From classical to contemporary, with some romantic, novelty and Dixieland songs thrown in, don’t miss the variety and fun of the Chilliwack Academy of Music’s new annual fundraiser, the Faculty Showcase Concert.
The event is set for Saturday, February 5, at 8 p.m. at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Proceeds are going to the Academy’s new equipment fund to furnish the 21 studios used by about 700 students.
Get ready for a diverse musical program put on by the Academy’s distinguished teachers, shot through with narrative by Chilliwack-born actor David LeReaney.
“Many people may not realize the gold mine of talent within the Academy’s faculty,” says Principal Graham Yates. “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.”
One such talent is Alisa van Dijk, who holds a master’s degree in violin performance from UBC. At the Faculty Showcase Concert, she will play the famous “Hoe Down” by Copland, and a new work by film and TV composer Francois Dompierre. Vocal numbers include Dvorak’s “Song to the Moon” sung by Paula Quick, a set of Handel arias performed by Marlene Carr, and a pop ballad by Jason Robert Brown sung by Lisa Scyner. A number of other well-known faculty members will also appear in string quartet, piano trio and Dixieland combo formations. In all, the program features more than half of the Academy’s 22 teachers, who, when combined, represent over 80 years of post-secondary music training, and 500 years of teaching experience.
The musical program will be punctuated by emcee David LeReaney, the Chilliwack-born actor who has appeared in over 200 plays and in such mainstream films as Rat Race and Passchendaele.He arrives from Calgary where he teaches university students and professional actors how to perfect the English dialects they must take on for various roles. In other words, be ready for anything!
Tasty appetizers will be created by Simply Delicious Catering.
Tickets for this fundraising concert are $40 with a $5 discount for Academy members – that includes every parent who paid for lessons at the Academy this year. There is also a special matinée version for elementary school children on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 10:00 a.m. Interested school principals and sponsors are invited to contact Graham Yates at the Academy by calling 604-792-0790.
Tickets at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca or by calling 604-391-SHOW (7469).
