The spring concert by the Chilliwack Metropolitan Orchestra and Metropolitan Youth Orchestra at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre promises to be one of regal celebration and due pomp.
The final concert of the CMO season on June 1 will spotlight tributes to the Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2, with light overtures and marches conducive for a splendid spring concert, says Maestro Johan Louwersheimer.
"It's going to be fantastic," he says. "The kids are really enjoying it."
The program will lean toward the style of the Proms, the hugely popular music festivals held in London every year. "Proms" in this sense comes from "promenade concerts," which harken back to a glorious time when classical music was performed outdoors by live orchestras, and later in the Royal Albert Hall.
They'll perform Pomp and Circumstance, of course and the majestic Fireworks by Handel.
It will all be a fitting tribute, the Maestro says, given the rich military history Chilliwack has with the old Camp Chilliwack, which became CFB Chilliwack.
"In a sense we are reconnecting with and recognizing that proud history through the music."
Beethoven rounds out the program and the CMYO will be performing some of the young musicians' favourites. The Peer Gynt Suite with its Morning Mood highlighting the flute and the Hall of the Mountain King with its contrasting emphasis on the low strings is pure pleasure.
The fourth successful season of the Orchestra is coming to a close, and it's been one of growth and innovation for the organization, says Louwersheimer.
The youth orchestra has had a busy performance schedule, and when in combination with the entire orchestra there are over 100 musicians on stage. Senior members of the CMYO joined with the Handel Society and under the baton of Maestro Louwersheimer performed Messiah for a full house in White Rock.
The orchestra also continued to present the CMO Principal Soloist Series concerts which enables the orchestra's young professionals the opportunity to perform solo concertos with the orchestra. The Sibleius Violin Concerto was an example.
As they rehearse now for the upcoming finale, they are also looking forward to presenting the Dec. 15 Christmas Concert at Evergreen Hall as special fundraiser for the Chilliwack Salvation Army. A Gala Concert is also in the works.
Spring concert, June 1, at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, tickets $25 and student $15 from the Centre Box Office 604-391-SHOW. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.