WATERLOO—The Laurier Symphony Orchestra and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Youth Orchestra will join forces for a concert at Kitchener’s Centre in the Square March 28.

The concert, entitled The Passion, will include Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, Respighi’s Pines of Rome and Beethoven’s Romance No. 2. The performers in the combined 120-member orchestra range in age from 12 to 24. Two guest Flamenco dancers and a guitarist will perform with the orchestra during the Carmen Suite.

“The program was chosen to entice and challenge all the players without technically overwhelming the younger players,” said Paul Pulford, Laurier music professor and conductor of the combined orchestra. “Despite the difficulty of the music—this is not standard youth orchestra fare—all the performers have bought into meeting the challenge of this program.”

Pulford says he expects this year’s concert to continue the tradition of excitement and excellence established at last year’s Centre in the Square performance, when the combined orchestras presented Holst’s The Planets.

“Last year, the performers and the general audience were quite amazed by the sound of the orchestra,” said Pulford. “For me what is most extraordinary is the level of commitment and discipline these kids have. I’m cheered about the future when I see performers from so many different backgrounds coming together to make this extraordinary music.”

The performance takes place March 28 at 2 p.m. at the Centre in the Square. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by contacting the Centre in the Square box office at (519) 578-1570 or www.kwsymphony.on.ca.

For photo and interview opportunities contact Paul Pulford: (519) 884-0710 ext. 2692 or paulpulford@rogers.com. The full 120-member orchestra will rehearse March 26 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in room A318 at Laurier.