Okanagan rock orchestra takes to Kelowna and Vernon stages

When Ken Hartfield saw astronauts walk on the moon in 1969, he was inspired to write a song about the event.

“The Light” has been in the works for almost 50 years and will be performed by Hartfield’s Symphonic Rock Evolution (SRE) orchestra Saturday, Sept. 23 in Kelowna and Oct. 20 in Vernon.

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“I thought hey, this is a good thing. Instead of spending money on blowing us all up, they’re spending money on space exploration,” Hartfield said of the inspiring moment.

The Kelowna musician has been working with his orchestra for the last four years, fine tuning their performances and arrangements.

On top of the original work, SRE will perform arrangements of songs by Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, the Righteous Brothers and Santana.

Hartfield believes the orchestra experience is the best way to hear rock and roll music.

“It’s like listening to it through a good set of headphones but live. It hits you right here in the chest.”

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