Vancouver Island Symphony launches new season

The Vancouver Island Symphony launches their new Season of Performances

Music is Life. Live it Here!
with Timeless Treasures and Popular Pleasures

“Music surrounds everything we do and touches us in so many ways,” says Maestro Pierre Simard. Music stimulates the mind, communicates emotion; helps us feel, nurtures the soul. The human brain is wired for music – so life without music is unthinkable! It is timeless - and has been a part of life on Earth from the ancient past with the song of whales and birds through to the present with iPods and thousands of tunes to choose from. But, while iPods and internet allow us instant on-the-go music, nothing can match the thrill of a LIVE concert, and the ‘high’ it can give.

Located right in the heart of Nanaimo, the Vancouver Island Symphony, directed by Pierre Simard, gives that thrill, that ‘high’, with the full surround-sound of orchestrated music performed live on stage by 45 professional and vibrant musicians and exceptional guest artists who share their outstanding talents.

This year the Vancouver Island Symphony launches TWO new concert series subscriptions within their 18^th season, titled ‘Music is Life. Live it here!’ It is a season packed with powerful, inspiring, jaw-dropping music to satisfy every taste – from Timeless Treasures of the great classics and two world premieres, to Popular Pleasures and familiar favourites.

Timeless Treasures Series

Who can deny the brilliance of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms? On October 20, ‘B is for Brilliance’ features their fantastic music and the dynamic skills of pianist Sarah Davis Buechner. On Monday, November 26 the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra presents ‘The Galileo Project’, an audio-visual spectacle with music by Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Bach, Lully and Handel, accompanied by high-definition images from the Hubble telescope. To celebrate the season in style on December 15, the guest choir ‘musica intima’ joins the VI Symphony for a traditional ‘Intimate Christmas’. Marvelous music by Bartok, Simard, Barber, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, and the rapturous voice of soprano Nadya Blanchette, bring ‘Serenades for Spring’ on March 16. And on April 20 the grand season finale, ‘Birds of a Feather’, features flutist Paolo Bortolussi, music by Rautovaara and Morlock, and concludes with Beethoven’s most beautiful ‘Pastoral Symphony’.

Popular Pleasures Series

Three exciting and surprise-filled collaborations are perfect introductory experiences for the new symphony goer. On November 17 there will be magic as world-class aerialists and acrobats of Cirque de la Symphonie fly overhead while the VI Symphony performs light classical masterpieces and popular film music. Then who can pass up The Best of Elton John on January 19, as singer John Meilleur, pianist John Regan and the Jeans’n Classics Band join forces with the musicians of the VI Symphony in a rockin’ tribute with Circle of Life, Rocket Man, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues, and many more favourites! And, Back...by Popular Demand: Ken Lavigne on Sunday, February 10, at 2 p.m.! This concert is the perfect Valentine treat as the Island’s much loved tenor embraces the audience while singing the best love songs of all time... and tells stories.

Get the best seats now!

With the purchase of a package of all eight season concerts, or the Timeless Treasures series of five shows, or the Popular Pleasures series of three shows, the Vancouver Island Symphony offers up to 40% off the regular single ticket price. Call the Port Theatre Ticket Centre at 250-754-8550 to book your symphony tickets now!

‘Music is Life. Live it Here!’ Downtown in the Hub City, with Nanaimo’s very own jewel of an orchestra – the Vancouver Island Symphony! For information about concerts, performers, musicians, community days and more visit: www.vancouverislandsymphony.com.

Carnival - with the Vancouver Island Symphony

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents

Carnival
Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.

Guest Artists:

Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann, Piano Duo

Conductor:
Pierre Simard

The Port Theatre

Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com
(Pre-Concert Talk 6:30 p.m.)

 

What a way to celebrate life! ALL life! Join in the Carnival on Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 as the Vancouver Island Symphony performs their final concert of this season at the Port Theatre.  Like the Carnival parades of Brazil there will be joyous rhythms and fantasy with powerful, exciting, thrilling music. Beams Maestro Pierre Simard, “These are classical works that are really popular, music that is so joyful you forget it’s classical.”

