By Brad Herron
The Eagle
Eight years ago, Allan and Jessica Powell moved their family from Holland, looking for the tranquility of the West.
It was on an acreage, south of Cochrane, where they found peace, and their children found music.
Playing her oboe, Jessica has travelled the world with her music. She’s played with the English Baroque Soloists, the Musica Viva et Antiqua of Turin, Italy, and the Corelli Chamber Orchestra of Budapest, Hungary, among others.
That passion for globe-trotting with instrument in tow has made its way down to her children. Peter, 19, has already travelled to Brazil, while 17-year-old James has played in Portugal and Spain.
By home-schooling, she was able to nurture the unique gifts each possessed, even though she doesn’t believe she “ever forced music on them.”
As each child grew, they found an instrument suited to their talents and personality, even though James believes “we really didn’t pick our instruments, they picked us.”
Peter, charismatic and out-going, plays the seven-string guitar.
James, the scientific one of the brood, presses his lips on the french horn.
Phoebe, 15, more graceful than her three brothers, runs her fingers along a harp, an instrument she can “hide behind.”
And Edward, the trouble-making baby of the family, plays the violin, an instrument that suits his personality, says an older brother.
“Edward is small and annoying, so he plays the violin,” James says, drawing the ire of the family’s youngest.
An older daughter, Deborah, 21, lives in Calgary.
Having been classically-trained at Oxford University and the Royal College of Music in London, England, Jessica said “anyone can turn the volume up and wear tight pants.”
It takes expertise to understand not only how to play the notes, but why, she said.
Even though his mother’s favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach, Peter can glide seamlessly between classical music and rock.
“We’re not boring ourselves into classical music, we broaden ourselves to all music,” he said. “It’s still notes, it’s still music.”
To teach the children responsibility, Allan and Jessica decided to have the kids pay for their instruments through lessons. Each Powell, even 13-year-old Edward, has a few pupils.
Sitting in his oldest brother’s lap, Edward explained how he can get frustrated with his students, aged nine, seven and five, when they act childish and neglect their studies.
“If they haven’t done their theory, I go through it with them,” he said, adding he will also “play little games” to make the lesson more enjoyable.
Having moved from large urban centres in England and Holland, the wide-open spaces of Alberta were an initial shock to the family.
But it didn’t take long to acclimatize themselves to Alberta. With the Rockies a short drive west, the kids get a chance to “go skiing on weekdays,” Edwards said.
With Lindsay Eklund, owner of LJ Ranch, only a short distance away, the Powells have had an opportunity to play the part of a cowboy.
Jessica said the kids have “learned to swear at cows.”
Peter has even had the opportunity to try for eight seconds on the back of a bucking bronc, something he failed at and won’t attempt again.
James made sure to point out this was because his older brother is afraid of breaking a nail.
Besides cows and horses, the children, especially James, have found a way to integrate animals of the wild sort into their daily lives. The family has adopted “Ekans”, a robin, and “Reginald”, a magpie. The birds have an ability to feign friendliness then peck at an unsuspecting head.
As for the future, the possibilities are endless for the quartet. Recently, all four won awards at the Kiwanis Music Festival and the family is planning to play weddings.
Peter hopes his guitar takes him to a sunny Brazilian beach.
James has his eyes set to the sky, as he wants to fly.
Phoebe isn’t sure of what she wants to do, but she does know she loves to play the harp and sing.
And wee Edward, he just has fun annoying his older siblings.
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