicated was music they both really enjoy provided a relaxing, joyful atmosphere.
It’s a feeling Donnellan says is intentional when deciding the repertoire for a show.
“The fact is if you pick music that you love, your audience will love it more than anything you’re trying to convince them of.”
Nobody needed convincing over the last month.
Knutson’s ability to bring his world-class talent, alongside others, to North Battleford once again is something the community always deeply appreciates.
That’s evident by the long line at the end of the show of friends and colleagues coming through to catch up, say thank you, and stay connected.
And it’s not one-sided, as seen by Knutson’s genuine desire to make the time to see the people that have got him to where he is today and those whom he has developed long-term friendships with.
For his next act, Knutson returns to living in London, continuing his performances across Europe, while beginning his doctorate at the German-French doctoral program of Freiburg University of Music, University of Strasbourg and Haute École des Arts du Rhin.