In Brazilian style, with a little tango, maxixe, samba and Portuguese fado, the musical parade begins with Darius Milhaud’s surrealistic ballet score Le Boef sur le toit (English title - The Ox on the Roof: The Nothing-Doing Bar). The musical stage is set - a bar frequented by a number of characters: a bookmaker, a dwarf, a boxer, a woman dressed in men's clothing, a policeman who is decapitated by the blades of an overhead fan before he is revived, and others.

Then comes the French connection with the enchanting Concerto for Two Pianos by Francis Poulenc, here performed brilliantly by guest artists Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann. “This is one of our favourites,” says Elizabeth. “It’s so much fun, with so much energy and rhythmic vitality – short phrases, snippets, witty. The second movement is literally a French modern day Mozart in character.”

Elizabeth and Marcel return to the stage after intermission for the imaginative and sensational Carnival of Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. With eyes closed, listening to the music, you will see and hear the Royal March of the Lion, Hens and Roosters, Wild Donkeys, Tortoises, The Elephant, Kangaroos, and Aquarium, People with Long Ears, a Cuckoo, an Aviary, Pianists, Fossils, and most familiar, The Swan, followed by the grand Finale.

Continuing on the zoological theme, but with a Canadian perspective come excerpts from A Canadian Carnival (and other Animal Crackers) by Cameron Wilson. The exact selections, to be conducted by Symphony Sizzle winning bidder John Wynia, will be announced from the stage. So which will they be? The Skunk, the Whale, The Gopher, The Moose, The Lawyer, The Lonely Loon or a Barnyard Dance Finale? Ah, the suspense!

Then it’s back to South America for the rich and dramatic Latin dance rhythms of Huapango by Mexican composer Moncayo. Toes will be tapping and spirits will soar! What a perfect and exciting performance for this final concert of this Music for your Heart and Soul season – music to fill hearts and souls with joy, hope and eternal optimism! And it’s LIVE!

Why go to Brazil when you can experience the exciting music of Carnival right in Nanaimo! Get your tickets while they last – by calling 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com. Come early to the Pre-Concert Talk (6:30 p.m.) and hear Maestro Simard tell the stories behind the music. For more information visit: www.vancouverislandsymphony.com

Songs Strings & Steps 12 - Hits from Broadway

Songs Strings and Steps 12
Hits from Broadway
Friday, April 13, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way Abbotsford, BC
Reserved Seating
Tickets: Adults $25; Seniors $22; Students $12
From Kings Music 604-853-5996

Why go to the ‘City that Never Sleeps’ when it can come to you in Abbotsford? On April 13 and 14 the Abbotsford Arts Centre transforms into the theatre district of New York as the highly successful Songs Strings & Steps collaborative production team shoots for the stars with the greatest and most loved Hits from Broadway.

“It’s such beautiful music,” says director Calvin Dyck. “It’s a program that everybody can relate to. When we mention Broadway, everyone has their favourite musical!”

But it’s not just about the music (here featuring the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra accompanied by some of BC’s brilliant professional musicians, and the return of Canadian Idol finalist Shane Wiebe), it’s about stories. “It’s important to have the right type of costumes, not just for the characters but also the orchestra. So for this production we have hired professional costume designers!”

Show designer Sylvia Friesen is pulling out all the stops – with visuals, sets and props to accompany the stories of Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mary Poppins (featuring Chelsea Hiebert), Sound of Music, Swing, Lion King, Footloose (with iSing), Oliver, West Side Story, Tarzan and Les Misérables.

“The string players are doing their usual dancing while playing,” adds Dyck. “And we have choreographer Janelle Stauffer teaching them to do the Charleston. Members of the Fraser Valley Academy of Dance will be doing the West Side Story Medley - in dance. And we have auditioned kids from the Pacific Mennonites Children’s Choir for Food Glorious Food from Oliver.”

It’s music full of heart and emotion that connects with people. This is a production that includes thrilling song and dance, and as with every Songs Strings & Steps production, fantastic surprises for the audience. That’s Hits from Broadway - a blockbuster hit all on its own!

To book your reserved seating ticket (adults $25, seniors $22, students $12, plus HST) call Kings Music at 604-853-5996 – and make haste before they sell out! You’ll be so glad you did!

 For more information visit www.calvindyck.com or call Calvin Dyck at 604-855-9696.

For an article about Calvin Dyck visit www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-dyck.htm.
For an article about Sylvia Friesen visit www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-friesen.htm.
Both articles have video examples of Songs Strings and Steps past performances.

