They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We remember them.
– LAURENCE BINYON
The Victoria Symphony, in collaboration with community partners, presents Lest We Forget, a series of concerts, programs and events that commemorate the 100 years since the onset of WWI.
Below is information on the Symphony concerts as well as other events included in the commemoration.
Victoria Symphony
Saturday, October 25, 8 pm / Bay Street Armoury
Tania Miller, conductor / Geoffrey Sirett, baritone / Terence Tam, violin
This concert features a new work by Tobin Stokes telling the story of J. C. Richardson, the famous Canadian piper who inspired the troops into battle. The acoustics of the Bay Street Armoury create unique surroundings for this moving tribute.
Tickets are $20. $15 for Forces members, veterans and their families.
This concert will also be performed in Nanaimo at the Port Theatre on Wednesday, November 12 @ 7:30 pm. Tickets are $33-$59 and $5-$20 for students. Find more information here.
Saturday, November 8, 8 pm, Sunday, November 9, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Tania Miller, conductor / Joni Henson, soprano / Benjamin Butterfield, tenor / Phillip Addis, baritone / Victoria Choral Society / Vox Humana and Friends / St. Michael’s Children’s Choir
165 choral voices unite to present Britten’s War Requiem, a passionate statement about the immense impact of war. This Requiem, told through music, poetry and prayer, will honour our country’s relationship to peace and our sacrifices of the past.
“My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity…All a poet can do today is warn.” – Wilfred Owen
Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy
Lest We Forget: A Naden Band Musical Tribute
Join the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy for two chamber music concerts to honour those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The WWI tribute will take place at the Oak Bay United Church (1355 Mitchell St.) with admission is by donation. The program will feature Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales and Patrick G. Harper’s Excursion for Woodwind Ensemble. For more information please visit www.nadenband.ca
Type: Chamber Concert
Date: October 26 @ 2:30 pm and November 4 @ 7:00 pm
Location: Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell St., Oak Bay
Time: 14:30
Title: “Lest We Forget”: A Naden Band Musical Tribute
Price: By Donation
Web address: www.nadenband.ca or call 250.363.5698
Greater Victoria Public Library
GVPL is hosting a series of programs to mark the First World War Centenary, including genealogy workshops, WWI-themed Booksmacks, and archival programs. They also have in-branch library displays and fiction and non-fiction booklists for both kids and adults. For more information, please visit www.gvpl.ca or call 250.940.GVPL (4875).
Royal BC Muesum
The Royal BC Museum is commemorating the Great War with an evolving installation of archival records and commemorative events over the next four years. At Lest We Forget, the Royal BC Museum is providing archival film footage honouring the BC recruits who served in the Great War.
The full presentation is showcased in Clifford Hall in the installation called British Columbia Remembers: the Great War.
Maritime Museum / CEF 100 Commemoration Society
A Great War Music Revue
November 8, 7:30 pm / St. Luke’s Parish Hall
Music, stories, letters and poems will take you on a journey through the Great War years. This Maritime Museum of BC production under the direction of Harry Martin will feature popular songs of the day that encourage the audience to sing along. The songs are interspersed with stories that give a flavour of the times and reflect the war’s impact on Victoria, its people and “Muggins” the dog.
The music revue is being produced in collaboration with the CEF100 Commemorative Society and with the support of several local historic groups.
Tickets are available at mmbc.bc.ca or by calling 250.385.4222 ext. 112
