March 26, 2009 - 3:23am
Music students at Vancouver Island University will showcase their talents at a series of public concerts marking the end of the school year.
The year-end concerts start with Classical Recitals Monday, March 30 in VIU’s Malaspina Theatre, featuring student solo performances, the Cantabile Chamber Choir, the Sinclair Singers and the VIU Wind Ensemble.
Next up is the Choral Concert on Tuesday, March 31, featuring the VIU College Singers, VIU Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cantabile Chamber Choir.
The final concert takes place Wednesday, April 1, featuring VIU Big Bands, 20 music department singers and the VIU Trombone Ensemble.
Big Band night is the 8th annual fundraiser for Nanaimo Community Hospice in memory of Frank Arnone, a community member and musician who mentored students in the music program for more than 15 years.
Arnone died after a year-long battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2001, and ever since, the VIU music program has dedicated their final year-end jazz concert to his memory while raising money for Hospice.
“Frank was a semi-professional musician who played the saxophone,” said VIU music instructor Steve Jones. “Many of our students benefited from his positive encouragement. We’re pleased to remember a great friend and musician, and raise money for a worthy cause at the same time.”
All three year-end concerts take place in VIU’s Malaspina Theatre, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo (building 310) at 7:30 pm.
Tickets (available at the door) for the Classical Recital and Choral concerts are $3 each, and $2 for seniors. All seats are $10 for the Big Band fundraiser for Hospice.
For further information, contact Steve Jones at 250-753-3245, local 2083.
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Tags: In the Community
