The Cascadia Wind Ensemble presents a concert titled Carnival on Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (32315 South Fraser Way).
The concert will be conducted by founder Shannon Goldsmith, a French horn performer who plays with both the Fraser Valley Symphony in Abbotsford and the Chilliwack Municipal Orchestra in Chilliwack.
The Cascadia Wind Ensemble draws performers from Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, Agassiz and Mt. Vernon, Wash.
Each member drives to a weekly rehearsal at W. J. Mouat Secondary in Abbotsford.
The Carnival concert features Dr. Edward Lewis on cornet as the guest soloist performing Jean-Baptiste Arban’s virtuosic composition The Carnival of Venice.
Arban’s version was written and performed around 1860 just after valves were added to cornets and trumpets. His work is considered the most difficult and brilliant version for cornet or trumpet.
Lewis is the major performing clinician for Yamaha International and has played as a soloist throughout North America.
He has performed for Prince Philip and the heads of state for 53 Commonwealth countries at the Commonwealth meeting in Regina, and has received numerous awards for his work.
Lewis is a professor emeritus from the University of Regina, where he served for 33 years. This is the second time he is the featured soloist with Cascadia wind ensemble.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children. They are available at the door or at King’s Music in Abbotsford and Chilliwack.