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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2000-03-22, Page 5News Music is soothing therapy for Seaforth classical guitarist By Susgn Hundertmork__ Expositor Staff _ • His flying fingcis and technical expertise are not what Seaforth guitarist Ben Winoski hopes his audience will appreciate when listening to his modern • classical music. • Instead: Winoski hopes his instrumental guitar.music will transport his listeners to the spiritual place out of time he travels to whenever • he performs. • • "A lot -of people say how - fast or technical my music is - but I like it better when they tell me the mental image or feeling it gave them." he says. Winoski was excited 16 - hear after a recent performance in London that ' an audience member heard ..Winoski's music in his head while standing at the top of a mountain in British Columbia during a recent holiday. "I like- that." he says. "Don't think of Inc. Just close,your'cycs and -listen to the music." Winoski's first CD. which, was released recently with nine of the 10 songs written • .by. hini, is.. called the Antidote because of music's ..therapeutic. effects on his life. Muli . has' alw ijs- been .emotionally rewarding for me. With. the ,power to soothe and comfort. music is always the a ..all we have to do is, IiStci." he says on the CD cover. • , - .:.So. -soothing docs he find • his music that' Winoski ,says he's. fallen .aslep while practicing guitar after a physically demanding day working at .• the. Seaforth Creamery. The•23-year-old musician. • who hopes. to be :able. to support himself financially -..with his music someday soon. took his first guitar lesson at age .15 and has had six different teachers over . the past eight years. • And. while his first interest was joining a band with his electric guitar 10 • play heavy metal top 40 and count,ry. he soon got frustrated that he was unable to find the right band with members- dedicated enough to make music into a career. About three years ago, V insoki turned to acoustic guitar and began to develop • the 'finger -picking style he'd been attracted : to since. starting to play: found 'it Iulfills`my hunger for music and i don't have to rely on other people. The acoustic guitar is so portable and quiet that I can play at '3 a.m. if`i want to without disturbing anyone and .i can stop my car along the road and play on a picnic table in a park if i feel like it.' he says. • Hand in hand Hundertmork photo Ben Winoski with playing.. week in London at places is writing. songs, which. • such as Studio Celtia, the Winoski says "just come to Rose and Crown or the mc" when he's playing: Coffee Grind.. "I don'thave to force it or "The audiences are so really try. Something in me responsive. Open stage ,makes me write the songs. nights are the most popular nights of - the week and they've given me experience developing a stage presence," he says, adding that he .was once so nervous on stage, he couldn't talk. only play. "Over the last two years, I've been ,learning 'how to - channel my nervous energy back into the music and it makes the music sound all that mote expressive and energetic," says Winoski. Last October, he organized a performance at the Blyth Festival stage,. renting the theatre for $400 and inviting l'in just trying to present a feeling when 1 write," he says. adding that corning up with a . title to . his instrumental music is sometimes the hardest part .of the process. • "I see a lot of nature in my songs but I'm not conscious of trying to put it there. Lots of people picture nature or a field when they hear my songs and I'm always asking for input on titles," he says. Since moving 'to Seaforth two years ago from Saskatchewan. Winoski says he • is finding more • gpportunities to play in surrounding centres such as 'London, Stratford and Goderich. "There are bands •everywhere in Regina but I couldn't find the culture there. There are no places to play or audiences to listen. But, I'm finding tons of places to play here," he says. Winoski says he can find an open stage to play on almost every night of the Allan Carter, Broker. • Horne • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800.265.0959 Strathroy t•••••••.•••••••••••••••••••t !Tired of handing out: • Resumes?• ?? •- * • • We will be hiring on.