Lest We Forget: A Musical Tribute

A long-standing tradition continues as the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) and Cosmopolitan Music Society (CMS) fill the Winspear with music, ceremony, and colour for the 28th year. Join us in celebration of Canada's servicemen and servicewomen with CMS on Saturday, November 4 for Lest We Forget: A Musical Tribute. This stirring evening includes everything from ceremonial military marches to popular wartime music skillfully performed by CMS.

Soldiers who fought in The Great War endured hell to ensure the freedom of Canada and its allies. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. Canadian forces fought together as one cohesive unit in both of these battles and suffered high casualties. It’s our honour to pay tribute to those who endured the blood and mud at this year’s concert. Highlights of this year’s program include the “Vimy Ridge March” and Hazo’s “Each Time You Tell Their Story” performed by the Monday Band; dance selections from World War II performed by the CMS Jazz Orchestra; a visual presentation of “Our Heroes” with a moving pipe organ accompaniment; and the Legion’s March on the Colours.

Lest We Forget welcomes special guest conductor Captain Christopher Embree of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band. Captain Christopher Embree joined the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves as a saxophonist with the King’s Own Calgary Regiment Band in 1988 and transferred to the Regular Force in 1990. He was commissioned to his current rank of Captain and, upon completing the Music Officer Course in 2012, was posted to Canadian Forces Logistic Training Centre Music Division as the Officer in Charge. In the summer of 2016, Captain Embree was posted to his current position as the Commanding Officer of The Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton, AB.

J’Lyn Nye, Honorary Colonel of the 408 Tactical Squadron, returns as the event emcee. CMS bands and chorus will be conducted by Music Director Taina Lorenz, Jamie Burns, Allen Jacobson, Rob Speers, Roy Townend and Captain Embree.

Since 1963, the Cosmopolitan Music Society of Edmonton has been helping music lovers become music makers with its community concert band programs and community chorus. Everyone is welcome, as the CMS gives amateur adult musicians and singers the opportunity to learn and perform quality concert band and choral music at all levels of ability, from beginner to advanced, under professional music direction.

For more information about the CMS, please visit www.cosmopolitanmusic.org.