The Vancouver Island Symphony has planned 36 concerts in 12 Vancouver Island communities, including stops in Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Bay.
Three concerts are planned for each community, with the first being a string quartet, followed by four wind players and finishing with "back row brass", according to Margot Holmes, the symphony's executive director.
“I think the reason people love these concerts is because they’re casual and they’re up close and personal with the musicians," Holmes said. “We try to offer people an opportunity to hear as many of the musicians as possible, from the orchestra.”
The Summer Sizzle Festival will include the Sunset Series (July 8, July 22 and Aug. 5) at Fairwinds in Nanoose Bay.
The Parksville Pop Up Series will include three 11 a.m. performances on July 9, July 23 and Aug. 6. The concerts will be held in a private garden in San Pariel. Bring your own chairs.
The Qualicum Beach Pop Up Series is set for July 11, July 25 and Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. in the gardens of the Crown Mansion Boutique Hotel.
The concerts will be one hour long and feature mostly classical music by well known as well as lesser-known composers, Holmes said.
“They’ll hear some music that they’ve never heard before,” she added.
The symphony also has dates planned for Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Cowichan Valley, Yellow Point, Cedar by the Sea and the Comox Valley.
More information about the concerts and tickets is available online at vancouverislandsymphony.com/symphony-sizzle-festival/.
