Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra holds Spring Concert

Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra at Canyon School
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

The Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra played their final performance of the season with a Spring Concert held at Canyon Elementary School on the evening of Thursday  May 9, 2013.

Tasha Toney

The evening program  included two solo piano performances from Kristen Williams and Tasha Toney, who have both been attending the University of Lethbridge music program.  The music from both the orchestra and the soloists were lovely, well executed, and passionately performed.  The largest disappointment in the evening was that the audience only numbered 50 people.

Kristen Williams

The orchestra started the evening with Les Sylphides (Music for the Ballet) by Frederic Chopin arranged by Merle J. Isaac.  The five pieces they played included Prelude, Nocturne, Waltz, Mazurka, and Grand Valse Brilliante.

The musicians followed with Italian Masters Suite arranged by Philip Gordon.  This piece included Harvest Echos written by Antonio Vivaldi, and Slow Dance written by Arcangelo Corelli, and Country Round written by Domenico Scarlatti.

The orchestra played selections from two films, Fiddler on the Roof and Apollo 13. Berceuse and Finale (Firebird Suite) by Igor Stravinsky arranged by Merle J. Isaac preceded the Concert Waltz by J. Brahms. The performance continued with Bacchanale (Samson and Delilah) by C. Saint-Saens arranged by Merle J. Isaac. The evening ended with Suite from Tannhauser by Richard Wagner arranged by Merle J. Isaac.

Kristen Williams

The orchestra had one rough spot in the evening that was quickly brought back on track by Conductor Jerry Lonsbury, who has conducted the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra for 18 years. The Symphony has three to four concerts per year.    "If everything was perfect, why would anybody ever need to practice?" Lonsbury said after the evenings entertainment was finished. "It was enjoyable for us.  There were a couple goof ups, but they recovered very quickly.  They are very difficult pieces."  Lonsbury thanked the performers who travel through all types of weather to practice, and all those that attended.

Conductor Jerry Lonsbury

The Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra is looking for more members.  Contact Jerry Lonsbury at 403-562-2405 if you're interested in joining.