Annual Concert of Remembrance Honouring Veterans Receives Standing Ovation

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper

Hundreds of Vancouver Island residents recently gathered at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre to remember Canadian veterans through music and movement. A night of respect and reflection, the annual Concert of Remembrance returned on Nov 8 to honour our Canadian veterans and service members.

The concert was co-presented by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society (CHAS) and the District of Oak Bay, bringing together the Band of the 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA). An annual tradition since the CCPA’s founding in 1998, the Concert of Remembrance celebrated its 25th show this year. The event opened with remarks from Kevin Murdoch, mayor of Oak Bay, and Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Philip Sherwin. The night then took audience members through the realities and vulnerabilities of service with the Band of the 5th performing over ten compositions introduced by Master of Ceremonies Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) (retired) Gerald Pash.

To Captain (Capt) Daniel Moses, Director of Music Band for the 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, music has often played the role of an ultimate morale booster. “Music and song are crucial to being human, and that is even more apparent during times of duress. Think about the military action in Ukraine and how music, dance and song bound the Ukrainian people together against their oppressors,” said Capt Moses. “It was the same during the Second World War, when families torn apart sought solace and comfort through the music they listened to, danced to and performed. For the soldiers fighting for their country, music was a distraction, even a short one, from the terrible situation around them.”

Remembrance is also about family for Capt Moses. “I think of my grandfathers and my dad who all served in the U.S. military. I remember the month I spent in France, visiting several battlefields whose scars of exploded shells are still visible and whose unexploded ordnance still poses a threat to humans today,” he said. “I remember the awe I experienced when I visited the astonishing monument at Vimy Ridge, and how moving it was to contrast that peaceful summer day with the terror that filled the landscape 86 years before. Mostly, I think of the young men who willingly volunteered to march into the unknown in support of their country, some of them never to return to continue with their lives. I wonder if the generation today would be as brave.”

The CCPA then took the stage for the second half of the night, leading viewers on a musical journey of wartime through song, poetry, and dance. Guided by R.J. Peters, Production and Design Manager/Studio Ensemble Program Leader, CCPA students gave voice to both the pain of wartime separation and the resilience of those left behind.

Peters, who has written and directed the Concert of Remembrance for several years, emphasized the importance of this annual collaboration. “It’s an evening that promises to stir the heart and ensures the legacy of those who served is never forgotten,” said Peters. “It’s been a tradition at the College for 27 years, and I actually first experienced it as a student myself back in 2001. It was through this very performance that I truly learned the importance of Remembrance Day, not just as a ceremony, but as a living act of gratitude and reflection.”

The CCPA usually prepares for the concert beginning August, selecting pieces that carry emotional weight, historical context, and a sense of reflection. “I write the script for the concert, and each year I try to anchor it around a central thesis: that if we fail to remember our history, we are doomed to repeat it. That idea guides every artistic choice we make. The emotions we channel during the process range from gratitude and reverence to hope and responsibility,” said Peters. “It’s deeply moving to watch the students, the next generation, engage with these stories and recognize the importance of remembrance in keeping our shared history alive.”

As the night drew to a close, an overwhelming standing ovation concluded the performance as veterans, active members of the CAF, families, and civilians all stood together, bound by music and memory. Proceeds from the concert were divided equally between the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (EMFRC), which provides essential services and support to military families across Vancouver Island, and the CHAS, which works to preserve and promote appreciation for local arts and culture.

To Jackie Carlé, Executive Director of the EMFRC, receiving support from the community is an honour. “As we remember the past trials and triumphs of those on the homefront who endured through global conflicts, so much has changed….and so much remains the same. In our fast-paced world of 24-hour news and hyper-connectivity, things are very different providing extra challenges and acute awareness for those at home. News travels quickly and worries can come rushing in,” said Carlé. “However, what remains the same is that sending our loved ones into the uncertainty of our world can test us to our limits. With the generous donations from this concert of remembrance, we can walk alongside families through all the highs and lows on the home front and our military members can stay focused on the mission for Canada.”

To Carlé, the concept of remembrance lies not only in the past, but also in the present. “It is so important for all Canadians to realize that while we remember, we also currently serve,” she said. “I personally engage with remembrance because my grandfather served in the First World War. My husband is also a veteran following 30 years of service, and my son currently serves in the CAF. So, to me, the act of remembrance is about honouring the huge sacrifices of the past and taking note of how these sacrifices impact our world today.”

Following Saturday’s concert, the CCPA will tour their part of the show to spaces across the CRD including community venues, Legions, and long-term care homes. Funded in part by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Province of British Columbia, the touring initiative ensures that remembrance also reaches those who may not otherwise be able to attend.