VIVA! ARRIBA! OUR STORY!

"I wanted to thank you very much, I did not get to hear much of the boys playing but heard they were amazing and were enjoyed by all, I will strongly recommend them to anyone." Bride of the Canmore gig, Barb Crundwell, September 2007

"I just wanted to thank you and the boys and your wonderful pianist for performing at our church on Friday night... I thought the boys did really well and I loved the choice of music. Thank you all for coming and taking the time to share your talents with us, we really appreciated it." Pat, Red Deer Lake Church, October 2006

"Everyone really enjoyed the group...Everything went extremely well, on time, and the seniors also enjoyed the Christmas selections they did. Thank you for coming. It was a treat." Maureen, Confederation Park Senior Centre, December 2006

Who is VIVA! ARRIBA!?
Teenage boys who rock on their string instruments. Years of lessons with the Suzuki Method have paid off. They are now making money. They have recorded a CD. And most importantly, they make fantastic music.

Remarkably they rarely use sheet music to learn a piece. Their coach, Carmen, plays for them and they get it. Right away. This is what Carmen calls the "Suzuki Phenomenon" because, like most Suzuki students at their advanced level, they can play by ear and they can memorize almost instantaneously. It takes all the work out of learning a new piece of music. They just do it.

Carmen is very proud of VIVA! ARRIBA! They play all types of music: Tangoes, Rhumbas, Russian, Italian and sweet beautiful classical pieces. There's no stopping them as they continue to add to their repertoire.

This has been VIVA! ARRIBA!s breakout year. From their first performance at Heritage Park in September, VIVA! ARRIBA! has flown through a series of engagements. Every month they have performed to appreciative audiences. Out of their earnings they have donated to the Latin Suzuki Scholarship Fund and paid for recording their first CD.

Yes, Their first CD. Called "VIVA! ARRIBA! Beginnings..." These are for sale at $ 10 each and a percentage will continue to go toward the Latin Suzuki Scholarship Fund and the rest toward expenses.

A huge factor in the development and subsequent success of this musical team has been Steve Komar. Like his sons Jeffrey and Thomas, Dad plays by ear, memorizes on the spot, and adds amusing and amazing stylings to every piece he accompanies. Steve is quite the showman.

What would we do without Moms! They make sure the boys come to every rehearsal and concert, photo shoots, are dressed in their smashing outfits, and are fed and watered. They also take care of little jobs that need to be done. Carmen is very grateful for such a supportive group of families. The VIVA! ARRIBA! team has big plans to perform this year. They are already booked to play at weddings and at the Calgary Marathon Race in the summer.

When you listen to the VIVA! ARRIBA! CD or attend one of their concerts, you will catch their spirit, their enjoyment of what they do, and their professional approach to what they do. Be careful, it's contagious!

Members of VIVA! ARRIBA! (ages as of December 2006 when the CD was recorded)
Kent Fawcett, Age 14, plays viola.
Jeffrey Komar, Age 16, plays violin and viola.
Stewart Evans, Age 13, plays violin.
Matthew Schnitzler, Age 12, plays violin.
Thomas Komar, Age 13, plays violin, viola, flute and maracas.
Artistic Director (Coach), Carmen Wise
Accompanist and Assistant Director, Steve Komar