The Vancouver
Island Symphony presentsA Festive Brassy Christmas
Guest Artists: The Festive Brass
Symphonic Choir, VI Symphony Children’s Choir -
Patricia Plumley, Choral Director
Pierre Simard, Conductor
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre, 125 Front Street, Nanaimo
Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com
Heralding in the
season with The Festive Brass
Polished up
with spine-tingling and often hilarious orchestral and choral arrangements, The Festive Brass quartet joins the
Vancouver Island Symphony, VI Symphonic Choir and VI Symphony Children’s Choir
on stage at the Port Theatre for A
Festive Brassy Christmas on Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m.
VI Symphony
fans have heralded the brass as one of their favourite family Christmas shows
and to help celebrate 20 years of VI Symphony tradition, artistic director
Pierre Simard invited Stevan Paranosic, principal trumpet, to bring along his
popular quartet and present a memorable evening of fantastic seasonal music,
laughter, song, sing-along, and surprises.
Polished brass: Over the past two decades The Festive
Brass has been a popular and regular crowd-pleaser for passers-by at Butchart
Gardens in Victoria during the Christmas season with their own top-notch musicianship,
quirky arrangements and cheeky humour. The talented musicians include Stevan
Paranosic (trumpet), Bruce Hurn (trumpet), Nick La Riviere (trombone), and
Robert Fraser (bass trombone).
Polished humour: “The emphasis is on humour, an
important part of the show,” says Paranosic. “At Christmas we are inundated
with muzak elevator versions everywhere, so this is a tailored show for the VI
Symphony orchestra and choirs with most of the music arranged by members of The
Festive Brass, and a piece by Pierre Simard.”
It’s
Christmas music with a real twist, full of surprises. Imagine - Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer mashed up
with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance,
or Sting’s Roxanne! “Rudolph is the most popular and
requested tune,” adds Stevan, “so, we have created what we call de-arrangements
in various styles.”
Polished beauty: Meanwhile, interspersed throughout
the program are jewels, like Ave Maria
and Fantasia on Greensleeves. “Three
years ago we had fantastic feedback on the VI Symphony’s performance of one of
the most beautiful pieces every written – O
Magnum Mysterium. I had transcribed it for the talented brass of the
orchestra. For many it was a highlight of the show and is one of the hidden
gems in this program.”
Shining tradition: Come herald in the spirit of the
season. Bring family and friends to celebrate 20 years of shining Christmas
tradition. Come experience the stirring force of orchestra, choir and brass. Come
sing along and join in the celebration. For tickets call 250-754-8550.
Celebrate 20! – “An Awesome Party” – Keeping Music LIVE!
For a YouTube video of some of The
Festive Brass music at Butchart Gardens visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBVvr5n0_hA&index=2&list=PLoOobPwy44UKi4dpJlgTyfsV5A-G5j9x5
