TWU’s spring festival tradition began in 2010 with the launch of the School of the Arts, Media and Culture and the festival is in full swing for its third year with an explosion of arts, media and culture events. Music programming includes a series of popular concerts in Langley and Abbotsford.
On Good Friday, April 6 at Abbotsford’s Bakerview Church, the TWU Choirs and Orchestra will have the rare treat of performing together in What Wondrous Love. The Easter concert features works by Beethoven, Mozart, Barnum, and Fauré interspersed with traditional hymns. “We are delighted to showcase TWU’s acclaimed choirs here in the Fraser Valley,” says Dr. Jon Thompson, Chair of SAMC Music. “After several years of bringing our sold-out Christmas at the Chan concert to Vancouver, this accessible Easter performance is a wonderful opportunity to perform for our many local supporters.”
Coming together for the ever-popular Jazz Night, SAMC’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos will perform on campus April 11. The vocal repertoire is themed around traditional spirituals and Gospel favourites; while the two combos will play tunes spanning 80 years of jazz styles, including soul-jazz fusion highlights like “At Last” and “Red Clay.”
In the festival’s final weekend, the Concert Band will play a pair of concerts on April 13 and 14. On Friday, April 13 in Abbotsford, the program is themed around Bach’s iconic Toccata and Fugue in D Minor; other works include a chorale and organ prelude by Bach, preludes on Welsh hymn tunes by Vaughan Williams, and Washburn’s lively Toccatarantella. Senior student Rebecca Wright will guest-conduct Vaughan Williams’ Toccata Marziale. At the Langley concert on Saturday, the Langley Christian School Senior Band will make a guest appearance, rounding out the program with works by Holst, Whitacre, and Giovanni.
Events at a glance
What Wondrous Love
TWU Choirs + Orchestra
April 6 at 7:30 pm
Bakerview Church, Abbotsford
Jazz Night
Vocal Jazz + Jazz Combos
April 11 at 7:30 pm
TWU Instrumental Music Hall
Concert Band Performances
April 13 at 7:30pm at Peace Lutheran Church, Abbotsford
April 14 at 7:30pm with Langley Christian School at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Langley
Admission to each event is by donation ($5 suggested).
Music lovers can take in a variety of other live performances such as recitals, new works by emerging composers, and the Chamber Music + Vignettes collaboration with the Media + Communication Department. Get the full festival line-up at www.twu.ca/samc.