Fraser River sunset. Photo by Marian Buechert.

 
 

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Current Members of Fraser Union

 
 

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.

Roger Holdstock. Photo by Marian Buechert.

Vocals
Guitar
Mandolin

Roger Holdstock. Photo by Ildi Varga.

 
 

 

         
 


Henk Piket. Photo by Marian Buechert.

Henk Piket originally hails from The Netherlands but, as a young boy, moved with his family to Vancouver. He was immersed in folk music at an early age as his parents regularly took him to the Vancouver Folk Song Society’s song circles where he started singing and playing guitar. It is also where he eventually met the other three founding members of Fraser Union.

Henk has been a stalwart of Vancouver’s folk club and coffeehouse scene since the sixties, performing at legendary venues such as The Bunkhouse and The Ark. His adept fingerstyle guitar playing and warm bass voice accentuate his range of repertoire from country and jazz standards to the traditional and contemporary folk and blues that he loves so well.

Henk has enjoyed making and sharing music throughout his life. He can often be found in a song circle or music jam adding subtle vocal harmony, dobro, and guitar to the musical blend – a skill he continues to practice to great effect with Fraser Union.

Vocals
Guitar
Dobro

Henk Piket. Photo by Ildi Varga.

 
 

 

         
 
Barry Truter. Photo by Marian Buechert.

Barry Truter was born in India and 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 Guitar Workshop, and teaches guitar privately and at music camps in the Pacific Northwest. He can also be found singing and jamming with friends in the living room, on the ferry, in a coffeehouse, on a protest march, at a sea festival and wherever live music can be found. As he says, “May there always be the joy of music in all our lives."

In 2011, Barry released a solo CD, Traveller, consisting of originals and carefully selected covers supported by guest appearances from some fine musicians, including his Fraser Union buddies, whom he met at the Vancouver Folk Song Society many years ago. He looks forward to more years of music-making with Fraser Union – making music that speaks to life and the joy of living.

Vocals
Guitar
Octave mandolin
Harmonica
Cajon

Barry Truter. Photo by Ildi Varga.

 

 
 

 

         
 

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.

 

Vocals
Guitar

 
 

 

         
               
 

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