January 12, 2012

New audio clips

Want to know what to expect at our concerts? Listen to some excerpts from recent concerts.

January 4, 2012
Like a box of chocolates

Come in from the cold and join us for an evening and afternoon of choral love songs. As sweet and varied as a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates, our next concert is a menu of melodies, with songs and anthems spanning continents and centuries.

Shakespeare once wrote that “music is the food of love,” but the reverse is also true. Love has inspired so much of the greatest music ever written. From the troubadours of the Middle Ages right up to the present century, composers have serenaded love, worshipped love, and cursed love. But above all, they have sung about love.

John Dowland sings of “tears, sighs and ceaseless cries” in one despairing madrigal, while bursting out in ecstatic hope in another as he reunites with his lover—“My heart lives now in perfect joy.” Divine love inspires several German madrigals written by Gabriel Möhlich, using texts from the Psalms. Contemporary composer Nick Austin takes inspiration from Robert Burns in his famous poem, “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.” And there is much more, including music by Schubert, Gounod, and Purcell.

We can only hope to scratch the surface of such a vast subject—you will have to fill in the blanks with your own experience.

And if chocolate is the unofficial food of love, then Saturday concert-goers are in luck. After the performance, you will be feasting on delicious chocolates and cookies provided by Circus Chocolates and the Black Forest Pastry Shop.

The Saturday evening performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. in downtown’s St. John’s United Church. The following afternoon at 3:00 p.m. the we perform at Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in North Oakville. Young string players of the Oakville Suzuki Association welcome audiences with informal performances before the Sunday concert.

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
St. John’s United Church, 262 Randall Street (downtown Oakville)
Click here to order

Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 3 p.m.
Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, 2745 North Ridge Trail, Oakville
Click here to order

Tickets:
Advanced purchase: $25 (regular), $15 (senior & student), $50 (family)
At the door: $35 (regular), $25 (senior), $15 (student), $70 (family)

Order online and save.

In support of The Salvation Army of Oakville, please bring non-perishable food items.

Music and a Meal™

Why go out of town, spend money on gas and parking, when you can enjoy great food and top quality concerts right here in Oakville?

We are very proud to announce the new Music and a Meal™ partnership with select Oakville restaurants: Paradiso Restaurant, 3Ss restaurant, Beccofino, Julia's, and Ritorno.

With Music and a Meal™ receive a 10% discount on your restaurant bill or on your concert tickets.

• Either, present your pre-purchased Oakville Ensemble concert ticket to one of our partner restaurant the day of the concert and receive a 10% discount on your meal.
• Or, present your restaurant bill at the door of the concert venue and receive 10% on your concert tickets.

It is simple & economical.

November 16, 2011
Volunteer opportunities

Want to use your talent to serve the community?
Want to expand your skills?
Want to enjoy a new experience?

We have a great opportunity for a volunteer front of house manager to oversee the volunteers at our concerts and ensure the smooth operation of ticket sales, collection, and welcoming of our patrons.

We also have an opening for a volunteer stage manager who will look after the setup of the stage for the choir and orchestra.

Oakville Ensemble
3-1500 Upper Middle Rd.
P.O. Box # 76055
Oakville ON L6M 3H5

905.825.9740