The Cowichan Camerata String Orchestra is holding its first concert under its new musical director, Chris Redsell, on Friday, Dec. 7 starting at 7:30 p.m. at Duncan United Church.
The Cowichan Camerata is an amateur string orchestra comprised of musicians of all ages from the Cowichan Valley and beyond. It was founded in 2006 by Garth Williams and was under his direction until his retirement from conducting earlier this year.
Chris Redsell is a professional violist with a long history of directing string orchestras during his music career in Europe. Such is his passion for string music that he travels from Mayne Island to Duncan every week to work with the Camerata.
He looks forward to building the orchestra’s music library with the help of a BC Gaming Grant awarded this year; in the meantime, he has commissioned two new string orchestral arrangements for this concert from Elisabeth Jahren, who will also be performing at the concert as a special guest.
Take a break during the busy holiday season and let your hearts resonate with the sounds of strings in the classical tradition.
The orchestra will be playing beautiful pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Borodin, Britten, Sibelius and Morricone.
A special feature of the concert will be duet music by Beethoven and Shostakovich arranged and played by Elisabeth Jahren (piano, accordion) and Chris Redsell (viola).
The audience will also be invited to sing along with select Christmas carols played by the orchestra, so warm up your voice before you head to the concert. Stay for refreshments provided after the concert, together with the opportunity to meet and talk with the performers.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for youth and $30 for a family, available at the door.
lexi.bainas@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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