There are two performances and, like all festival events, there is guaranteed seating for all. Performances are professionally staged and lit to ensure maximum enjoyment.
THE MAROIS VOCAL PROJECT
Tight and dynamic, with killer solo vocal features, the MVP is an exciting mix of professional musicians performing instrumental jazz repertoire with the voices reproducing the sax and brass instruments. Featuring compositions from the masters of the great jazz era 1955 – 1965: Quincy Jones,Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Count Basie, Woody Herman and more, the ensemble members are alumni of Capilano University’s award-winning NiteCap brought together under the leadership of Réjean Marois.
THE NADEN BAND OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), in operation since 1940, is comprised of thirty five professional full-time musicians whose primary role within the Royal Canadian Navy is to support Naval Operations, ceremonial events, and public outreach initiatives. Currently under the direction of Lieutenant (Navy) Ben Van Slyke, the Band performs in a variety of ensembles ranging from parade band and concert band to big band, brass and woodwind quintets, and rock and contemporary ensembles. The Band provides musical support to ceremonial events such as the annual Remembrance Day and Battle of Atlantic parades, the opening of the Provincial Legislature, and official visits from heads of state. Naval Operations are supported through the Band’s performances at ship arrivals and departures, change of command ceremonies, and other Canadian Armed Forces functions at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt and around the region. The Naden Band is a role model of service, discipline and musical excellence, regularly engaging in collaborations with musical institutions in the local community. Recent collaborations include the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Music, the Victoria Symphony, and the Canadian College of Performing Arts. In addition, the Band’s educational school concerts and performances for Cadet Corps have brought military music into the lives of young people from across British Columbia. The Salvation Army Christmas Concerts, supported annually since 1979, are very popular and routinely sell out each year. The Naden Band also supports the Military Family Resource Centre and the United Way Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC).