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Artscene Intrada Brass blasts Mozart's opera Intrada Brass of Oakville will be pulling out a pair of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart opera masterpieces for its upcoming concert on Sunday, Oct. 30. Opera performed by a brass brand? Certainly, says Intrada Brass associate conductor Kevin Norbury who will be conducting the concert. "Brass bands played opera selections and orchestral music from opera from their very beginnings during the industrial revolution in Britain," he said in a press release. "They had very little original concert music, so they relied on transcriptions of well-known opera arias, choruses and overtures. For most of the players ­ and their audiences ­ this was their first exposure to classical music." The concert, titled Opera Blast!, will feature two of Mozart's most well known pieces of music: one being the overture from The Marriage of Figaro and the other is The Queen of the Night's Aria from The Magic Flute. Though the aria is usually a showcase for divas, this time it will be sung by soprano cornet soloist Marcus Venables. 35 · Friday, October 28, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Books to make children think The Oakville Public Library is hosting the launch of the next book in the KidsThinkAboutIt book series on Sunday, Oct. 30. Authors Amy Leask and illustrator Mark Hughes will be at the downtown Oakville branch at 120 Navy St. from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. They will introduce their audience to the characters of the book series, Sophia the Wise and Phil Bot. The book series gives children permission to ask important questions. Each 24-page illustrated book challenges the little thinkers, aimed for children aged seven to 10, to try out ideas for themselves. The books encourage critical thought, problem solving, communication and creativity. The event will include refreshments, door prizes, games and activities for both the young and old. Children will also be able to get photographed with the characters and listen to readings from the books. SUBMITTED PHOTO THE BRASS: Pictured are members of the Intrada Brass of Oakville, which will perform this weekend at St. John's United Church. In addition to Mozart's music, the concert will feature Wilhelm Richard Wagner's prelude to Die Meistersinger. "This is one of the pieces bands have been playing since the early days," Norbury said. "Wagner's big music is wellsuited to the brass band; we have to remember that the brass section of Wagner's orchestra is often almost as large as a thirty-piece brass band." As the concert falls on Halloween weekend, the band will also play something to mark the day. The band did not reveal what music it will play, other than the hint of Alfred Hitchcock. The concert takes place at St. John's United Church, located at 262 Randall St. The show starts at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students and are available at L'Atelier Grigorian in downtown Oakville as well as at the door. For more information, visit www.intradabrass.org. ­ Follow Dominik Kurek on Twitter at @DominikKurek Improv tonight The Oakville chapter of Bad Dog Theatre Company is keeping busy this weekend, with a show tonight (Friday) and another pair on Sunday. The company is holding its Theatresports program in the auditorium of Central Baptist Church, 340 Rebecca St., at 8 p.m. tonight. Theatresports features improv teams battling each other for comedic supremacy. On Sunday, the group will put on its Bad Dog Comedy Jam pair of shows at The Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., at 7 and 8:30 p.m. The earlier show is a teens permitted, while the following show is adults only. The shows feature improv skits. Entry into any of the three shows costs $5. Both the Friday and Sunday shows will feature Oakville-resident Gary Pearson, who produces the YTV show That's So Weird, which just won a Canadian Comedy Award last week for best ensemble cast on television. Conductor to lead Hamilton youth orchestra Oakville resident Colin Clarke is taking over the reins of a young group of orchestral musicians in Hamilton. The conductor, clinician, adjudicator and composer was appointed as the new music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He is only the third conductor in the company's 48-year history and replaces Paul McCulloch who resigned to begin new musical pursuits. "I'm excited and honoured to be working with an organization with such a strong history," Clarke said in a news release. "My plan is to pic up where Maestro McCulloch left "I'm excited and honoured to be working with an organization with such a strong history." Colin Clarke, music director Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra off and continue the legacy of musical excellence created by Dr. Glen Mallory (founding conductor)." The selection process consisted of both members of the youth orchestra, along with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Clarke officially begins on Oct. 31. As music director, Clarke will be responsible for conducting concerts, auditioning musicians, programming season repertoire and activities and contributing to the long-range planning of the organization. McCulloch will have his last hurrah with the group on Nov. 26 when he conducts his farewell concert at the Christ Church Cathedral, located at 252 James St. N. in Hamilton. Clarke was educated in orchestral conducting at the University of Western Ontario and then went on to further his musical and conducting knowledge at such places as the University of North Texas and the Manhattan School of Music. He's conducted around the world and founded the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra. For more information, visit wwww.hpyo.com. Attracting volunteers The Oakville Arts Council understands that getting and keeping volunteers is difficult for organizations and wants to help them. The organization is hosting its Attracting and Retaining Volunteers workshop at the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate on Sunday, Nov. 6. The workshop will feature guest speakers from Volunteer Halton. It will discuss the changing relationships organizations have with volunteers, how expectations have changed and how you can evolve your volunteer program to ensure you have the best and brightest of those available. The free seminar runs from 2 to 4 p.m. To register, visit www.oakvillearts.com.