Christmas concert with a buzz
By Melissa Piche Times Contributor
The Arts on 817 is excited to present Christmas with Buzz Brass on Dec. 1 featuring vocal students of LoraLee Laycock as the “All of the other Reindeer” Opening Act.
The Buzz Brass quintet is a Canadian group of brass instrument musicians who captivate classical music enthusiasts the world over.
Sylvain Lapointe, founder and trumpeter, said that the concert in Strathmore will feature classic holiday music.
“This is our 22nd season; we did our first concert in the fall of 2002,” said Lapointe. “It’s a Christmas concert. Celebrate the holidays with Buzz Brass – we’re celebrating the holidays. We’re young Canadians, we grew up with Christmas trees and the Christmas traditions, so most of the pieces are within this tradition.”
Some of the songs concert attendees will be lucky to hear are classic familiar favourites such as Angels We Have Heard on High, Greensleeves and pieces from Charlie Brown Christmas.
“We will also be performing the Nutcracker Suite, not the entire suite but some excerpts. This is our more classical part of the concert,” he said. “We are classically trained musicians. We specialize in classical music from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the turn of the 20th century. European, Russian music, American music and Canadian music.”
He explained that his band is well-versed in a broad spectrum of fine classical music.
Another unique aspect to the Buzz Brass is that when given the opportunity, they like to ask composers to work a famous piece of music into a brass arrangement. He explained one is called “The Planets,” by Gustav Holst; it is a famously symphonic piece that Buzz Brass has composed into a brass number. This is the sort of work that sets them apart from the rest.
This concert’s Opening Act, “All of the other Reindeer,” will delight audience members young and old.
“It’s all holiday music,” said opening act LoraLee Laycock. “I think it’s a great idea (The Opening Act segment); I think this is a great way to bring in people who haven’t been coming to the concerts. It’s a great way to expand the audience.”
All of the other Reindeer will be playing a 20-minute set prior to the main feature.
“It’s so nice to have local community performers as well,” said Laycock “We’re just there to provide a little bit of local entertainment and then turn it over to the professionals.”
The Opening Act starts at 7 p.m. with the headlining concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec.1 at the Strathmore United Church. Tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for 17 and under and season passes can be purchased starting at $40. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by visiting the Vault Cultural Collective or online at www.smoreuc.com.