Canadian Reformed String Camp

Last week (July 3-7) our two violinist children were blessed to be involved with the first annual (?) Canadian Reformed Strings Camp which was held right here in Langley (with participants from BC, Washington, Alberta, and Ontario). Directed by Kent Dykstra and Roxi Dykstra (both graduates of Trinity Western University), and run behind the scenes by their mother Jenny, it was an excellent programme of rehearsals, master classes, private lessons, chamber-music groups, outings, and fellowship. The two concerts on Saturday and Sunday evening were amazing! With just five days together, and no music provided in advance, they pulled off stunning performances. The Sunday concert filled the Yarrow church to capacity, ending with a standing ovation after one of Kent's several string arrangements of the Genevan Psalms (they did Pss. 136, 75, 17, and 8). The creativity, encouragement, enthusiasm, and dedication of the entire Dykstra family was clearly evident throughout the week. With skill levels ranging from just a few months of lessons (the seven-year-old pictured above) to over a decade of experience, the entire orchestra played Autumn from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the 2nd movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto #3, the first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, Pirates of the Caribbean, plus about 10 chamber music quartets. [Our children are the middle girl (turning 10 this week) in this foursome plucking Ps. 136 and the 14-year-old fellow barely visible between the boy and girl of the four.] Kudos to Kent (band teacher at Parkland Immanuel Christian School in Edmonton) and Roxi (soon to begin graduate studies at Université de Montréal), as well as Jenny, for a wonderfully successful week!

Below is a better shot including our son, who has been playing for seven years.