MEET THE MUSICIANS:COMPOSITION Produced by Christina Mairin and Naomi Robinson; directed by Naomi Robinson School Services of Canada, 1994. VHS cassette, 27 min., $69.95. Includes teacher' s guide. MEET THE MUSICIANS: PERFORMANCE Produced by Christina Mairin and Naomi Robinson; directed by Naomi Robinson School Services of Canada, 1994. VHS cassette, 27 min., $69.95. Includes teacher' s guide. MEET THE MUSICIANS: RECORDING Produced by Christina Mairin and Naomi Robinson; directed by Naomi Robinson School Services of Canada, 1994. VHS cassette, 27 min., $69.95. Includes teacher' s guide.Series also available in french under the title Rencontrez les musiciens. All distributed by School Services of Canada. Reviewed by Frances Daw Bergles Volume 22 Number 6 1994 November / December Meet the Musicians is a series of three videos that feature a variety of Canadian performers of divergent backgrounds and musical styles; each tape emphasizes different artists. The artists chosen are an interesting mix representing a range of the Canadian multicultural spectrum. Meet the Musicians: Performance features the well-known R+R based group Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet of "Kids in the Hall" fame, the cast from Don Giovanni of the New School of Classical Vocal Studies, and the avant garde jazz band, Pas de bas, with appearances by artists Loreena McKennitt Murray Porter, Lee Pui Ming, manager Elaine Bomberry of the All Nations Talent Group, and sound engineer Bo Cairo. Clips of performances and dialogue with the musicians reveal back-stage preparations that go into a performance. Issues of rehearsals, whether or not a band should have a manager, touring, and the interaction of the performers are discussed. Meet the Musicians: Composition features blues singer Murray Porter of the Six Nations Reserve, jazz artist Lee Pui Ming, who is influenced by the traditional Chinese music and instruments of her heritage, and avant garde jazzman Reiner Weins of Pas de bas with appearances by Shadowy Men and Loreena McKennitt. Once again performance sequences intercut with interviews explore the artists' musical vision and deal with finding your own voice, writing Iyrics, the composition process, sources of inspiration, and cultural influences. Meet the Musicians: Recording highlights the music and experiences of Celtic New Age harpist and singer Loreena McKennitt, Murray Porter, and Lee Pui Ming with further information provided by Steve Cogdell of Lionheart Studio and René Brossard of Boss Studio. Styles of music are discussed along with information on preparation for recording, the recording process, the importance of sound engineers and producers, mixing, and dealing with record companies. All three videos are engaging showcases of beguiling and unique Canadian talents. All three can be viewed in any sequence but it is the latter one that will be of particular interest to aspiring young musicians. Production values of the series are simple and effective. Recommended. Grades 6 and up / Ages 11 and up Frances Daw Bergles is a librarian at the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan