Morgan Cross
News contributor
The Palm Court Light Orchestra performs at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre this Valentine’s Day.
Conductor Charles Job leads the orchestra – entering its 30th season – through a Valentine-themed program, accompanied by Sidney tenor Sunny Shams and Vancouver soprano Shadan Saul Guerrero.
“In a sense, we’re a product of the kind of romantic age,” Job says of the orchestra.
Otherwise known as mood music or concert music – focusing on tracks from such musicals as Les Miserables, West Side Story, and songs from the 1920s, ‘30s, and previous – palm court light orchestral music emerged around the turn of the 20th century. It occupies a melody-rich, broad space between classical music and popular music.
Traditionally, it was played on the radio or for tea time in palm court rooms, such as the one in Victoria’s Empress Hotel. Job and the Palm Court Light Orchestra practice, perform, and record to keep the distinct tune of light music alive today.
“We differ from symphonies in that we play short pieces with a strong tune,” Job says.
The Palm Court Light Orchestra hosts three concerts a year. They perform at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan, the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney, and the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay, and offer seasonal subscriptions or single ticket sales for each. Previously, they have performed and recorded tracks by composers and artists such as Ernest Tomlinson, Herman Finck, Percy Fletcher and Albert Ketelbey.
This Valentine’s Day repertoire includes Somewhere a Voice is Calling, Down the Mall, I Feel Pretty and other famous romantic tracks and tunes from the early 20th century.
Tickets can be purchased at Ivy’s Bookstore, Munro’s Books, Long & McQuade, or at the door of the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd. Visit the Palm Court Light Orchestra online at palmcourtorchestra.com.