Let them entertain you.
The exciting music performed Saturday night by Academy faculty will be “varied, uplifting, fun and professional,” promises Graham Yates, Principal of the Chilliwack Academy of Music.
“It’s going to be one of the best musical performances of the year in Chilliwack,” he enthused.
Yates is describing the first-ever Faculty Showcase Concert set to go on Saturday, Feb. 5 in the Chilliwack Cultural Centre Theatre and Lobby.
“We’ll have 13 or 14 faculty members performing,” said Yates.
The program has a bit of everything, from sonatas by Baroque composers defined by the ‘basso continuo’ or the continuous bass sound, to a newly formed dixieland combo.
“That gives you an idea of the sheer breadth of talent we have, from chamber music to pop vocals.”
It will be a catered affair, and a celebration of local musical talent, with proceeds from the concert going to the Academy’s Cultural Centre Equipment Fund, providing much-needed additions for its 21 studios and 700 students.
“These teachers care about their art, their students, and their community and by donating their performances so that we can put on this show, they demonstrate that they care about quality music lessons in Chilliwack,” the principal said.
Alisa van Dijk, with a master’s degree in violin performance from UBC, will play Hoe Down by Copland, and a new work by film score composer Francois Dompierre.
Audience members will be treated to vocal numbers including Dvorak’s Song to the Moon sung by Paula Quick, a set of Handel arias by Marlene Carr, and a pop ballad by Jason Robert Brown sung by Lisa Scyner. Several other well-known faculty members will also appear in a string quartet, piano trio and Dixieland combo formations.
Award-winning Canadian actor David LeReaney, known for his work on the films Passchendaele and Rat Race will host the event as emcee, and Simply Delicious Catering will offer mouth-watering appetizers at intermission.
Faculty Showcase Concert is Saturday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. in the Cultural Centre Theatre and Lobby. Tickets $40 ($35 for Academy members), available at the Cultural Centre box office in person, 604-391-7469 or www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca.