The Christmas season will be enriched further with an elegant collection of pieces presented by the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra during ‘Yuletide Delights’.
The concert runs Dec. 7 at the Red Deer College Arts Centre, starting at 8 p.m.
Guest artists include the young musicians of Rosedale Valley Strings under director Naomi Delafield.
Organizers say the concert will feature a brand new composition by Maestro Claude Lapalme as well. His orchestral arrangements have been enjoyed by RDSO audiences numerous times over the years, and the premiere of his new work, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, in December of last year led to an overwhelming number of requests for more.
His new work is six minutes long and was written with the young musicians of Rosedale Valley Strings in mind.
Also featured on the program are seasonal gems such as Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, and more favourites by Mozart, Torelli and Bizet.
According to Wikipedia, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is the most common English title of the 10th and last movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life), composed by Bach in 1716 and 1723.
With its instantly recognizable gentle elegance, and written during his first year in Leipzig, Germany, this chorale movement remains one of Bach’s most enduring works.
There will also be a portion dedicated to timeless Christmas favourites as well.
Founded and led by the RDSO concertmaster, Naomi Delafield, the Rosedale Valley Strings consists of young string students from across Central Alberta.
The group is committed to making a difference with each note they play, both in their local community and in the lives of children around the world.
For 10 years they have been raising funds to aid orphans and mothers in Afghanistan and Africa and have provided funds for schools, medical needs and food. These projects were also assisted by A Better World Canada and the Red Deer Youth and Community Orchestra under the direction of RDSO Principal Second Violinist Louise Stuppard.
The Rosedale Valley Strings also recently recorded their first CD, which will be available at the concert on Dec. 7.
As has become the tradition at RDSO Christmas concerts, patrons are also encouraged to bring a donation for the Red Deer Food Bank – either cash or non-perishable food items are appreciated.
Another highlight of the evening will be live entertainment with the Mount Royal Flute Choir in the lobby at 7:20 p.m.
For tickets, call the Black Knight Inn Ticket Centre at 403-755-6626 or 1-800-661-8793 or go online at www.bkticketcentre.ca.
-Weber
