“Concerto Stars” Features South Fraser Piano Students
The South Fraser Branch of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association (BCRMTA), which encompasses Surrey, Langley, Cloverdale, Delta and White Rock, has embarked on an ambitious project with their piano students and the Lions Gate Sinfonia, an orchestra based in North Vancouver.
Students have participated in two auditions; first with Vancouver adjudicator, Dr. Greg Caisley, in November where 40 were selected to continue to a second audition. Clyde Mitchell and Anita Comba, well known musicians to the Vancouver area, spent an afternoon in January at the Langley Community Music School choosing 20 lucky students who will perform with the orchestra accompaniment of the Lions Gate Sinfonia under the baton of Clyde Mitchell at the Bell Centre for the Performing Arts in May.
Come and hear a sneak preview of these students playing their interesting selections on Sunday, February 17th at First United Church, 15385 Semiahmoo Avenue, White Rock at 7pm. The recital will give the students a valuable performance opportunity in preparation for playing with the orchestra on May 12th at the Bell Centre. Courtesy of Tom Lee Music, this recital is a Steinway sponsored event. Admission is by donation.
Langley resident and Chair of this project, Brenda Sleightholme said for the participating young students it will be an experience of a lifetime – to perform in front of 1,000 people, in a beautiful concert hall, dressed in formal concert wear of tuxes and gowns, playing on a nine foot Steinway, with orchestral accompaniment. It’s a significant opportunity that doesn’t often happen at this level of their piano studies. Our Branch is pleased to be able to bring this exciting event to the South Fraser area. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors, Tom Lee Music, atkinson + terry, Prospera Credit Union, Langley Community Music School and Bedford Industries, without whom we couldn’t have undertaken such a mammoth project.”
The May 12th concert is a perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day and is designed to appeal to all students of piano in their formative years. Contact the Bell Centre Box Office for tickets to the May 12th concert. $30 general/$24 students & seniors.
Come and support these talented young people!