Brandon University flutist Nancy Hennen will perform with various other BU music instructors in a pro series concert that pairs her flute with instruments from voice to violin.

The concert is set for Tuesday, April 20 and will be streamed to the BU School of Music’s Facebook page and their YouTube page. This will be the final concert in this year’s pro series, which successfully pivoted to streaming as a way to continue connecting with audiences through the pandemic.

The concert will feature works by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, Albert Roussel, Francis Poulenc, Jacques Ibert, and Charles Koechlin. Hennen on flute will be joined by five other School of Music performing artists, each bringing their own instruments. They include Kerry DuWors on violin, Sarah Hall on voice, Paul Madryga on guitar, Meg Masaki on piano, and Catherine Wood on clarinet.

“Nancy Hennen is an outstanding member of our faculty, whom I’ve come to admire in so many ways.  I’m particularly excited to hear this creative vision of hers come to life, showcasing both the versatility of the flute itself, and Nancy’s virtuosity with it,” said BU Dean of Music Greg Gatien. “There is no doubt that this will be a great concert, and such a fitting way to end our first streamed pro series – showcasing not only Nancy’s work, but so many of Nancy’s extraordinary colleagues.”

Hennen, a flute instructor at the BU School of Music and an active clinician in southwestern Manitoba, holds degrees in music from Mount Allison, McGill, and McMaster Universities. She has performed with Symphony Hamilton and the orchestras of Niagara, Windsor, and Thunder Bay. She is an active chamber musician, appearing with Musica Poetica, the Brandon Chamber Players, and the Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival in Manitoba, and New Music North and Consortium Aurora Borealis in Thunder Bay. Hennen is trained as a Suzuki Flute instructor, and has taught at the Great Lakes Flute Centre and Hillfield-Strathallan College as well as at Brock and Lakehead Universities. She has acted as a woodwind adjudicator for various festivals in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Hennen performs on both modern and baroque flutes.

“Our faculty, staff, and alumni have worked so hard and so well in curating recitals that have reached thousands of people around the world,” he said. “Words cannot adequately express  my admiration and appreciation for their work, their ingenuity, and their generosity in providing music at a time when the world has never needed it more.”

Along with the musicians who had been featured, Gatien said he wanted to draw attention and thanks to the stellar people who worked just as tirelessly behind the scenes:  Michael Cain and Diogo Peixoto (audio and video recording as well as editing/ post production); Will Powers (recording assistant); Aren Teerhuis (social media); Grant Hamilton and Rob Henderson (communications); Mark Cramer (piano technician); Joyce Burba, Terry McMaster, and Bobbi White (support).

“It’s been an honour to observe this team,” Gatien said. “While I deeply miss the option of a live audience experience, I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed the streaming pro series, which has taken full advantage of technology to sometimes do things that would be impossible in person.”

The final concert in this year’s pro series, featuring Nancy Hennen on flute along with several guests, will be streamed to the BU School of Music’s Facebook page and their YouTube page.