With the Oceanside Classical Concert Society’s first sold-out season behind them, the group’s art director is expecting similar success this year.
The four-concert series will feature the Zodiac Trio on Oct. 18, a Touch of Brass on Nov. 25, the Lafayette String Quartet along with the Alcan String Quartet on Jan. 20 and the Vancouver Chamber Choir on March 11 of 2018.
The Zodiac Trio offers a rare ensemble, with clarinet, violin and piano. The group, which performs internationally, is recognized by many as “the foremost clarinet-violin-piano ensemble” now performing, according to the Oceanside Classical Concert’s description.
The Touch of Brass quintet represents the first brass ensemble to play at OCC. Highly active in the Vancouver area, Touch of Brass has a 40-year history of excellence.
It took some doing to secure the Lafayette String Quartet for the OCC’s third concert of the upcoming season, said David Douglas, the concert series’ artistic director, president and founder. But on Jan. 20, the group comes along with the Alcan String Quartet, fresh off performances in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.
The season closes with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, offering an award-winning skill and depth.
With subscriptions now for sale, there were 39 subscriptions left available as of Friday, March 24, of the 310 total, said Douglas.
“The numbers have risen from 192 (in the first year) … to 240, somewhere about there … and then last year we sold out,” he said. “(Our last concert) was a huge success.” And this year is already a success with most subscriptions sold, he said.
The subscription-only series of classical music performances started off with a mandate of bringing high-end musicians to the classical arts scene in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area, and strives to bring new and more diverse performers every year, said Douglas.
Now its own not-for-profit organization, the OCC is working towards offering new support to the local musical community, he said.
Douglas noted much thanks must be paid to The Beach Club Resort and general manager Arthur Wong, whose support allowed the series to get started.
Subscriptions are $95 each. For more information on where to purchase them, go to oceansideclassicalconcerts.ca/subscriptions/.