Silver Ring Choir of Bath

Fall Guide: Concert Listings

Get a closer listen to what goes on Inside Pianos on October 3, as Jeffery Allport, Andrea Neumann and Gust Burns pound it out at Open Space. Also on October 3, Michael Waters and Ugandan world-music star Kinobe will be performing together at Fairfield United in their new band Nomad, alongside Juno-winner Naby Camara and the 20-drum Victoria Percussion Orchestra. Then, one of the world’s most acclaimed viol consorts, Fretwork, will perform twice—on October 4 solo and October 5 with the St. Christopher Concert Choir, both at Christ Church Cathedral. The 53-voice Silver Ring Choir of Bath, England will perform their varied repertoire on October 7 at the Lutheran Church of the Cross. And the Palm Court Light Orchestra present O Danny Boy with tenor Ken Lavigne on October 11 at Farquhar Auditorium.

Victoria Chamber Orchestra kick off their 14th season with special guest Russell Bajer on October 10 at First Metropolitan United. The program will be repeated on October 19 at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre. VCOrchestra will then team up with Prima Choirs for a run through Handel’s Messiah, November 22 at First Metropolitan United. Tenor Ken Lavigne will join the Palm Court Light Orchestra for a toast to great Irish tenor John McCormick on October 11 at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. The Brown Study will feature Toronto composer Eldritch Priest teaming up with Victoria musicians Christopher Butterfield, Kenji Fuse, Mike Mazza, Rachael Wadham, Christopher Reiche and Catherine Carignan on October 16 at Metro Studio.

As always, Victoria Symphony will have an intriguing fall season. Highlights include VS teaming with Silk Road Music on October 17, Pinchas Zukerman and the NAC Orchestra performing on November 1, some spicy Latin flavour with Viva el Flamenco on November 6-8, Anton Kuerti and Kees Bakels featured for works of Franck and Faure on November 17 and the annual Christmas treat of smoky vocalist Holly Cole once again joining the Symphony on December 20.

Sick of being in Bach, Beethoven and Brahms’ shadow, the other three Bs (Bloch, Barber and Bruch) get their comeuppance when the Galiano Ensemble and Lafayette String Quartet perform on October 22 at UVic’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. Award-winning pianist Richard Glazier will pay homage to American popular song in his October 22 show at Alix Goolden. But the event I’m most excited about this fall certainly has to be the Alexander Brothers’ Golden Jubilee. Seeing these Scottish lads was one of my earliest musical memories, so their October 26 show at the Mac is sure to send some memories flooding back.

The Victoria Philharmonic Choir will kick off their new season with a performance of The Seasons by Haydn on October 30 and November 1 at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium.

The Victoria Conservatory of Music presents Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal and Les Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse (France) present The Splendor of San Marco on November 1 and Tafelmusik on November 28, both at Alix Goolden Hall. New-music legend Pauline Oliveros will take up residence with Open Space for three days of events from November 22-24, including a concert at Grace Lutheran Church that features Oliveros’ Expanded Instrument System. Compadres James Keelaghan and Oscar Lopez return on November 27 for more rootsy goodness at Alix Goolden Hall. And on December 13, popera superstar soprano Sarah Brightman will fill the arena with her powerful pipes.