The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1963, Blaðsíða 35

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
33
filtration of English. The language
has been modernized, streamlined; in-
numerable new words have been
added, mostly derived from Norse
roots; there is a constant production
of high quality literature, both poetry
and prose. Culturally Iceland has be-
come impenetrable; the people are
fully aware of their priceless treasure
and are determined to preserve it..
Rut because of the philological com-
mon origin, and the realities of the
practical world there can be mutual
profit in a mutual understanding
based on linguistic and practical
grounds.
That is the perspective in which
“Iceland Review” must be viewed. As
there is mutuality there is no reason
why there could not be a mutual bene-
fit. This should be a two-way traffic
and both sides may well find enrich-
ment in keeping the lanes open.
-W. J. Lindal
Diane H Lynne Thsrleilsen
Diane and Lynne Thorleifson, two
young violinists, grasped the opportun-
ity, presented a little over a year ago,
when, as members of Grant Memorial
Baptist Church of Winnipeg, they
joined the non-denominational and
international Youth for Christ organ-
ization and went on, after local trials,
to win the Canadian championship at
the group’s religious music competition
at Winona Lake, Michigan. An offer
to join the Splendour Production Inc.
of Chicago, under the direction of
Thurlow Spurr, followed, and from
September 1962 to May 1963, Diane
and Lynne, the only Canadians in the
troupe, played in the 11-piece orchestra
and at times sang in the choir. Their
specialties were violin duets. In the
Manitoba Musical Festival of 1962 thev
had won the Class B violin duet com-
petition. They performed at high
school assemblies averaging 1000, at
church concerts, luncheons, banquets,
service clubs, and on television pro-
grams. The troupe consists of thirty
people.
Members of the group performed
various duties in addition to appear-
ances before the public. Laundry work
was done by the girls, and lighting,
sound-effects and bus driving by the
boys. Ages varied from 18 to 25 years.
The performances are really evan-
gelism in music and is on an almost
entirely voluntary basis. Except for a
few scheduled concerts financial sup-
port came from voluntary contri-
butions. “Sometimes”, Lynne said,
“when money was easy we gat $5 a
week to spend, but it was mostly
tight money.” “But in a pinch”, Diane
confided, “father would come to our
rescue.”
The troupe were usually billeted in
private homes, which, both girls felt,
added to the fascination of the tour.
Sometimes, however, they stayed in
motels.
Last year's tour covered forty states
in the U.S. and a trip to Nassau in the
Bahamas. A more extensive tour is
planned for next year.
During the tour Diane and Lynne
appeared several times on TV. The
“Canadian girls”, it is reported, were
in constant demand for such appear-
ances and interviews. In August this
year they appeared on CBC Spotlight
in Winnipeg..