Music lovers in New Westminster have an abundance of riches to choose from in this year's Music at Queens concert series.
Queens Avenue United Church - popular for its excellent acoustics - has announced its 2014/15 lineup, and once again the series is attracting top group and performers from around the region.
The series opens Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. with the West Coast Symphony.
Bujar Llapaj conducts the orchestra in a program that includes Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, the Bruch violin concerto - featuring Dominic Woo - and Dvorak's Symphony No. 8.
Admission is by donation, see www.westcoastsymphony.ca.
On Sunday, Nov. 16, audiences can enjoy On The Rise, featuring young performers Jessica deGaust (mezzo-soprano), Michelle D. Herrewyen (soprano), Daniel Chung (cello), Jasper Graham (piano) and others. Tickets are $20 regular, $15 for students and seniors or $10 for children.
On Saturday, Nov. 29, the Elektra Women's Choir returns with Chez Nous: Christmas With Elektra, directed by Morna Edmundson at 2 p.m. The program also features A Touch of Brass and the Eric Hamber Women's Chorale, directed by Les Nerling. Tickets are $28 regular, $22 seniors and $15 students. See www.elektra.ca for more details.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, audiences can enjoy the 17th annual Carols and Bells program, with sing-along to familiar carols and a chance to hear various English handbell choirs. Tickets are $20 regular, $15 for students and seniors or $10 for children.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, it's more Christmas fun in the form of Scrooge, a dramatic reading with music. Orson Welles' script, based on Charles Dickens' iconic A Christmas Carol, will be brought to life by David Adams, Duncan Ollerenshaw, Sanders Whiting and others. Tickets are $20 regular, $15 for students and seniors or $10 for children.
The new year brings a host of other musical offerings, including Van Django on Jan. 24, Bridge Musicians International on Feb. 21, the Kallisto Trio on March 14, Phoenix Chamber Choir on April 18 and two West Coast Symphony performances, on March 21 and May 2.
Queens Avenue United Church is at 529 Queens Ave. For details or ticket information, call 604-522-1606.
