Malaspina music department presents end-of-semester concerts

Jazz students at Malaspina University-College will use their musical talents to support a worthy cause while remembering a friend, mentor and fellow musician.

The Malaspina music department presents the 7th annual All that Jazz Frank Arnone benefit concert at the Malaspina Theatre in Nanaimo, Wednesday, April 11.

The end-of-semester concert features 16 music department vocalists with the Malaspina Stage Band, the Malaspina Trombone Ensemble and Malaspina Saxophone Quartet. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Mid-Island Hospice Society in Arnone’s memory.

Arnone, a long-time supporter of Malaspina music students, died after a year-long battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2001. Frank and his family were supported extensively by Hospice volunteers in his last year of life.

Frank’s friends and supporters in Malaspina’s music program held the first benefit concert in his honour months before he died. Every year since, Malaspina jazz students have dedicated their end-of-semester concert to Arnone’s memory as a fundraiser for Hospice.

Arnone attended concerts at Malaspina for more than 15 years where he supported and encouraged aspiring student musicians. “Frank was a semi-professional musician who played the saxophone,” said Malaspina music instructor Steve Jones. “Many of our students benefited from his positive encouragement.”

The benefit concert takes place at the Malaspina University-College Theatre, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo (building 310) on Wednesday, April 11, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each and available at the door.

Music lovers can also enjoy two more end-of-semester concerts presented by the Malaspina University-College music department. Malaspina Choir Night on Tuesday, April 10, features the Cantabile Chamber Choir, Malaspina College Singers, Malaspina Jazz Choir and the Sharp Five vocal ensemble.

Malaspina Classical Night on Thursday, April 12, features student soloists, the Cantabile Chamber Choir, the Malaspina Wind Ensemble and the Malaspina Chamber Ensemble.

These concerts also take place at the Malaspina Theatre at 7:30 pm. Tickets (at the door) are only $3 for adults and $2 for students.