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SAINT JOHN • Two-dozen veterans received a hero’s welcome Sunday afternoon as the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra commemorated the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.
The NBYO performed its Keeping Faith/Gardons espoir concert at Saint John High School Sunday. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion were special guests of the orchestra, which remembered the outbreak of the First World War, which began in 1914.
Henry D’Eon, the sergeant-at-arms for the Saint John district of the Royal Canadian Legion, said he was thrilled the young musicians were choosing to commemorate the world event.
“The legion itself promotes young people being involved in remembrance,” he said. “That’s what it’s about. It’s respect and remembrance for those who have served, the ones who didn’t make it home, and the ones who are still serving today.”
The veterans were led into the theatre by a colour party from the legion. The 300-strong crowd gave them a standing ovation.
D’Eon said there were a few dozen veterans at the concert, including from the Second World War and the Korean War.
Under the direction of Antonio Delgado, the 83-piece orchestra performed a variety of pieces meant to move listeners and inspire remembrance. Highlighted at the concert was a piece composed specifically for NBYO by Kevin Lau entitled ‘A Dream of Dawn’. The orchestra premiered the piece in Vienna, Austria, last year during their European tour.
Violinist Margie Christ said the composition is special for several reasons.
“It’s part of our commemoration of the centenary of the First World War. And it’s so cool to be able to play a piece that was commissioned for this orchestra.”
Ahead of the orchestra’s performance, a handful of musicians read a poem written to go along with the Keeping Faith theme.
The orchestra also performed classics from Alexander Borodin, Maurice Ravel and Dmitri Shostakovich.
The performance kicked off the official release of its Keeping Faith CD, which was sold before the show and during the intermission. The album was recorded last July at Mount Allison University before embarking on their tour to Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau and Saint John Mayor Mel Norton were on hand to support the orchestra
The concert was also a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the province’s first youth orchestra, which was formed by the late Philip Oland in 1965 in Saint John.
Don Matheson, executive director of the NBYO, spoke to the veterans before the concert. He shared with them his connection to conflict, his father who was injured in the Second World War.
“We’re very proud of you and our kids. I think you’ll see...they have rendered a beautiful commemoration,” he said.
Christ, who is from Saint John, said the concert was special for all of the members. She said it evoked emotion in everyone who came across it.
“It adds an extra layer of emotion that we can add into the piece. Sometimes you just play a piece and you’re like, well we’re going to play all these notes and then we’re going to go home. But when it’s for something as memorable and as special as the commemoration of the First World War it really adds a layer of depth.
“And being able to play it for our wonderful veterans makes it even more special.”
