An open house and series of concerts close out the season for Langley Community Music School.
It begins with the school’s annual Spring Community Day open house Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It’s an opportunity to tour the facilities, meet the teachers, and learn about the summer camps and general music programs available at the music school, said principal Susan Magnusson.
LCMS sees the event as an chance to show off the wide spectrum of music initiatives – from early learning and traditional classical instruments to jazz and popular music.
“LCMS has some of the most talented and highly qualified faculty in the country,” Magnusson said.
“We offer great learning experiences for all ages and ambitions. We invite everyone to discover what we have to offer, and see what a great resource LCMS is to the community.”
The school will be accepting registrations for the fall semester during the open house event. And, the day includes a free drop-in music class for babies and toddlers at 11 a.m.
The open house is followed by a series of four student concerts between May 11 and 18.
“What’s your favourite music style? Classical? Folk? Maybe jazz?” the principal inquired.
“All of these performances highlight the unique breadth of musical expertise that we foster at LCMS – from the young voices of our children’s choir and always crowd-pleasing fiddlers to the sophisticated sounds of our student orchestras and jazz musicians,” Magnusson said. “There is something for everyone.”
The first concert is Wednesday, May 11, at 7 p.m., with the school’s junior and intermediate orchestras performing.
The Read & Play Orchestra conducted by Luiza Nelepcu, and the school’s string ensemble conducted by Fidelma Cordick, will be presenting works by Bach, Brahms, Borodin, and Granados.
Then, on Monday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m., guests will be “immersed” in an array of jazz and blues standards, and improvisations of several well-known jazz themes at the jazz year-end concert.
This event will feature LCMS jazz students performing together with faculty members Ross Curran on saxophone, Jean-Marc Stacey on piano, and Timothy Stacey on bass. The concert will also feature the LCMS jazz ensemble and a variety of smaller groups, Magnusson explained.
On Tuesday May 17, at 7 p.m., the LCMS Children’s Choir – under the direction of Michelle Bredenholler – will take audiences on a musical journey in their year-end concert.
Entitled Walk with Me, the concert features songs that explore the journey of a typical child going for a walk, experiencing nature, the seasons, friendship, adventure and more, Magnusson said.
The concert will conclude with a joint song with special musical guests, the FUNdamentals class (ages five and six) led by Tammy Hummel.
Closing the series on Wednesday May 18, at 7:30 p.m., the LCMS Fiddlers – under the direction of instructor Andrea Taylor – will be reeling and jigging their way through a selection of popular traditional music, ranging from old time and country to Celtic and Slavic.
They will be accompanied by backup band members Gerry Parsons on guitar, Nathan Powell on bass guitar/mandolin, and Mike Michalkow on drums.
“We invite everyone in the community to attend any and all of these concerts,” Magnusson added. “They represent a marvelous showcase of Langley’s musical talent.”
Admission to all concerts is free, with donations appreciated.
The music school is located at 4899 207th St. More details: langleymusic.com, or 604-534-2848.
CAPTION: The Langley Community Music School's children's choir perform on Tuesday, May 17.