Local pianist Arne Sahlen will perform "The Call to Arms - Music of the World Wars" at the Kimberley Shared Ministry on 10 Boundary St. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
Sahlen will present his trademark brand of music and stories, but with a theme centred around Remembrance Day.
The well-known local musician received a large collection of sheet-music of the World Wars from the estate of Kimberley piano teacher Wendy Panattoni, who had herself received them from her former teacher Josephine Suart (née Radcliffe). Suart had served as the United Church musician for 30 years.
Her piano, which is in the upper hall of the church, will be used by Sahlen for this performance and much of the World War 1 sheet music bears her name stamp.
Sahlen told the Bulletin that many of the sheets are in excellent condition, as they were packed away when the society turned to positive progress following Allied victories.
"Thank goodness this music wasn't just recycled or sent to thrift shops," Sahlen said. "I feel it a sacred trust to keep them. For Autumn 2025 I plan on offering programs to schools, service clubs and churches as a way to share this incomparable musical and cultural wealth."
Sahlen said this program will raise funds for a project in Columbia, a focus of his for the past 40 years.
"Our local all-volunteer Cambodia Support Group, formed in 1983, found sponsors across Canada for 204 refugees and then aided humanitarian projects in-country," he explained. "We have assisted Mr. Samnang Kheav since 2005 as a keen supporter of the disabled. Himself a polio survivor, he formed a printing shop long ago that trains and employed disabled people. He now needs new equipment to keep up that splendid work."
Admission to these shows is by donation. For any further information, contact arnesahlen@hotmail.com or call 250-540-4242
