Members – Fraser Union http://fraserunion.com Music celebrating lives past & present Fri, 30 Dec 2022 05:34:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Roger Holdstock http://fraserunion.com/members/roger-holdstock/ Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:36:19 +0000 http://fraserunion.com/wordpress/?p=9

Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin

One of Roger Holdstock’s early memories from England when he was about five years old is of his grandfather playing concertina. When Roger was six, his family moved to California, where his two older brothers immediately bought guitars. Roger’s brother, Dick Holdstock, who continues to perform folk music in California and England, had a strong influence on Roger’s choice to play music with folk roots.

Roger feels privileged to have found a rich community of musicians and friends since moving to Vancouver in 1974. Since the early 1980s, when the original members met through the Vancouver Folk Song Society, Fraser Union has been a central part of his musical, social, and work life (including performances for the college classes he has taught).

From benefit concerts to festivals, from picket lines to academic conferences, from living rooms to stages, Roger believes that the songs chosen by Fraser Union encourage voices to join together and to build community—and that keeps him singing.

]]> Barry Truter http://fraserunion.com/members/barry-truter/ Sun, 03 Feb 2019 18:34:51 +0000 http://fraserunion.com/wordpress/?p=18

Vocals, Guitar, Octave Mandolin, Harmonica, Ukulele, Cajon

Barry Truter has been a traveller for much of his life. His music and songwriting are influenced by the places he has lived and worked including India, Fiji, USA, England, Canada, and a spell at sea working on a tramp freighter.

Barry is a co-founder of the Georgia Strait Music Camp (formerly Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop), and teaches guitar privately and at music camps in the Pacific Northwest.

In 2011, Barry released a solo CD, Traveller, consisting of originals and selected covers supported by guest appearances from some fine musicians, including his Fraser Union bandmates. His book Traveller: Stories and Songs in the Key of Connection published in September 2021 contains music scores for his original songs, some of which have found their way into Fraser Union’s repertoire. He looks forward to more years of music-making with Fraser Union – music that speaks to life and the joy of living.

]]> Kathy Griffin http://fraserunion.com/members/kathy-griffin/ Sat, 02 Feb 2019 18:35:23 +0000 http://fraserunion.com/wordpress/?p=21

Vocals, Guitar, Percussion

Born in Prince George, BC, Kathy Griffin was raised in a musical home; her mum was a professional pianist, and her dad and sister loved to sing harmony. Kathy started playing guitar when she was 11 but her singing journey didn’t start until she was an adult living in Vancouver. In 1995, Kathy and Roger met in the world music chorus Pastime with Good Company—this is when she first became acquainted with Fraser Union’s music.

With her deep voice, she has sung tenor or baritone in countless folk groups, choirs, and choruses. Kathy’s keen interest in harmony has led her to perform in many styles ranging from folk and world music, to choral, barbershop, and Broadway. In 2016 Kathy received her 3 year diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Voice. She enjoys tutoring adults in Beginner Music Theory and Solfege, and harmonizing with anyone (or anything) that has a pitch!

Kathy believes that music is what bonds people and helps us feel connected with one another. For her, singing with Fraser Union embodies the very essence of community, connection, and harmony.

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