Image: Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra / Chilliwack pianist Madison Brecht is one of over a dozen of Canada's most talented pianists slated to perform in the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra's Piano Extravaganza this Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra

Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra to feature 15 of Canada’s most talented pianists in concert this Friday

May 14, 2024 | 11:18 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack pianist Madison Brecht is one of over a dozen of Canada’s most talented pianists slated to perform in the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra’s Piano Extravaganza later this week at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

According to musician and Chilliwack resident Paula DeWit, who will be directing the performance, this concert is intended to showcase the future of classical music in Canada.

Attendees are invited to relish an unforgettable musical experience with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra’s Piano Extravaganza. Join them for an evening of virtuosic performances exhibiting the timeless beauty and versatility of the piano. From classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites, their talented pianists are sure to captivate with their artistry and passion. It’s a rare opportunity to witness ana extraordinary celebration of music, where every note resonates with brilliance and emotion.

Brecht is a 17-year-old aspiring concert pianist from Chilliwack. For nine of the 11 years, she participated in the Chilliwack Lions Club Music and Dance Festival where she was chosen as the piano champion, and has represented her community four times in the Provincial Festival. She took her ARCT Performer’s exam during the summer of 2023, and has also completed her Elementary Pedagogy certification with a First Class Honours with Distinction. Currently, she is in her first year of a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria, intending to pursue teaching and performing further after graduation.

Anna Wang is another Chilliwack musician set to perform this Friday at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

Image: Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra / Six-year-old Anna Wang of Chilliwack is slated to perform this Friday in the CSO Piano Extravaganza this Friday at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

She is described as a “precocious” 6-year-old pianist who studies at the Chilliwack Academy of Music. She began piano at age four and is currently working at level 4 piano. Anna is described as an exceptionally hard worker and enjoys her piano very much. In her free time, her extracurricular activities include skating, swimming, reading and dancing. Anna says she’s very excited to perform with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra!

Friday’s concert will feature Brecht as some of the country’s most prodigious pianists performing with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Paula DeWit. Moreover, this concert will be the platform for the world premieres of two extraordinary compositions: Kathleen Feenstra’s ‘Sea of Tranquility’ and student composer Vivian Kwok’s ‘Converge’.

The second concert will be held Friday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Vancouver in the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral. This concert will showcase thirteen future Canadian concert pianists, including another world premiere by student composer Judah Williams. Additionally, it will feature guest conductor Ian Parker, the principal conductor of the VAM Symphony Orchestra. DeWit will perform the always thrilling Grieg Concerto in A minor (3rd movement) to conclude the concert.

Tickets are available at chilliwacksymphony.com.

This year’s CSO Piano Extravaganza features the following students: Ethan Wang, Aaron Miao, Kayla Leung, August Xu, Adam Sun, Isaac Liu, Jinghan Chu, Felicia Ma, Judah Williams, Claire Yin, Owen Wang, Sunny Li, Jonathan Weng, Evan Zhang, Lainey Mi, Easton Roy, Fergus Kwan, Amber Au, Shanti Lin, Lucas Wu, Janette Wood, Miles Graham, Yishan Xia, Vivian Kwok, Anna Wang, Madison Brecht, Paul Wang, and Hamilton Lau.

Their respective teachers consist of Corey Hamm, Ian Parker, Clare Yuan, Matthew Ming Li, Colleen Denoni, Ingrid Henderson, Libby Yu, May Ling Kwok, Angelina Lee, and Clinton Giovanni Denoni.