Next week, St. Paul’s United Church will be hosting three musicians for a Midsummer’s Night of Music at the church.
“The trio contacted us saying that they would visiting Sidney and we jumped at the chance to have them play here,” said the church’s office administrator, Karen Booth.
“The event will showcase their wonderful music as well as serve to benefit the Sidney Lions Food Bank, Our Place Society and the church,” she said.
Cellist Gerald Morin has been a member of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra for 20 years. He has toured extensively with the MSO in Europe, Asia, and South America and recorded for Decca, Sony and Analekta, Radio-Canada and the CBC.
Morin grew up in British Columbia and received his formative training with James Hunterat the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He now performs as a recitalist, most often with his wife — pianist Sylvia Bruns, and he is a frequent participant in the MSO’s chamber music series.
Originally from Mara, British Columbia, Bruns has lived and worked as a pianist in Montreal for the past 25 years.
She earned an Associate Diploma from both the Victoria and the Royal Conservatories of Music while studying with Dr. Robin Wood. Bruns has performed throughout Canada in recital and with orchestra. For the past eight years, she worked as a church music director, playing the piano and organ and directing the choir.
Morin and Bruns currently reside in Baie D’Urfé, Québec with their three (mostly grown-up) children. They enjoy performing together, occasionally along with flutist daughter, Stephanie Morin. This is the first concert with violinist daughter, Celia Morin.
Celia is a 14-year-old student who has been playing the violin for seven years and the piano for nine years. She has already distinguished herself as a sensitive and solid musician on both instruments.
The trio will play a selection of classical music including works by Bach, Cassado, Chopin, Massenet, Mendelssohn and Shostakovich during the show at St. Paul’s.
“We are asking everyone donate what they can as admission, we’re suggesting $12, so that we are able to donate a nice chunk of money to the Lions Food Bank and Our Place Society,” Booth said, adding the church has ample free parking and is handicap accessible.
Doors open for the concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 at St. Paul’s United Church in Sidney (2410 Malaview Ave.).
For more information call 250-656-3213.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com