After the sellout December performances honouring selections from the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra鈥檚 (SSO) audience participants, the musicians picked the program for March鈥檚 Homage! concert at Courtenay鈥檚 Filberg Centre, on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m.. 

鈥淭his concert is particularly close to my heart as it marks the 7th year as Music Director with this incredible orchestra,鈥� said Ms. Helena Jung. 

鈥淓very season, I strive to challenge our musicians with symphonic works and new music frontiers,鈥� Jung said.  鈥淭his year, our musicians surprised me by choosing some of the most demanding and rewarding pieces we鈥檝e ever tackled.  At the centrepiece will feature one of the most beloved pieces amongst our members, Beethoven鈥檚 haunting Symphony No. 7, 2nd movement.鈥�

To round out the concert, the SSO will performing a variety of other classical and modern favourites including Smetana鈥檚 captivating The Moldau, Stravinsky鈥檚 Firebird Suite, Sibelius鈥� Finlandia, Haydn鈥檚 London Symphony 1st movement, and more.

Soprano soloist and longtime local resident, Michelle Johnson, returns to the SSO stage, singing Handel鈥檚 beautiful Lascia ch鈥檌o pianga, Strauss鈥� playful laughing song, Mein Herr Marquis from the operetta, Die Fledermaus, as well as conducting the Black Creek Children鈥檚 Choir.

Johnson grew up on a farm in Black Creek and is the mother of five daughters.  She attended the University of Lethbridge, achieving her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance.  Some of her stage roles include Amahl from Menotti鈥檚 Amahl and the Night Visitors, Don Ettore from Haydn鈥檚 La Canterina, and selected operatic works such as Lakme鈥檚 The Flower Duet.  Johnson currently enjoys solo work with North Island Choral Society, singing with Island Voices as well as teaching and working with children.

SSO co-founder and Campbell River resident, Blaine Waldenbauer, is the orchestra鈥檚 concertmaster for the season, and he brings his expertise and talent as 1st violin to the stage.

Concert tickets have been selling out prior to performance dates and tickets for Homage! can be purchased at . Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $15 for children twelve and under.

For more information, please visit .