WAVE with the Vancouver Island Symphony

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents

Wave

Saturday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.

Guest Artists: Martin Chalifour, Violin; Dirk Heydemann, Photography

Conductor: Pierre Simard

The Port Theatre

Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com

(Pre-Concert Talk 6:30 p.m.)

Catch the Wave – an experience for all the senses 

What a musical party it will be! On Saturday, March 17, the VI Symphony presents Wave, the sixth concert of the VI Symphony’s 2011-2012 Season – Music for your Heart and Soul. It is a concert that will literally satisfy six senses – hearing, touch, sight, smell, taste and balance – as Maestro Pierre Simard leads the musicians and technicians in a sensory experience that honours our waterfront community – and much more!

Hear, Touch and Smell - the Music

“We are linking the symphony to this community where we depend so much on water,” explains Simard. “So, we are book-ending this performance with two water-related pieces of music.”

Book-ending? The concert opens with ‘Chant of Water and Sky’ mentally impressing the sound, sight, touch and smell of the ocean. “This is a very evocative piece by Canadian composer Glenn Buhr,” explains Simard. “In the second half of the concert we are performing the entire ‘Water Music’ as composed by George Frideric Handel for King George I, and initially performed on a barge on the River Thames.” Between the two water pieces, the audience will be hearing a brilliant performance of Mozart’s technically challenging ‘Violin Concerto No. 4’ played by Martin Chalifour. “Martin is the concertmaster with the Los Angeles Philharmonic,” adds Simard, “and he is an incredible virtuoso.”

See - the Visuals

To accompany and complement the magnificent ‘Water Music’, its themes, movements and transitions,  local photographer Dirk Heydemann of Heydemann Art of Photography, will be presenting a stunning visual backdrop of original and historic images about water and how it affects lives on the Island.

Taste - the Cake

And linking ‘Water Music’ to royalty, the VI Symphony will be honouring the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a special cake in the lobby for everyone to enjoy.

Experience - the Balance

Like the perfect wave that requires balance from a skilled surfer to be ridden successfully to shore, Wave, the concert, is impeccably programmed, from the magnificent music and mastery of musicianship through to the astounding photographic images and the delicious cake, to make a perfectly balanced evening in which to celebrate the Port City and all who live on Vancouver Island.

To catch the Wave, tickets are available by calling 250-754-8550.

For more information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com. Keeping Music LIVE!

The Celtic Tenors

The Celtic Tenors

Celebrating St. Patrick and the Luck of the Irish

In a Benefit Concert for and presented by
The Vancouver Island Symphony

Thursday, March 22, 7:30 p.m.

Port Theatre, Nanaimo

Tickets: 250-754-8550

www.porttheatre.com

(The Celtic Tenors will be performing with their musical director and pianist Colm Rogan.


Coming all the way from the Emerald Isles the charismatic Celtic Tenors visit Vancouver Island in perfect time to help celebrate St. Patrick and all things Irish. 

The globe-trotting Celtic Tenors bring their uplifting show to centre stage at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. Come and meet Matthew Gilsenan of County Meath, James Nelson of Sligo, and Daryl Simpson of Omagh in Northern Ireland. All classically trained, together as Ireland’s first cross-over tenor act (1995), they excel in stacked, three-part harmonies and quick witted banter between one-another and the audience – all delivered with their Irish brogue and rollicking good humour. Signed up by EMI in 2000, they have recorded eight albums, performed around the world, been seen on TV (including a PBS special) across the USA, Canada and Europe, and sung for world leaders, while pioneering a new style of ‘cool’ never before seen as they continue to break the traditional tenor mould.

While each of the Celtic Tenors has been influenced by the musical tradition from their own individual part of Ireland, Gilsenan (the more pop style), Nelson (the more operatic) and Simpson (the go-to guy for the high notes) show brilliant flexibility in melding their voices to suit spine-tingling classical, folk, Irish, Gaelic and pop songs that they love to sing.

It has been said that The Celtic Tenors do to Irish tenor singing what River Dance has done to Irish dance – bringing it to the 21^st Century. “We sing the big tenor numbers but we also do songs from our homeland and other Celtic countries, and a bit of pop music - which surprises people. We present a complete mix of everything... and some in our own language. We are part of the modern, contemporary Ireland, a core of Irish-ness and Celtic-ness that needs to be cherished. In Nanaimo we will be performing songs from our new album ‘Feels Like Home’, tenor standards like Nessum Dorma and Celtic Tenor favourites like Going Home, Remember Me, Red-Haired Mary, Westering Home, Danny Boy and more.”


