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Caledon Concert Band begins its 2017/18 season

October 27, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

The first of the Caledon Concert Band’s (CCB) 2017-18 season – its 43rd – is a matinee on Sunday, October 29 at the Caledon Community Complex at 6215 Old Church Road, west of The Town Hall and Courts, to where the road is opened from the Airport Road at Caledon East.

Rob Kinnear, conductor of the CCB since January 5, 1985, is very excited by the collection of all Italian music the first concert will bring to light:  Viva Italia!

Said Mr Kinnear, “The theme for our four concert series this year is Legends. Our first one is called Viva Italia: the Legendary Music of Italy. A lot of bands don’t attempt what we’re doing. There’s opera songs and more songs that are famous in Italy. It’s such a gamut – it opens up the Italian feeling, especially the opera. That wonderful music floats on the air –

“The music is so familiar, you can almost hear Pavarotti’s voice..” 

The music in Viva Italia, as Mr. Kinnear told us, “To me, it is very emotional; it says a lot about the Italian people. These are arrangements that come from Italy and Europe [which many] people wouldn’t have. They are accurate to what the original pieces sound like.”

He pointed out that the Opera selections were music that is so familiar that even those members of  the audience who do not go to opera will know and love them: such favourites as O Sole Mio, Funiculi Funicula, music from the Marriage of Figaro and Barber of Seville.  Italians love their movies and these are included in  this concert as well with selections from Federico Fellini films, Cinema Paradiso and Rocky.

He was happy to let us all know that one member of the band, who is an Italian lady will bring her espresso machine and, for a donation, offer anyone in the audience an espresso and biscotti.

For the Christmas concert, which follows on Sunday, December 10, there are a few changes too. In the past, the CCB has concentrated on traditional church-based carols, which are still included in this concert. This season’s program is looking at the legends and stories of Christmas in addition to the birth of Jesus. Called Dasher and Dancer … audiences will be delighted with some of the favourites from “the lighter side of Christmas music.”

“Music related to Christmas,” Mr. Kinnear remarked. “to include also a fun time with new tunes.”

Thus, more of a mix, a fine collection of songs from The Grinch and Frozen, to entertain the younger crowd as part of the whole family appeal of these matinee concerts.

There will be something for every taste and persuasion, in this upcoming Yuletide concert, set for Sunday, December 10.

Sunday, March 4, 2018 will bring the concert audience Oscar Night Soundtracks, which will take us  on an impressive path of Oscar winning and nominated great  movie music.

“The legendary John Williams, who seems to have written everything,” commented Mr. Kinnear. 

John Williams, at 85, recently conducted the Seattle Symphony to a sold-out performance. He is the recipient of five Oscars and a mountain of nominations, and has scored 100 films.

The legend of the Oscar greats concert features his work, that of Alan Silvestri, as well as others. The big sound of much of this music guarantees an exciting time for all.

The final of the four concerts is set for Sunday, May 27 and is all about myths and legends and the music that they have inspired.

Called Classic Myths and Legends, this concert will be part history lesson as the explanation for each selection will give a brief synopsis of the tale behind the music.

All the concerts raise funds to cover the cost of presenting them and of the CCB’s expenses of rent for rehearsals and the cost of purchasing  music.

They are presented as matinees, set in cafe-style, all scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and each on a Sunday at the Caledon Community Complex, 6215 Old Church Road.

Viva Italia, featuring guest artist lyrical soprano Patricia Scrafield, is this Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 pm.

For information and tickets, go online to www.caledonconcertband.ca. For group tables, please call 416-276-7852.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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