A New West couple has started up a new recital society with a goal to bring professional musical performances to local audiences.
Up Close Recital Society is a newly formed organization founded by the husband-and-wife duo of Jesse Cahill, a professional drummer and jazz department head at Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, and Kelly Proznick, choral director and head of the visual and performing arts department at New Westminster Secondary School.
Their goal is to create an opportunity for residents of New Westminster and the region to connect with some of the professional musicians in the community by presenting music and performance in small and unique venues.
“Music presented with cross genres and boundaries but will always offer the listener an opportunity to experience world-class performances in a truly up- close and intimate environment in local, distinct and sometimes historical venues in the city of New Westminster,” a press release says.
The first concert by the society is Western Promises, set for Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at Old Crow Coffee.
The performance will feature music from western films and TV shows reimagined in a trio setting by musicians Dave Sikula (guitar), Chris Gestrin (organ/keyboards) and Jesse Cahill (drums). Listeners can enjoy music from films such as Once Upon A Time In the West, Red River, Rio Bravo, A Fistful of Dollars and 3:10 to Yuma.
“Westerns to me present optimism in the face of the unknown and a sense of exploration that is similar to the musical approach of this trio,” Cahill said in the release. “Also intriguing in the clash of old and new and the display of inevitable change and progress. There is a sense of nostalgia for a more basic existence, triumph of idealism and a simplified moral code. From a cinematography perspective, these films show the beauty of wide open spaces and stillness found in nature.”
Tickets for the recital are $15 for students and seniors or $20 general admission, plus service charges, available at westernpromises.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.