A concert with The Celtic Tenors is a journey through all the emotions and sometimes includes an orchestrated sing-along and an occasional visit into the audience. “We share with the audience a lot of experiences we’ve had. One minute they are laughing and the next cry a bit with memories that a song evokes.”

Come and celebrate the luck of the Irish in a concert sure to lift your spirits as the Vancouver Island Symphony presents this extra-special BENEFIT CONCERT - the Celtic Tenors singing Music for your Heart and Soul. Tickets are available by calling 250-754-8550.

For more information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com. Keeping Music LIVE!

For more information about the Celtic Tenors visit: www.celtic-tenors.com

           For an interview article with James Nelson of the Celtic Tenors visit:
           www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-celtictenors.htm

An Incredible Evening of Magic with Murray Hatfield and Teresa

The Boundary District Arts Council -

2011-2012 Performance Series presents

Murray Hatfield & Teresa

“An Incredible Evening of Magic”

Thursday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.

GFSS Auditorium, Grand Forks BC

Tickets: Thistle Pot Gifts and Gallery 2

An Incredible Evening

of Magic

Magic! That’s family entertainment - spellbinding, heart-throbbing-in-the-throat suspense, uproarious laughter and brilliant surprises – as the Boundary District Arts Council’s presents their grand finale of the 2011-2012 Performance Series with Murray Hatfield and Teresa in an “Incredible Evening of Magic”.

On Thursday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. the Grand Forks Secondary School Auditorium will be transformed into a world of jaw-dropping illusion. From the moment they take the stage, Murray Hatfield and Teresa thrill the audience with their award-winning mix of magic, music, dance, comedy and stunning illusions. Witness the instantaneous transformation of Teresa into Murray or watch as Teresa passes visibly and incredibly through his body. Behold as Teresa is ‘squished’ to just 12 inches tall, or see her vanish in the blink of an eye.

All this and more is possible when Murray and Teresa take the audience on an unforgettable ride of magic. Audience members beware! Volunteers become the true stars of the show as they assist with the magical mayhem - from a hilarious routine as a helper plays the part of the magician, to Murray's signature effect, a side-splittingly magical duel.

Murray and Teresa have spent the last twenty years travelling and performing around the world, thrilling audiences in Israel, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Mexico, Japan, Canada and the United States.  They also star in and produce "Magic and Miracles", the largest touring magic show in Canada.

And now they are coming to Grand Forks and the Boundary fall the way from their hometown, Victoria BC, for this one special performance! To book your seat on a magic carpet ride, visit Thistle Pot Gifts or gallery 2. Advance tickets are: Adults $18, Senior $16, Youth $5, Family $45. At the door: Adults $20, Senior $18, Youth $7, Family $50.

 For more information about Murray Hatfield & Teresa visit www.murrayhatfield.com

Believe - with Ken Lavigne and the Vancouver Island Symphony

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents
Believe
Saturday, February 18, 7:30 p.m.
Guest Artist: Ken Lavigne, Tenor
Conductor: Pierre Simard
The Port Theatre
Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com

Believe - a VI Symphony Valentine

Ken Lavigne, popular Vancouver Island tenor, believes!  So much so that he lives his hopes and dreams with all his heart. In a season dedicated to Music for Your Heart and Soul, the Vancouver Island Symphony, under the baton of Pierre Simard, presents a special Valentine treat - Believe.  On Saturday, February 18, the theatre will be filled to overflowing with love, romance, hopes, dreams and magnificent music with Lavigne’s amazing voice, his natural and charming rapport with the audience, genuine stage presence - and his heart.

Many will know Lavigne for his memorable trip to New York in 2009 when he went, against all odds, with one of his dreams (and many Vancouver Island supporters) to perform at Carnegie Hall, the world’s most prestigious concert stage. Accompanied by the New York Pops Orchestra under the baton of Simon Capet, Lavigne received three standing ovations and excellent reviews from New York critics.

