Brockville Concert Association presents stellar season this year

In an effort to encourage a love of classical music, the Brockville Concert Association is bringing a timeless musical tale to the Brockville Arts Centre this Friday, May 13th. The lucky audience will be comprised of students, aged 6-12, from four local elementary schools, who will be treated to a free performance of Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved children’s  symphony, Peter and the Wolf. This performance, says the Association’s Education/Outreach and Youth Chair, Jillian Symonds, is the latest of several initiatives that the Board hopes will engage a younger audience. Other efforts include a  partnership with Jeunesses Musicals Canada to bring the Impact Brass Quintet for the concert.
“The aim is to encourage and teach younger students about other kinds of music,” explained Symonds during a press conference held at the Arts Centre last Tuesday evening.
“They're going to experience the magic of being in a theatre and listening."
“We believe education and certainly the youth are quite critical to it," added Association President, Marie-Helene Bouillot.
In addition to Friday's concert, the Association is also bringing the National Youth Orchestra to the Arts Centre this summer. The Orchestra features 90 of Canada’s best young musicians who will perform the classical works of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich.
For adult audiences, the Association is boasting a “stellar season”, which kicks off on June 10th with the 1000 Islands Jazz Festival.
“This is probably our most varied and dynamic group of entertainers yet,” said Festival Chairman, Alex McLeod.
The Festival, continued McLeod, features an impressive roster of headline acts including, The Nylons, the return of Dino DiNicolo, Alex Cuba, the Kristin Korb Trio and Emilie-Claire Barlow.

This fall, the Association will host a slew of high-profile performers including, dynamic up-and-coming duo, mezzo-soprano, Julia Nesrallah and Brockville-born baritone, Benjamin Covey, who will perform some of the world’s most famous arias in ‘A Night at the Opera’, which will be held at the Arts Centre on October 29th. Other world-class performers lined up for the season include, popular pianist Mauro Bertoli, Austrian violinist Wolfgang David, performing a tribute to Robert Schumann, and Canadian pianist André Laplante.
“I think people will be quite impressed with our line-up this year,” said the Association’s former president, Carol Reesor, adding that, though they have experienced a decline in ticket sales over the years, the Association, is still striving to bring top-notch talent to Brockville at an affordable price.
“In the 1970s, she said, concerts were sold out and people had to be placed on waiting lists,” said Reesor.
"We aspire to return to our roots.”
Tickets for the entire fall series are on sale now for $120 until June 30th, $125 after the 30th. Student subscription is $40. Prices do not include HST.
Single ticket prices vary. More information is available online at www.brockvilleconcert.ca.