The newly formed Chitarra da Camera Ensemble featuring accomplished local performers Martin Krátký, cello, Sandra Wilmot, violin, Ashley Kroecher, violin and Alan Rinehart, guitar are dedicated to exploring the chamber music repertoire that uses the guitar as an integral part of the group. The early part of the 19th century was a particularly rich period for such repertoire.
Martin Krátký is active as the principal cellist of the Kamloops Symphony and the assistant principal of the Okanagan Symphony. Much in demand as a chamber musician, he also teaches at the Kelowna Community Music School and the Kamloops Symphony music school.
Sandra Wilmot is a Kelowna-based freelance musician, composer, educator, and violin instructor. She plays professionally with the Okanagan and Kamloops Symphony Orchestras and is on faculty at the Kelowna Community Music School.
Alan Rinehart has over 45 years experience as a professional classical guitarist. From1983 to 2003 he was a faculty member of the music schools at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Community College. He currently lives in Kelowna, where he recently had the honour of performing for their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their 2016 Royal Tour visit to BC. His CD, Verdi’s Guitar was recently picked by US based Classical Guitar Magazine as one of the top 10 recordings of the year.
Ashley Kroecher grew up in North Vancouver. After completing a B.A. with honours in general arts at UBC, he spent 5 years in one of Germany’s national conservatories (Trossingen Musik Hochschule) where he completed a teacher’s diploma and performance degree under James Creitz. Upon moving to Kelowna in 2003, Ashley became assistant principal violist with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) with whom he has been featured as soloist. In 2013 he won the position of Principal violist with the Kamloops Symphony and has recently been named principal violist for the Okanagan Symphony.