Violinist Calvin Dyck and a small chamber orchestra will present a concert on Oct. 2 in Black Creek to raise money for East Africa famine relief.
Calvin, who is the concertmaster of the Vancouver Island Symphony, has performed around the world in Cuba, Ukraine, France, Yukon, Mexico and China. More recently played in the orchestra for the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. He will be joined by a small orchestra including some of his advanced students to present the famous Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, a series of four concertos which aptly describe Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter by imitating the sounds of nature such as bird calls, storms, ice, rain, and even a barking dog.
Antonio Vivaldi known as the “red priest” for his shocking head of hair; spent a good part of his career working for a girls orphanage in Vienna known as the Ospedale della Pietà. Part of his responsibilities included writing two concerti a month in return for two gold ducats – worth about $45 in today’s money.
Also on the program, the ensemble will perform Air on the G String by J. S. Bach, Gabriel’s Oboe from the movie The Mission, Canticle for an Angel”by Vancouver composer Michael Conway Baker, and other favourites.
Proceeds from the concert will be funnelled to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) which has a goal of raising one million to provide material aid to victims of the worst drought and famine in East Africa in 20 years.
MCC has set up “food for work” programs in which 92 sand dams are being built to provide a longer term solution to the lack of water. The food meets immediate needs even as workers are creating water retention systems that should help them in the future. Funds collected at the concert will be doubled by the Canadian government.
The concert will be held on Oct. 2 at 2:30 pm at the Black Creek United Mennonite Church. Admission is $15 at the door.
For more information on the concert or on the fundraising efforts, please contact 250-923-2420 or 250-337-2204
