A salute to veterans is set for Sunday, Nov. 4 at the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre.
Orchestrated by the Sidney Concert Band, this will be the third such musical tribute to Canada’s veterans held at the centre. Sidney Concert Band president Claire Mackelson says the music is reflective of the era — the Second World War years (1939 to 1945) to the early 1950s. Songs from popular musicians of the time, such as Vera Lynn and Glenn Miller, will be on this year’s program. The concert, sponsored by Holmes Realty, also features such tunes at the Col. Bogie on Parade march, big band numbers and even sing-a-longs.
Mackelson added two of their members — trombonist Stephanie Benbow and tenor sax player Jim Kingham — will perform vocal pieces individually and as a duet.
This year, Mackelson said their special guests will be the Saanich Peninsula Pipe Band and the Canadian Scottish Association Band.
All of the ensembles will join together for a mass band performance during the show, “but I’m not going to give it all away,” hinted Mackelson.
There will be a short remembrance segment during the concert — a few words, the Piper’s Lament, Last Post and Reveille. Mackelson said the annual musical salute attracts a variety of people and generations, adding there are many veterans and their families who attend.
Doors open at 1:15 p.m. and the concert begins at 2 p.m. Admission is by donation, with proceeds going to the Military Family Resource Centre at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.
