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Classical finale features woodwind chamber music

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Bassoon soloist George Zukerman will be at the Clarke Theatre on March 17.

Concertgoers in Mission should not adjust their timepieces. The season finale for this year’s Classical Mission concert series takes place at the Clarke Theatre on Thursday, March 17 at 7:55 p.m.“That’s because the concert is called 5 to 8,” explains artistic director Graham Yates.  “It’s a specially created concert of woodwind chamber music featuring a quintet, a sextet, a septet and an octet — works for five, six, seven and eight players.”The evening concludes with Mozart’s glorious Serenade K. 388, one of the most significant works for wind ensemble ever created.Assembled uniquely for Mission by Canadian impresario, officer of the Order of Canada, and bassoon soloist, George Zukerman, other performers include the Ad Mare Wind Quintet, Vancouver Symphony principals Roger Cole (oboe) and Cris Inguanti (clarinet), and Vancouver Opera horn player Steve Denroche. March 17 is the premiere performance of this particular wind ensemble.“We think there will be interest in this program in many other B.C. communities in coming seasons,” said Zukerman. “It’s chamber music-by-number (referring to 5 to 8) and it’s a brand new format to present some very unusual wind repertoire.”In addition to Mozart, the “unusual” repertoire includes works by Paul Hindemith, Vincent d’Indy and Carl Maria von Weber.Audience members can also look forward to the pre-concert chat with Graham Yates at 7 p.m. and a reception, sponsored by Prospera Credit Union, following the concert. Both events are free to all ticket holders.Tickets are $28 and available from Murdoch’s Booke Shoppe on First Avenue or by calling the Clarke Theatre box office at 604-820-3961.