www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 8, 2013 | 22 Artscene "Connected to your Community" The Masterworks of Oakville Chorus and Orchestra, seen here, will be performing at Toronto's renowned Koerner Hall on Dec. 3 with a choir of 85 singers and an orchestra of 58 musicians. The group will also host a performance at Oakville's St. Matthew Catholic Church on Nov. 30.| Oakville Beaver file photo Canadian author Susan Raby-Dunne was recently at the Dorval Crossing Chapters for a tour of her book Bonfire: The Chestnut Gentleman, which tells the story of John McCrae through the perspective of his warhorse Bonfire. Here, Susan holds a spur that belonged to McCrae, loaned to her by award-winning author Terry Fallis for a year during her book-signing tour. Fallis's grandfather served with McCrae and came into possession of the spur that way. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) Masterworks to perform at renowned Koerner Hall The Masterworks of Oakville Chorus and Orchestra is set to perform at Toronto's renowned Koerner Hall on Dec. 3. "Koerner Hall is known as one of the most beautiful and acoustically-perfect halls in North America. Famous musicians from all over the world are eager to play this Royal Conservatory venue because of its uncompromising quality of sound," stated a news release. "Masterworks is honoured to be included with such legendary musicians, and we are extremely proud of this tremendous achievement for a community music group. It is a testament to our outstanding quality and professionalism." For the Dec. 3 concert, starting at 8 p.m., Masterworks will be performing with a choir Bonfire tells story behind famous war poem One of the world's most recognized tributes for soldiers who have died in combat is the poem In Flanders Fields -- written during the First World War by a Canadian soldier from Ontario, John McCrae. The events which inspired the poem have been captured in a book by Alberta author Susan Raby-Dunne. Bonfire: The Chestnut Gentleman is the culmination of nearly seven years of research and a trek across Europe to trace McCrae's footsteps and the "hoof prints" of his war horse, Bonfire. "Told from the perspective of the horse, this true story is unforgettable and will change the way people feel about Remembrance Day, the poppy and poem," stated a news release. Raby-Dunne was recently in Oakville at the Dorval Crossing Chapters promoting her new book. of 85 singers and an orchestra of 58 musicians. It will also feature soloists Charlene Pauls (soprano), Erica Iris Huang (alto), Bud Roach (tenor) and James Baldwin (bass), and a special performance of Magnificat by Johann Sebastian Bach and John Rutter. Ticket costs start at $35 and can be purchased online at www.koernerhall.com. Masterworks will also be putting on a local performance at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1150 Monks Passage, on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $20 for students or children and can be purchased online at www. masterworksofoakville.ca, or in person -- visit the website for a list of locations. Hundreds of Halton students Creating A Scene Nearly 400 students from schools in the Halton District School Board (HDSB) will stage dance and drama performances during the Creating A Scene event on Thursday, Nov. 28 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Starting at 7 p.m., the event will feature Grades 5-12 students from 15 schools across the Halton public school board, performing and entertaining audiences with original creative compositions choreographed, scripted or directed by themselves. The performances will include creative movement, interpretive dance and drama, improvisational comedy, and short dramatic scenes. "This is a fantastic opportunity for our drama and dance students to showcase their creativity in a professional performing venue," said Laurie Moore, HDSB instructional program leader in the arts. "Students have been rehearsing since the beginning of September and are excited to showcase their talent." Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at the box office at the 440 Locust St. performing arts centre, or online at www. burlingtonpac.ca.