“I had an epiphany one day,” says Lavigne. “Why was I waiting for something to happen?” And while one dream has been fulfilled, Lavigne continues to further his passion, performing with symphonies and orchestras internationally. “Since the Carnegie Hall concert I have made appearances in Los Angeles and Victoria with (Grammy winner) David Foster at the piano, and I’ve toured through the US. I want to take every opportunity I do have in front of an audience to make it as memorable a moment as possible. I believe that when you talk about following your dreams you leave people elated and inspired, that they too can do what they want to do, they can make their dreams happen.” Here Lavigne laughs, “You may have to work hard, and you may not end up where you envisioned, but it’s a beautiful ride and the destination is a good one.” 

And as Lavigne follows his dreams his voice evolves. “It’s maturing with age like a wine. I’m at an age where things are falling into place; before, I would struggle for a particular sound, now it is happening automatically. The style of music is evolving and things are becoming easier... but that comes from hard work!”

Throughout a program of familiar ballads, show tunes and classical cross-over favourites (and surprises)  Lavigne weaves a thread, joining each song with anecdotes, mostly of the humorous kind, that have audiences rollicking with laughter. All the while it’s his music that will touch the heart, with a voice that Cabaret Exchange of New York describes as being like “...liquid gold.”

This is definitely music for the heart and soul. Tickets for Believe are available by calling 250-754-8550. For information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com. For Ken Lavigne, his formal biography and recordings, visit: www.kenlavigne.com. And for interview articles and a review visit www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-lavigne.htm .

Ian Parker performs "Rhapsody in Blue"

Friday, February 10, 7 p.m.
Kwantlen Auditorium, Glover Rd & Langley By-pass
Presented by Kwantlen Polytechnic Orchestra-In-Residence
Tix: $25/22/15 - 604-599-3315 and Long & McQuade, 604-530-8704
Saturday, February 11, 7 p.m.
Surrey Arts Centre – 13750 – 88 Ave
Presented by Surrey City Orchestra
Tix: $25/23/15 - 604-501-5566  https://tickets.surrey.ca
Sunday, February 12, 3 p.m.
Central Heights Church, Abbotsford
Presented by Central Valley Academy of Music
Tix: $25/22/15 at CVAM. House of James (604 852-3701),  Kings Music (604-853-5996)

Meet Ian Parker, a member of the Parker family dynasty of virtuosic concert pianists who was born and raised in Vancouver, schooled at Juilliard in New York and now divides his time between performances around the world and his homes and studios in New York City and Vancouver. This coming weekend (February 10-12) the youthful, dynamic, flamboyant and expressive, globe-trotting Parker, who has just completed concerts in Bogota, Colombia, will be performing with orchestras in Langley, Surrey and Abbotsford, under the baton of violinist and conductor Calvin Dyck.

Rhapsody in Blue

Parker will be pulling out all the stops as he plays one of his (and audiences’) all-time favourites, Gershwin’s amazing, lively, rhythmic, sensuous and dramatic Rhapsody in Blue. Considered a musical portrait of New York City, it combines elements of classical music and jazz.
Rhapsody in Blue remains one of Parker’s most memorable pieces of music. “It was the first piece I ever played with an orchestra; the Vancouver Youth Symphony. I was sixteen. I have now played Rhapsody in Blue as my debut with most prominent symphony orchestras around the world.”
While the audience basks in the after-glow of Rhapsody in Blue, Parker then lets his fingers float over the piano keys with melodic passages from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, the concerto made famous in the movie “Amadeus”.

Top BC Talent - Guest Artists

Parker shares the spotlight in these concerts with exceptional BC talent and music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Flutist Paolo Bortolussi, a passionate and provocative performer of a wide range of musical styles, joins Maria Whelton, a harpist described as angelic, playful, bold and sensitive, for a performance of the Flute and Harp Concerto. Andrew Clark, an international French horn performer and recently welcomed addition to the BC music scene from London (UK), will play Mozart’s Horn Concerto. Also included on the program is the overture to the opera “The Marriage of Figaro” and a movement from the popular Symphony No. 29.

Teaching Musicians of the future

Teaching musicians of the future is a keen interest for Parker. In fact, Parker has agreed to donate part of his fee from the Abbotsford concert to help with fundraising for CVAM. 

For more information about Ian Parker visit his web site at www.ianparker.ca and visit a series of interview articles at www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-parker.com .