Cosmopolitan Music Society pays tribute to wartime sacrifices

The Cosmopolitan Music Society continues its 25-year long tradition of honouring war veterans, and active servicemen and women with Lest We Forget: A Musical Tribute on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the illustrious Winspear Centre.

This year the society of more than 100 musicians pays a musical tribute to the First World War, D-Day and the Normandy Campaign.

Newly appointed CMS music director-conductor, Taina Lorenz, formerly a band trumpeter, is keen to salute those who fought and are still fighting for freedoms we take for granted.

Part of her excitement stems from past audience responses over the years.

“I’ve always heard gratitude from the audience, the Legion and the veterans. They are grateful not to be forgotten. They feel a sense of pride and belonging that they are valued and that their service is valued. And the audience is often impressed by the quality of music we provide,” said Lorenz who is responsible for five ensembles.

The first half of the concert tells a musical story about a soldier’s journey through war using a series of eclectic composers.

Instead, the second half is a salute to military and it re-enacts the big band era with the vocal stylings of special guest Louise Dawson, a versatile singer with the ability to seamlessly move between jazz, pop, classical and R&B.

As in past years, the Canadian Forces Cenotaph Party, the Canadian Legion Colour Party and Viscount Park Pipe Band (formerly the Edmonton and District Pipe and Drums) recreate their poignant rituals and traditions.

Tying all the special moments of music and ceremony is CHED radio personality J’Lyn Nye.

“She’s such a fabulous speaker and she has a military background. It’s a real honour to have her involved.”

Captain Patrice Arsenault, conductor of the Royal Canadian Military Band, starts the story of a soldier’s journey into battle with Commando March, a tune that introduces a soldier’s innocence and how war changes him.

Lorenz follows, conducting two movements from Mozart’s Requiem, a traditional mass for the deceased. It is a dark piece that speaks of grief and mourning.

In the aftermath of grief, Lorenz presents composer Robert Spittal’s Pacem, an introspective work that offers healing after grief. During this four-minute composition, CMS will show a touching video featuring veterans who took part in war.

Conductor Jamie Burns concludes the journey with Dry Your Tears Africa, a composition of post-war hope and a desire for freedom from injustice.

Arsenault picks up the baton to conduct the Canadian Armed Forces ceremonial marches for the big three – Army, Navy and Air Force.

For the ground soldiers, the PPCLI March was chosen to acknowledge Princess Patricia’s 100th anniversary.

“We have the third battalion right here in Edmonton and this piece holds a lot of honour for us,” Lorenz said.

Arsenault will also conduct for the Navy’s Heart of Oak March and the Royal Air Force March.

“We’ll also have two minutes of silence. There is something extremely poignant about two minutes of silence. There’s something very powerful about it.”

Once again, St. Albert trumpeter Jean Runyon is slated to perform the emotion-charged Last Post, a short piece that has drawn more than a few tears in past years.

“We encourage anyone and everyone to come. It’s worthwhile to take time for reflection and remember these special men and women.”