A 17-piece jazz ensemble will be featured at this month's gala dinner, dance and silent auction to raise money for the music department at Coquitlam's Gleneagle secondary school.
But it will be the students' talent that will be the highlight of the evening with more than 60 youth showcasing their musical and culinary abilities.
Students in the school's Little Big Band - an 11-piece "combo" club directed by Rob Marr - as well as the vocal jazz and jazz band will perform songs by Michael Buble, Diana Krall, Nora Jones and Styx for the fourth annual event, which runs 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.
Plus 10 apprentices in chef Frank Abbinante's culinary arts program will whip up a pasta buffet to be remembered.
Music director Ed Trovato encourages participants to dress up for the fete, which will be much in the post-Second World War style, with Maple Ridge's Bruce James Orchestra playing two sets.
"We're going to take people back to 1945/'46, the glory days for the Big Band sound," he said, adding the school's multi-purpose room will be decorated and the tables will have linens and centrepieces.
As well, the Gleneagle Music Parent Advisory Committee - made up of Karen McGee, Richard and Netonia Speller, Peter Huggins, Rita Harden and Helena Roosen - have a number of items donated for the silent auction in an effort to bring this year's fundraiser total to $3,000 - money that will go towards the music department's equipment and international trips.
Anton Siedlecki, 17, a Grade 12 student who has been with the vocal jazz section since Grade 9, said playing in the gala is a great way for the student musicians to perform in a public setting.
"Music is a destressor," added Rachel St. Pierre, 17, a Grade 12 student who also has been with vocal jazz since Grade 9. "I love listening to music and perfecting it and working with my peers.
"I think this will be a great event and we're all looking forward to it."
Tickets at $45 are available by calling Rose at the school at 604-464-5793.
