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In Memoriam, Norma Lee Bisha
Norma Lee Bisha, career musician, lifetime advocate of the viola and past Vice President of the Canadian Viola Society, passed away on December 27, 2010 after a long illness. True to her hopes, she died peacefully in her sleep, at home, with family gathered, including the new dog she was so anxious to meet. Those of you who knew her well appreciate the grace and humor with which she faced these last years, and the faithful and tireless community of supporters that helped sustain her.
Norma Lee studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory in Ohio and the Mannes School of Music in New York. After stints with the Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Aspen Festival Orchestra and freelance work in New York, she moved to Canada with her husband, cellist Edward Bisha, to become principal violist with the Halifax Symphony and the CBC Orchestra. From there she and family moved out west to Brandon and then Saskatoon, where she taught for many years, gave regular solo and chamber recitals, and played in the Saskatoon and Regina Symphonies. She and Edward also played numerous summers in the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra. From Saskatoon they moved briefly to Toronto, and after Edward's death there in 1990, Norma Lee retired to Halifax, to the landscape and community where she felt most at home. A complete devotee of her chosen instrument, Norma Lee was also a long-time member of the Canadian Viola Society, and the American Viola Society.
A memorial service celebrating Norma Lee's life will take place in Halifax later in 2011. In keeping with her selfless spirit and musical cause, we ask that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Norma Lee's life in music donate in her name to the Primrose International Viola Archive, a major viola archive based at Brigham Young University. To do so, please contact either Myrna Layton at myrna_layton AT byu.edu, or David Dalton at daltonviola AT yahoo.com.
Norma Lee is survived by her three sons, Raymond, Bernard and Timothy; her daughers-in-law Carol and Ji-Eun, and her granddaughter Alicia.
Raymond Bisha
Director of Media Relations, North America
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What is the Canadian Viola Society?
It is a society for violists and viola enthusiasts! Among our members are many well-known professional violists as well as those who play solely for their own enjoyment.
It is the Canadian section of the International Viola Society (IVS).
The IVS sponsors Viola Congresses in a different city each year. The 2011 Congress is still not completely decided, but it appears likely that it will be held as an expanded Bratschistentag in October or November 2011 in Würzburg, Germany. Please check back often for information as it becomes available.
The Congress in 2012 will be held at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. The tentative dates are May 30 - June 4, 2012.
The most recent Congress was held in Cinncinnati, Ohio, USA (2010). Other Congresses have been held in Stellenbosch, South Africa (2009), Tempe, Arizona (2008), Adelaide, South Australia (2007), Montréal, Canada (2006), Iceland [2005], Minneapolis (2004), Kronberg, Germany (2003), Seattle, USA (2002), Wellington, New Zealand (2001), Sweden (2000), and Canada (Guelph, 1999).
The Canadian Chapter serves to improve communication among violists and enthusiasts both in Canada and world-wide. A fine newsletter is produced twice each year and includes information on performances, new repertoire, pedagogy, and newly available recordings as well as forthcoming activities of the Society.
Join our Facebook group if you are a member of Facebook.
The newsletter deadlines are October 15 and March 31 of each year. Please send submissions to the Newsletter Editor/Webmaster by those dates.
We hope to help our chosen instrument attain its rightful recognition through an increased awareness of the heritage and literature of the viola, and a better appreciation of the viola's unique role.
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