Euro-flavour youth symphony showcase

The West Island Youth Symphony Orchestra (WIYSO) will present a taste of Europe when they perform Saturday in Pointe Claire.

WIYSO launches its 23rd season with the 'Memories of Europe' concert, a theme reflecting their summer sojourn that took them to renowned cities such as Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and Florence.

"We did seven performances in 12 days," WIYSO artistic director Stewart Grant said. "It was a wonderful trip but we were all exhausted by the end of it."

The music to be performed Saturday night at venerable St. Joachim Church in Pointe Claire Village features five European composers, Verdi, Beethoven, Debussy, Dvorak and De Falla, but does not include pieces they played on their summer trip. "The idea is to do music from countries we visited," Grant said, acknowledging while they didn't play a concert in France (Debussy) this summer, their flight had a stop over in Paris.

Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie will feature Laura Chalmers on clarinet. The 21-year-old Dorval resident has been with the WIYSO for seven years and is currently studying music at McGill University with the hopes of one day becoming a professional orchestral clarinet player.

"It's impressionism in music," Chalmers said of Debussy. "It portrays images rather than formal structured tunes.

"It'll be a lot of fun," she added.

As for memories of their European trip, Chalmers recalls some very warm receptions they received after playing, such as one following a performance at a church in the Czech Republic. "They really love their classical music in Europe," she added.

Grant recalled a performance played in front of an ornate complex in Montecatini, Italy when an impromptu jam session broke out in the courtyard following a joint concert with WIYSO and another ensemble from Spain. "The brass band started playing bull fighting music. People started dancing, there was an amazing energy," he said.

WIYSO's next performance after Saturday is their annual Christmas concert on Dec. 7, which will feature holiday favourites as well as music reflecting the spirit of the season. The afternoon Christmas concert at Mary Queen of Peace Church in Roxboro will be a benefit for West Island Community Shares, which helps WIYSO financially each year.

Other concerts this season include a joint effort with the Beaconsfield High School music program on Feb. 15, a concert for the City of Beaconsfield on April 26 and a concert at Notre Dame Basilica in Old Montreal on May 2 with the CB West Choir from Philadelphia, Pa.

Tickets for Saturday's show (which starts at 7:30 p.m.) will be on sale at the door for $20 (adults) and $10 for seniors and students. For more information, call 514-633-1128 or check osjwi.qc.ca.