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This weekend at BICS: Rossini, Prokofiev, Beethoven and West Coast Suite world premiere

The West Coast Symphony is coming to town June 16.
Haxby Symphony

Why did the symphony take the ferry to Bowen Island? Because they like Howe Sound.

OK, all joking aside, we have a very special tradition on Bowen Island known as the West Coast Symphony Concerts for the Community, which have been held at Bowen Island Community School for more than two decades. The concerts are unique in that they are an open-door, by-donation opportunity for all ages to attend, which make them a no-barrier, all-inclusive cultural experience. It’s a lovely way to gather together people of all ages and to share in seeing and feeling music in person To watch the magic of the symphony working together to produce marvellous music. CDs and online content are wonderful inventions, but, really, there’s nothing like cooperation of an orchestra and there’s nothing comparable to watching live music.

Did you know that the musicians of the West Coast Symphony are volunteers? They travel to BICS at their own cost, and give the gift of the concert to the community because they appreciate that it can be very challenging for Bowen Islanders to travel off-island to hear full symphonies play.

Over the years we have been such an appreciative audience that they keep coming back and gifting us with music once or twice a year. The Community School Association (CSA) is the volunteer board that supports BICS as the hub of the community and one of the many ways that the CSA gives back is by sponsoring of the WCS concerts at BICS.

The West Coast Symphony Concerts for the Community series is a unique opportunity to directly experience affordable classical music with a full symphony of over sixty musicians. It is also one of the few musical opportunities for parents with young children to hear classical music in an open-door venue that allows for quick exits if needed, or a quick break on the playground outside before returning to the show. Despite the ability to pop out during the middle of the show, most people of all ages are encouraged to stay in their seats and to experience the full concert on Sunday June 16. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the concert runs from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be an intermission.

The performance list includes: Rossini: L’Italiana in Algeri, : Sinfonia Concertante Op. 125 Mov II, Jim Hopson: West Coast Suite – world premiere, Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 with Bujar Llapaj, Conductor and Will Lin, Cello. A light concession will be provided.