Hatzic jazz band kicks off concert series in Mission

The Envision Twilight Concert Series returns June 1, kicking off its 22nd year at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission.

The Hatzic Secondary school jazz band kicks off the Envision Twilight concert series on June 1.

The Hatzic Secondary school jazz band kicks off the Envision Twilight concert series on June 1.

The Envision Twilight Concert Series returns June 1, kicking off its 22nd year at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission.

The community free-by-donation series runs Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m. until the final show on Aug. 31.

First up is the Hatzic Secondary school jazz band on Friday, June 1.

The group, under the direction of Julie Aldridge, has been in existence for seven years. Talented HSS music students, ranging in age from 12-17, rehearse diligently both at the school and on their own time and the payoffs have been enormous.

Past performances have taken them to Whistler and Banff as well as an incredible opportunity to compete in New Orleans against high calibre U.S. high schools.

It’s Mission Secondary’s turn on Wednesday, June 6.

The Mission Secondary School Jazz Band is comprised of students from Grade 7 to 12. They meet twice a week, and have been working all year towards this concert. The music is from all different jazz eras, beginning with the big band swing sound of the 1930s and 1940s to modern pieces that include funk and rock styles.

Students will be featured in saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano and drums solos.

The MSS Jazz Band has been invited to the prestigious London Festival of Music, which will take place in England in the last week of April, 2013. The group is working feverishly towards being able to participate in the world-renowned event.

Some of the musical pieces may be familiar, and MSS Jazz Band encourages you to sing along and dance!

The Art in the Park program continues with a variety of visual artists presenting their work each evening of Twilight.

The Blackberry Kitchen and the Log Cabin Café are both returning for the series.

John Vissers and David Westley return to share host duties for the concerts. Linda Golightly leads the Mission Special Olympics Team to provide safe, efficient, family-friendly free parking.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated to help run the event.

Abbotsford News