DONATE

DONATE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2024 | 3:00 pm or 7:30 pm | Port Theatre

Christmas with the Symphony in Season 30 features one of our audience’s most requested Christmas artists, Festive Brass . Led by Stevan Paranosic , VIS Principal Trumpet Reindeer Games… The Sequel promises a very fun and entertaining show that is sure to put you in the Christmas Spirit.

“Festive Brass are back at with their unique take on Christmas – a fun, stocking full programme of traditional carols and holiday favourites. A stellar brass quintet joined by an all-star rhythm ensemble will delight, with musical selections like a soulful “Silent Night”, with sentimental favourites from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and, of course, Festive Brass’ infamously twisted “Rudolph Dances”. The spectacular Vancouver Island Symphony strings and the VIS Noteworthy Kids join for some beautiful arrangements including “What Child is This?” and “The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter” and also get in on the fun! Brilliantly bold, jazzy, and sometimes downright quirky arrangements coupled with humorous repartee and plenty of personality will have audiences feeling warm, nostalgic, and fully festive!”

CONDUCTOR: Cosette Justo Valdés

GUEST ARTISTS: Festive Brass
VIS Noteworthy Kids Choir (Patricia Plumley, Choir Director)

Festive Brass

BUY TICKETS

What to wear? Be comfortable. Dress in a way that works for you. If you feel like dressing up, do it and you won’t be the only one, we promise. If you prefer to be more casual you will fit right in as well.

Beverages served prior to concert and during intermission. You can pre-order your beverage before the concert.


Mobile phones are allowed to be on but must be set to silent.


We welcome you to clap when you like what you hear.

VIS Orchestra

PERFORMANCE SPONSOR

PERFORMANCE SPONSOR

BUY TICKETS

Christmas with the Symphony in Season 30 features one of our audience’s most requested Christmas artists, Festive Brass . Led by Stevan Paranosic , VIS Principal Trumpet Reindeer Games… The Sequel promises a very fun and entertaining show that is sure to put you in the Christmas Spirit.

“Festive Brass are back at with their unique take on Christmas – a fun, stocking full programme of traditional carols and holiday favourites. A stellar brass quintet joined by an all-star rhythm ensemble will delight, with musical selections like a soulful “Silent Night”, with sentimental favourites from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and, of course, Festive Brass’ infamously twisted “Rudolph Dances”. The spectacular Vancouver Island Symphony strings and the VIS Noteworthy Kids join for some beautiful arrangements including “What Child is This?” and “The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter” and also get in on the fun! Brilliantly bold, jazzy, and sometimes downright quirky arrangements coupled with humorous repartee and plenty of personality will have audiences feeling warm, nostalgic, and fully festive!”

CONDUCTOR:
Cosette Justo Valdés

GUEST ARTISTS: Festive Brass
VIS Noteworthy Kids Choir (Patricia Plumley, Choir Director)

Musical Selections:

O Tannenbaum Samba arr. J Koller/N. Rhodes
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen arr. M. Bowker
The Angel Choir & The Trumpeter by C. Dedrick
Berceuse de Noel arr J. Hopson
Silent Night arr. R. Linham
A Festive Brass Carol Remix arr. R. Fraser & B. Hurn
Funky Little Drummer Boy arr. B. Hurn
What Child is this? arr. M. Naughtin
Frosty the Snowman arr. Z. Smith
Christmas Time is Here arr. R. Sterling
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch arr. D. Gilliland
The Rudolph Dances arr. R. Fraser & B. Hurn & S. Paranosic
White Christmas – Sing-a-long arr. M. Huff

Festive Brass

PERFORMANCE SPONSORS

 

A Few Fun Details...
What to Wear?
Be comfortable. Dress in a way that works for you. If you feel like dressing up, do it and you won’t be the only one, we promise. If you prefer to be more casual you will fit right in as well.
Beverages?
Beverages served prior to concert and during intermission. You can pre-order your beverage before the concert.
Mobile Phones?


Mobile phones are allowed to be on but must be set to silent.

Applause?


We welcome you to clap when you like what you hear.

Send Every Grade 4 Student to a VIS Concert
Help transform young lives through the power of music

Your donation can be the catalyst for transforming lives through the power of music.
Help us send every Grade 4 student to a VIS concert designed specifically for them.
The VIS Music Education program builds music appreciation and participation in
over 2,500 nine and  ten year old children each year.
Let’s welcome the symphony audiences of the future together!

DONATE

Click Here
Festive Brass

It all started 20 years ago when the world famous Butchart Gardens wanted to add some live music for patrons as they strolled through the Christmas light displays during the holiday season. A brass group was hired to play ‘festive’ music and The Festive Brass was created. In 2022, Festive Brass took the show ‘on the road’ on Vancouver Island playing to full houses and rave reviews. They have continued to tour each season spreading cheer with their cheeky humour and very fun, quirky adaptations of beloved holiday classics.

With a song library approaching two hundred arrangements, almost all of which have been written by members of the ensemble, they playfully boast the ability to play almost any Christmas tune upon request, and they may even tell you: “If we don’t know it, we’ll fake it.”

The Festive Brass has appeared as guest artists with the Vancouver Island Symphony performing their unique arrangements for brass and orchestra. Their first quartet album, “Gift Wrapped by Request” sold out three pressings and a second album is in the works!

Festive Brass members include: Stevan Paranosic, David Flello, Bruce Hurn – trumpet/flugelhorn; Nick La Riviere – trombone; Robert Fraser – bass trombone; Jonathan Eng – drums. With Special Guests: Nicolas Rhodes – keys; Nick Mintenko – bass.

N.B. – Jim Hopson will be performing in place of Nick La Riviere for VIS shows

Stevan Paranosic
Principal Trumpet

 

Stevan Paranosic is the Principal Trumpet of the Vancouver Island Symphony. Previously he performed as Acting 2nd Trumpet with the Victoria Symphony for 7 seasons and has appeared with trumpet sections of the Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George, and Okanagan Symphony orchestras. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Windsor and a Masters degree from the University of British Columbia. A big fan of brass chamber music performance, Stevan is active as a member, arranger and organizer of many brass groups. He is a core member of the Festive Brass quartet, which performs at The Butchart Gardens every Christmas season. The Festive Brass was featured with the Vancouver Island Symphony on their very popular Brassy Christmas seasonal show in 2014 & 2017. Stevan has been a private trumpet instructor for over 15 years and loves teaching all ages of students from beginners to more advanced. Inspired to ‘pay it forward’ to the next generation, Stevan returned to university to complete a Bachelors of Education and recently started work as a BC certified teacher. He is a dedicated music educator, devoted father and he admits he is an amusingly eccentric maestro of Christmas music madness.