Reflection from the Remi Boucher Master Class, February 2014, Waterloo, Ontario Canada

Passion, Grace and Fire are words that describe Remi Boucher, not only when he plays guitar but even in his voice, his movements and physical dramatic displays of how he imagines the music.

His master class and concert were tutorials of expression and on a perfect day, because it was Valentines 2014!

Sometimes performers can hide behind an academic façade or keep the audience at arms reach with a magnified ego.  Not Remi!!!  He was always himself when he came here, whether it was at the master class or at the concert, we got the same light-heartedness mixed with an artist who displayed incredible depth!

Perhaps the most important thing he shared with us was different ways to create character in a piece.  Some songs demand a strong story and as the guitarist you have to decide what it is bar by bar.  Of course there are dynamics and colours, but over accentuate them to demand the listener notices.  Even a small slide to the note, done with a graceful pressure can totally change the shape of a melody!

Remi asked our performers to produce an interpretation with balance from beginning to end; one must research the piece and find as many ways possible to articulate it.

One place to start is from being period correct.  In exams and competitions, the performer is under a microscope  to be as precise, this way, as possible.  But in performance and in engaging the audience, Remi likes to go to the extremes and present for us a profound experience of what I think is true artistry.  It is beautiful to listen to, but he recommends that you start academically first because it always give you a strong base to work from.

I really look forward to Remi’s return visit one day!!!

Stephen Zurakowsky

Artistic Director