At home and abroad are the sounds of this season as the Muskoka Concert Band and Orillia Silver Band take to their respective stages in Huntsville and Orillia Saturday and Sunday.

The Muskoka Concert Band presents a Remembrance Concert each year to commemorate Remembrance Day and to help ensure our community and our country’s history and heroes are remembered, says director Fran Harvey.

This year join them at Trinity United Church, Huntsville at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 8, for their special concert entitled “On the Homefront.”

The one-hour program is a tribute to the women and men who made their contributions during times of war and conflict from the homefront.

And it includes the 1890s march “Homeward Bound,” and a beautiful new work entitled “The Bridge at Twilight,” by Canadian composer Dong-In Choi. It was inspired by the view of Vancouver’s Lion’s Gate Bridge from the North Shore.

“As Days Go By” and “When Honour Prevails,” by James Swearingen, are two pieces that contrast the preciousness of time with family with the honour with, which many have served to ensure the freedom of those families.

“Moscow 1941,” by Brian Balmages, depicts the battle waged by the people of Moscow in resisting Hitler’s assault on their city and his ultimate defeat in the First World War.
The feature piece is a powerful work by James Curnow, “Where Never Lark Or Eagle Flew.”

It is based on the poem of the same name that expresses the glory of flight by RAF pilot John Gillespie Magee who was killed in action in 1941.

The MCB’s program concludes with a medley of songs originally sung by Vera Lynn and simply entitled “Vera Lynn Medley,” arranged by Canadian Ed Graff.

Admission is by donation (suggested donation $20 – cash only please). Proceeds from the concert will go to support the work of Trinity United and the Muskoka Concert Band in our community.

They hope to see you for this beautiful and meaningful program at this most important time of year.

Saturday Nov. 7, ‘Exotique,’ Orillia Silver Band, St. Paul’s CentreBut first, Orillia Silver Band, Saturday

at St. Paul’s Centre, Orillia.

Tickets are available through the Orillia Silver Band website www.orilliasilverband.com and at the door.

“Exotique” is a concert featuring solo and ensemble members, says director Neil Barlow.

Classical composer Carl Maria von Weber chose to use a story from “A Thousand and One Nights” as the basis for his opera Abu Hassan.  The band will present the lively and exotic overture to the opera to open its concert.

Sarah Hemeon, the band’s award-winning soprano cornetist, will treat us all to a rendition of the thrilling “High Fidelity” by Canadian composer Norman Bearcrft.

Allow the band to warm your heart with “Spartacus – For My Love,” penned by Armenian composer Aram Khatchaturian.

The music of John Williams is featured in a stirring rendition of “Hymn to the Fallen” from the film “Saving Private Ryan.”

And then sit back for the musical fireworks of Spanish composer Manuel da Falla as the band delivers the Ritual Fire Dance from “Love the Magician.”

One of music’s most well-known marches is on the menu for the band’s Exotique concert.

“Entry of the Gladiators,” by Czech composer Julius Fucik never fails to draw a smile — especially because of its association with circuses and carnivals.

The largest showpiece of the concert is the monumental “Call of the Cossacks,” by British composer Peter Graham. The work, divided into five separate movements, features soloists and ensembles from throughout the band, playing fiery tunes with the flavour of music from the “Central Steppes.”

The movements include:  “Procession of the Tartars, Gypsy Dream, Cossack Fire Dance, Doyle’s Lament,” and “Cossack Wedding Dance.”

The full work is a true tour-de-force for band and is not to be missed, they promise.