The resonant strains of violins, cellos, clarinets and violas will soon fill the air in Metchosin, as the Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players and the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus play at the new St. MaryB次元官网网址檚 Church.
Selections performed at the Sunday, Nov. 30 concert, titled Warming to Winter, will include HandelB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淲ater Music,B次元官网网址� BachB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淪uite No. 3 in D (Air)B次元官网网址� and the lesser-known B次元官网网址淰iola Concerto in GB次元官网网址� by Telemann.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great variety of music, (some) familiar to most people and (others) perhaps new to most as well,B次元官网网址� says Michele MacHattie, an organizer and violist with the orchestra.
The selections also include three unusual Christmas carols: Donkey Carol, Nativity Carol and What Sweeter Music.
Founded by Norman Nelson in 1997 when he and his wife retired to Sooke, the orchestra has grown over the years and plays regularly in Victoria and Metchosin, as well as its home venues.
Nelson, whose lifelong musical career includes positions with the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony and the London Symphony orchestras, says playing with the Sooke Philharmonic gives him B次元官网网址渆normous pleasure.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 love most the warm, fuzzy feeling I get from the orchestra. IB次元官网网址檝e played in lots and lots of orchestras and you get the feeling that itB次元官网网址檚 a job in most,B次元官网网址� he says. The routine work of an orchestra player can sometimes be lacking in passion from the players, but not so in the Sooke community orchestra.
B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 in it for the love of the music, and the fellowship.B次元官网网址�
The strong ties between the players extends to the communityB次元官网网址檚 youth as well, with the orchestra hosting their annual Don Chrysler Concerto competition for young musicians up to 25 every April. The winner is granted the opportunity of playing with the full orchestra; quite the honour, says MacHattie.
Violist Rae Gallimore, who won second place in this yearB次元官网网址檚 competition and received the most B次元官网网址淎udience ChoiceB次元官网网址� votes, is the soloist in TelemannB次元官网网址檚 concerto.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fantastic thing that Norman has done. ItB次元官网网址檚 extending the opportunities to youth to be involved in classical music, either on the player or the audience side.B次元官网网址�
In that same vein, and brand new this year, youth 16 and under can attend the concerts for free.
The upcoming concert is open to all ages, and runs 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at New St. MaryB次元官网网址檚 Church, 4125 Metchosin Rd. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors or students over 16.
Tickets are available online and on the West Shore at the Metchosin Country Store and Tom Lee Music in Millstream Village, or at the door. For more information, visit sookephil.ca or call 250-419-3569.
acowan@goldstream-gazette.com
