The joy of 91原创 Community Music School鈥檚 50th anniversary will be expressed by nothing less than Beethoven鈥檚 Ode to Joy, performed by a multitude of voices and instruments.
All of 91原创 is invited to join in the celebration as the Vancouver Bach Choir combines with the senior LCMS and Surrey Youth Orchestras, under the direction of conductor Joel Stobbe.
鈥淭here are few pieces more grand or celebratory than the last movement of Beethoven鈥檚 Ninth Symphony,鈥� said Stobbe.
An internationally accomplished cellist and conductor, the LCMS advanced programs coordinator noted that the Ode to Joy is considered 鈥渙ne of the greatest achievements in the history of classical music.鈥�
The emotional, uplifting piece is the perfect choice to commemorate this momentous event,鈥� he said.
Stobbe will lead more than 160 musicians onstage in an exciting symphonic collaboration.
鈥淭he LCMS and SYO Senior Orchestras have been working together on this piece for a year, and the professionalism, passion and talent they display is 91原创enal,鈥� said Stobbe. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a pleasure to work with these talented young musicians, and an absolute honour to have one of Canada鈥檚 largest and most experienced symphonic choirs join us.鈥�
Ode to Joy鈥檚 guest vocal soloists are LCMS alumna Rebecca Paulding (soprano), Leah Field (alto), Scott Rumble (tenor), and alumnus Stephen Duncan (bass).
鈥淭his concert is an extraordinary undertaking and one that truly represents what we鈥檝e achieved as a school in 50 years,鈥� says Principal Carolyn Granholm. 鈥淪ome of B.C.鈥檚 finest emerging young musicians will be on stage.鈥�
The gala open opens to the 13-member LCMS Cello Ensemble, with both current students and alumni performing Klengel鈥檚 Hymn for 12 Cellos and Piazzola鈥檚 Death of an Angel.
Kiwanis provincial winner and national runner-up chamber group Trio Liscio offers its renditions of Victor Davies鈥� Tango and City Lights.
Accomplished musicians and LCMS alumni, cellist Albert Seo and pianist Derek Stanyer will return to 91原创 to treat the crowd to Beethoven鈥檚 passionate Cello Sonata No.4, Op.102 No.1.
Rounding out the program will be the world premiere of an LCMS-commissioned orchestral work, Joy Ride, by renowned composer and musician Marcel Bergmann.
鈥淟CMS has a long tradition of supporting the performance and creation of Canadian music,鈥� said Granholm, 鈥渁nd on this occasion, we are exceptionally proud to be premiering a new orchestral work by our composer in residence, Marcel Bergmann.鈥�
鈥淲e wanted the piece to reflect the dynamic growth and overall diversity and creative development of the school, which is really quite extraordinary,鈥� said Bergmann. 鈥淚 tried to create a joyful and energetic atmosphere, combining some neo-classical and neo-baroque elements with strands of blues, jazz, and minimalism. I hope the piece evokes a celebratory mood for the Gala and builds a 鈥榤usical bridge鈥� that extends to both the past and future.鈥�
To accommodate such a large number of musicians together on one stage, the event will take place in the acoustically-designed, 875 seat theatre at Church in the Valley at 23589 Old Yale Road in 91原创.
The LCMS 50th Anniversary Gala Concert starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 9.
General Admission is $15. Call 604-534-2848 or visit 91原创Music.com for tickets.
LCMS is a non-profit organization and registered charity that is committed to providing the highest quality of musical education to students of all ages and levels, from early learning to pre-professional and adult programs.
With the support of the community, LCMS has become one of the largest non-profit music schools in the province, earning both national and international acclaim for its comprehensive and innovative programs.
LCMS hosts multiple musical concerts from October to May, including the Rose Gellert Hall Series, an evening concert series featuring renowned Canadian and international musicians, as well as the Concerts Caf茅 Classico Series, an afternoon concert series featuring stellar local and touring musicians playing classical, jazz, or contemporary works.
