The mysteries of sound – what instrument makes what noise – are solved during an open house with the Vancouver Island Symphony.
When we listen to music on our iPhones, iPods, computers, TVs and at the movie theatre we hear sounds, but do we know the instruments they come from?
And how do all the sounds come together to make music?
The symphony reveals the answers to these mysteries on Nov. 16 with its popular Symphony Community Day.
The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with the Musical Instrument Zoo, where you can find out what it feels and sounds like to play a trumpet, among other instruments.
Symphony musicians will be in the lobby of the Port Theatre to help kids huff and puff and have a blow, zing some strings and pull a bow, make a toot or have a hoot, or try some rhythm with percussion precision.
Many a musician will declare that all it took was someone showing them an instrument for them to decide and declare that was what they wanted to be when they grew up – a violinist, cellist, flutist, trumpeter, etc.
The musician of the day is still a mystery to be uncovered during the Noteworthy Kids event from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The symphony's fan club meets and learns about a musician and his or her instrument.
The day concludes with an open rehearsal with the symphony as it prepares for its evening concert.
Find a seat in the theatre, take in a symphony rehearsal, and watch as all the musicians and their instruments come together to make music.
Conductor and the symphony's artistic director, Pierre Simard, will gesture with his baton and work with the musicians and guest artist to change a phrase here, add an expression there, to give the music just the right feel for that night's concert, called London – Majesty. The concert, beginning at 7:30 p.m., features Andrew Clark, on French horn, and tenor Isaiah Bell.
Tickets for the community day are free but must be reserved in advance. Please call the Port Theatre at 250-754-8550 or visit www.porttheatre.com.