The Valley Concert Society welcomes A Touch of Brass back to the stage of the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (32315 South Fraser Way) on Friday, Feb. 24.
This quintet has been a favourite with local audiences for many years.
The concert opens with a work that highlights the brilliant tones of trumpets from the pen of J.S. Bach, the master who was such a genius in composing for that glorious instrument.
From there, trumpeters Tom Shorthouse and Jim Littleford and their colleagues take the audience through a varied program that ranges from early Baroque music to contemporary works, including music that was written especially for A Touch of Brass.
Along the way there will be opera favourites such as Musetta’s Waltz from La Bohème, music you will recognize from television, and the very familiar Russian Sailor’s Dance.
Jeremy Berkman’s trombone, so silky smooth in one song, erupts with an angry snarl in another. The French horn in the hands of Nick Anderson can bring the wild enthusiasm of the hunt or subdue with plaintive echoes.
And then there is the tuba. The largest of the family, it keeps the others in line with its steady cadence in the bass line. That is, when it isn’t the clown that brings irreverent laughter to the proceedings.
Tuba player Dave Sabourin has arranged several of the works in the program, including the closing piece by Gershwin.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. There will be a pre-concert talk in the foyer, starting at 6:50 p.m.
Tickets are $28 or $15 for students and can be purchased online at valleyconcertsociety.com
For more information, call 604-289-3377.