Upcoming Events

Our next concerts coming up in January, 2026!

Cowichan Camerata String Orchestra presents “Musical Mosaic” in two concerts

The Cowichan Camerata String Orchestra, under the direction of Chris Redsell presents “Musical Mosaic”, a concert featuring enduring classics by composers including Bach, Haydn, Handel, Mouret, Mozart, Dvorak, Shostakovich, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Cole Porter.   Some brief background stories about some of the selections include the following:

·         J.S. Bach wrote 200 chorale cantatas over his lifetime. BWV 140, “Wachet auf! (Awake!)”, was first performed November 25, 1731, and is one of the most popular of all of Bach’s cantatas. An historical note is that the autographed score of this cantata was lost after Bach’s oldest son auctioned off many of his father’s scores to pay off his own debts. Fortunately, the original parts have survived. Written for orchestra and choirs, the arrangement we are performing is for strings only.

·         George Frideric Handel composed his oratorio Solomon In 1749.  “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” depicts the grand preparations for the Queen's visit to King Solomon's court. It is a vibrant prelude full of bustling energy with regal fanfares that is often played for festive occasions and which showcases Handel's genius at creating vivid imagery through music.

·         Following the success of Brahms’ ‘Hungarian Dances’, Antonia Dvorak was urged to compose works reflecting Czechoslovakian dances. He wrote two sets of “Slavonic Dances” as piano duets, which he orchestrated at the same time. The first set, Op 46 was composed in 1878, skyrocketed Dvorak to international fame. The Camerata will perform No. 2.

·         In 1936, Cole Porter composed “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” for a Broadway show, Jubilee. The show found only moderate success, but Frank Sinatra’s recording of the song in 1956 was the pivotal moment it became a signature piece in American popular music.

The Camerata presents their program on two dates:  January 16 at 7 pm at the Chapel at Providence Farm and January 17 at 2 pm at Ladysmith First United Church.  Tickets are $20 (free for those 19 and younger), and available at the door (cash only), or by emailing info@cowichancamerata.org.