Ladner concert series to feature classical chamber works

Cedar Park Church’s upcoming Ovation Performance Series in Ladner will feature Delta Community Music School’s (DCMS) Faculty in Concert, performing a varied program from classical chamber works to jazz to music theatre selections.

The March 10 concert proceeds will support funding for scholarships for music students.

Opening in September 1981, DCMS provided music lessons through the school board’s Delta Continuing Education.

Since the 2008 – 2009 season (the 25th anniversary of the founding of the DCMS Society), the school has grown to more than 200 students enrolled in private and group instruction, including students enrolled in band programs at St. Bernadette’s Catholic School (Surrey), Cloverdale Catholic Elementary, and Diamond Elementary (Surrey).

The school serves the needs of Ladner, Tsawwassen, North Delta, and other communities in the Lower Mainland, offering private music lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, choir, band, jazz ensemble, Music Theory and History. Some of the group programs offered include African Hand Drumming (with Kris Bowerman), Jazz Ensemble (directed by Brad Muirhead), Music for Tots (with Sarah Westwick), Suzuki Violin, and Triple Threat Theatre Classes (with Ruth Brown & Tracy Neff).

Over the past 25 years, the Delta community has been enriched by numerous arts education programs, concerts and events presented by DCMS, such as regular student recitals, faculty concerts, jazz music nights at Petra Arts Kafe (Tsawwassen), Violin Boot Camp with violinist John Littlejohn, the “South Delta Jazz Festival and Workshop” held annually every July since 2004; and most recently, hosting the new “McKee Heritage House Singer-Songwriter Series” featuring professional musicians in an intimate setting.

Tickets ($15) are available at Cedar Park Church (5300 44th Ave.) Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and at the music school (Monday to Thursday 1-6 p.m.).