The music of Great Britain strikes a familiar chord, whether it’s the Last Night of the Proms or the whimsy of an Irish reel.
Trinity Western University’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC) celebrates the culture of the Commonwealth with a weekend of British classics, performed by the Concert Band + Orchestra in Abbotsford on March 28 and Langley on March 29.
“British music is a particularly rich area to explore,” says concert band conductor and SAMC Music Chair Allan Thorpe. “There are so many remarkable pieces written originally for concert band. And with Britain’s strong brass band tradition, this concert will be a treat for the brass enthusiasts in the audience.”
Several beloved folk tunes figure in the concert band program, such as O Danny Boy and Greensleeves. Dashes of dry British humour balance the cheerful dance rhythms in works such as Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite and Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances. This varied assortment of music evokes the feeling of a jolly stroll through the countryside.
TWU’s 40-piece orchestra is conducted by Jon Thompson, and will play works such as the well-known Pomp and Circumstance and Vaughan Williams’ Lark Ascending, a rhapsodic work for violin and orchestra featuring soloist Sharon Fong.
The Abbotsford show is at Peace Lutheran Church (2029 Ware St.). The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with admission by donation. The local show is part of SAMC's fifth annual Festival of the Arts, Media and Culture. For the full event line-up, visit twu.ca/samc.