• * g • • • Wednesday, March 29th between 10 I& 2. * • at the FESTIVAL INN . # 46 1144 Ontario St., Stratford • • • * Successful applicants will be asked to stay to complete + entire hiring process, this will take approximately 3 hours: • KELLY +. • p •• 0 0 0 •• * . SERVICES • 1-800-263-4459 ,committed to Employment Equity. • - Bring your Resume • 2 work related references - Social insurance card several friends.to play. "i just wanted to have a show and•not sit around and beaskedto play somewhere. People were impressed and surprised." he says, Now that he's prodwc'. CD. . Winoski is iii' process of sending is Canada in a .press F. places s uch as CBC kadiu. music festivals and restaurants which might he looking for performers. "I'm being taken more seriously now that I have a CD. People re.alire that music is more than just a hobby for me now." -, Winoski is also learning about the business. end 'of music by launching a recording.studiobusiness with. Egmondvitic• musician • Kim Souch called Heartfelt Music. • Since one of his dreams is travelling with his music Winoski is hoping to make his way west to British ' Columbia next summer by performing in the many music festivals offered acrosss Canada. Another idea is looking for a job, performing on a cruise ship. "i love playing outside. it makes'the music sound and feel so Muchbettersince' you don't have it bouncing back off the walls and ceilings at you," he says. And. until he takes -it on the road...Winoski's family is enjoying the many hours he spends practicing at home. "Am.I not the luckiest guy -in the world?" says his dad Ray. "I get to sit on. -a .. Sunday morning drinking my coffee and listening to Ben play. What could be better than that:" THE HURON EXPOSITOR, March 22, 2000-5 - an% — %u for thMie generous support of the Seaforth Mites Hockey Tournament, March 14 & 16, 2000 Box Furniture " - Pizza Train McLaughlin Chev Olds T.D. Bank Jim Etue Insurance SeaforthVeterinary Clinic Pete's Paper Clip C.I.B.C. Tucker's Meats (en DeCorte Spraying W.G. Thompson & Sons Watt's Maintenace Total Image II Mike Watt Marion's Painting Clarica Seaforth Chiropractic Centre . - McConnell Stewart & Devereaux • _. Hensall Co-op Frank Flanagan Kyle Devereaux . Visit us today for - 1/4445, Parts Sale Any order over 5500.00, receive 10% off Any order over $1000.00, receive 10%off& get 90 Days of No interest Case IH No. Engine Oil 30W & I 4 only $1.58/L in 11.1t.. drums Offer good on any regular pnced pans Sale Prices end March 3i, 2000 . FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED Seaforth 527-0120 U . ;WIMPS/no.' CASE 111 Need Help? Do you feel left behind by today's technology? Then this *for _ YOU and it is FREE! DATA SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: CONNECTING RURAL ONTARIO Mitchell, Wednesday, March 29 Clinton, Thursday March 30 HURON -PERTH WORKSHOPS A FREE, jam packed day of information about what the increase in high speed telecommunications services means now ... and in the future !!!! The program features: Tonyl Bailetti presenting on Electronic Commerce the big picture, where have we been, where are we going and what might the impacts, be? Sessions on community networking and information technology capacity including Barry Crampton speaking on the 'Lanark County experience. Profiles of local pioneers, who are implementing technology applications for business and community services. .Each day starts at 8:30 am sharp, there is a complimentary lunch, it ends at 4:30 pm. Same Agenda .:, two locations and dates ... . Bell Tel Workshop - Wednesday March 29 at Township of West Perth Municipal Office, 169 St: David Street Mitchell, Ontario NOK 1N0, upstairs auditorium. From the wes Hwy 8 take the second intersection after the lights north (left), from the east on tiwy 8 take the first intersection north (right) o 4 it is on the right. (519)348 8429 Independent Teleco Workshop- Thu ay March 30 at OMAFRA / MNR building 100 Don Street, Clinton Ontario NOM 110, boardroom: From the main intersection of Hwy 4 & Hwy 8 (the lights) go west 1 km to North Street, turn to the right, go 1/2 km north, it is on the right (519) 482-3428 Organizing Agent: Huron Business Development Corp. Contact: Chris Lee -11' Business Consultant 138 Main Street South, Seaforth, NOK 1 WO 519 887 6735 FAX/ 519 887 9011 email: dsipevvillage.walton.on.ca TIRE Owraaro Roar Oo.nm. r () For full information visit: www.huronexports.on:ca RNO Bien Ontario