SHAUNAVON — Two prairie boys are returning to their home provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to share their passion for classical music with audiences.
The piano/cello duo known as Prairie Sons includes Godwin Friesen, pianist, who grew up in Saskatoon and David Liam Roberts, cellist, originally from Winnipeg. Prairie Sons is touring with Prairie Debut, a charitable organization based in Western Canada that links the best Canadian classical and global music artists to over 80 communities, mostly in rural centres in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon.
Prairie Sons will be performing in Shaunavon on Monday, March 10 as part of a 20-stop tour that Prairie Debut has organized in collaboration with the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Council’s (OSAC) 2024/2025 Stars for Saskatchewan Concert Series. The concert is supported by the Shaunavon Arts Council and is one of two performances being organized by the group in 2025.
Roberts and Friesen met at the Glenn Gould School of Music where they were each studying their respective instruments and both were awarded and featured in CBC's Hot 30 Classical Musicians Under 30. The two musicians also combine their talents with a third collaborator, violinist Daniel Dastoor, as part of the Rilian Trio, touring extensively across Canada and in Europe.
Prairie Debut describes the duo, saying, ‘The Prairie Sons energy and innovation offer a fresh perspective on their homeland, inviting you to see the everyday as a miracle in the picturesque Canadian landscape.’
Métis-Canadian cellist David Liam Roberts enjoys an international career as a soloist and chamber musician. David Liam holds a Bachelors and Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and last Fall, he began a Masters at the Basel Academy of Music in Switzerland, studying with the acclaimed cellist Danjulo Ishizaka.
Godwin Friesen is a pianist and composer. Godwin grew up in Saskatoon, performing frequently, not as a pianist, but as a member of the Friesen Family Band, singing and playing various instruments in styles ranging from folk to church music to jazz. He recorded and toured with his parents and five siblings. Composing has become another important part of Godwin’s musical life, thanks to an early piano teacher, Sheila Wright. Today, his solo and ensemble concerts regularly include one of his new works. The upcoming Shaunavon concert will include his Psalm 133 for Piano and Cello. Godwin earned a bachelor’s degree and an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and a master’s degree in 2024 at l’Université de Montréal. He currently calls Montreal home.
When asked what role and benefit Prairie Debut provides as the touring organization for artists, Friesen explains, “Po Yeh, their Executive Director, works together with OSAC and all of the administration and logistics are taken care of. This allows us to focus on the music and performances and to learn about the aspects of touring without having to figure out all of those things ourselves.”
Prairie Debut has been operating since 1997 and several of their previous touring artists have made stops in Shaunavon. The Fung Chiu Duo was featured in 2014 and a Prairie Debut promotional video was filmed at the Centre Street United Church during their stay.
Friesen wants audiences to know that while the Prairie Sons program has classical elements, their performance will be a mixture of styles. “People appreciate that we do have some rich classical components, but we alternate styles and incorporate Latin American rhythms, jazz and I have also arranged a Prairie Medley featuring The Guess Who, Neil Young and Randy Bachman. We will also play a Joni Mitchell song for the audience.”
In addition to 20 concert tour engagements, they have added school performances to their schedule. A performance for elementary students and one for Shaunavon High School will take place the afternoon of March 10 when they arrive in Shaunavon. Their evening concert is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Darkhorse Theatre, where Friesen will play the community’s Yamaha grand piano. Tickets are $30 and available in advance at Meeting Grounds, Grand Coteau Heritage & Cultural Centre or at the door that evening.
