Orchestra Performs in Saskatoon and Regina

Canadian University College's Symphony Orchestra has just returned from a successful, tour of Regina and Saskatoon where they performed four concerts. Audience members were treated to wonderful program that included two movements from Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, a movement from Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” and Sibelius’ Finlandia where we get the music for the beloved hymn Be Still My Soul.  The printed program can be found here.

Our 23 orchestra musicians, along with CUC organ student Jason Biel, Orchestra Director Cristian Neacsu, and tour cook Karen Baumbach, left for Regina the morning of Friday, February 14. They performed a concert that evening at Hill Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Regina. On Sabbath morning the orchestra participated in Hill Avenue SDA Church’s worship service. 

After a delicious potluck lunch, the orchestra boarded the bus for the drive to Pinehouse Drive Seventh-day Adventist Church in Saskatoon.  There Canadian University College hosted a dinner for church members, alumni and friends.  Following dinner and a CUC update, the orchestra presented a wonderful concert. 

On Sunday, February 16, the orchestra participated in the church service of St. John’s Cathedral in Saskatoon. The orchestra performed a prelude, an orchestral voluntary, music during communion, and a postlude. Much to the delight of the parishioners, the orchestra also played along with the organ for all the hymns. Later that afternoon the orchestra presented a full concert in the cathedral. Reverend Scott of St. John’s Cathedral, as well as many parishioners, expressed their thanks to the orchestra for performing during church service and in the afternoon and invited them to come back the next time they were in Saskatoon. They were so impressed with the orchestra that they invited any musical group from CUC to perform at St. John’s Cathedral. Sunday evening was a chance for everyone to unwind and bond over pizza and games. On Monday, February 17, the orchestra boarded the bus back to Lacombe.

Congratulations to Cristian Neacsu and the CUC Symphony Orchestra for a very successful tour! If you live in or close to Lacombe, be sure to come to the orchestra’s upcoming concert at the College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 pm. 

--by Rhanda Bonet-Graham